Friday’s Victory Road 2024 event for TNA Wrestling in San Antonio, Texas featured Steph De Lander announcing that she will be taking a break from TNA and wrestling due to her needing to undergo neck surgery.
During the show, a mixed tag team match of Matt Cardona & De Lander vs. PCO & Rhino was scheduled to take place. Before the match could start, De Lander grabbed a microphone and gave a speech to everyone in the ring and in the crowd. During her speech, De Lander revealed that she is unable to compete due to her neck being in pain every day resulting the need for her to undergo surgery.
De Lander stated that this was not a retirement speech and promised to return once she fully recovers and is healthy again.
In a shocking turn of events, @stephdelander reveals she needs neck surgery and @TheMattCardona took advantage of the news!
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) September 14, 2024
Subscribe to TNA+ to watch #TNAVictoryRoad NOW: https://t.co/yWWl2Aay0Y pic.twitter.com/EsfuxofzR5
In a follow-up, TNA released a digital exclusive backstage video featuring De Lander stating that she will be away from TNA for an undisclosed amount of time and promised again that she will be back and better than ever.
EXCLUSIVE: @stephdelander WILL be back in TNA!
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) September 14, 2024
Subscribe to TNA+ to watch #TNAVictoryRoad NOW: https://t.co/yWWl2Aay0Y pic.twitter.com/bPNzC05prp
In a follow-up, De Lander stated on Twitter that her neck issues are real and this is not just a storyline.
Yes this is real. Please don’t message me if I hate you! See y’all in a few ✌🏼 @ThisIsTNA pic.twitter.com/zdu9kSp8rS
— STEPH DE LANDER (@stephdelander) September 14, 2024