Sonya Deville Reflects on WWE Release: “It’s Almost a Blessing”

Sonya Deville has reflected on her WWE release, describing it as a turning point that arrived at the right time rather than a setback. Speaking on Identity Crisis with CJ Perry, Deville said the non-renewal of her WWE contract was unexpected but ultimately felt like the universe guiding her toward her next chapter.

Deville was released from WWE on February 7, 2025, as the company didn’t renew her contract. In July 2025, she announced her retirement from in-ring competition, but didn’t rule out a possible return. Explaining that leaving WWE would allow her to fully commit to acting, a passion she has had for years, Deville credited her time in WWE for teaching her valuable skills in promo delivery, character work, and performance.

“It’s almost a blessing it wasn’t a crossroad I had to come to or a decision I had to make. It was like the universe made it for me. And so that could only mean one thing. Maybe that comes from my strong faith, the faith in the universe… Even when bad things happen, I am able to see the good. I knew right away I had been complacent and stagnant for a few years. I felt like I couldn’t get out of a box that I was in, and some of that wasn’t in my control. I just wasn’t able to do what I know I am capable of at that time with the company. So when they let me go, it was like, ‘Oh, I get to go take all of that amazing stuff and do it somewhere else.’ The promo aspect and character work was the highlights of my WWE career, it’s not the physicality necessarily.”

During the conversation, Deville admitted she had felt stagnant in her later years in WWE. Spending nearly two years as an onscreen authority figure limited her in-ring opportunities, and injuries slowed her momentum. She shared that, while she was strong on the microphone, her ring time was limited for several reasons, leaving her feeling boxed into a midcard position.

“I go, okay, well, that’s interesting and ironic, or maybe not at all, that I’ve wanted to be an actress my entire life and now that’s what I’ve honed and worked on for 10 years in WWE in some sort of facet. And now I get to go, just do that. Yeah. And now I’m no longer a mid-carder. Yeah. I don’t have to be a mid-carder. I don’t have to be mediocre in the ring and great on the mic. I can just be great. It didn’t feel good to, you know, I worked my a** off in the physicality and, you know, the injury, and then two years as GM not touching my wrestling boots, you know, aside from when I would go off and train on my own. But that wasn’t often to be honest and it just wasn’t clicking. And I think it would have I only had four years combined of ring experience. Two years off GM, a year off ACL, and 5 months off kidnapping. So that’s crazy. Combined ring time is not a lot. “

Despite that, Deville expressed excitement about moving forward without restrictions. She noted that the transition away from wrestling has given her a chance to focus on her creative strengths and personal fulfillment.

“So I do think I’m not going to sell myself short. I do think I could have been great in the ring, but I wasn’t there. You need more time. I need more time. But I now get excited to hone the one thing that I feel I’m best at and I’m meant to do, and it just all feels so serendipitous.”

Calling the timing “serendipitous,” Deville said she feels fulfilled and ready to embrace this new phase of her career with optimism.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit Identity Crisis with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.