RedTwoster Posted May 1 Posted May 1 I was going to post this in the AEW thread, but I think she deserves better than that. Tragically, while awaiting surgery for lung cancer, Rebel/Tanea Brooks has been diagnosed with terminal ALS (link to wrestlinginc). She was a very underrated character for them, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Britt Baker’s act started to go downhill when Rebel was removed from it - their chemistry helped elevate Britt. It’s very sad news, and I hope she’s doing OK, and has a lot of support and love around her. Quote
BarryOVega Posted May 1 Posted May 1 Read a few months ago about her various illnesses, absolutely tragic that it’s gotten even worse, she was great in the early years of AEW as Baker’s lackey, as mentioned in the OP Quote
AshC Posted May 1 Posted May 1 Dreadful news. She seemed a hoot on telly, but regardless of that, this is awful. I hope for the best for her and her family. Quote
Chili Posted May 1 Posted May 1 (edited) Said in the AEW thread, but as a personality she became a bit of a fave during the pandemic era where they got creative as anything to give the shows a bit of life to them without a big crowd. It could be a bit stilted, but I quite enjoyed the Waiting Room segments Baker & Rebel (not Reba) did on AEW Dark (miss you babez), mainly because I think this is where the dorky laugh came from. Really enjoyable auxiliary character to a bigger act. Her dancing to The Acclaimed in this below segment is piss funny. Edited May 1 by Chili Quote
Olly1984 Posted May 1 Posted May 1 Really, really sad news, Rebel was a massive part of making Britt Baker tolerable and always willing to look daft to get a laugh. Hits harder as my Uncle passed from M. N. D and I know first hand how it effects the person, did a lot of charity work to raise money as there is no cure so my thoughts are with Rebel( not Reba) and her loved ones. Quote
Paid Members Hannibal Scorch Posted May 2 Paid Members Posted May 2 I also have first hand experience of MND and seeing this yesterday really sucked. Firstly because it’s one way road when you get that diagnosis, but also because I thought Rebel was great. I liked her TNA stuff that I saw (I was in and out of TNA for most of it), but she was a great sidekick to Britt in AEW. Elevated those segments. I believe she was initially brought into AEW to work backstage as head of Make Up, and I know she was still doing that after being off TV for a while. I’m glad at least she was in AEW when it happened because by all accounts it looks like she’s had a lot of help and support from them. I wish her peace. Quote
Paid Members Kamran Posted May 2 Paid Members Posted May 2 That video is heartbreaking! I always had a soft spot for her, as Chili said, she really came into her own during the pandemic period. I always hoped we'd see her back on TV in some capacity. I've seen a few of her updates since the cancer diagnosis and it's good to see AEW/TK are looking after her. I saw one of the comments mention that AEW should do a charity fundraiser for ALS (like they've done for other causes), it would be nice if they could do something with Rebel to highlight it. Quote
RedTwoster Posted May 4 Author Posted May 4 On 5/2/2026 at 10:07 PM, Kamran said: That video is heartbreaking! I didn’t initially see it since it was on the cesspool that is X, but I now have and watching her struggle to speak because of her illness, and talk about her own death while clearly struggling with the reality she faces is devastating. It sounds like AEW and Tony Khan is supporting her, which is good to hear. Quote
Paid Members Kamran Posted June 2 Paid Members Posted June 2 (edited) AEWShop has released a t-shirt and bracelet in honour of Rebel: Edited June 2 by Kamran Quote
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