Carmella Slams WWE, Says She Was Punished for Having Baby
Former WWE star Carmella claims she was “ghosted” and “punished for having a baby” in a preview of her upcoming interview on the Barely Famous podcast.
Former WWE star Carmella addressed her recent departure from the company, revealing her contract expired with minimal communication from WWE management.
During a preview for her upcoming appearance on the Barely Famous podcast, Carmella, whose real name is Leah Van Dale, described feeling abandoned by WWE following the birth of her child with husband Corey Graves.
What’s next for Leah? And for so long it’s like, oh, Carmella. It’s like, no. I can fully now be Leah and do what I wanna do and I don’t know what that is yet.
The former Women’s Champion questioned whether her gender and motherhood influenced the decision, noting a stark contrast with her husband’s continued employment.
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. This is how it ended.
He (Corey Graves) still has a job. We had a kid and he has a job but I don’t. I mean, fast-forward until a couple of weeks ago and then I got a call saying that my contract was up in 10 days… Ghosted. Ghosted. Completely ghosted.
Carmella expressed concerns about her professional future and the treatment of mothers in wrestling, adding, “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 an opportunity somewhere else?”
When podcast host Kail Lowry suggested a potential WWE return, Carmella indicated she felt unwanted by the company, saying:
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?
News of Carmella’s WWE departure broke on February 21 after her contract expired. She had not appeared on WWE television since March 2023 due to her pregnancy. Following childbirth, she developed drop foot, a complication that delayed her in-ring return.
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.
— Mella Is Money 🤑 (@CarmellaWWE) March 5, 2025
