Steph De Lander has opened up about the circumstances surrounding her recent exit from TNA. She shed light on a conversation with company management that left her questioning her future with the promotion. The comments came during an appearance on TMZ’s Inside the Ring on March 5, 2026.
De Lander’s departure followed a dispute regarding her medical clearance to return to the ring.
Reports about both De Lander and her husband, Mance Warner, leaving the company had already surfaced. Now, the former TNA star has shared more details about what led to that decision.
During the interview, De Lander explained that she had been dealing with a serious neck injury and underwent two surgeries. She clarified that fans previously knew about only one.
According to her, the procedures were performed by WWE’s spinal surgeon, and she was later cleared to compete again.
“So basically, I’ve had a neck injury for a while and I actually had two neck surgeries… my surgeon wanted to put a little more hardware in there,” De Lander said. The former TNA star noted that she eventually received medical clearance and began preparing for an in-ring comeback.
However, she said those plans never materialized.
READ MORE: Steph De Lander Details Phone Call That Led To Her TNA Exit
According to De Lander, when she approached TNA about receiving more specialized treatment to support her return, the response from someone high within the company surprised her.
“Hey guys… I don’t feel like I’m getting enough specialized care to get to a point where I can start wrestling again,” she recalled telling management while asking if there were sports-specific rehab options available.
She claims the reply she received suggested she should reach out directly to two Hall of Fame names.
“Well, maybe you should DM Stone Cold Steve Austin or Kurt Angle and ask them for advice,” De Lander said she was told.
De Lander also revealed that a company executive later informed her that TNA did not feel comfortable allowing her to wrestle again, despite her medical clearance.
That conversation ultimately led to her decision to leave the promotion, with Warner departing alongside her in solidarity.
For now, De Lander says she remains confident in her health and ready to wrestle again— even if her TNA chapter ended on a note that didn’t quite get the three-count she expected.
READ MORE: Two Wrestlers Quit TNA — Report