Carmella Officially Confirms Retirement: "I Can't Wrestle Anymore"

Carmella Confirms Retirement From Professional Wrestling: "I Can't Wrestle Anymore"

Former WWE Women’s Champion Carmella (Leah Van Dale) has officially confirmed her retirement from professional wrestling, revealing that her focus has fully shifted to motherhood and her family life with husband Corey Graves.

Speaking with guest Laura Clery on her podcast, Hot Mom Shit, the 38-year-old opened up about her transition away from the ring after more than a decade in the business.

Reflecting On Meeting Corey Graves And Stepping Away

While discussing her relationship with WWE commentator Corey Graves, Carmella explained how their shared work environment shaped their relationship and why in-ring competition is no longer feasible for her.

“We worked together. So, we met through work. We worked together all the time, and then we were home. Like, I related a little bit to your book and you’re saying, ‘our dates were all about, you know, half romance, half business planning,’ so we did that.

“Luckily, I’m retired now, so it’s definitely a little bit different, but yeah, we met at work.

“I was a professional wrestler, so it’s like I can’t wrestle anymore. I’m a mom. I have kids. So that’s kind of like, I’m retired.

“My 2-year-old does not understand, because my husband travels so much for work still. And I’ll be like, ‘Okay, I have to go work.’ And he’s like, ‘But you’re going downstairs.’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, but that’s Mommy’s work.’ I know he doesn’t understand, but funny.”

A Decade-Plus Legacy In WWE

Carmella last competed in early 2023 before stepping away from television due to pregnancy. She and Graves welcomed their first child together later that year, during which she experienced health complications including nerve damage and foot drop. The couple welcomed their second child in late 2025, and her WWE contract officially expired in February 2025.

Throughout her decade-plus run with WWE, Carmella established herself as one of the women’s division’s most decorated performers:

SmackDown Women’s Champion: Captured the top prize on SmackDown after cashing in her contract on Charlotte Flair.
History Maker: Became the inaugural winner of the historic inaugural Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match.
Tag Team & 24/7 Champion: Held the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship alongside Queen Zelina and won the 24/7 Championship four times.

While her in-ring career has concluded, Carmella has not ruled out taking on non-wrestling roles within the entertainment and wrestling industries in the future.

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