Former Champion Addresses ‘Devastating’ WWE Departure

WWE

A former champion has recalled being “devastated” upon learning that their WWE contract was not being renewed.

In February, former SmackDown Women’s Champion and Money in the Bank winner Carmella departed WWE after the company opted not to renew her contract.

After over a decade in the company, many fans had been speculating about her return to television after initially taking time away from the ring to give birth to her and Corey Graves’ first child together.

While Carmella’s potential WWE comeback was further complicated by her dealing with drop foot, the 37-year-old revealed in a new interview with PEOPLE, that she “wanted” and “fully intended” to make her return:

“It was unfortunate, but at the end of the day, it is what it is. I’m a big believer in things happening for a reason, and it just wasn’t for me anymore, I was there for 12 years. It was time to kind of pivot. I just wasn’t necessarily prepared for it in that moment.”

Carmella then recalled finding out the news of her WWE contract not being renewed whilst in line to see comedian Nikki Glaser, however, instead of seeing the show she decided to return home, with her husband Corey Graves offering her support afterwards:

“I was like, there’s no way I can sit in the show and focus on the show. I was just so kind of shocked. But he was so supportive. I’m not going to lie, I was devastated when it first happened.”

“I was like, ‘Well, what if my career’s over and I just have nothing else to do and this is the pinnacle of my career and now it’s all downhill?’ ”

“And he was like, ‘Wait a minute.’ He’s shaking me, shaking some truth into me, and I’m just so grateful for him in that moment.”

It’s currently unclear what Carmella’s future looks like in pro wrestling, however, she did recently admit that she’s hoping a WWE return happens in the future.

Carmella would also reveal a scrapped pitch to work with SmackDown tag team Pretty Deadly – click here for full details.

To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on BlueSky by clicking this link!

• departure
• Carmella
• wwe

Share this article with friends