Update on Carmella's Recent WWE Departure
Dave Meltzer reports in Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE opted not to extend Carmella’s contract during her maternity leave, making her a free agent despite having the option.
WWE has allowed Carmella’s contract to expire rather than exercising their right to extend it during her maternity leave. Dave Meltzer confirmed this decision in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, noting that while WWE could have frozen her deal, they chose not to.
They had the right to freeze her contract due to time off, but instead decided against doing so.
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Several signs point to her departure becoming official. WWE quietly moved Carmella to their Alumni Section on the company website, and she’s removed the “Carmella” name from her social media profiles, now using her real name Leah Van Dale instead.
The 37-year-old wrestler has been dealing with significant health challenges since giving birth to her son Dimitri Paul Polinsky with husband Corey Graves. She currently suffers from drop foot and has two herniated discs in her back, complicating any potential return to the ring.
Her last in-ring appearance came in March 2023, but that run lasted just six weeks before health issues sidelined her again. Recently, she shared a photo of herself outside an MRI room with the caption “Back at it… trying to get some answers for this foot,” highlighting her ongoing medical struggles.
Sean Ross Sapp addressed her WWE status during a recent Fightful Select Q&A, suggesting that while her immediate future isn’t with WWE, a return someday remains possible.
I think there’s a possibility that one day she could end up back in WWE. I know they had done a couple years for her on maternity leave, and I don’t know what went into allowing her to expire, but it didn’t look like she was going to be back anytime soon.
For now, Carmella’s focus appears to be on her health and family, with her wrestling future remaining uncertain as she works to overcome her physical challenges.
