5 Shocking New Chapters: What Leah Van Dale (Carmella) Is Doing After Her WWE Contract Expired In 2025
Leah Van Dale, the star famously known to WWE fans as 'Carmella,' has entered an entirely new, transformative phase of her life as of late December 2025. After a twelve-year run in the world of professional wrestling that saw her become a groundbreaking SmackDown Women’s Champion, her journey with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) officially concluded in early 2025 with the expiration of her contract. This definitive exit has paved the way for a surprising and deeply personal pivot toward motherhood, entrepreneurship, and advocacy, cementing her status as a dynamic public figure far beyond the wrestling ring.
The former 'Princess of Staten Island' is now focusing her energy on her growing family with husband Matt Polinsky (Corey Graves) and revolutionizing women's wellness through a bold, new venture. While she has explicitly stated she has no immediate plans for a WWE return, Van Dale's career shift is arguably her most compelling storyline yet, rooted in resilience and a desire to help others navigate the complexities of women's health.
The Complete Biography and Profile of Leah Van Dale
Leah Van Dale is an American professional personality who gained international fame as a professional wrestler, model, and dancer under the ring name Carmella.
- Full Name: Leah Van Dale
- Ring Name: Carmella (The "Princess of Staten Island," "Mella Is Money," "F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S.")
- Date of Birth: October 23, 1987
- Age (as of Dec 2025): 38
- Place of Birth: Spencer, Massachusetts, USA
- Height: 5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
- Spouse: Matt Polinsky (Corey Graves) (m. 2022)
- Children: Son, Dimitri (b. 2023), and a second child (b. 2025)
- WWE Tenure: 2013–Early 2025
- Major WWE Accomplishments: SmackDown Women's Champion, First-ever Women's Money in the Bank (MITB) Winner (2017), WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal Winner (2019), WWE 24/7 Champion.
- Current Ventures: Founder and CEO of Snatch (a women's wellness platform).
The Shocking WWE Exit and No Plans for a Return
The biggest news surrounding Leah Van Dale in 2025 was the quiet, yet definitive, end of her twelve-year run with WWE. Unlike a public release, her contract simply expired in early 2025, a decision she found "stunning" at the time.
1. Contract Expiration vs. Release
Van Dale has clarified that she was not officially released from her contract, but rather, WWE chose not to renew it. This subtle distinction is significant in the wrestling business, but the result is the same: the former champion is now a free agent. She has openly speculated that her extended time away from the ring due to pregnancy and the complications she faced—including a traumatic miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy in 2022—may have played a role in the company's decision.
2. A Firm Stance on Stepping Away
Despite the door being technically open for a return, Van Dale has been clear about her immediate future. As of late 2025, she has "no plans" to return to WWE anytime soon. Her focus has completely shifted to her personal life and her burgeoning business ventures, which she views as a new, demanding career. This decision allows her to dedicate time to her young family, a priority following her challenging journey to motherhood.
From 'Mella Is Money' to Motherhood and Wellness
Leah Van Dale’s post-WWE life is defined by two major, interconnected roles: a devoted mother and a passionate women’s health entrepreneur. Her personal struggles have fueled her professional pivot, creating a powerful, authentic brand.
3. Welcoming Baby No. 2 with Corey Graves
The most heartwarming update for fans in 2025 is the expansion of her family. Leah Van Dale and her husband, WWE commentator Matt Polinsky (Corey Graves), officially welcomed their second child, a boy, in late 2025. This new arrival comes shortly after the birth of their first son, Dimitri, in 2023. Van Dale has been candid about the challenges of balancing a demanding career with motherhood, especially while navigating the emotional and physical toll of her previous pregnancy losses.
4. Launching 'Snatch': Her Women's Health Platform
Leveraging her massive platform and her personal health journey, Van Dale has transitioned into a wellness advocate and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Snatch, a bold women's health platform and newsletter that launched in 2025. The venture is a direct response to her own experiences with miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and the lack of candid, supportive resources available to women.
- Snatch's Mission: To provide a space for honest, unfiltered conversations about women's bodies, hormones, fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery.
- Entrepreneurial Pivot: This move positions Van Dale as a serious businesswoman, utilizing her fame to build a brand focused on deep, personal connection with her audience, moving beyond the scripted world of pro wrestling.
5. The Legacy of 'The First Woman's MITB Winner'
Despite her departure, Leah Van Dale’s legacy in the WWE remains intact. She was a pivotal figure in the women’s evolution in WWE, most notably as the first-ever winner of the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Her character, 'Carmella,' was known for her infectious confidence, her signature catchphrases like "Mella Is Money," and her ability to generate genuine heat from the crowd. Her twelve-year career, which included a stint at the WWE Performance Center and a run as SmackDown Women's Champion, was a testament to her versatility as a professional wrestler, dancer, and model.
In 2025, Leah Van Dale is no longer just 'Carmella' the wrestler. She is a resilient mother, a vocal health advocate, and the CEO of a rapidly growing wellness brand, proving that her most successful chapter may have just begun.
Detail Author:
- Name : Belle Casper
- Username : wolff.isabella
- Email : kassandra18@sawayn.net
- Birthdate : 1981-07-04
- Address : 406 Vern Forges North Kyler, OR 44331-0620
- Phone : 747.509.1428
- Company : Pagac LLC
- Job : Farm and Home Management Advisor
- Bio : Aperiam ut non sit aspernatur ut optio. Unde hic in explicabo vero vero. Dolor quia ratione dolorum dolores fugit. Vitae at magnam quaerat ratione.
Socials
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/howelle
- username : howelle
- bio : A hic provident dolores ipsum odio ducimus doloremque et. Pariatur aspernatur itaque sit veritatis. Odit dicta nisi nihil culpa porro rerum molestiae et.
- followers : 311
- following : 1765
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/erik_howell
- username : erik_howell
- bio : Corrupti maxime veritatis repellat.
- followers : 5051
- following : 2050
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/erik_howell
- username : erik_howell
- bio : Id minima adipisci dolor maxime voluptatem voluptas beatae.
- followers : 2839
- following : 231
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/erik4634
- username : erik4634
- bio : Assumenda ipsa animi ut molestiae nam. Neque aliquam dolorem rerum voluptas dolores.
- followers : 3464
- following : 1107
