Author: John Bass

AEW’s Rebel Shares Heartbreaking Terminal ALS Diagnosis After Lengthy Health Battle

AEW personality Rebel has shared a devastating update regarding her health, revealing that she has been diagnosed with terminal ALS following a difficult two-year medical journey.

The former on-screen manager, whose real name is Tanea Brooks, posted an emotional video to social media on Friday where she opened up about the struggles she has faced while searching for answers about her declining condition. In the video, Rebel spoke candidly about the uncertainty surrounding her health issues and the emotional impact of finally receiving a diagnosis.

According to Rebel, her medical problems began in 2024 after doctors discovered a mass in her lung. Since then, she has undergone extensive testing and treatment, including surgery in 2025, while physicians attempted to determine the cause of symptoms that progressively affected her ability to walk and speak.

Addressing fans directly, Rebel thanked supporters for standing by her throughout the ordeal.

“First, I want to say thank you for all your prayers, because for those who know, I spent a two-year medical journey trying to find out what is wrong,” Rebel said in the video. “And finally, our prayers have been answered. The thing is, sometimes we don’t want to hear the answer to our prayers.”

She explained that the diagnosis came while she was preparing for lung surgery at the Mayo Clinic. Doctors ultimately informed her that she is battling ALS, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurological disease that impacts nerve cells controlling muscle movement.

“The doctors have diagnosed me with terminal ALS,” Rebel revealed. “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.”

Even while sharing the difficult news, Rebel made sure to acknowledge the support she has received from AEW throughout the process. She specifically praised AEW President Tony Khan and the company for helping her during her ongoing medical care.

“I wanna say thank you to Tony Khan and AEW for supporting me on this medical journey,” she said. “It has been a blessing that is unheard of.”

Rebel has been part of AEW programming since the company’s early years and became well known to fans through her association with Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. Her announcement quickly led to an outpouring of support from fans and members of the wrestling industry across social media.

WrestlingNewsBlog.com sends their thoughts and support to Rebel and her loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

AEW Collision Preview 5/2/2026

AEW Collision live tonight at 8/7c on TNT and HBO Max in Peoria, IL.

  • 10-Man Tag: Death Riders & The Dogs vs. Top Flight & The Rascalz
  • TNT Championship: Kevin Knight (c) vs. Hook
  • AEW National Championship: Jungle Jack Perry (c) vs. Mascara Dorada
  • TBS Championship: Willow Nightingale (c) vs. Anna Jay
  • Bang Bang Gang vs. Death Riders

WWE SmackDown Preview 5/1/2026

WWE SmackDown live tonight on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix international from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will open the show
  • Ricky Saints main roster debut
  • Jayce Jayne vs. Charlotte Flair

Backstage Talk Emerges About WWE’s Reported Shift Away From Supernatural Characters

WWE’s recent wave of roster cuts has sparked plenty of discussion among fans, but one particular backstage rumor is now gaining attention regarding the company’s creative direction under TKO Group Holdings.

According to a report from PWInsider, there has been internal speculation within WWE that certain decision-makers connected to TKO may not be especially interested in darker or supernatural-style wrestling characters. While nothing has been officially confirmed, that belief has reportedly become a talking point backstage following several surprising departures.

Among the names being linked to that theory are The Wyatt Sicks, Aleister Black, and Zelina Vega. Fans immediately questioned the release of The Wyatt Sicks due to the group’s strong connection to Bray Wyatt’s legacy and WWE’s continued emphasis on cinematic storytelling in recent years.

Aleister Black has also long been associated with darker presentation and occult-inspired character work, making his release another example some within the company are pointing toward when discussing the rumored shift in philosophy.

The report further notes that one person even referenced The Undertaker’s recent WWE appearances, suggesting that his increased use of the “American Badass” persona instead of the supernatural “Deadman” character may align with this broader creative preference.

Of course, it’s important to note that these discussions are currently speculation and have not been publicly addressed by WWE or TKO executives. WWE roster decisions are typically influenced by multiple factors, including creative plans, budget considerations, and long-term branding strategies.

Still, the conversation has fueled debate among wrestling fans about whether WWE could be moving away from some of the supernatural elements that have been part of the company’s identity for decades.

For now, the reported backstage chatter remains just that — internal speculation — but it has certainly added another layer to the discussion surrounding WWE’s latest releases.

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! Preview 4/30/2026

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! tonight at 9/8c on AMC.

  • Walk With Elijah Match: Elijah vs. Frankie Kazarian
  • TNA International Championship: Mustafa Ali (c) vs. Adam Brooks
  • Allie, Rosemary, and Mara Sadé vs. Tessa Blanchard, Victoria Crawford, and Mila Moore
  • Jeff Hardy vs. Vincent
  • Mr. Elegance vs. The Home Town Man
  • We’ll hear from Leon Slater

Former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL Debuts On WWE NXT, Confronts Tony D’Angelo

WWE NXT gained another notable addition this week as former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL officially made his debut appearance on Tuesday night’s episode of the brand.

With several NXT stars recently moving to WWE’s main roster, the developmental show is beginning to introduce a fresh wave of talent, and EVIL may be one of the most intriguing names yet.

During the show, NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo addressed the crowd and declared himself the centerpiece of the brand. D’Angelo confidently stated that nobody in NXT was capable of knocking him off the top spot.

