Multiple Non-AEW Stars Spotted Backstage at Dynamite To Support Rebel

ATHENS— The televised tribute to Tanea Brooks during the September 9, 2026, edition of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) Dynamite presented a curated image of support, but the atmosphere backstage at Akins Ford Arena revealed a deeper, cross-promotional solidarity. While the "Rebel Heart" episode featured programmed segments to honor Brooks, a significant number of industry figures from competing organizations ignored standard corporate silos to attend the event in person. The presence of these non-AEW stars underscores the gravity of Brooks' medical condition. After a protracted medical journey, Brooks announced in May that she had been diagnosed with terminal ALS.

Cross-Promotional Presence Backstage

The backstage area in Athens functioned as a rare intersection of competing wrestling brands. According to reporting from PWInsider, cited by Yahoo Sports and RingSideNews, a "huge group" of visitors attended the show. The guest list included reigning MLW World Heavyweight Champion Killer Kross and his wife, Scarlett Bordeaux. TNA Hall of Famer Gail Kim and Christy Hemme were also in attendance, alongside former AEW announcer Dasha Gonzalez. Additionally, Marti Belle and Allysin Kay were present, later sharing a photograph with Brooks on social media. Beyond the professional roster, a large group of Brooks' family and friends attended the event. F4WOnline notes that "quite a number of people" made the trip specifically to show support for Brooks rather than for general industry networking.

Attendee	Affiliation / Status
Killer Kross	MLW World Heavyweight Champion
Gail Kim	TNA Hall of Famer
Scarlett Bordeaux	Professional Wrestler
Christy Hemme	Professional Wrestler / Personality
Dasha Gonzalez	Former AEW Announcer
Marti Belle	Professional Wrestler
Allysin Kay	Professional Wrestler

The 'Rebel Heart' On-Screen Narrative

While much of the support occurred out of the public eye, Brooks—known in AEW as Rebel and Reba—was an active participant in the evening's broadcast. She appeared in two distinct segments, returning to a role alongside Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. The episode opened with the return of "The Waiting Room" segment, where Brooks and Baker reunited. Later in the evening, Brooks moved from the backstage area to ringside during a trios match. The contest featured a team of Baker, Persephone, and Hikaru Shida against Thunder Rosa, Hyan, and Maya World. In the closing moments of the match, Brooks delivered the glove Baker uses to apply her signature "Lockjaw" submission. This assistance allowed Baker to secure a victory over Hyan. Following the match, Baker sat on Brooks' lap as they exited the arena together.

Advocacy and the ALS Journey

The "Rebel Heart" branding was not merely cosmetic; it was tied to Brooks' ongoing efforts to raise awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. AEW aired a video package during the broadcast detailing the journey Brooks has navigated since her May diagnosis. Brooks has used her platform to raise funds for research, participating in and encouraging others to take part in the Ice Bucket Challenge over several months. To capitalize on the broadcast's reach, AEW encouraged viewers to seek more information and support ALS research through two specific channels: AEWTogether.org/RebelHeart and IAmALS.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were non-AEW wrestlers at a Dynamite event?

Talent from MLW, TNA, and other backgrounds attended specifically to show personal love and support for Tanea Brooks following her terminal ALS diagnosis.

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What was Rebel's specific contribution to the match victory?

Rebel provided Britt Baker with her glove ringside, which enabled Baker to apply the Lockjaw on Hyan to win the trios match.

When was Tanea Brooks diagnosed with ALS?

Brooks announced her diagnosis in May.

Coordination and Industry Impact

The gathering at Akins Ford Arena was the result of a deliberate organizational effort. According to Yahoo Sports, Tony Khan personally announced the special "Rebel Heart" edition of Dynamite to ensure the tribute received a dedicated platform. This corporate backing complemented a grassroots wave of support that had been building for months; multiple wrestling personalities had already participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge to assist Brooks following her diagnosis. While the broadcast focused on the reunion between Brooks and Britt Baker, the backstage environment served as a broader industry summit. The attendees represented various stages of Brooks' professional history and diverse current affiliations. The arrival of these figures in Athens occurred on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, with reports of their presence surfacing the following day via PWInsider. The concentration of talent from competing brands like MLW and TNA indicates that the medical urgency of terminal ALS overrode typical promotional boundaries. The evening's events were designed to transition from personal support to public advocacy. By integrating a video package of Brooks' journey and providing direct links to IAmALS.org, the promotion shifted the focus from a single athlete's struggle to a wider call for research funding. For Brooks, the next step involves continued advocacy for those affected by ALS, leveraging the visibility provided by the "Rebel Heart" broadcast to drive contributions to research.