Carmella (Leah Van Dale) says she felt like she was punished for having a baby, and WWE “ghosted” her ahead of her departure.
Carmella’s time with WWE recently came to an end, as her contract expired. She has not wrestled since March 2023, as she dealt with drop foot after giving birth.
KILLR Podcast Network shared a clip of Leah Van Dale’s appearance on the Barely Famous Podcast, and she discussed her departure from WWE.
“…What’s next for Leah? For so long, it’s like, ‘Oh, Carmella.’ It’s like, no,” she said. “I can now fully be Leah and do what I want to do, and I don’t know what that is.”
It was noted that Carmella had been out of action for nearly two years, and this was not by choice.
“That’s the whole point, to get people talking and to be bold, in your face,” she said. “Let’s talk about it. Let’s have the conversations that women aren’t having. Is it because I’m a woman? Is it because I had a baby? It just feels like a shitty way to end a 12-career with the company, that this is how it ended.”
“[Corey Graves] still has a job. We had a kid, and he had a job, but I don’t. I mean, I guess fast forward until a few weeks ago and I got a call saying that my contract was up in ten days. [Everyone] ghosted. Completely ghosted. 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?”
Carmella was then asked whether it was bittersweet that all of her “people” were still with WWE. She said that she felt like she was being punished because she had a baby.
“I feel like I’m being punished because I had a baby,” she said.
When it was noted that WWE could change their minds, Carmella replied, “Why would you want to be somewhere that doesn’t want you? I wish more for women in general and moms and especially athletes. You shouldn’t have to choose one. Why can’t you have both? “
The full interview will be available on March 7th.
Carmella signed with WWE in 2013 and moved to the main roster in 2016. During her time with the company, she won the SmackDown Women’s Championship, the WWE 24/7 Championship, and the Women’s Tag Team Championship, among other accolades.
RELATED: Carmella Thanks Fans For Their Support, Says She Will Tell Her Side Following WWE Exit
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