Daria Rae

Daria Rae Berenato is an American professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) as the on-screen Director of Operations. She is best known for her decade-long run in WWE as Sonya Deville, where she became a one-time WWE Women's Tag Team Champion alongside Mandy Rose.

Berenato first gained national attention in 2015 as a contestant on WWE Tough Enough. After signing with WWE, she trained at the Performance Center and debuted on the main roster in November 2017 as part of the stable Absolution. She later formed the tag team Fire and Desire with Mandy Rose, winning the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship in June 2019. Following a hiatus, she returned as an authority figure on Raw in 2021, then resumed in-ring competition in mid-2022 before retiring from wrestling in February 2025. She made her TNA debut in January 2026.

Outside wrestling, Berenato competed in three professional MMA fights, posting a 2-1 record. She is also recognized as one of the first openly gay female wrestlers in WWE, having come out publicly in 2020.[edit]

Daria Rae Berenato grew up in Shamong Township, a rural community in Burlington County, New Jersey, in a working-class family of Italian descent. She has described herself as a tomboy, often playing sports and wrestling with her younger brother. She became a WWE fan at age 12 after watching WrestleMania 23 in 2007, with Batista as her favorite wrestler.

At Seneca High School in Tabernacle, New Jersey, Berenato was a standout athlete in softball, track and field, and cheerleading. She also trained in dance for 13 years, studying jazz, tap, ballet, and hip-hop. At 15, she began training in mixed martial arts at a local gym in New Jersey, the same gym where future UFC champion Frankie Edgar trained.

After high school, Berenato briefly attended college but left to pursue a wrestling career. She trained at the Monster Factory wrestling school in Paulsboro, New Jersey, under Danny Cage. To build experience, she competed in amateur MMA fights, making her professional debut in 2014 with a 27-second submission victory. Her MMA record stands at 2 wins and 1 loss.

In 2015, Berenato auditioned for the sixth season of WWE Tough Enough. She was selected as one of 13 finalists but was eliminated in week 2, finishing 11th. Despite the early exit, WWE officials were impressed and offered her a developmental contract. She signed in October 2015 and reported to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.[edit]

Berenato spent over two years training and competing in NXT under the ring name Sonya Deville, adopting a mixed martial arts-inspired gimmick. She made her main roster debut on November 20, 2017, on Raw as part of the villainous stable Absolution alongside Paige and Mandy Rose. After Paige's injury forced her retirement in 2018, Berenato and Rose continued as a tag team on SmackDown, calling themselves Fire and Desire.

On June 23, 2019, at WWE Stomping Grounds, Berenato and Rose defeated The IIconics to win the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. They held the titles for 63 days before losing to The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) on August 5, 2019. Fire and Desire dissolved in 2020 when Rose turned on Berenato, leading to a brief feud.

After taking time off in mid-2020, Berenato returned to WWE in January 2021 as a non-wrestling authority figure alongside Adam Pearce on Raw. She served as an on-screen official for several months before resuming in-ring competition in mid-2022. She feuded with Bianca Belair, Asuka, and Alexa Bliss over the following years. In February 2025, she announced her retirement from in-ring competition and departed WWE after a decade with the company.

In January 2026, Berenato debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under her real name, Daria Rae, as the on-screen Director of Operations. The role marked her first non-WWE wrestling appearance and a new chapter as an authority figure.[edit]

Berenato's wrestling persona was defined by a no-nonsense, serious, and aggressive style, often wearing black and purple MMA-inspired ring gear with a hooded entrance jacket. Her theme music was aggressive rock or electronic. In TNA, she presents as a polished, professional authority figure in business attire.

Media coverage has focused on her pioneering role as one of the first openly gay female wrestlers in WWE, her MMA background, and her transition from wrestler to authority figure. She is respected as a veteran in the industry. On social media, she posts a mix of wrestling content, fitness training, personal snapshots, and LGBTQ+ advocacy, maintaining a positive, motivational, and professional tone. Fans informally refer to themselves as Devilleans or the Sonya Squad.[edit]

Daria Rae's fanbase is a loyal, passionate community that has followed her from her groundbreaking WWE run as Sonya Deville to her current role as TNA's Director of Operations. While her supporters don't have a formal fandom name, they are highly engaged through her active social media presence, where she shares personal milestones and interacts directly with fans. This connection was especially visible when she transitioned to TNA in early 2026, generating significant buzz and media coverage that underscored her enduring appeal.

