Wrestler Tanea 'Rebel' Brooks Reveals Terminal ALS Diagnosis After Long Health Struggle
A beloved former wrestler who spent years entertaining fans has made a heartbreaking announcement about her health. After a lengthy medical journey, Tanea "Rebel" Brooks has revealed she has been diagnosed with an incurable terminal disease.
Former AEW and TNA Wrestling Star Rebel Has Been Diagnosed With ALS
Between 2013 and 2021, Tanea Brooks entertained wrestling fans while working for companies like AEW, TNA, and OVW, mostly under the ring name Rebel. Known for her unbridled enthusiasm and complete commitment, she most recently performed as the manager of Dr. Britt Baker. During their highly entertaining partnership, Baker would often call her "Reba" in a dismissive, comedic manner that was part of their act. Additionally, she became truly beloved by many fans for her social media presence and her "Rebel's Happy Hour" podcast, which showed how lovely and genuine she is.
Brooks began to develop health issues, which she chronicled on social media. After previously being hospitalized in May 2024, she shared an Instagram reel in November 2025 in which she revealed that she'd been diagnosed with primary pulmonary lymphoma. That is a rare form of lung cancer. In the months after that, Brooks continued to share her medical journey on social media. Then, on May 1, 2026, she posted three videos on her X account stating that she'd been diagnosed with ALS.
"Okay, there's an update, and hold on, because there is a plot twist. First, I want to say thank you for all your prayers, because for those who know, it's been a two-year medical journey trying to find out what is wrong, and finally, our prayers have been answered. The thing is, sometimes we don't want to hear that answer to our prayers. And so, while I was waiting to have lung surgery for the masses on my lungs, the doctors at Mayo finally found what's going on."
Brooks continued, "The doctors have diagnosed me with terminal ALS. There is not a lot of research behind ALS, and we don't know how long I have. But it explains why I have trouble walking and talking, and all my functions will soon decline. Now we can prepare for the future and what is to come. I want to say thank you to Tony Khan and AEW for supporting me on this medical journey. It has been a blessing that is unheard of. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. And thank you to all of you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for a peaceful journey and a peaceful passing. I love you."
Health update: plot twist. #als#rebel#aew#alsawareness#endals#alsawarenessmonthpic.twitter.com/S2yudity8R
— REBEL (@RebelTanea) May 1, 2026
ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and has been known as Lou Gehrig's disease in the past. It is a non-contagious and incurable disease that causes the motor neurons in a person's brain and spinal cord to break down and die. That results in the brain losing the ability to communicate with the muscles of the body, causing them to progressively weaken and then shut down until the person can no longer move. It is a terminal disease because it eventually affects the muscles that are needed to breathe, which results in respiratory failure.
The battle to find a cure or effective treatment for ALS continues, with The ALS Association being the largest philanthropic funder of research into the disease in the world today. Our thoughts are with Tanea Brooks, her family, friends, and fans during this incredibly difficult time.
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This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 11:13 AM.