Rebel (wrestler)


Tanea Brooks is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling manager, model, actress, dancer, and cosmetologist currently signed to All Elite Wrestling. She is best known for her work with Impact Wrestling under the ring name Rebel.

Early life

Tanea Brooks was born and raised in Owasso, Oklahoma. Brooks became a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader at the age of 18 after a year as a University of Tulsa dance team member, in which she appeared on the cover of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ swimsuit calendar. She is a long time friend of Christy Hemme, who she worked together with in Hemme's old burlesque dance troupe "Purrfect Angelz". Tanea eventually moved to Los Angeles to further her career in acting, modeling and dancing. Brooks attended the Napoleon Perdis Makeup academy, where she became a licensed cosmetologist. She had previously played for the Lingerie Football League playing for New York Euphoria.

Professional wrestling career

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling/Impact Wrestling (2013–2016)

Brooks was signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in 2013 after long-time friend and former "Purrfect Angelz" member Christy Hemme recommended her. In May 2014, she began appearing as Rebel, a childhood friend and partner of Knux in a carny-themed stable called The Menagerie, also including Crazzy Steve and The Freak. Rebel made her in-ring debut on the September 10 episode of Impact Wrestling, teaming with Crazzy Steve and Knux in six person mixed tag-team match, where they lost to the team of The BroMans and Velvet Sky. The following episode of Impact Wrestling during a Knockouts battle royal, Rebel legitimately fractured her arm when she landed on the steel steps when Havok knocked her over the top rope. She made her in-ring return on the October 15 episode of Impact Wrestling, defeating Angelina Love and The BroMans. On the following episode, Rebel was scheduled to face Angelina Love in her singles debut on Impact Wrestling, however she was met by Havok who maliciously attacked her. On January 7, 2015, during Impact Wrestlings debut on Destination America, Rebel participated in a battle royal for the TNA Knockouts Championship, however she was the first to be eliminated. After some hiatus, The Menagerie's profile on the TNA website was later moved to the alumni section.
In her first match since The Menagerie split, Rebel teamed with Brooke in a losing effort to The Dollhouse in a tag team match on the May 15 episode of Impact Wrestling. A few weeks later, Rebel was seen in a backstage segment, congratulating Brooke on her winning the TNA Knockouts Championship, only to be attacked by Jade and Marti Bell. On the August 26 episode of Impact Wrestling, Rebel turned heel for the first time in TNA by attacking Velvet Sky and aligning with The Dollhouse. On January 5, 2016, during Impact Wrestlings debut on POP, Awesome Kong allied with Rebel, Jade and Marti Bell and became the new leader of The Dollhouse after she attacked The Beautiful People and Gail Kim. In March 2016, The Dollhouse officially disbanded following Jade's Knockouts Championship reign. On September 14, 2016, Rebel announced her departure from TNA.

Ohio Valley Wrestling (2014–2017)

In 2014, Brooks began training at Ohio Valley Wrestling. In July, Rebel began competing in OVW dark matches, where she defeated former two-time OVW Women's Champion Jessie Belle, and defeated Mary Elizabeth Monroe on two occasions. Rebel made her televised debut at the Saturday Night Special on August 2, where she once again defeated Monroe. On October 1, Rebel defeated Jessie Belle to become the number one contender for the OVW Women's Championship; however, the match was cut from broadcast as a result of OVW ceasing with women's wrestling at the time.
When OVW was sold to Dean Hill, Rebel returned as the mystery opponent for Jessie Belle on July 11, 2015 on OVW Episode 829, which she won. On July 20 on OVW Episode 830, Rebel was pinned in a triple-threat match by Jessie Belle, which included Ray Lyn. She lost to Jessie Belle the following week in a singles match. On the August 15 edition of OVW Episode 834, Rebel defeated the returning Mary Elizabeth Monroe, however she was attacked by Jessie Belle after the match. On September 3, 2016 OVW Saturday Night Special, Rebel and Paredyse defeated Jessie Belle Smothers and Shane Andrews, then on September 10 Rebel lost a #1 contender's match for the women's title against Jessie Belle.
On November 2, 2016 on OVW Episode 898 Rebel won the OVW Women's Championship for first time in her career. On November 9, 2016 Rebel retained the title against Callie. On November 16, 2016 Rebel retained the title against ODB. On March 22 Rebel lost the OVW Women's Championship against Madi Maxx.