That confidence was quickly interrupted.

A cloud of fog and dramatic lighting filled the arena before EVIL made his entrance wearing a dark black robe. The former NJPW star slowly approached the ring and came face-to-face with D’Angelo in a tense staredown.

Rather than speaking, EVIL handed the champion a shirt featuring Japanese text before turning and leaving the ring. The mysterious presentation left both fans and commentators speculating about his intentions.

Commentator Vic Joseph acknowledged EVIL’s accomplishments in Japan during the segment, referring to him as a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion. However, WWE stopped short of officially identifying him by the EVIL ring name, leaving some uncertainty surrounding what name he will ultimately use going forward in NXT.

Reports surfaced earlier this year that EVIL had signed with WWE following the expiration of his New Japan Pro-Wrestling contract. His final NJPW appearance took place on January 20 during the Road To The New Beginning tour, where he competed in an eight-man tag team match.

The segment also teased additional challengers for D’Angelo. Shortly after EVIL’s appearance, former No Quarter Catch Crew member Tavion Heights attacked the NXT Champion from behind. English wrestler Will Kroos then added to the chaos by landing a moonsault onto D’Angelo.

With several new threats emerging at once, Tony D’Angelo’s reign could soon become far more difficult — and EVIL’s arrival may end up being the biggest game changer of them all.

WWE NXT Preview 4/28/2026

WWE NXT tonight at 8/7c on The CW.

  • NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne (c) vs. Saquon Shugars
  • Shiloh Hill vs. Ricky Saints
  • Birthright vs. E.K. Prosper & Dorian Van Dux
  • Lizzie Rain debuts
  • Tony D’Angelo challenges someone

WWE NXT Premium Live Events Find New Home on The CW in Historic Deal

After months of uncertainty surrounding the future of WWE NXT Premium Live Events, WWE has officially locked in a new broadcast partner—and it’s a move that could quietly reshape how fans access big shows moving forward.

Earlier this year, Peacock’s rights to NXT PLEs expired, leaving fans wondering where the brand’s marquee events would land next. That uncertainty became even more noticeable when NXT Stand & Deliver broke tradition by moving off WrestleMania weekend and streaming for free on WWE’s YouTube channel. It was an unusual move that hinted WWE was still figuring out its next step.

Now we have the answer.

WWE announced Tuesday that The CW Network—already home to weekly WWE NXT programming—has secured the rights to NXT Premium Live Events as part of a new multi-year agreement. While financial details weren’t revealed, the deal will see The CW air 20 NXT specials over the next several years.

The first event under the new agreement will be The Great American Bash, set to air later this summer. An exact date hasn’t been confirmed yet, but the show will mark the official start of this new era.

The CW’s Brad Schwartz framed the move as a natural extension of the network’s relationship with NXT, which began in 2024 under a five-year deal. According to Schwartz, NXT has already proven to be a reliable draw on Tuesday nights, bringing in a consistent and engaged audience. Adding the brand’s biggest events to the lineup simply keeps everything under one roof for viewers.

The bigger story here, though, is accessibility. This marks the first time in WWE history that Premium Live Events—whether from NXT or the main roster—will air on traditional free television. For years, WWE’s biggest shows have lived behind paywalls, from the WWE Network to Peacock and now ESPN’s platforms. This deal breaks that mold in a significant way.

For fans, it means easier access to major NXT moments without needing a subscription. For WWE, it’s another strategic shift as the company continues experimenting with how and where it distributes content in a rapidly changing media landscape.

After a brief period of limbo, NXT’s PLE future is no longer in question—and it’s heading somewhere no WWE event has gone before: straight to free TV.

WWE Raw Preview 4/27/2026

WWE Raw live tonight on Netflix from the Sames Auto Center in Laredo, TX, beginning at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT.

  • Seth Rollins will open the show
  • Penta vs. Rusev
  • Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez
  • Roman Reigns will make his decision regarding Jacob Fatu’s World Title Match challenge for Backlash.
  • Joe Hendry making his Raw debut with a concert
  • WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch to appear

WWE SmackDown Expected To Revert Back To Two-Hour Format Again

WWE may be hitting the reset button on Friday Night SmackDown sooner rather than later.

After kicking off 2026 with an expanded three-hour format, new reports suggest the blue brand won’t be sticking with the longer runtime for much longer. According to Bodyslam+, WWE is planning to scale SmackDown back down to its traditional two-hour format within the next few weeks.

The shift would mark yet another adjustment in what has become a bit of a recurring experiment for the company. Earlier this year, there were already rumblings that WWE could follow a similar pattern to 2025—using the first few months of the year to run three-hour episodes before eventually trimming things back. Last year, that transition didn’t happen until July, but this time around, the change could come significantly earlier.

The original move to three hours was reportedly designed to strengthen network programming by providing a longer lead-in for other shows. However, the extended format hasn’t exactly been a hit across the board. Some within the wrestling world, including WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray, have been vocal about their belief that three hours is simply too long for a weekly wrestling show to maintain consistent quality.

For comparison, WWE Raw—now airing on Netflix Monday nights—clocks in at around two and a half hours including commercials, offering a slightly shorter but still substantial viewing experience.

If the reports hold true, SmackDown returning to two hours could be welcome news for fans who prefer a tighter, more focused weekly show.