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Tag: ALS

  • AEW’s Rebel Joins ‘I AM ALS’ As Ambassador Amid ALS Battle

    AEW’s Rebel Joins ‘I AM ALS’ As Ambassador Amid ALS Battle

    AEW star Rebel is not stepping back from the fight of her life.

    The AEW star, whose real name is Tanea Brooks, has announced that she is joining the non-profit organization I AM ALS as an ambassador, taking on an active advocacy role as she battles the disease herself. She shared the news in a video posted to X by the organization.

    Rebel explained in the video that she is hoping to help the organization to make an impact and move closer toward finding a cure. Her involvement comes after she publicly revealed that she had been diagnosed with ALS.

    “I am Tanea Brooks. I am Rebel. Now, I AM ALS,” she said. “ALS may be terminal, but I’m showing up to fight as an Ambassador for I AM ALS, a patient-led movement pushing for real progress. I’m proud to join I AM ALS and I’m asking you to step into the ring with us.”

    AEW Mobilizes Support For Rebel

    The wrestling community is rallying around her. AEW launched a special merchandise collection, with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting the ALS Association and Team Gleason.

    I AM ALS describes itself as an ALS support organization committed to offering comprehensive resources. Its programs are aimed at educating the public about the disease, pushing for policy reforms, and assisting families affected by it.

    The group empowers patients and caregivers to become advocates, funds research initiatives, and builds communities through peer-to-peer support and storytelling.

    Rebel’s decision to take on the ambassador role turns a personal diagnosis into a public push for progress, with the broader wrestling world lining up behind her.

  • AEW’s Difficult Decision Over Rebel ‘Terrible’ Health Battle

    AEW’s Difficult Decision Over Rebel ‘Terrible’ Health Battle

    AEW commentator Tony Schiavone recently talked about the challenges the promotion faced when addressing Rebel’s terminal ALS diagnosis on television.

    Rebel recently revealed she has been diagnosed with terminal ALS following health complications that began in 2024. Doctors initially discovered a mass in her lung after she was hospitalized, and she underwent several treatments and surgeries throughout 2025 before receiving the ALS diagnosis.

    Tony Schiavone discussed the delicate balance of acknowledging the heartbreaking news while maintaining the show’s energy.

    Speaking on his “What Happened When” podcast, Schiavone explained how the decision to address Rebel’s condition on air came about. He admitted he hadn’t stayed in close contact with her after she stopped appearing regularly.

    “You know, once I don’t see you, I’m not really good at staying in touch with you, right? You know that, so, I didn’t stay in touch with her that well, and then I discovered that she had been very sick and now has AEW,” Schiavone said. “So, I thought it would be best for us to mention something about it.”

    Finding the Right Moment

    Schiavone revealed that he approached Tony Khan to acknowledge Rebel’s diagnosis after noticing signs in the audience supporting her. Khan immediately agreed it was the right call.

    The commentator then worked with producer Josh Mathews to decide the appropriate placement during the broadcast. The challenge was finding a moment that wouldn’t diminish the show’s momentum.

    “We were kind of wondering where to put this because it’s not a good story. It’s a downer, and where do you put it when you’re trying to hype up this guy and get excited about this person going to the ring? You don’t want to bring anything down,” Schiavone explained.

    “So, we found a spot and we did it on camera, and I was sincere. It was from the heart. She’s a great personality, as you said. She was big for us on AdFreeShows. It’s a terrible story and it just that sometimes the best people have the unfortunate things happen to them. And she’s one of the good ones. She really is.”

    The announcement has led to an outpouring of support from across the wrestling industry for Rebel.