Former WWE superstar Sonya Deville has shared some insights on her career path, revealing that she has decided to step back from professional wrestling “for now.” In a recent interview, she mentioned that her focus is currently on acting, while she remains open to the possibility of returning to combat sports in the future.
After her release from WWE earlier this year, Deville sat down for an interview on Insight with Chris Van Vliet where she discussed her thoughts about her career and her enduring commitment to WWE.
At Peace with Her Decision
When probed about her retirement from wrestling, Deville expressed that she feels good about her current decision. She recognized that her extensive experience with WWE makes the idea of wrestling elsewhere a bit challenging to grasp.
“Definitely for now. Never say never. But right now, I’m at peace with that,” she explained, reflecting on her time in WWE between the ages of 21 and 31. “I’m a ride or die type of person, so it’s odd to even consider wrestling anywhere else, but for now, it’s just not happening.”
Her Unique Path from MMA to WWE
Sonya Deville’s ascent in the wrestling world can be traced back to her roots in mixed martial arts (MMA). She participated in MMA before making her way to WWE, competing on the reality show Tough Enough in 2015. Her real-life fighting background and fierce attitude helped her secure a contract, leading her to become one of the first openly gay female superstars in WWE.
Over her WWE career, Deville transformed from being an enforcer in the Absolution faction to a charismatic authority figure. One of her most notable angles involved a personal rivalry with former best friend, Mandy Rose. Her career peaked in 2023 when she and Chelsea Green grabbed the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship, marking her first title win. Unfortunately, her reign was disrupted by a torn ACL, sidelining her until her release.
Acting and MMA: What’s Next?
Shifting her focus, Deville has reaffirmed her lifelong passion for acting. Nevertheless, she also hinted that returning to the MMA scene isn’t entirely off the table.
“My first dream was to be an actress… right now, acting feels more authentic to me than ever before,” she shared. “At the same time, Bare Knuckle sports seem hardcore, so who knows?”
She mentioned maintaining a strong relationship with Invicta FC, an all-female MMA outfit, and confirmed she’s back in training mode: “I’m definitely training again.” Even though her wrestling chapter seems paused, her journey in sports and performance is certainly not over.
