In the final segments of her revealing interview on TMZ’s Inside The Ring podcast, Steph De Lander painted a concerning picture of the medical infrastructure within TNA Wrestling. Having recently departed the company after footing the bill for two neck surgeries, De Lander highlighted the stark differences in athlete care between TNA and other major promotions.
A Lack of Infrastructure for Major Injuries
De Lander revealed that her insurance eventually maxed out, leaving her with a $9,000 medical bill. She stated that prior to her release, TNA had discussed a pay raise upon her return to offset the lost wages, but that promise vanished when they refused to clear her. She attributed this refusal to the company’s inadequate medical setup.
“I think it’s because they don’t have a budget set aside for injuries and a proper medical team,” she stated bluntly. “At WWE or AEW… they have all sorts of people whose job it is to take care of the wrestlers when they get injured… Unfortunately, TNA does not have it set up like that whatsoever.” She noted that the majority of her communication regarding her severe injury went through the company’s chiropractor, and it took 18 months just to receive a return-to-ring protocol.
De Lander also used the platform to dispel online rumors regarding her health, specifically refuting claims made by TNA management. “I wanted to set that straight… I did not break my neck. That’s not what happened. Even though my boss told me I broke my neck, I did not. Just to clear that up, I had a fusion because I had a bulging disc.” The straightforward procedure has seen many wrestlers successfully return to action elsewhere, adding to her frustration over TNA’s handling of the situation.
