Leah Van Dale, popularly known by her ring name Carmella, is a female American professional wrestler, working with World Wrestling Entertainment for the Smackdown brand. Carmella is the current WWE 24/7 Champion for the second time. Before becoming a full-time professional wrestler, Leah Van Dale, who is the daughter of Paul Van Dale, a mixed martial artist, and former professional wrestler, was involved in dancing and appeared as a Laker Girl during the 2010–2011 season. Professional wrestling runs in Carmella’s blood. Her father, Paul Van Dale is a former independent circuit wrestler.
He even appeared working as a jobber/ talent enhancer on WWE (then WWF). Before becoming a pro wrestler, Carmella worked as a cheerleader for the American football team named New England Patriots. She once also worked as a backup dancer for Rihanna during her world tour. However, she was quite popular even before she was a WWE diva. She appeared on the cover page of many popular fitness magazines like Esquire, Maxim, Fitness etc. In June 2013, Van Dale signed a contract with WWE. After that she was assigned to their developmental brand NXT in Orlando, Florida.
In October 2014, she aligned herself with Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady, becoming their manager. After that, in July 2016, she made her main roster debut on SmackDown. In June 2017, Carmella became the winner of the inaugural women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. However, in April 2018, she became the first woman in WWE history to successfully cash-in her Money in the Bank opportunity, when she defeated Charlotte Flair to win the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship. Let us take a look at the life story of the amazing sportsperson.
Carmella Early Life and Career
Bio
Leah Van Dale is an American professional wrestler, dancer, and model. She is currently signed to WWE. There she performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Carmella. She was born on October 23, 1987 in Worcester, Massachusetts. Leah Van Dale resides in Tampa, Florida. She is the daughter of Paul Van Dale, who is a mixed martial artist and former professional wrestler, worked with WWE in the 80s and 90s. Apart from being a professional wrestler, Van Dale is a certified fitness instructor and a personal trainer.
Therefore, the younger Van Dale is a second-generation wrestler. She also has a younger sister, Breanna. Carmella decided to study at the University of Rhode Island and later opted to be transferred to the University of Massachusetts. She later graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She began cheerleading immediately after graduation. Though her father was a professional wrestler, Leah’s first passion was dancing and she started dancing when she was as young as three.
Her career began early while she was a performer for the New England Patriots Cheerleaders. During this stint, she was working regularly in famous publications. Her dancing soon led her to bigger exposure in commercials and magazines. During her days as a dancer, she was a backup dancer for Rihanna for her World Tour. She got into wrestling through a developmental deal with NXT, a branch of World Wrestling Entertainment that trains for the WWE roster. She even managed the team of Enzo Amore and Big Cass during this period. Her performance in the NXT territory eased her journey. Geared for stardom with her athletic abilities, she soon became a professional wrestler from her debut on SmackDown in 2016. She has since achieved several milestones and awards.
Career
Carmella signed her developmental deal with WWE in June 2013. Around September 2013, she was part of NXT. It is a professional wrestling television program that is produced by WWE. Her ring name Carmella was adopted in December. Her debut storyline in an episode of NXT (September 2014) portrayed her as a hairdresser alongside Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady. A fortnight later, this segment continued as she appeared having lost her job and asking for a place at NXT. Soon, she made her in-ring debut where she fought a local wrestler who was nicknamed Blue Pants. The rivalry between them continued for a while.
A feud between Amore and Cassady versus NXT Tag Team Champions Blake and Murphy also involved Carmella. She was defeated by Alexa Bliss after Blake and Murphy distracted her.
Soon, in the NXT Takeover: Unstoppable episode, Bliss attacked Carmella in order to win the NXT Tag Team Championship. Though she continued with Amore and Cassady, a new rivalry emerged with Eva Marie. In early 2016, Carmella became the contender for Bayley’s NXT Women’s Championship. However, she couldn’t win the title. She made her first appearance on the main roster on March 12, 2016.
In the NXT Women’s Championship at NXT Takeover: The End, Carmella participated in a triple match against Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax. However, Jax won this one. Her final match in NXT was where she was challenged in a six-woman tag team match along with Liv Morgan and Nikki Glencross. They defeated Daria Berenato, Mandy Rose, and her constant rival Alexa Bliss. As part of the 2016 WWE draft, Carmella was drafted to SmackDown. Her debut for the main roster took place on July 26, 2016. She had her first victory by defeating Natalya on the August 9 episode of SmackDown Live.
2017- Present
On June 18, 2017 Carmella was declared the winner of the inaugural women’s Money in the Bank ladder match at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view. After that, Carmella reemerged victorious in the June 27, 2017 episode of SmackDown Live after she retrieved the briefcase herself. She officially became the inaugural winner of the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. On January 28, 2018, she entered the women’s Royal Rumble in the inaugural match. However, Nikki Bella defeated her.
In 2021, Carmella got drafted in RAW. It was the first time in her career she went to another brand from SmackDown. Carmella allied with Queen Zelina Vega. On RAW, she defeated Rhea Ripley and Nikki A.S.H to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. At WrestleMania 38, they lost the titles to Sasha Banks and Naomi.
Other
Carmella has appeared in six WWE video games. She made her in-game debut at WWE 2K17 and appears in WWE 2K18, WWE 2K19, WWE 2K20, WWE 2K Battlegrounds and WWE 2K22.
