Carmella

Leah Van Dale, known to wrestling fans as Carmella, is an American professional wrestler, dancer, and model. She is celebrated for her pioneering role in WWE's women's division, where she became a three-time champion and broke barriers in the Money in the Bank ladder match. Her charisma and confidence have made her a beloved figure in wrestling, and she continues to inspire fans through her entrepreneurial ventures.

Carmella's in-ring career is defined by historic firsts: she won the inaugural women's Money in the Bank ladder match in 2017 and became the first woman to cash in that contract, capturing the SmackDown Women's Championship. She also held the 24/7 Championship and the Women's Tag Team Championship, cementing her legacy as a versatile and accomplished competitor.

Since leaving WWE in 2024, she has reinvented herself as a businesswoman, founding the clothing brand Snatch for Her and hosting the Hot Mom Sh*t podcast. Her journey from cheerleader to champion to entrepreneur showcases her resilience and drive, making her a role model for women in sports and beyond. [edit]

Leah Van Dale grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, in an Italian-American family. From a young age, she was drawn to performance, training as a dancer and cheerleader. Her big break came when she became a New England Patriots cheerleader, which gave her early public exposure and performance experience. She later moved to Los Angeles, where she joined the Los Angeles Lakers as a Laker Girl, further honing her skills in front of large audiences.

In addition to her cheerleading, Van Dale worked as a fitness trainer and model, staying in top physical shape while figuring out her next move. Her athletic background and camera-ready look caught the attention of WWE scouts, and in 2013 she signed with the company, heading to the NXT developmental brand in Orlando. There, she trained under Hall of Famer Trish Stratus, who helped her sharpen her in-ring skills and confidence.

Her first big break came in 2014 when she was paired with Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady as their manager. As the self-proclaimed Princess of Staten Island, she became the third wheel of their boys' club, cutting sharp promos and adding a spark to one of NXT's most popular acts. That role showcased her mic skills and personality, setting her up for a main roster run. [edit]

Carmella made her main roster debut on SmackDown Live in July 2016. The following year, she made history at Money in the Bank by winning the inaugural women's ladder match, a moment that instantly put her in the record books. In 2018, she topped it by becoming the first woman to cash in that contract, defeating Charlotte Flair to capture the SmackDown Women's Championship.

She kept adding gold: in 2019 she won the WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal and later the 24/7 Championship. After moving to Raw in 2021, she teamed with Queen Zelina, and the duo won the Women's Tag Team Championship, making her a triple crown champion. Her eight-year WWE run included memorable rivalries with Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, and Charlotte Flair, cementing her as a consistent presence in the women's division.

After departing WWE in 2024, she pivoted to entrepreneurship, founding the clothing line Snatch for Her and launching the Hot Mom Sh*t podcast, where she shares her life as a mom and former wrestler. [edit]

Carmella built her image on confidence and glamour. In WWE, she was known for her flashy ring gear, her sharp tongue, and her 'Princess of Staten Island' swagger. She could talk trash and back it up in the ring, which made her a natural heel and fan favorite at different points.

Media coverage often highlighted her journey from cheerleader to champion, painting her as a trailblazer for women in wrestling. Post-WWE, she has shifted that image to one of an entrepreneur and mom, embracing the Hot Mom Sh*t brand with humor and authenticity. Her social media voice is playful and unapologetic, whether she's promoting her clothing line or sharing behind-the-scenes moments. [edit]

Carmella's fanbase is rooted in the WWE Universe, the broader wrestling community that followed her from NXT to the main roster. As of the August 2026 rankings, iFANN has not yet collected fame data for her, so she is not currently listed in the Global Fame Rankings.

Her fans have no formal name, but they were a vocal presence during her NXT days, when she was part of the hugely popular Enzo and Cass act. That trio had some of the loudest reactions in NXT, and Carmella's mic skills were a big part of that. After she left WWE, many of those same fans followed her to her new ventures, cheering on her clothing brand and podcast. She engages with them regularly on Instagram and X, sharing exclusive photos and updates, which keeps the connection strong even outside the ring. [edit]

Carmella's ring name is a nod to her own name, but her legal name is Leah Van Dale. She is of Italian descent, and she worked as a fitness trainer and model before wrestling.

One of the most retold stories from her career is the 2018 cash-in: she ran to the ring with the briefcase, cashed in on Charlotte Flair, and won the title in what fans still call one of the most shocking moments in SmackDown history. Another legend is her 'Princess of Staten Island' persona, which she played up with over-the-top confidence and flashy ring gear.

She also holds the distinction of being the first woman to win the Money in the Bank ladder match, a fact that still comes up in conversations about her legacy. [edit]

Carmella is married to Corey Graves (Matthew Polinsky), a WWE commentator and former wrestler. The couple met through their work in WWE and have been together for years, sharing two children. Her Instagram bio, which references Hot Mom Sh*t, reflects her role as a mother.

She has shared glimpses of her family life on social media, often posting about balancing motherhood with her business ventures. Her husband, Corey, is a familiar voice on WWE programming, so wrestling remains a big part of their household. [edit]

Carmella is married to Corey Graves, WWE's lead commentator. She was trained by Trish Stratus and managed Enzo Amore and Big Cass in NXT. Her biggest rival was Charlotte Flair, whom she beat for the SmackDown Women's Championship. She also teamed with Queen Zelina to win tag team gold. [edit]

Carmella's only publicly documented relationship is with Corey Graves, the WWE commentator. The couple met through their mutual work in WWE, where Graves was a commentator and she was a performer. They married after dating for a few years, and together they have two children.

Their relationship has been a steady presence in the wrestling world, with both often sharing glimpses of their family life on social media. As of 2026, Carmella is married to Corey Graves, and the couple continues to balance their careers and parenting. [edit]

Carmella's net worth comes from her eight-year WWE career, where she earned a main roster salary estimated between $250,000 and $500,000 annually, plus bonuses for championship reigns and pay-per-view appearances. Since leaving WWE in 2024, she has launched two businesses: Snatch for Her, a clothing brand, and the Hot Mom Sh*t podcast, which bring in additional income through sales and sponsorships.

Her time as a dancer and model also contributed early earnings. In 2026, the iFANN Editorial Team's research into her WWE earnings, business ventures, and assets points to a net worth of approximately $2 million. That figure reflects her career peak and current entrepreneurial work, though she is likely still growing it as her brands expand. [edit]

Carmella won the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship, WWE 24/7 Championship, and WWE Women's Tag Team Championship, plus the Money in the Bank ladder match and WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal. [edit]