AEW Holds Special ‘Dynamite’ Episode for Tanea Brooks

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) will present a special edition of “Dynamite” to benefit Tanea Brooks, also known as Rebel, who is battling ALS. The event, titled “Rebel Heart,” will be hosted at the Akins Ford Arena in Athens, Georgia. AEW and the broader wrestling community have supported Brooks following her diagnosis in May.

Wrestlers from various promotions have promoted “Rebel Heart” T-shirts and participated in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to raise funds and awareness. Tony Khan, owner of AEW and Ring of Honor (ROH), praised Brooks, stating, “Rebel’s been a great friend and part of AEW since the beginning.” Although she hasn’t appeared on AEW TV recently, this episode aims to honor her and raise money for ALS research.

Brooks revealed her diagnosis on May 1. In a heartfelt video, she disclosed, “The doctors have diagnosed me with terminal ALS. There is not a lot of research behind ALS, and we don’t know how long I have.” She expressed gratitude to her supporters and emphasized the importance of preparing for the future.

She joined AEW in 2019, initially working backstage as a stylist before appearing on-screen as Britt Baker’s personal makeup artist. Brooks had a brief in-ring presence before an injury sidelined her. Her wrestling journey began with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in 2013, followed by appearances in Ohio Valley Wrestling, Stardom, and a stint in WWE.

The “Rebel Heart” event features a series of competitive matches. Will Ospreay will face David Finlay in an AEW World Championship elimination match. Darby Allin and Steven Borden will compete against Mark Davis and Josh Alexander in a tag team match. The AEW World Trios Championship will be contested as Swerve Strickland, Kofi, and Austin Creed battle Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reily, and Roderick Strong. A women’s trios match includes Maya World, Hyan, and Thunder Rosa versus Persephone, Baker, and Hikaru Shida. Additionally, the Young Bucks will face Kyle Fletcher and Kevin Knight in a tables match.

Brooks is expected to participate in a segment called “The Waiting Room” alongside Baker. Persephone and Shida are also anticipated to feature in the event.