Carmella's departure from WWE has been officially confirmed following the movement of her profile to the alumni section of the promotion's website. This shift implies the end of her contract, which reportedly expired recently, and marks the conclusion of her time with WWE, at least for now.
Fans of professional wrestling are no strangers to the ups and downs of their favorite superstars, but Carmella's exit holds unique circumstances. Having last competed for the company at a March 2023 house show, where she teamed with Damage CTRL against formidable opponents like Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair, Carmella's career had recently gone off-track due to various personal challenges. Since then, she has been unable to participate full-time as her health issues have been complicated by her post-pregnancy recovery.
According to Fightful Select, the acknowledgment of her departure and the adjustment on the WWE site came after her contract lapsed, effectively signaling her unofficial exit from the active roster. Her introduction to alumni status is not just ceremonial; it indicates the legal and contractual conclusion of her stint with the company. "Carmella's contract has expired and her profile is moved to the alumni section," reported Fightful Select, marking the end of what was once one of the leading female competitors.
For Carmella, whose real name is Leah Vandale, this milestone arrives after she took maternity leave and welcomed her son in November 2023. Though her incredible accomplishments—such as being the first woman to win the Money in the Bank match—remain part of her legacy, her time away has been marked by difficulties. Complications from her pregnancy led to health concerns, including drop foot, which she discussed during candid interviews, highlighting the physical toll of both motherhood and wrestling. "I just have to take it day by day and manage what I can do," Vandale said about dealing with her recovery.
The timeline of the past few months reveals much about Carmella's situation. After returning to WWE for brief appearances following her maternity leave, she faced more challenges than anticipated when coping with post-pregnancy health issues knocked her back from regular competition. Notably, her last match on television, where she faced Bianca Belair, ended unfavorably and was followed by another period of absence.
Recently, her husband Corey Graves has been vocal about the challenges he faced within WWE during this tumultuous period. "I was recently told I'm not famous enough to be lead commentator," he tweeted, reflecting his dissatisfaction with being reassigned to NXT following the launch of Raw's debut on Netflix, where he hoped to be featured prominently. Such shifts within WWE branding and roster decisions can deeply affect not just the careers of the wrestlers but their families as well.
Despite the challenges, Carmella's ventures outside WWE speak to her resilience. She has recently changed her Instagram handle from @carmellawwe to @theleahvandale, signaling both personal growth and a possible rebranding as she explores opportunities beyond wrestling. These actions indicate her shift away from strictly being branded under WWE, and her desire to create her own identity moving forward.
Looking to the future, Carmella's absence from WWE doesn't seem to indicate the end of her wrestling career altogether. While her contract has expired, the nature of professional wrestling allows for potential comebacks. Organizations like Impact Wrestling or AEW could see significance in her talents if she chooses to pursue them. Meanwhile, her lifestyle ventures, particularly with Capo Cagna—a clothing line she launched—hint at her capacity and interest to thrive outside the confines of professional wrestling.
Overall, Carmella's decision to leave WWE marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. The wrestling world has been known to make comebacks, and fans continue to closely follow their beloved wrestlers. For now, Carmella’s future remains open, and only time will tell the direction she chooses as she steps away from the ring.
The wrestling community will keep its eyes peeled for updates on Carmella's next moves as well as Corey Graves' situation. What lies next for the pair is anyone's guess, but perhaps this withdrawal will lead to new and exciting challenges for the former champion.