Tanea Brooks, known to fans as Rebel in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), has revealed she has been diagnosed with terminal amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Two-Year Health Journey

Brooks’ diagnosis concludes a two-year medical journey marked by initial misdiagnoses and ongoing health struggles. She shared the news in an emotional video posted to Instagram.

Initial Misdiagnoses

Doctors initially attributed Brooks’ symptoms to cryptococcal pneumonia, followed by a rare lung cancer called primary pulmonary lymphoma. In November 2025, she was also diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND), significantly impacting her mobility and speech, requiring her to use a walker.

ALS Diagnosis and Prognosis

The Mayo Clinic confirmed the terminal ALS diagnosis. ALS, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rare and incurable degenerative disease affecting the nervous system, leading to progressive muscle paralysis.

The typical life expectancy after symptom onset is around three years, though some individuals live for many years.

Gratitude and Awareness

Brooks expressed gratitude to AEW and its founder, Tony Khan, for their support throughout her medical journey, describing it as a blessing. She also thanked her fans for their prayers and asked for continued support.

Notable ALS Cases

ALS has affected many public figures, including actor Eric Dane (who passed away earlier in 2025 after a rapid decline), Bryan Randall (Sandra Bullock’s partner), Stephen Hillenburg (creator of SpongeBob SquarePants), physicist Stephen Hawking, and R&B legend Roberta Flack. Former NFL player Steve Gleason has lived with ALS for many years after his diagnosis.

Brooks’ story underscores the difficulties in diagnosing and living with ALS, as well as the emotional impact on patients and their families. She hopes her openness will raise awareness and encourage further research into the disease.