In 2024, TNA’s Steph De Lander underwent fusion surgery on her neck. De Lander, who was on WWE NXT briefly during its 2.0 era as Persia Pirotta, announced in January of this year she was ready to go, but was apparently having issues getting answers from TNA management:
My neck is 100% healed and I have been cleared by my surgeon to return to the ring. I need guidance from a medical professional to ensure safety so I can get back to doing what I love. I have asked so many times. Can anyone help me @ThisIsTNA
@WWE @AEW ???
The 29-year-old from Australia seems to have gotten an answer, but that answer was “no”. Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp broke the news today (March 4) that De Lander and her husband Mance Warner quit TNA. Sapp then posted the details at Fightful’s Patreon: the couple decided to walk after being told the promotion would never clear her to wrestle for them again.
De Lander got a second opinion from a WWE-affiliated spinal surgery specialist, and they reported cleared her as well. No word on why TNA opted to err on the side of caution in Steph’s case, despite the medical clearances.
TNA has yet to say anything at all, which may be because a source told Fightful that Warner and De Lander could still finish up with the company before exiting. She hasn’t wrestled since August of 2024, but ole Mancer’s been active in the mid-card on Impact.
What do you think of TNA’s decision? What’s next for De Lander and her former CZW & GCW World titleholding hubby?
