Brinley Reece Leaves WWE NXT Over Health Issues

Brinley Reece, a 25-year-old WWE NXT wrestler, announced her departure from the company on Sunday via social media, citing ongoing health challenges and a recent shoulder injury as key factors in her decision.

Reece, whose real name is Breanna Ruggiero, shared a detailed statement on Instagram reflecting on her three-year tenure with WWE, which began in early 2023. She had not competed since March 2025, when she last wrestled at an NXT live event against Karmen Petrovic and appeared on the March 2 episode of WWE EVOLVE. That month, she sustained a serious shoulder injury that sidelined her and led to surgery in May 2025. In her post, Reece explained the personal toll of her time in the ring. "This decision came after navigating personal health challenges and a serious injury that required surgery last year," she wrote. "It wasn't an easy choice, but it was a necessary one choosing my health, my body, and my future first."

Reece brought a strong athletic foundation to WWE, having served as cheer captain at Sacramento State University with a background in tumbling and acrobatics. She made her in-ring debut in September 2023 and quickly gained attention for her explosive style and...