Trigger Warning: This article discusses anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
Former AEW Women’s World Champion Thunder Rosa recently shared a deeply personal account of the mental and emotional challenges she faced during her extended absence from the ring due to a back injury.
Rosa, who was forced to relinquish the AEW Women’s title in 2022 and endured a grueling year of rehabilitation, revealed on AEW Unrestricted that the period was the “worst year of my life.”
“It was very mentally rough,” Rosa admitted. “I spoke about this very openly, I had suicidal thoughts for a long time… It hurt so bad that at times, I couldn’t deal with it.”
-Thunder Rosa via AEW Unrestricted
Rosa described the feeling of having her identity stripped away when she could no longer compete. The physical limitations, coupled with negative fan reactions and feelings of being let down by others, took a severe toll on her mental well-being.
“They broke how Thunder Rosa was,” she explained. “I had control of everything, and everything just fell apart, and I had control of nothing.”
-Thunder Rosa via AEW Unrestricted
Despite the immense challenges, Rosa persevered. She sought therapy, leaned on her support system, and gradually regained her physical and mental strength.
“I utilized the resources, I got physically stronger… little by little, I started gaining my confidence back,”
-Thunder Rosa via AEW Unrestricted
Rosa shared.
Her time doing commentary for AEW also provided a lifeline, offering a new perspective on professional wrestling and helping her rediscover her voice.
“Commentary helped me so much to really see professional wrestling in a different way,” Rosa said. “It’s just been… I enjoy, and I am blessed every time I step in the ring because I never know when this is gonna be taken away.”
-Thunder Rosa via AEW Unrestricted
Rosa’s courageous vulnerability sheds light on the often-hidden struggles faced by professional athletes. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of mental health support and the resilience of the human spirit.
Source: AEW Unrestricted, h/t to Fightful for the transcription.
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