Pro wrestling star Steph De Lander reveals how colleague’s advice helped lead her to title triumph at ACW
Steph De Lander made a successful return to professional wrestling after a two-year hiatus due to neck injuries, winning the ACW Women’s Championship in a triple-threat match against Indi Hartwell and J-Rod. Her comeback was influenced by advice from fellow wrestler Matt Cardona, who encouraged her to seize the opportunity to compete at ACW. De Lander described the experience as exhilarating and emotionally fulfilling after her long absence from the ring. She is set to team with Hartwell in an upcoming tag match at ACW's Reckoning event.
- ▪Steph De Lander won the ACW Women’s Championship in March 2026 after returning from a two-year injury layoff that required multiple neck surgeries.
- ▪She credited Matt Cardona for convincing her to take the ACW match instead of managing her husband, Mance Warner, at another event.
- ▪De Lander defeated reigning champion Indi Hartwell and J-Rod in a triple-threat match to claim the title.
- ▪She will team with Hartwell in a tag match against Lady Frost and Vicious Vicki at ACW Reckoning on May 16, 2026.
- ▪De Lander and her husband, Mance Warner, are both currently champions in different promotions, with plans to continue pursuing titles.
Full article excerpt tap to expand
Pro Wrestling Pro wrestling star Steph De Lander reveals how colleague’s advice helped lead her to title triumph at ACW De Lander needed multiple surgeries on her neck before beating Indi Hartwell and J-Rod in a triple-threat match at Awesome Championship Wrestling By Ryan Gaydos Fox News Published April 28, 2026 9:34am EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Pro wrestling star Steph De Lander dishes on her run at Awesome Championship Wrestling Steph De Lander talks to Fox News Digital about becoming Awesome Championship Wrestling women's champion. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Pro wrestling star Steph De Lander spent two years on the shelf with a serious neck injury that required multiple surgeries and nearly derailed her career. if (window && window.foxstrike && Array.isArray(window.foxstrike.cmd)) { window.foxstrike.cmd.push(function(Strike) { Strike.insertAd('tablet', 'lb2', 'tablet-tw-ad-lb2', ''); }); } else { console.error('Error: window.foxstrike not found'); } if (window && window.foxstrike && Array.isArray(window.foxstrike.cmd)) { window.foxstrike.cmd.push(function(Strike) { Strike.insertAd('mobile', 'ban1', 'mobile-mw-ad-ban1', ''); }); } else { console.error('Error: window.foxstrike not found'); } Last month, De Lander made her triumphant return to the ring. She appeared in Awesome Championship Wrestling (ACW) and was put in a triple-threat match against Indi Hartwell and J-Rod for the ACW Women’s Championship. When the dust cleared, De Lander was the one wearing the title around her waist."It felt awesome because there’s nothing like wrestling," she told Fox News Digital when asked about her return. "There’s nothing like throwing yourself at the ground. There’s nothing like being body-slammed, right? I hadn’t been through that for so long. Initially, I was nervous about how my body was going to feel, how I was going to hold up. Is it going to hurt more than it did before? But it’s like riding a bike. Everyone says it but it’s so true. if (window && window.foxstrike && Array.isArray(window.foxstrike.cmd)) { window.foxstrike.cmd.push(function(Strike) { Strike.insertAd('desktop', 'lb2', 'desktop-desk-ad-lb2', ''); }); } else { console.error('Error: window.foxstrike not found'); } ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Steph De Lander is the Awesome Championship Wrestling women's titleholder. (Life Lumens) if (window && window.foxstrike && Array.isArray(window.foxstrike.cmd)) { window.foxstrike.cmd.push(function(Strike) { Strike.insertAd('mobile', 'ban2', 'mobile-mw-ad-ban2', ''); }); } else { console.error('Error: window.foxstrike not found'); } "As soon as I got back in the ring, as soon as I took my first bump, as soon as I took some hits, my body was just lit up in the best way. I hadn’t felt the physicality that you don’t get from anything else. I hadn’t felt that for so long. I didn’t realize how much I missed it. I’m in the phase right now of loving getting beaten up, loving getting back in the ring. My body feels great, and I definitely felt back in my element." if (window && window.foxstrike && Array.isArray(window.foxstrike.cmd)) { window.foxstrike.cmd.push(function(Strike) { Strike.insertAd('tablet', 'lb3', 'tablet-tw-ad-lb3', ''); }); } else { console.error('Error: window.foxstrike not found'); } De Lander described getting involved in ACW as a bit of a whirlwind.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON…
This excerpt is published under fair use for community discussion. Read the full article at Fox News.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Fox News
