AEW personality Rebel, whose real name is Tanea Brooks, recently shared that she has been diagnosed with a rare lung cancer. At 47 years old, her symptoms were initially misdiagnosed for a full year before the correct and alarming diagnosis was made.
Rebel’s announcement has been met with an outpouring of support from fans and industry peers alike. She expressed her thanks to AEW President Tony Khan, who gifted her a basket and offered heartfelt words, stating, “Your support means the world to me.”
While many praised Khan’s gesture, some criticized it as insufficient given his wealth, to which Rebel responded firmly. The cancer Rebel is fighting is primary pulmonary lymphoma (PPL), a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that affects the lungs. PPL is difficult to diagnose due to its vague symptoms like a persistent cough, fever, and chest pain, which can be mistaken for other lung illnesses. It represents less than 1% of all lymphomas and accounts for only 0.5-1% of primary lung cancers.
Tony Khan has shown similar care to other AEW talents, such as when he visited Kota Ibushi in October 2025 during his recovery from femur surgery. Ibushi expressed gratitude but also felt a bit embarrassed by Khan’s presence in his vulnerable state.
Rebel has been part of AEW for several years but was out of action from 2024 to 2025. SEScoops joins her loved ones, colleagues, and fans in sending her strength and well wishes in her battle beyond the ring.
Fan Take: This news is significant to AEW fans because it highlights the human side of their favorite performers, reminding us that health struggles affect even those we admire for their strength and resilience. Rebel’s fight could inspire the wrestling community to rally in support, potentially increasing awareness for rare cancers and the importance of early detection in the sport.
