Adriana Rizzo has addressed her WWE release with a deeply personal statement reflecting on her four-year journey in the company, her role alongside Tony D’Angelo in The D’Angelo Family, and the serious injuries that interrupted much of her time in NXT.

Rizzo was among the NXT talents released by WWE this week. In her message, she described the end of her WWE run as difficult while making it clear that she remains proud of the work she did and determined to continue pursuing what comes next.

“My journey with WWE has come to an end,” Rizzo wrote. She said the past four years included both major highs and some of the toughest stretches of her life, adding that she took pride in staying true to herself throughout the experience.

The statement offered a candid look at a career path that featured momentum, a high-profile character presentation in NXT, and a long rehabilitation process that limited the amount of time she was able to spend actively performing.

For more background on this topic, read Johnny Gargano Calls Cleveland SmackDown Return ‘The Beginning, Not The End’.

Rizzo thanks The D’Angelo Family

Rizzo became a familiar face in NXT as a member of The D’Angelo Family, the group centered around Tony D’Angelo. She debuted in the Adriana Rizzo role in November 2023, joining the act with a character that fit the faction’s organized-crime-inspired presentation.

Her connection to the group was a central part of her message following her release. Rizzo said she was grateful for her time with The D’Angelo Family and emphasized that the people involved became more than simply on-screen colleagues to her.

“They truly became family to me,” she wrote.

Rizzo also looked back fondly on being able to portray the Adriana Rizzo character, calling it a distinctive opportunity and saying she enjoyed bringing the persona to life. Beyond the role itself, she said the experience helped her recognize that she was capable of more than she had previously realized.

For performers developing in NXT, a defined on-screen identity can be especially important. Rizzo’s place in The D’Angelo Family gave her a clear role within the brand’s television landscape and allowed her to contribute to a presentation built around alliances, loyalty and personality-driven storytelling. Her statement suggests that the creative opportunity and the relationships formed around it were among the most meaningful aspects of her WWE tenure.

Serious injuries limited her NXT time

The most difficult part of Rizzo’s WWE run came away from the spotlight. She revealed that an Achilles rupture required surgery, and that she later underwent surgery for an ACL and meniscus injury. The combined setbacks kept her out of the ring for nearly half of her time in NXT.

Those injuries help explain why her departure carries particular emotional weight. Rizzo said she fought intensely to return after the lengthy absences, but felt she did not receive the chance to show the full extent of what she still had to offer once she made it back.

“But I fought like hell to come back. And I did,” Rizzo wrote.

An Achilles rupture, ACL injury and meniscus damage each present substantial physical and mental hurdles for any athlete. For a professional wrestler, returning requires more than simply being medically cleared. It means regaining confidence in movement, conditioning, timing and the ability to perform safely in a demanding environment. Rizzo’s comments did not minimize those challenges. Instead, she focused on the pride she feels in having made it through the recovery process.

She acknowledged the frustration of reaching the end of this chapter after putting so much effort into returning. At the same time, she said she would not regret the fight required to get back in the ring. That perspective shaped the larger message of her statement, which was directed not only at those who supported her in WWE but also at anyone dealing with setbacks of their own.

A message of resilience

Rizzo encouraged people who have been “knocked down, overlooked, injured, or told they were too far behind” to keep moving forward. She framed her own experience as proof that persistence matters even when the outcome does not unfold as hoped.

Her message was punctuated by a direct call to “STAY RESILIENT!”

That theme fits the background Rizzo brought with her before entering WWE. Rizzo, whose real name is Anna Keefer, was a track standout at the University of North Carolina. Her athletic foundation preceded her professional wrestling career, and her statement connected naturally to the mindset required of an athlete who has had to navigate major injuries and extended time away from competition.

While Rizzo did not announce a specific wrestling destination or next in-ring commitment, she made clear that she does not view the release as the conclusion of her larger story. She said she does not yet know exactly where the road will lead, but believes there is much more ahead for her.

“Onto the next chapter,” Rizzo wrote.

She also directed supporters toward Salt and Daughters, the project she has been building outside WWE. The mention indicates that Rizzo intends to continue developing her work beyond the ring while evaluating the opportunities in front of her.

Gratitude despite a difficult ending

Throughout the statement, Rizzo took time to thank the people who helped her during her developmental years. She specifically expressed appreciation for coaches, producers, teammates, friends and everyone who believed in her or assisted her along the way.

That gratitude extended to fans who supported Adriana Rizzo. Although her time on NXT television was affected by injury-related absences, her character became part of an established faction and gave audiences a memorable personality to associate with The D’Angelo Family.

Rizzo closed her statement with a line that reflected the attitude of the character she played: “Fool me once – I break ya face!” It was a fitting final note from a performer whose NXT identity was tied to the tough, family-first world of Tony D’Angelo’s group.

WWE releases are often professionally and personally challenging, particularly for talent who have spent years training, recovering and working toward a larger opportunity. Rizzo’s response did not hide the disappointment of seeing her run end after she had battled back from significant physical setbacks. But it also did not read as a farewell to wrestling or to the ambitions that led her into WWE.

Instead, Rizzo presented her departure as the closing of one demanding chapter. Her four years with WWE included the chance to create Adriana Rizzo, become part of The D’Angelo Family and return from injuries that could have easily derailed her path altogether. As she moves forward, the message she wants attached to that journey is clear: resilience, gratitude and the belief that her story still has more to offer.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.