Thunder Rosa is set to return to the wrestling ring this Saturday on AEW Collision at the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California, facing Julia Hart. This will mark her first match since July 12, 2025, when she participated in the Casino Gauntlet at AEW All In Texas. The night before that event, Rosa also wrestled Athena in the main event of Supercard of Honor.
Challenges and Recovery During Time Away
Rosa shared during a recent appearance on Off the Ropes that this is the second time she has been sidelined for an extended period, having spent eight months away from wrestling.
This is going to be the second time that I’ve been gone for a long period of time. I’ve been out for eight months,
Rosa said on the show.
She emphasized how crucial physical therapy was to her recovery process, noting the difficulty and fear she faced simply completing basic tasks while on the path to returning.
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 while and it was very scary.
Rosa acknowledged that every step she takes now is to prove to herself that she still belongs at the top level of her profession.
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 get an opportunity again. Life gives me an opportunity again to do something that I’ve worked so hard for the last 12 years.
Uncertainty and Fear During Healing
Although Rosa has not revealed the specific nature of the injury that forced her hiatus, she described moments when she doubted if she would ever wrestle again.
It’s important not to give up, especially during dark times, because this injury, believe me, Robin, it was dark. There were some moments that I was like, I’m probably never going to wrestle again.
These words highlight the anxiety and uncertainty she experienced while healing, which made her upcoming return even more significant.
Significance of Thunder Rosa’s Return
Thunder Rosa’s wrestling comeback carries emotional weight, as she overcomes fears of a career-ending injury to enter the ring once more. Her story underscores resilience in the face of physical adversity and the determination required to maintain her place in professional wrestling. Fans and observers will be watching closely as she competes against Julia Hart in Oceanside, a moment that may mark a pivotal chapter in her career going forward.
"This injury…There were some moments where I was like, I'm probably never going to wrestle again."@thunderrosa22 on making her long awaited return to the ring tonight on #AEWCollision 👏👏👏#OffTheRopes | @robinlundberg | @Thecoachrules | Weekdays 2-4pm ET on Pro Wrestling… pic.twitter.com/ildzbMelTL
— SiriusXM Busted Open (@BustedOpenRadio) February 21, 2026
