Sonya Deville returned to WWE TV in May of this year in a backstage segment with Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark, a precursor to the Pure Fusion Collective. While Baszler is officially back after suffering an ACL tear in July 2023, the former Women’s Tag Team Champion is still struggling to regain her confidence in the ring.
Althought Baszler had optimistically hoped she’d just suffered a nasty sprain, a trip to the bathroom mere days after her injury made clear to her how serious her situation was. Speaking to WWE – Die Woche, Deville shared that she wouldn’t wish an ACL injury on anyone and described her recovery as a long, treacherous recovery process.
“You think you’re gonna get the surgery and then a couple of months are gonna go by and you’re gonna feel great, but it takes a very long time.”
Deville, WWE’s first openly lesbian Superstarin the promotion’s history, admitted that she’s still trying to find her place in the ring, despite being back for months.
“To get back into full-blown wrestling shape, it took a long time, and I’m still getting my confidence back in the ring. It’s still a forever-evolving process, but all is well. No pain, knock on wood. We’re good.”
Deville’s comments underscore how for wrestlers, a recovery from a serious injury can be just as much a mental process as much as it is about physical wellbeing. Not only did the injury rattle Deville’s confidence in the ring, but it also ended her time as a WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, her first title reign in nine years with the promotion. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Sonya Deville as the former MMA fighter continues to find her place on WWE’s roster after her grueling ACL injury.