Return to Impact Wrestling (2017, 2018)

On March 2, 2017, during the tapings of the episode of Impact Wrestling, Rebel returned to TNA in Knockouts Knockdown 2017, in a losing effort against ODB.
On April 6, 2017, during the episode of Impact Wrestling, Rebel participated in a gauntlet match to become number one contender for Rosemary's Knockouts Championship, which she lost. Rebel would return one night only on the July 6, 2017 episode of Impact Wrestling where Rebel lost to Sienna. Another return was made on the June 14, 2018 episode of Impact Wrestling this time losing to Taya Valkyrie. Rebel returned again on the July 5, 2018 episode of Impact Wrestling losing to Katarina.

World Wonder Ring Stardom (2017–2018)

On April 30, 2017, Rebel made her Japanese debut for World Wonder Ring Stardom, entering the 2017 Cinderella Tournament, from which she was eliminated in the first round by eventual tournament winner Toni Storm. on May 3, Rebel, Jessicka Havok and Tessa Blanchard defeated Hiroyo Matsumoto, Jungle Kyona and Natsuko Tora. on May 6, Rebel and Hiroyo Matsumoto defeated Hetzza and Kaori Yoneyama. on May 7, Rebel lost a 3-way dance to Hana Kimura. on May 14, Rebel lost another 3-way dance to HZK. on May 20, Rebel lost a 3-way dance to Hana Kimura. on May 21, Rebel lost to Io Shirai. on June 4 she lost to Hana Kimura. on June 11, Rebel and Shanna defeated Hiromi Mimura and Konami. on June 17, Rebel lost a 3-way dance to Hana Kimura. on June 21, Rebel and Team Jungle lost a six-woman tag match to Hiromi Mimura, Konami and Yoko Bito.

Return to OVW (2017–2019)

Rebel returned to OVW on the August 5, 2017 on OVW Saturday Night Special - War Zone, Rebel competed in a fatal-four way steel cage match against Cali, Mickie Knuckles and Paredyse, which was won by Cali. On September 23 at the OVW Matt Cappotelli Benefit Show, she defeated Cali, Jaylee and Torey Payne in a fatal-four-way match.
On August 4, 2018, at OVW Saturday Night Special , Rebel unsuccessfully challenged Jaylee for the OVW Women's Championship. The match ended in a double count out.

WWE appearance (2019)

Brooks appeared under her real name on the January 23, 2019 edition of WWE's NXT program, teaming with the villainous Amber Nova in a losing effort against Kairi Sane and Io Shirai.

All Elite Wrestling (2019–present)

It was reported by the wrestling Observer in August 2019 that Brooks had been hired for a backstage role with All Elite Wrestling, to do hair and makeup for the women's roster. Brooks would make her on screen debut as Rebel on the April 29, 2020 episode of AEW Dynamite, serving as the makeup artist for Dr. Britt Baker, who kept incorrectly calling her "Reba."

Other media

Brooks was cast as the lead "badonkadonk" girl in Trace Adkins’ "Honkey Tonk Badonkadonk" video. She has performed with Trace in the CMT Music Awards and ACMA shows. She also was in the Brooks and Dunn video "Play Something Country." She was also a "Homewrecker" which is a dancer/performer between skits for the new Jeff Foxworthy show, Foxworthy's Big Night Out. In 2002, she made her acting debut in a short entitled Sweet Friggin' Daisies. She appeared in the reality television series Full Throttle Saloon for three years making guest appearances. In 2010, she appeared in the short Hello as Teresa Tomkins. In 2011, she appeared in Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan in the episode "Mufasa and Tucker".

Championships and accomplishments