AEW wrestler Rebel, real name Tanea Brooks, has shared a heartbreaking health update on Instagram, detailing her severe physical decline amid her battle with primary pulmonary lymphoma. In the emotional video, the former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader revealed her hands are “clawing,” making basic tasks like opening bags, cooking, brushing teeth, or even wiping difficult. Additionally, she disclosed that she now relies on a walker to prevent falls and struggles with speech, chewing, and swallowing. 

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“I’m doing speech therapy for my speech. Chewing and swallowing are difficult. I’m getting occupational therapy to help me raise my hands because they’re clawing. It’s very hard for me to open a Ziploc bag, cook, brush my teeth, put on deodorant, or even wipe myself. It’s a lot, guys … Right now, I’m walking with a walker. I can walk without it, but I’m a big fall risk, so we take precautions.” – Rebel

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47-year-old Rebel began her wrestling career after training at Ohio Valley Wrestling, where she debuted in 2014. Subsequently, she joined TNA, where she was a featured member of The Menagerie stable. Then, thanks to her also being a qualified cosmetologist, she joined AEW in 2019, initially as a backstage hair and makeup stylist for the women’s division, but would later appear on television alongside Dr. Britt Baker DMD during her memorable heel run. And while she hasn’t wrestled for AEW since 2022, the popular performer remains under contract.

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