Former WWE Women’s Champion Carmella has shared an emotional update on her health and life since stepping away from the spotlight. During a candid Instagram Live chat with fellow WWE star Bayley, Carmella opened up about the challenges of recovering from a nerve injury sustained during childbirth, her joy in motherhood, and her hopes of returning to the ring.
While she embraces her new role as a mom, the road to recovery has been a test of patience and determination. Read on as Carmella shares her journey of resilience and her longing to once again perform as the larger-than-life persona fans adore.
Becoming a Mother
In November 2023, Carmella and her husband, WWE commentator Corey Graves, welcomed their first child, Dimitri. Reflecting on this monumental life change, Carmella said during the live stream, “I love being a mom. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done ever, in my whole entire life.”
Motherhood has brought immense joy to the former WWE Superstar, but her delivery also marked the beginning of an unexpected health battle.
Health Challenges: Battling Drop Foot
During labor, Carmella experienced nerve damage resulting in a condition called drop foot, which impairs the ability to lift the front part of the foot. This condition, caused by damage to the peroneal nerve, can be particularly debilitating for an athlete.
In her conversation with Bayley, Carmella acknowledged the challenges of adapting to this condition. “This is the first major injury I’ve had in my entire career,” she shared, emphasizing the contrast to her injury-free decade-long wrestling tenure.
Working Towards Recovery
Carmella is actively addressing her condition with a combination of physical therapy, chiropractic treatments, and MRIs to monitor her progress. Recovery has been slow, but her determination remains steadfast. “Nerves do take a lot of time to heal, but eventually, we’ll get back to it,” she told Bayley during their chat.
Missing the WWE Ring
Though her recovery requires focus and time, Carmella admits to deeply missing her WWE persona and performing in front of fans. “Of course, I miss WWE. Of course, I miss everyone. I miss being Carmella. I miss performing. I miss it so much,” she confessed during the Instagram Live session.
Her connection to her fans and the adrenaline of performing continues to motivate her recovery journey, and she remains optimistic about returning to the ring.
Looking Ahead
Carmella’s candid conversation with Bayley revealed her determination to overcome this setback, embrace motherhood, and find her way back to WWE. With a strong support system and unwavering resilience, she is determined to write the next chapter of her remarkable journey. Fans eagerly await her return, confident she will step back into the ring stronger than ever.
