Carmella wanted to work in WWE while pregnant, questions lack of opportunity
As she promised, Carmella had a lot to say about her exit from WWE following the expiration of her contract.
The now-former WWE wrestler appeared on Kail Lowry’s podcast where she discussed what happened when she learned about her WWE contract not being renewed and that her contract was paused for less than two months while pregnant.
Now going by Leah Van Dale, she said everything was going to plan when she and husband, Corey Graves, had their first baby and WWE were supportive of them doing so. She then detailed the drop foot she suffered and continues to recover from.
She said she offered to work and do backstage interviews, be a manager or contribute in other roles during her downtime as she wanted to stay active, but WWE said it was fine for her to stay home.
She said that while pregnant, she spoke to someone she described as “the head of everything” with a pitch to return and after getting positive feedback, she was routed to creative and spoke to them., getting medical clearance to travel but not compete in the ring. However, she said it was eventually “radio silence” after that conversation and she “was completely ghosted.”
She wanted to get the same opportunity Graves got to find another path after having to retire due to concussions or that Big E received in recovering from a broken neck.
“Why wasn’t I afforded that same opportunity? That’s what I keep asking myself. I have a lot to offer. I have a fanbase. I represent the company well. Why wasn’t I given an opportunity somewhere else?,” she said, opining that perhaps it’s because she’s a woman.
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She said got the call from WWE that her contract was expiring in twelve days. It was at that point when she learned her contract was paused for just seven weeks while she was pregnant and then reinstated postpartum which she had no idea about. She didn’t go back to work at that point, nor was she asked, as she had no idea her contract was restarted. She said WWE was aware of her drop foot and had a year left on her deal when she got pregnant.
“I was completely blindsided,” she said. “It hurt. I was really upset and disappointed.”
She said the day she got the call about the non-renewal, she had visited a spine specialist and was continuing to try to get better but then questioned why she was going through all the work if they weren’t going to bring her back.
Van Dale said she has always been a “company girl” and that this situation is a “sh*tty way to end a 12-year career with the company.” She said she never got answers as to why this happened and was relayed to legal. She felt it was important to do the interview and speak up about the situation, regardless of any repercussions.
While she said she is happy that Graves is still employed, she questioned why it’s fair she doesn’t have a job just because she got pregnant. She isn’t sure if she will attend WWE shows in the future but “never say never.”
Van Dale said she’s going to pivot and is excited for what’s next which includes an online platform for women who have suffered miscarriages. She didn’t mention whether she wanted to continue her wrestling career, but that being on Broadway is her dream job.
Her advice to other women within WWE who want to have children and also have a career is they “just gotta be careful” and that there needs to be more communication and something in place for moms in the workplace that allows them to do both.
“I would like more support backstage for these moms,” saying that should also apply to those mothers that even visiting.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.