Thunder Rosa will return to the ring on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at AEW Collision in Oceanside, California, facing Julia Hart in her first match in eight months.
Rosa’s absence from wrestling began after competing in the Casino Gauntlet at AEW All In Texas on July 12, 2025, followed by a main event match against Athena at Supercard of Honor the following night. During a recent appearance on Off the Ropes, Rosa revealed the emotional toll of her recovery, admitting she wasn’t certain she would ever wrestle again.
“This is going to be the second time that I’ve been gone for a long period of time,” Rosa said. “I’ve been out for eight months. Physical therapy was key for me to come back and the way that I came back. And it was rough. And just the fact that I had to take smaller steps to even do simple things. It took me a although and it was very scary.”
While the specific nature of the injury has not been disclosed, Rosa emphasized the mental challenge of her rehabilitation. “Everything that I’m doing, I’m doing to prove it to myself that I still got it, that I deserve this spot. But I receive an opportunity again. Life gives me an opportunity again to do something that I’ve worked so hard for the last 12 years.”
Rosa described moments of profound doubt during her recovery. “It’s key not to give up, especially during dark times, because this injury, believe me, it was dark. There were some moments that I was like, I’m probably never going to wrestle again.”
Saturday’s AEW Collision will also feature a match for the AEW World Trios Titles, with Jet Set Rodeo defending their championship. A clash between the Death Riders and the Don Callis Family is also scheduled, according to previews of the event.
