User:Miss X-Factor/Carmella
| Carmella | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Leah Van Damme |
| Born | 23 October 1987 Worcester, Massachusetts |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Carmella Leah Van Dale |
| Billed height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) |
| Billed weight | 110 lb (50 kg) |
| Billed from | Staten Island[1] |
| Trained by | Paul Van Dale WWE Performance Center |
| Debut | 2013 |
Leah Van Damme-Dale (born 23 October 1987) is an American professional wrestler. She is currently signed to WWE under the ring name Carmella.
Early life
[edit]Leah grew up in a very small town outside of Worcester, Massachusetts. Leah went on to the University of Rhode Island and later transferred to the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. After graduating college, Leah became a cheerleaders for the New England Patriots for three terms, ending in 2010.[2] Leah was featured in several world-renown publications including; a National Visa commercial, Muscle and Fitness, Esquire, Maxim. She previously auditioned for Los Angeles Lakers dance team, where she earned a coveted spot as a 2010-2011 Los Angeles Laker Girl.[2]
WWE
[edit]NXT (2013–present)
[edit]In June 2013, Leah signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment.[2] She was sent to the company's developmental program NXT Wrestling in late September.[2] On December 16, 2013, she announced her new ring name was Carmella.[2] In November 2013, when Enzo Amore suffered a broken leg while training, Carmella was paired with Colin Cassady during live events before Amore's return.[3]
Carmella made her debut on the September 4 of NXT, as the hairdresser of a salon titled "Hair", in a segment with the Jersey Boys (Enzo Amore and Big Cass).[4] Two weeks later of NXT, Carmella appeared in another segment with the Jersey Boys at the WWE Performance Center, announcing her intentions of becoming a "fighter".[5] Carmella developed the character of the "stereotypical cocky, Jersey Shore loudmouth" as well as the nickname "The Staten Island Princess".[6] Carmella made her in-ring debut on the October 16 episode of NXT, defeating a local wrestler "Blue Pants" (Leva Bates[7]) via submission with the Figure-four necklock.[8] Subsequently, Carmella defeated WWE Diva Emma two weeks later with the same submission move.[8]
Personal life
[edit]Leah is a certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer. Leah is the daughter of Paul Van Dale, who did enhancement work for the WWF in the 1990s and worked independently.[2]
In wrestling
[edit]- Finishing moves
References
[edit]- ^ Van Dale, Leah. "Carmella - @CarmellaWWE: Hairstylist - Gorgeous hair is the best revenge Princess of Staten Island Instagram: @CarmellaWWE". Twitter. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f Johnson, Mike. "NEW WWE SIGNINGS". PWInsider. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ^ Saxton, Byron. "Riding solo: Can Colin Cassady go it alone?". WWE.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
- ^ Namako, Jason. "WWE NXT Results - 9/4/14 (Tag Tournament Finals)". Wrestleview. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- ^ Namako, Jason. "WWE NXT Results - 9/18/14 (Hideo Itami in-ring debut)". Wrestleview. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- ^ Van Dale, Leah. "Princess of Staten Island 💋". Twitter. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ Namako, Jason. "SPOILERS: 9/25 WWE NXT TV taping results at Full Sail". Wrestleview. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ^ a b c Parry, Josh. "WWE NEWS: NXT SPOILERS for Oct. & November - Full Results from Thursday's TV taping at Full Sail University". PWTorch. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
External links
[edit]
Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:Professional wrestlers from Massachusetts Category:American female professional wrestlers