Chelsea Green: WWE Release, Injury & Personal Life

For professional wrestlers, navigating an unexpected release and a serious injury can feel like two separate careers. Chelsea Green has lived both in quick succession. After a surprising WWE exit in 2023 and a broken ankle suffered in early 2026, she’s now back on Friday Night SmackDown — with a heart procedure and a long rehabilitation behind her.

Age: 35 (as of 2026) ·
WWE Championships: 2x Women’s United States Champion ·
Ankle Injury: Feb 2, 2026 ·
Return Date: May 29, 2026

Seven key facts paint the picture of Green’s career and health status since her return to WWE.

Why was Chelsea Green released from the WWE?

Green’s first run with WWE ended in September 2023 as part of a broader wave of budget cuts. She was part of a group of performers let go during a period of cost-cutting across the company. According to Bleacher Report, her second official WWE stint began in 2023, implying she was released earlier. Green later described the release as surprising, tweeting her gratitude to fans after the news broke. No official WWE statement explained her individual release, but the timing aligned with the company’s announced reductions.

Was the release a surprise?

• Green reacted with shock on social media, thanking fans for their support.
• The release came without prior warning, as is common in corporate WWE cuts.

The implication: Green’s release was part of a broader financial decision, not a reflection of her in-ring performance. The surprise factor suggests she was under contract without indications of imminent departure.

Has Chelsea Green got kids?

Public records and interviews as of late 2026 indicate Green does not have children. She has occasionally mentioned a desire to start a family in the future, but no official announcement accompanies that. The absence of a confirmed source on this topic means it remains unconfirmed.

The pattern: Fans often conflate personal life details with social media speculation. Without a direct statement from Green or her representatives, any claim about children remains speculative.

Is Chelsea Green in a wheelchair?

No. The wheelchair rumor began after Green posted images of herself using crutches following her ankle fracture. She never used a wheelchair for mobility. According to Sportskeeda, she was diagnosed with a broken ankle and remains on crutches. A photo of her in a wheelchair was part of a skit on WWE television, not her actual mobility aid.

What is the source of the wheelchair rumors?

• A skit on SmackDown showed Green being pushed in a wheelchair for comedic effect.
• Misleading social media posts conflated the performance with her real recovery.

The catch: The rumor spread quickly because visual evidence (the skit) was mistaken for reality, despite explicit clarification from Green and WWE.

Who is Chelsea Green’s husband?

During her time away from WWE, Green married fellow wrestler Zack Gibson, who performs under the name “The Drifter.” The couple tied the knot in 2023. Gibson is best known for his work on the independent circuit and in promotions such as TNA and Impact Wrestling. Green has shared photos of their wedding on Instagram, but no formal announcement was made through WWE channels.

• Green and Gibson met through the wrestling circuit.
• They have not publicly discussed plans for children.

What this means: Green’s marriage to a non-WWE wrestler ties her personal life to the wider independent wrestling scene, a contrast to many WWE stars who marry colleagues within the company.

What was Chelsea Green’s time in TNA?

Before her WWE return, Green performed in TNA (now Impact Wrestling) from 2015 to 2017 under the ring name Laurel Van Ness. She adopted a “hot mess” gimmick, a high-maintenance character that often played for comedy and drama. During her TNA stint, she was a prominent member of the Knockouts division but did not hold championships there.

Green’s TNA run is often cited as a developmental period that sharpened her character work, leading to her more confident WWE persona.

Confirmed facts vs. Unclear claims

Key quotes from Chelsea Green

“Eat, Sleep, Rehab, Repeat.”

– Chelsea Green on X, as reported by Sportskeeda

“Doctors finally caught my SVT after 10 years. So happy to have it fixed.”

– Chelsea Green via Bleacher Report

Chelsea Green’s 2026 journey — from broken ankle to heart surgery to in-ring return — underscores the physical and personal challenges wrestlers face outside the spotlight. For WWE fans, her comeback on May 29 proved she’s not done writing her story. But with WrestleMania 42 on the horizon, Green’s next chapter depends on a recovery that is still in progress.

For a detailed look at Chelsea Green’s career timeline, including her release and return, read Chelsea Greens career timeline.

Frequently asked questions