Summary

Corey Graves believes Carmella is not finished with wrestling, even though she has been away from the ring since early 2023.

During a recent conversation with Bill Apter, Graves said Carmella has been fully focused on motherhood, but added that he does not think her time in the wrestling business is over.

Carmella, whose real name is Leah Van Dale, revealed in 2025 that WWE was not renewing her contract. Her in-ring absence followed the birth of her and Graves' first child, and the couple later welcomed a second child in October 2025. Wrestling Remembers also previously covered Carmella's recovery update after eye surgery.

Quote from Corey Graves

"She's fantastic, she's fabulous. She's taking motherhood very seriously, she's killing it. I don't think we've heard the last of her in this realm... We got some time. She's got her hands full now though. We're raising the new Road Warriors basically. That's the plan."

What Graves' update means for Carmella and WWE

Graves' comments keep the door open on Carmella as a future wrestling figure, but they stop well short of pointing to any immediate return. There was no timetable attached to the update, and nothing in the remarks suggested active negotiations or a comeback plan.

What does stand out is that Carmella's name still carries weight with WWE fans because of her résumé. Over her 12-year run with the company, she became the first Women's Money in the Bank winner, held the SmackDown Women's Championship, won the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship, captured the 24/7 Championship four times, and won the 2019 WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal.

Sources

Corey Graves while speaking with Bill Apter