Steph De Lander: I Think The Chris Bey Situation Definitely Shook TNA, But I Don’t Think It Made Them Take Injuries Anymore Seriously
De Lander is asked about how the respective injuries were handled.
While guest appearing on TMZ’s Inside The Ring podcast, Steph De Lander spoke candidly about her recovery from her neck surgeries and how TNA Wrestling was not looking to clear her, and that leading to her exiting the promotion.
De Lander also shared that she took care of the finances for her surgeries and post-surgery recovery. She was asked about how TNA handled Chris Bey’s recovery from his broken neck. De Lander feels that Bey’s injury did not lead to TNA taking injuries more seriously.
She remembers asking TNA for products from their partners in BioFlex to assist with her recovery. TNA told her that they gave the products to other wrestlers.
“I think they are worried or they were worried about my situation if I did get back in the ring. I don’t think they could handle a Chris Bey situation happening again with someone else, financially, or PR-wise or whatever else and I think a big part of them being really hesitant to let me get back in the ring probably has something to do with that situation. But, in spite of that situation, they still didn’t take my injury anymore seriously or try to get me extra support or even down to, like, we had a relationship with BioFlex which does the red light therapy treatments and I had asked, ‘Hey, I know we get free BioFlex products. Do you think I could get some for my neck recovery?’ And I was told, ‘Oh, we’ve already given them to other talent.’ People that aren’t injured. So, I was really trying to just get bottom-of-the-barrel support in any way… From a business standpoint, I think the Chris Bey situation definitely shook them. I don’t think it made them take injuries anymore seriously though.”
De Lander and her husband, Mance Warner, both exited TNA. TNA wanted to keep Warner, but he left with De Lander to show solidarity.
If the quote in this article is used, please credit TMZ’s Inside The Ring podcast with an H/T to Fightful for the transcription.
