JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – She was the energetic star for Jacksonville-based All Elite Wrestling for several years. Her real name is Tanea Brooks but fans knew her by a couple other names “Rebel” or “Reba”.
She was athletic and outgoing. The former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader eventually made her way into the world of pro wrestling and Jacksonville-based AEW. For years she would perform alongside partner, another star Britt Baker in some of the most entertaining segments for the promotion.
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But fans have noticed Brooks has been off television for a considerable amount of time and now they know why.
Brooks just went on social media with the heartbreaking announcement that doctors have diagnosed her with terminal Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Health update: plot twist. #als #rebel #aew #alsawareness #endals #alsawarenessmonth pic.twitter.com/S2yudity8R
— REBEL (@RebelTanea) May 1, 2026
Brooks’ speech has noticeably deteriorated in the video she posted where she thanks Tony Khan and AEW for their ongoing support. Khan owns AEW and is the son of Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan.
“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 and from the bottom of my heart thank you.”
Brooks said it was a two year medical journey to discover what had been happening for her. “Sometimes we don’t want to hear the answer to our prayers,” she said. The doctors at the Mayor Clinic were working to find a mass on her lungs when they discover the ALS.
She added the ALS is terminal.
Hundreds (and soon thousands) of comments have flooded her social media from fans showing support following the tragic announcement.