Ex WWE SmackDown champion leaves company after 12 years following health issues
They made their debut in 2013.
Carmella has reportedly left WWE after her contract expired.
The former SmackDown Women’s Champion, who first made her debut for the company on NXT in 2013 before moving up to the main roster three years later, is said to be no longer with the company.
According to Fightful, the 37-year-old superstar’s contract has expired ‘recently’, while no further details have been made available.
Her most recent match in WWE came in March 2023 when she teamed with Piper Niven and Damage CTRL’s Bayley, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky at Madison Square Garden on a Road to WrestleMania Showshow.
The five women lost to an all-star team of Asuka, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Candice LeRae and Nikki Cross.
That was the final match of a six-week run, after Carmella had been out of action since August 2022.
The decorated superstar has held multiple championships (Picture: WWE)To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
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Previous Page Next PageSince her last match, she has given birth to her and husband Corey Graves’ first child, and recently noted she has been battling drop foot, which is described by the NHS as being ‘difficult to lift or move your foot and toes’.
In an Instagram Story shared earlier this month, Carmella gave fans an update after undergoing EMGs and MRIs, as well as seeing spine specialists and neurologists.
She’s also been undergoing physical therapy, explaining that she’s been struggling for over a year after giving birth.
‘Just a few things I’ve been up to lately, trying to get this foot better,’ she wrote. ‘No one prepares you for the injuries you can sustain while giving birth. No one talks about it but I am living it 14 months later.’
She was a huge part of WWE’s women’s division for a decade (Picture: WWE)Back in November, Carmella opened up more about her health struggles, which came as a result of her labour.
She told The Nikki and Brie Show: ‘Unfortunately, I’ve been dealing with, what is called drop foot. I have an injury from labor and delivery and pushing the baby out.
‘I have herniated discs in my back, which push on this nerve that is connected to my right foot.’
Carmella has been open about her health struggles (Picture: WWE)The star revealed the top of her foot is ‘hard to lift’, and she was ‘literally limping around everywhere’.
She added at the time: ‘It’s gotten better, but I’ve been wrestling for 11 years, and other than some concussions, knock on wood, never had any injuries. Now, I have a major injury from delivering my son.’
Her husband Corey Graves is still with WWE and commentates on the NXT brand, although he recently voiced his frustrations on social media after Pat McAfee joined Michael Cole on Raw, with Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore moving to SmackDown.
Carmella’s husband Corey Graves is still with the company (Picture: WWE)He tweeted: ‘Imagine chasing your dream. Then being TOLD (not deciding) that you’re no longer physically able to pursue your dream.’
He hinted at his progression into commentary, noting he became ‘awesome at it’.
‘And then, when it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor, being told you’re not famous enough for your own job. Just in case you’ve wondered where I’ve been,’ he continued.
After a brief break, he has since returned to NXT, and continued to appear alongside Booker T and Vic Joseph.
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