Former Woman’s Champion Carmella spoke about her experiences with WWE after having a baby in highlights released of an upcoming interview but fans point to others who returned after giving birth
Former Woman’s Champion Carmella has broken her silence on her WWE departure in an upcoming podcast and revealed she thinks she was “ punished for having a baby ”.
The former WWE star has not been seen on TV since March 2023 and gave birth to her first child with husband Corey Graves later that year. She did not return to wrestling before her contract expired as a result of a childbirth complication called drop foot.
In recently released highlights from her appearance on the Barely Famous podcast, Carmella, real name Leah Van Dale, described her exit as a “sh*tty way to end a 12-year career”.
She said: “Is it because I’m a woman? Is it because I had a baby? And it just feels like a sh*tty way to end a 12-year career with the company. He [Corey Graves] still has a job. We had a kid and he has a job but I don’t.
“Fast forward until a couple of weeks ago and then I got a call saying my contract was up in ten days… What if this is the end of my career? What am I doing with my life? What do I have to offer? Why wasn’t I given the opportunity somewhere else?
“I feel like I’m being punished because I had a baby.”
When pressed on a possible return, Carmella responded that she felt like they didn’t want her. She said: “Why would you wanna be somewhere that doesn’t want you? I wish more for women in general and moms and especially athletes.
“I feel like you shouldn’t have to choose one. Why can’t you have both?”
However, a number of people on social media disagreed with her comments and pointed to other WWE stars who had had babies and returned to the company.
One user said: “This is not the flex Carmella hoped it’d be. Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss and many other women had babies and did not get released afterwards. WWE simply had no plans for her and did the right thing for business. It’s unfortunate but it’s the reality of the business at times.”
Others agreed with one fan tweeting: “This can’t be true…. When Becky Lynch had a child she came back. Alexa Bliss same thing. Plus there are other mothers wrestling like Asuka, Jade Cargill, Candice Larae, Trish, Bella Twins….among others.
“Come-on Carmella. This reasoning is disappointing.”
Following the release of the preview comments, Carmella asked her fans to listen to the full show before drawing conclusions.
She said: “All I have to say is, before you make assumptions/judgements, make sure you listen to the full conversation. Then let me know what you think.”