As of August 2026, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Daria Rae but she does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings, neither in the Global Top 1,000 nor in any Top-100 scope list. This means she is not ranked among the world's most famous individuals, though her fame is substantial within the wrestling and LGBTQ+ communities. Her influence is measured by her decade-long career, her pioneering status, and her ventures into acting and MMA.

Her fanbase, while not formally organized, has shown meaningful support through career transitions and public appearances. She has been open about personal challenges, including the 2020 home invasion, which has fostered a deeper connection with fans. Her acting roles in films like Paper Made and her presence on AMC's The S.U.I.T. have expanded her reach beyond wrestling, introducing her to new audiences.[edit]

Daria Rae's ring name Sonya Deville was reportedly inspired by the character Sonya Blade from the Mortal Kombat video game series. She earned a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2022. Her MMA debut ended in just 27 seconds via submission. She has a pet French Bulldog named Roxy. A fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and New Jersey Devils, she once worked as a bartender before signing with WWE. She has a lion tattoo on her left forearm symbolizing strength. Berenato appeared as a playable character in WWE 2K19, 2K20, 2K22, 2K23, and 2K24.

One of the most defining moments of her career came in June 2020, when an intruder broke into her Florida home, threatening her and her then-girlfriend. The man, Phillip Thomas, was later sentenced to 15 years in prison. The incident forced her to take a hiatus from WWE, though she later revealed she had been ready to return immediately. This harrowing event has become a part of her lore, showcasing her resilience.

Her WWE tenure also included a memorable WrestleMania 36 match against Mandy Rose, a storyline that captivated fans. After leaving WWE, she made a surprise appearance on NXT in February 2026, where she taunted Shawn Michaels, a moment that generated significant buzz. Her debut with TNA in January 2026 and subsequent re-signing in July 2026 were major talking points in the wrestling world.[edit]

Berenato has two younger siblings: a brother and a sister. She is of Italian descent. She has not publicly disclosed her parents' names or occupations. She has a pet French Bulldog named Roxy. As of 2026, she is single with no children and resides in the United States.[edit]

Berenato has collaborated closely with Mandy Rose as her tag team partner in Fire and Desire, and with Paige as the leader of Absolution. She worked alongside Adam Pearce as a co-authority figure on Raw. Her trainer at the Monster Factory was Danny Cage. She trained MMA at the same gym as Frankie Edgar. Frequent opponents include Asuka, Bianca Belair, and Alexa Bliss.[edit]

Berenato has kept her romantic life relatively private. She publicly came out as gay in July 2020 during a TMZ Sports interview, where she also revealed she was dating fitness model Tonya Cassano. The couple split in 2021 after about a year together. In 2022, she began a low-profile relationship with a woman named Aubrey (surname not publicly confirmed), which ended amicably in 2023. As of early 2026, Berenato is reportedly single and has focused on her TNA debut and personal projects. She has never been engaged or married and has no children.[edit]

As of 2026, iFANN's editorial research estimates Daria Rae's net worth at $1.8 million. The bulk of her wealth comes from her decade-long WWE career, during which she earned an estimated $200,000 to $350,000 annually as a main roster performer. Her TNA contract in 2026 is believed to be in the $50,000 to $100,000 range. Additional income streams include merchandise royalties from WWE T-shirts and action figures, paid appearances at conventions and autograph signings (around $1,000 to $5,000 per event), and a Cameo account offering personalized videos for $50 each. She also earned modest sums from three professional MMA fights, likely under $10,000 total. Berenato has not publicly disclosed any real estate holdings or major investments.[edit]

Berenato won the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship once, in June 2019, alongside Mandy Rose as Fire and Desire. This is her only championship victory in WWE.[edit]