Washington, D.C. — Former WWE superstar Sonya Deville, real name Daria Rae Berenato, has publicly announced that she is stepping away from professional wrestling—for the foreseeable future. After nearly a decade with WWE, the 31-year-old tag team champion expressed that she’s “definitely for now” hanging up the boots, while also keeping the door open to future possibilities.
A Decade in WWE, Suddenly Concluded
Deville’s WWE tenure began in 2015 on the Tough Enough reality competition, where she came out publicly as gay—a milestone in LGBTQ+ representation in sports. She went on to sign a WWE contract, debut in NXT, and later join the main roster in 2017.
In 2023, she formed Fire & Desire tagging with Chelsea Green and won her first WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. Unfortunately, a torn ACL sidelined her later in the year.
In early February 2025, WWE informed Deville that her contract would not be renewed—even though she had been in active negotiations at the time. She described being “completely under the impression” that a new deal was imminent—but was instead told they were going separate ways.
She reacted with surprise but no bitterness: “I had the greatest 10 years of my life… I lived out dreams that I could have never imagined.”
Beyond WWE: Acting, MMA, and Commentary
Deville shared that her goals have shifted toward acting and MMA commentary, noting that the likelihood of her returning to ring action or the octagon is about the same at this point. Her wife and children are now her focus.
In May 2025, Daria made her commentary debut with Invicta FC at their 62nd event, describing the move as “full circle” given her early MMA ambitions as a teenager.
She has also landed her first major film role, greeting this milestone with excitement for the next chapter
Legacy and LGBTQ+ Impact
As the first openly gay female wrestler in WWE, Sonya Deville made history—not just with her in-ring work but also as a high-profile advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility. She frequently represented WWE at GLAAD events and helped lead the company’s first notable Pride Month celebration.
GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis lamented WWE’s decision, emphasizing the loss of a trailblazer who received “loud cheers from LGBTQ and allied WWE fans.”
Fan Reactions & Commentary
Wrestling fans on Reddit voiced mixed opinions about Deville’s departure:
> “We were in the middle of negotiations… I thought the phone call was gonna be … a contract. And it was, ‘We are not renewing your contract’. So … I was shocked.”
“She’s talented enough to find herself on another roster. … If she wants to continue in wrestling, she will find a place.”
Other fans reflected on her strengths—especially her mic skills—and lamented her missed potential:
> “I thought she had a good run as a commish or GM… she’s actually quite good on the mic, and ok in the ring.”
What’s Next for Daria Rae?
She’s signed on as a guest at WrestleCon during WrestleMania 41 weekend in Las Vegas—a sign that while her run with WWE is over, her connection to wrestling persists.
Deville has already unveiled a new ring name, Daria Rae, which she’s expected to use whenever she decides to return to the squared circle.
In Summary
Sonya Deville’s departure from WWE in February 2025 marked the end of a remarkable 10-year run. Though she is stepping away from wrestling for now, she remains engaged with combat sports through MMA commentary—with significant moves in acting and personal ventures underway. No words of regret remain; she is transitioning on her own terms and on her own timing. Her impact as a pioneer in LGBTQ representation, tag team champion, and charismatic on-screen presence will endure in wrestling memory.
Whether she returns to wrestling—or continues to evolve as Daria Rae in new arenas—the story is far from over.