Released WWE Star Retires From Wrestling
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Former WWE Superstar Sonya Deville has provided an update on her career, stating that she is retired from professional wrestling "for now." The recently released star explained that her primary focus at the moment is on acting, but she is also leaving the door open for a potential return to the world of combat sports.
Deville, who was released from her WWE contract earlier this year, discussed her future in a new interview on Insight with Chris Van Vliet. She was candid about her current mindset and her deep loyalty to WWE.
"Definitely For Now"
When asked if she had retired from wrestling, Deville confirmed she is at peace with stepping away from the ring. She admitted that her long tenure with WWE makes it difficult to imagine wrestling for another promotion.
"Definitely for now. Never say never. But right now I feel at peace with that," Deville said. "It was my only home from 21 years old to 31. I'm a ride or die type of person in general. So it's weird to even think about doing that, but not there."
From MMA To WWE
Sonya Deville's journey to WWE began with her background in mixed martial arts. She competed in MMA before joining the 2015 season of WWE's reality competition show, Tough Enough. Her legitimate fighting skills and intensity earned her a contract, and she went on to become one of the first openly gay female superstars in WWE history.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 11: A general stadium view during WWE Monday Night RAW at Toyota Center on March 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 11: A general stadium view during WWE Monday Night RAW at Toyota Center on March 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
During her WWE run, she evolved from an enforcer in the Absolution faction to a sharp-tongued authority figure. Her most acclaimed storyline was a deeply personal feud with her former best friend, Mandy Rose. Her career reached a high point in 2023 when she and Chelsea Green captured the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship, her first title in the company. Unfortunately, that reign was cut short when Deville suffered a torn ACL, an injury that kept her sidelined until her eventual release.
More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match
Acting and MMA Aspirations
Deville made it clear that her passion has now shifted back to her first love, acting. However, she also revealed that a return to the MMA world is still a very real possibility.
"My first dream was to be an actress... I will say acting feels more true to what I want in this very moment," she explained. "I do think Bare Knuckle is badass. So yeah, I can't say never."
She noted that she has a great relationship with the all-female MMA promotion Invicta FC and that she is already training again. "I will say that, yeah, I am training," she confirmed. While her wrestling career is on hold, her journey as a combat athlete and performer is far from over.
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