Carmella joined Total Divas as a main cast member for the show’s seventh season in June 2017. Despite being a guest in the eighth season, Carmella returned to the show as a series regular in the ninth season, which premiered in October 2019. The season featured Carmella’s real-life relationship with Corey Graves
On February 3, 2020, Van Dale launched her own wine label called Capo Cagna. On June 11, 2020 Carmella and Matthew Polinsky (better known as WWE commentator Corey Graves) also launched a weekly podcast, Bear with Us, where the two discuss different issues regarding relationships including issues within their own. However, it is her first podcast as a host.
Personal Life
Leah Van Dale was born on October 23, 1987 in Spencer, Massachusetts, U.S.A. She persuaded her graduation from University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2010. Van Dale worked as a cheerleader for the New England Patriots for three seasons till 2010. She took part in dancing and appeared as a Laker Girl for the Los Angeles Lakers dance team in 2010-11. Leah Van Dale resides in Tampa, Florida. She is the daughter of Paul Van Dale, who is a mixed martial artist and former professional wrestler. He, however, worked with WWE in the 80s and 90s. However, apart from being a professional wrestler, Van Dale is a certified fitness instructor and a personal trainer. Carmella is currently dating WWE commentator and analyst Corey Graves. She was in a relationship with fellow wrestler William Morrissey, better known as Big Cass in WWE.
After that, in 2019, she began a relationship with fellow WWE employee Matthew Polinsky, better known as Corey Graves. The two tied knots on April 7, 2022. Van Dale is a certified fitness instructor and a personal trainer. Van Dale is a lifelong fan of professional wrestling, and idolized Miss Elizabeth as a child.
On February 3, 2020, Van Dale launched her own wine label called Capo Cagna. On June 11, 2020, Van Dale and Matthew Polinsky (better known as WWE commentator Corey Graves) also launched a weekly podcast, Bear With Us, where the two discuss different issues regarding relationships including issues within their own.
Carmella Awards and Achievements
The female wrestler has bagged several awards and achievements during her time in the ring. These are
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- Guinness World Record Longest time to hold the WWE Money in the Bank briefcase
- Ranked No. 7 of the top 100 female singles wrestlers in the PWI Female 50 in 2018
- Ranked No. 24 of the top 100 female singles wrestlers in the PWI Women’s 100 in 2019
- Ranked No. 23 in the top 30 female wrestlers in 2018
- WWE 24/7 Championship (4 times)
- WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship (1 time)
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Queen Zelina
- Mixed Match Challenge (Season 2) – with R-Truth
- Money in the Bank (Women’s 2017)
- WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal (2019)
Carmella Age
Carmella on 23 October 1987 is currently 34 Years years old.
Carmella Height
Leah Van Dale, popularly known by her ring name Carmella, is a female American professional wrestler, working with World Wrestling Entertainment for the Smackdown brand. Carmella is therefore the current WWE 24/7 Champion for the second time.
The female wrestler stands at a height of 5 feet 5 inches tall (165 cm). She is not the tallest but an average WWE wrestler when it comes to her height. Now she weighs about 50 kg (110 lbs), which is also average for most WWE wrestlers.
Carmella Net Worth
Leah Van Dale is an American professional wrestler, dancer and a model who wrestles under the ring name of Carmella for WWE. She is the first woman to have ever cashed in the Money in the Bank contract. However, Carmella’s net worth, as of 2022, is estimated to be $1 million. As per her WWE contract, she earns a basic salary of $300, 000. Apart from that she does merchandise sales and PPV appearances. It also adds into her income.
Carmella Social Media
Leah Van Dale is an American professional wrestler, dancer, and model signed with WWE. She is a former SmackDown Women’s Champion and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion. The female wrestler is therefore very popular on social media. She has over 1 million followers on her Instagram and half a million on Twitter. She also appears on Facebook and TikTok, where also she has quite large fan following.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarmellaWWE/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarmellaWWE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmellawwe/
F.A.Qs
Who is Carmella?
Leah Van Dale, popularly known by her ring name Carmella, is a female American professional wrestler, working with World Wrestling Entertainment for the Smackdown brand. Carmella is the current WWE 24/7 Champion for the second time.
Where was Carmella born?
Leah Van Dale was born on October 23, 1987 in Spencer, Massachusetts, U.S.A. She persuaded her graduation from University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2010. Van Dale worked as a cheerleader for the New England Patriots for three seasons till 2010. She was in dancing and appeared as a Laker Girl for the Los Angeles Lakers dance team in 2010-11.
What nationality is Carmella?
Carmella by nationality is American.
Who is Carmella’s father?
The name of Carmella’s father is Paul Van Dale. He is a former independent circuit wrestler. He worked as a jobber/ talent enhancer on WWE (then WWF).
Is Carmella in a relationship?
In 2019, Carmella began a relationship with fellow WWE employee Matthew Polinsky, better known as Corey Graves. However, the two got married on April 7, 2022.
What does the name Carmella mean?
Carmella is a feminine name of Hebrew origin. It means “garden” or “orchard.” This name has biblical roots and it is derived from Mount Carmel in Palestine. It is a place of worship featured in the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Garden of God.
What is the salary of Carmella?
Carmella earns a basic salary of $300, 000 from her WWE contract, and has a net worth of $1 million.
