Mercedes Martinez has shared a significant update on her recovery following surgery, confirming that her ACL procedure has been completed and that the fundraising support organized by fans covered the cost in full.

The veteran wrestler underwent surgery on October 15 after announcing earlier this year that a torn ACL had brought an end to her in-ring career. In a message posted after the procedure, Martinez outlined the work performed by her medical team, revealed additional damage that was addressed, and thanked supporters who contributed to her GoFundMe campaign.

“SURGERY UPDATE! ACL fully repaired, small MCL tear fixed, & arthritis found. Today we remove the bandages, clean up, & start at-home rehab! THANK YOU! GoFundMe covered surgery in full! Forever grateful. Recovery time”

The update provides a clearer picture of the injury issues Martinez was dealing with. Her torn ACL was the central issue behind the surgery, but she also said that a small MCL tear was repaired during the operation. In addition, arthritis was found. Martinez did not provide further medical details about the arthritis diagnosis, its severity, or whether it will affect the broader timeline of her rehabilitation.

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For Martinez, the immediate next step is beginning rehabilitation at home. She noted that the bandages would be removed and the area cleaned as the recovery process moves forward. ACL rehabilitation is commonly a lengthy undertaking, and Martinez did not attach a specific timetable to her recovery in the update.

Fan support covers the procedure

Martinez’s message placed particular emphasis on the financial assistance she received from the wrestling community. A GoFundMe was established after she announced the end of her wrestling career, with the campaign intended to help pay for surgery and recovery-related expenses. Martinez confirmed that the fundraiser covered the surgery in full.

That support is especially meaningful given the circumstances surrounding the campaign. Martinez has spent decades building a reputation as one of the most durable, respected, and hard-hitting performers of her generation, working across numerous promotions and competitive environments. The response to her fundraiser reflected the high regard in which she is held by fans and peers alike.

Her public expression of gratitude was brief but emphatic. Martinez wrote that she was “Forever grateful,” recognizing those who helped make the surgery possible at a difficult point in her life and career. While recovery costs can extend beyond an operation itself, her confirmation that the procedure was fully funded marks an important milestone.

The situation also highlights a reality faced by many independent and veteran professional wrestlers. Even prominent names can encounter major financial pressure when an injury requires surgery, extended rehabilitation, and time away from paid appearances. Martinez’s supporters stepped in after the severity of the injury and her retirement announcement became known, helping remove one major obstacle as she begins the next phase of recovery.

An in-ring career ends after a torn ACL

Martinez announced in August that her in-ring career was over due to the torn ACL. The announcement was a painful development for a performer whose style and longevity made her a defining figure in women’s wrestling for years.

Known for a physical, no-nonsense approach between the ropes, Martinez earned admiration for her toughness, technical foundation, and ability to make opponents look credible in high-stakes matches. Her career included work for major national promotions as well as a broad range of independent wrestling organizations, and her name became synonymous with experienced, aggressive competition.

The ACL injury ultimately altered the course of that career. While the October 15 procedure represents a critical step in caring for her health, Martinez’s August statement made clear that she was stepping away from active competition. Her latest message did not suggest a change to that decision. Instead, it centered on getting through surgery, beginning rehab, and acknowledging the people who helped her reach this point.

Retirement announcements in wrestling can sometimes invite speculation about a potential return, particularly when an athlete undergoes a successful operation. At present, however, Martinez has only stated that her in-ring career ended following the ACL tear. Any discussion beyond that would be premature. The focus remains her recovery and her transition into work outside the ring.

Martinez already moving into a new role

Although she is no longer competing, Martinez remains connected to professional wrestling. She was recently announced as one of the lead agents for PRODUCE Wrestling, a role that keeps her involved in the presentation and development of the product from behind the scenes.

The move is a natural fit for someone with Martinez’s experience. An agent’s responsibilities can vary depending on the promotion and event, but the position often draws on deep knowledge of match structure, character presentation, pacing, communication, and the practical demands of putting together a wrestling show. Martinez has spent enough time in the ring and around locker rooms to offer valuable perspective in all of those areas.

Her transition also means that her influence can continue even after the conclusion of her active wrestling career. Wrestlers who have competed at a high level for a long period often carry lessons that cannot be learned quickly: how to build urgency, how to protect opponents, how to command an audience, and how to adapt when plans change. Those skills can be just as important behind the curtain as they are in the ring.

Martinez’s appointment with PRODUCE Wrestling arrived during a period of major personal change. On one side is the difficult physical recovery from ACL and MCL repairs. On the other is an opportunity to remain part of the industry in a leadership capacity. The two developments underline that retirement from competing does not necessarily mean stepping away from wrestling entirely.

What comes next

Martinez has not offered a detailed rehabilitation schedule, and there is no need to rush the process. Her own update made the immediate priorities clear: post-surgery care, removing bandages, cleaning up, and starting rehabilitation from home.

Recovering from knee surgery requires patience, particularly when more than one ligament issue has been addressed. Martinez’s confirmation that the ACL was fully repaired and that the small MCL tear was fixed is encouraging, but her recovery will take place away from the intensity and demands of regular competition. The arthritis found during surgery is another factor that will be managed as she follows her medical plan.

For now, the most important news is that Martinez has made it through the operation and does not have to carry the full financial burden of the surgery alone. The GoFundMe campaign’s success gave her a direct boost at a pivotal moment, and her message made it clear that she recognizes the significance of that support.

Martinez leaves the ring with a legacy built on resilience, credibility, and a willingness to take on demanding challenges. Her latest update shows that same resilience remains present as she begins life after active competition. The road ahead is now centered on healing, rehabilitation, and finding continued purpose in wrestling through her work as a lead agent for PRODUCE Wrestling.

As Martinez begins at-home rehab, the wrestling community will be watching and supporting a performer who gave a substantial part of her life to the industry. Her surgery is complete, the key costs have been covered, and the next chapter of her recovery is underway.

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.