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Over the past few weeks on SmackDown, video clips have been shown of a mystery woman, with many fans speculating that the person in the vignettes is, in fact, Carmella. Whoever is appearing in the clips appears to be a glamourous character, keeping in line with the persona of The Staten Island Princess and her preferences for the finer things in life.
Carmella hasn't been seen on WWE television since May after she was unsuccessful in this year's Money in the Bank ladder match. On social media, she has been hinting towards a return, showing videos of her gym workouts, and has also been uploading throwback photos of her time as SmackDown Women's Champion to her Instagram account.
Throughout her WWE career, Carmella has been a part of some huge moments, including being the first women's Money in the Bank winner, and she also won the women's battle royal at WrestleMania 35. Leading up to her break from WWE, Carmella hadn't been involved in many big storylines for some time.
Bringing her back with a refreshed character may be just what she needs to get back to the top of the SmackDown women's division.
#5 Carmella's childhood idol was Miss Elizabeth
WWE Superstars often discuss the wrestlers that inspired them to join the business as adults. Some in-ring performers even pay homage to their favourites, using their iconic moves or paying tribute to their popular ring attires.
Carmella is no expectation to that rule, and she has claimed that her childhood wrestling inspiration was none other than Miss Elizabeth. Miss Elizabeth was better known as a manager in her heyday rather than a wrestler like Carmella, but a lot of performers in the WWE women's division have talked about her impact on the profession, especially as a woman.
A few years ago, Carmella revealed her childhood adoration of Miss Elizabeth, claiming that she would dress up as her hero and ask her father to carry her on his shoulder in the same way Miss Elizabeth was. Like Miss Elizabeth, Carmella brings a touch of modern glamour to the WWE ring, and its clear to spot the influence the star had on The Staten Island Princess.
#4 Carmella has earned multiple qualifications outside of WWE
Fans may not know that Carmella is a very smart member of the WWE roster. The Staten Island Princess has tried many ventures before joining NXT. Carmella earned a degree in marketing before embarking in a different direction. She attended the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth, and successfully graduated with her well-earned degree in 2010. Marketing could have potentially helped Carmella in crafting her WWE character in the past.
Not only does Carmella hold a degree, but the former SmackDown Women's Champion is also a certified fitness instructor and a personal trainer. These qualifications must come in useful in the career of a WWE Superstar.
Carmella often shares videos of herself in the gym to her social media pages, putting her qualifications in fitness to good use. She has recently shared clips on her Instagram page showing her impressive deadlifts using a barbell, and kettlebell workout moves.
The Superstar has also demonstrated her workout knowledge on her appearance on Sheamus' Celtic Warrior workouts YouTube channel, guiding her fellow WWE superstar through one of her routines.
#3 Carmella has her own wine company
Carmella has often discussed her Italian heritage in interviews, and how she and her family often enjoyed a glass of wine. On Total Divas, Carmella has made no secret of her love for wine and has joined the likes of fellow WWE stars The Bella Twins and AEW's Cody in being involved in both the wrestling and wine businesses.
In a contrast to the sophisticated and classic direction that Brie and Nikki decided to take with their brand Belle Radici, Carmella decided to market her company Capo Cagna in a classicly-Carmella, fun way.
According to the Instagram bio for Capo Cagna, the brand is "not for wine snobs" and is "boujee on a budget" which makes Capo Cagna a unique wine company. The company currently has two different wines on offer and the bottles have been met with high praise from reviewers.
On the Instagram page for Capo Cagna, the brand often celebrates fun, self-love and female empowerment - which seems very fitting for a company with a woman CEO who also happens to be a wrestling superstar.
#2 Carmella was once a Laker Girl
Before joining WWE, Carmella was a student at the University of Massachusetts, from which she graduated with a marketing degree. During her time as a student, Carmella was a cheerleader for the New England Patriots.
Following her time in further education, Carmella applied for WWE's Tough Enough, but later changed her mind and withdrew her application after being accepted as a Laker Girl for the 2010-2011 season.
The Staten Island Princess was based in Los Angeles when she was a cheerleader for the professional basketball team. In the past, there have also been numerous Laker Girls who have gone on to be huge stars in their own right, including Paula Abdul and Pussycat Dolls singer, Vanessa Curry.
Carmella's dance and performance background is evident when she is performing her intricate moves in the WWE ring. For some time, Carmella had a gimmick where she and her former on-screen partner R-Truth, performed a dance break in the ring during matches, which started when the duo was paired up for WWE's Mixed Match Challenge charity series.
#1 Carmella is the daughter of a WWE star
Despite having no wrestling experience when she made her arrival at the WWE Performance Centre in 2013 after signing an NXT contract, some fans may be surprised to know that Carmella is a second-generation performer.
Carmella's father, Paul Van Dale worked as an enhancement talent in WWE in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He faced big stars in the ring, including Shawn Michaels and Diesel.
In Carmella's episode of "My Daughter is a WWE Superstar", the star and her father were shown training in the ring together, and they detailed how the star would come and train with him after finding out that she got an NXT contract, practicing moves daily at one point.
Carmella brought magazines to school to show pictures of her father competing with her friends. In the episode, home videos were also shown of a very young Carmella boxing with her dad.
In interviews, Carmella has often talked about the bond that she shares with her father, and how his love for fitness, wrestling, and boxing inspired her in her WWE career.
