Steph De Lander Returns to the Ring, Captures ACW Women’s Championship

Australian professional wrestler Steph De Lander has made a triumphant return to in-ring competition, capturing the ACW Women’s Championship in her first match back after a lengthy injury layoff. On Saturday, March 14, at ACW Aftershock in Poughkeepsie, Fresh York, De Lander defeated Indi Hartwell and J-Rod in a triple threat match to become the second-ever ACW Women’s Champion.

The victory marks a significant milestone in De Lander’s career, especially considering her recent challenges. Hartwell had held the inaugural championship for an impressive 302 days before losing the title to De Lander [1].

Comeback After Neck Surgery and TNA Departure

This match was De Lander’s first since August 3, 2024, when she competed on an episode of TNA iMPACT! alongside Kon and Madman Fulton against PCO, Rhino, and Xia Brookside [2]. She was sidelined following neck surgery and subsequently departed from TNA Wrestling earlier this month.

De Lander had publicly stated that she received medical clearance from outside doctors to return to wrestling, but TNA Wrestling did not approve her return [1]. Her departure from the promotion, alongside her husband Mance Warner, paved the way for her return to the ring with ACW.

De Lander’s Determination

Demonstrating her unwavering passion for wrestling, De Lander stated, “It doesn’t matter what company I’m at. It doesn’t matter what three letters are on the mat – what matters is I’m a wrestler and I belong in this ring.” .

ACW Aftershock Featured Notable Wrestlers

The ACW Aftershock event similarly showcased appearances from other prominent names in the wrestling world, including Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, Mike Santana, and Killer Kross [1].

De Lander’s immediate success upon her return underscores her resilience and determination, signaling a promising new chapter in her wrestling career [3].