Tanea Brooks (September 8, 1978) is an American professional wrestling manager, professional wrestler, model, actress, and dancer. She was best known for her time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a TNA Knockout 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, in which she appeared on the cover of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ swimsuit calendar. She is an long time friend of Christy Hemme as they worked together 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.
Professional wrestling career
Ohio Valley Wrestling (2014)
It was announced that she is training full-time at Ohio Valley Wrestling. In July, Rebel made her in-ring debut competing in a pre-show dark match for OVW against former two-time OVW Women's Champion Jessie Belle, with Rebel getting an upset victory pinning Belle with a small package. Rebel made her next appearance in OVW on the July 24 edition of OVW Episode 779, defeating Mary Elizabeth Monroe in a post-show dark match On the July 30 edition of OVW Episode 780, Rebel lost to Mary Elizabeth Monroe in a pre-show dark match via submission after tapping to the Rainbow Cross. Rebel made her television debut at the Saturday Night Special on August 2, where Rebel defeated Mary Elizabeth with a Split-legged leg drop.
On the October 1st edition of OVW Episode 789, Rebel defeated Jessie Belle to become the number 1 contender for the OVW Women's Championship, however the match was cut from broadcast because OVW ceased with women wrestling.
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
The Menagerie (2014-2015)
Brooks was signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling after long-time friend and former "Purrfect Angelz" member Christy Hemme suggested her. In May 2014, Knux debuted his new stable called The Menagerie, composed of himself, Rebel, 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 Wrestling's debut on Destination America, Rebel participated in a battle royal for the TNA Knockouts Championship, however she was the first to be eliminated.
Rebel made her return on the May 15 episode of Impact Wrestling, where she teamed with Brooke in a losing effort to The Dollhouse (Jade and Marti Bell).
Heel Turn; The Dollhouse (2015-present)
On the August 26 episode of Impact Wrestling, Rebel turned into a villainess for the first time in TNA by attacking Velvet Sky during her Knockouts Championship match against Brooke, and later becoming the newest member of The Dollhouse. Rebel, Jade, and Bell attacked Sky again on the following week's edition of Impact Wrestling, only to be attacked by Sky, Angelina Love, and Madison Rayne, reuniting The Beautiful People. On the September 23 episode of Impact Wrestling, The Dollhouse defeated Sky and Rayne in a handicap match.
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." One of Tanea’s most recent achievements is becoming 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 an short entitled [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".
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- FBG – Flying Booty Guillotine (|Split-legged diving leg drop) – 2014–present; adopted from Christy Hemme
- Signature moves
- Bicycle kick
- Cornered sunset flip
- Reverse STO
- Scoop slam
- Small package
- Split evasion, sometimes followed by a lariat
- Tag teams and stables
Championships and accomplishments
- OVW Women's Championship (1 time, Current)
External links
- Tanea Brooks' Website
- Tanea Brooks' Profile at CAGEMATCH.net
- IMDb Profile
- Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Profile
- Daily Wrestling News Article
- Impact Wrestling Profile
| The Menagerie |
|---|
| Knux • Rebel • Crazzy Steve • The Freak |
| TNA Roster |
|---|
|
Ace Austin • Alex Hammerstone • Brian Myers • Cody Deaner • Chris Bey • Crazzy Steve • Eddie Edwards • Frankie Kazarian • Joe Doering • Johnny Swinger • Jonathan Gresham • Josh Alexander • Mike Bailey • Moose • PCO • Rhino • Rich Swann • Steve Maclin • Trey Miguel • Zachary Wentz |
| Knockouts |
|
Alisha Edwards • Ash By Elegance • Gisele Shaw • Havok • Jordynne Grace • Killer Kelly • KiLynn King • Masha Slamovich • Rosemary • Savannah Evans • Tasha Steelz • Xia Brookside |