Sonya Deville

Biography

Sonya Deville, born Daria Berenato on September 24, 1993, in Shamong Township, New Jersey, is a renowned professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Known for her fierce persona and groundbreaking representation in the industry, Deville is WWE’s first openly gay female wrestler.

Career History

Berenato’s interest in combat sports started young, and she began training in mixed martial arts (MMA) in her teens. Before her wrestling career, she had an MMA fight record of 2-1.
She entered the professional wrestling scene through the WWE reality competition show “Tough Enough” in 2015. Despite not winning the competition, Berenato’s potential was evident, and she was signed by WWE. In NXT, WWE’s developmental territory, she assumed her ring name, Sonya Deville.
In 2017, Deville made her main roster debut alongside Mandy Rose, forming the tag team “Absolution” under the mentorship of Paige. After Paige’s retirement, Deville and Rose continued as a tag team, “Fire and Desire,” until their split in 2020.
Deville has evolved from her early days in NXT, turning from a fiery rookie into a ruthless in-ring competitor with an unyielding persona. Her storylines often explore themes of betrayal and resilience, embodying her real-life experiences and personal strength.

Notable Rivalries and Matches

Deville’s rivalry with Mandy Rose following their split led to one of her most significant matches at “SummerSlam” in 2020. The high-stakes “No Disqualification Loser Leaves WWE” match was a testament to their once-strong partnership and their bitter falling out.

Titles and Statistics

While Deville has yet to win a championship title in WWE,, she has consistently been a strong performer. She has participated in significant matches, such as the inaugural Women’s Royal Rumble, Women’s Elimination Chamber, and Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match.

Tag Team Partners

As mentioned, Deville’s notable tag team partnerships include “Absolution” with Paige and Mandy Rose, and “Fire and Desire” with Mandy Rose. These alliances played pivotal roles in her early WWE career.

Finishing Move

Deville’s finishing move, the “Square-One,” is a flurry of strikes followed by a high-impact step-up enzuigiri, which reflects her MMA background.

Ring Attire and Entrance Music

Sonya Deville’s ring attire embodies her ‘Put Your Hair Up and Square Up’ mantra. She typically sports a black fighting gear ensemble, often incorporating MMA style gloves and hair tied up in a high ponytail to emphasize her combat sports background.
Her entrance theme, “Square Up,” by CFO$, complements her tough, ready-for-battle persona.

Personal Life

Open about her sexuality, Deville has made significant strides in representing the LGBTQ+ community within the WWE universe. She aims to use her platform to encourage acceptance and diversity in wrestling.
This definitive guide offers a comprehensive look at Sonya Deville’s career and personal life, showcasing her journey from MMA to WWE, her evolution as a character, and her influence as a trailblazer in the wrestling industry.