Carmella

Biography

Carmella, whose real name is Leah Van Dale, was born on October 23, 1987. She is an American professional wrestler and model signed to WWE, performing on the SmackDown brand.

Career History

Before entering the wrestling business, Van Dale was a cheerleader for the New England Patriots and a dancer for the Los Angeles Lakers. She transitioned into professional wrestling in 2013 when she signed a contract with WWE and was assigned to their developmental brand, NXT.
Initially, she was the valet for the tag team of Enzo Amore and Big Cass, but she would soon start wrestling herself and gradually rise through the ranks of NXT. In 2016, she was drafted to the SmackDown brand as part of the WWE draft.

Titles Won

Carmella is a former WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion and has won the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match twice, making history as the first woman to achieve this.

Biggest Matches and Rivalries

Carmella has been involved in several significant rivalries in WWE. Her feud with Nikki Bella in 2016 helped establish her as a heel on the SmackDown brand. She also had notable feuds with Charlotte Flair and Asuka, both of whom she successfully defended the SmackDown Women’s Championship against.

Career Evolution

Carmella has evolved significantly throughout her WWE career. She transitioned from a face valet in NXT to a heel character on SmackDown. More recently, as of 2021, she adopted a “Most Beautiful Woman in WWE” gimmick, reinforcing her evolution as a performer. She is currently off for maternity leave.

Family Life

Carmella is the daughter of Paul Van Dale, a former professional wrestler. She has been in a relationship with fellow wrestler Corey Graves since 2019. They are now expecting a child!

Finishing Move

Carmella’s finishing move is called the Code of Silence, a modified figure-four headscissors.

Ring Attire

Carmella’s ring attire often reflects her flamboyant and extravagant character, consisting of fashionable and revealing outfits in various designs and colors. She is also known for her leopard print wrestling gear, a nod to her early NXT days.

Entrance Music

Her entrance theme, “Fabulous” by CFO$, encapsulates her boastful and self-obsessed character perfectly, enhancing her overall presentation as a WWE Superstar.

Sponsorships

While individual WWE wrestlers do not typically have personal sponsorships, they indirectly benefit from WWE’s numerous corporate partnerships.

Conclusion

Carmella has proven to be a versatile performer in WWE, showcasing her ability to adapt and evolve her character. With her in-ring skills and compelling character work, she remains an important figure in WWE’s women’s division.