Sonya Deville, also known as Daria Rae Berenato, is a proficient wrestler and a skilled mixed martial artist hailing from the United States of America.
This wrestler made an appearance on the SmackDown brand alongside Adam Pearce. She also served as an authority figure in the past.
Deville first gained prominence in the WWE Tough Enough competition in 2015, where she ranked eleventh. Following this, the wrestler obtained a deal with WWE and was then transferred to the WWE Performance Center situated in Orlando, Florida.
Deville then competed in NXT, which is WWE’s developmental league, before being elevated to the primary roster. The wrestler made a return in January of 2021, this time in a non-wrestling capacity as an on-screen authority figure.
Sonya Deville has been trending in the media due to her arrest for possessing a gun. The WWE star had a license for the weapon, but it was not permitted in New Jersey.
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Sonya Deville: The First Openly Lesbian Wrestler in WWE History
Sonya Deville, a rising WWE star, made headlines when she announced her engagement to her partner Tonni Cassano. The news shocked the WWE universe, but it also marked a historic moment for LGBTQ+ representation in the industry. In this article, we’ll dive into Sonya Deville’s journey and explore her impact on the world of wrestling.
Sonya Deville’s Coming Out Story
Sonya Deville, whose real name is Daria Rae Berenato, first revealed her identity as a lesbian during her time competing in Tough Enough. Despite facing backlash and criticism, Berenato knew that coming out was the right thing to do.
Years later, Berenato’s decision to come out would pave the way for other LGBTQ+ wrestlers. In fact, she became the first female wrestler to openly discuss her sexual identity in the WWE.
Breaking Barriers in WWE
Berenato’s bravery and resilience have made her a role model for many aspiring wrestlers, especially those who identify as LGBTQ+. Her story has shown that you can be your authentic self and still succeed in the world of wrestling.
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In 2018, Berenato competed in the first women’s Royal Rumble match and entered at position 10. She defeated Torrie Wilson and lasted 6:41 until being eliminated by Michelle McCool. Later that year, she also participated in the first women’s Elimination Chamber match.
Berenato’s debut at WrestleMania was also a significant moment. She competed in the Women’s Battle Royal at WrestleMania 34 and showcased her fighting skills to the world.
LGBTQ+ Representation in WWE
While Berenato’s coming out story has been a positive step towards LGBTQ+ representation in WWE, the industry still has a long way to go. The WWE has a mixed track record when it comes to LGBTQ+ storylines, and their partnership with the Saudi Arabian government, where LGBTQ+ identities are illegal, has drawn criticism from fans and advocacy groups.
Berenato has been an advocate for change in the industry, and her proposal for an LGBTQ+ storyline with her then-tag team partner Amanda “Mandy Rose” Saccomanno was a step towards greater representation. However, the plot never materialized.
Conclusion
Sonya Deville’s journey in the WWE has been a groundbreaking one. As the first openly lesbian wrestler in the industry, she has broken down barriers and shown that LGBTQ+ representation is essential in sports and entertainment. While there is still much work to be done, Berenato’s story is proof that progress is possible.
Sonya Deville: The Story Behind Her Engagement to Toni Cassano
Sonya Deville, the WWE superstar and first openly homosexual female wrestler in WWE history, made headlines recently when she proposed to her partner Toni Cassano. The proposal happened on February 15, 2023, and according to a People report, it was a moment of pure love and devotion.
Meeting Her Partner
Deville and Cassano’s relationship began when they met at a WWE event. Cassano, who initially agreed to attend the event in exchange for a dinner date, decided to skip the dinner and go to a random bar with Deville instead. They spent the night talking, eating pizza, and having a great time.
Deville’s Journey in WWE
Deville has been a WWE superstar for almost eight years, and she made her Sonya Deville persona debut in 2017. She has always been a villain figure in the WWE universe, but her fans love her nonetheless.
Family Life
Despite her villainous character on-screen, Deville is a family woman in real life. She takes her role as a partner and future wife seriously and is committed to her relationship with Cassano.
The Engagement
When it came time to propose, Deville did it in typical sapphic style. Cassano had no idea what was coming when Deville got down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage. Cassano was overjoyed and surprised when Deville gave her a ring of her own.
Looking Forward
Deville and Cassano’s engagement is a celebration of love and commitment. They are looking forward to the future and building a life together as partners and as a family. Despite her WWE persona, Deville’s relationship with Cassano is a testament to the fact that love knows no bounds.
Sonya Deville’s Fiancé, Toni Cassano: All You Need to Know
Sonya Deville, real name Daria Rae Berenato, is a former WWE superstar who made headlines for her in-ring performances and her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. However, her personal life has also been a topic of discussion among fans, particularly her relationship with Toni Cassano.1
Who is Toni Cassano?
Toni Cassano was born on 24 October 1992 and is a well-known fitness model. Her Instagram bio describes her as the “Real Life Xena Warrior Princess,” and she has amassed over 61k followers on the social media platform. Toni regularly shares content related to fitness and her relationship with Sonya Deville on her account.
Career Highlights
Toni Cassano is an accomplished fitness model and has participated in various fitness competitions. In 2021, she was part of the NPC Ultimate Physique Championships, where she showcased her impressive physique and talent.
???????? “It’s so cool… I look back at 7-8 years ago, when I wasn’t even out yet, hiding relationships, and I was still trying to figure out my comfortability with being gay and who I was” – @SonyaDevilleWWE
Congrats on your engagement, Daria and Toni! ???? https://t.co/zK6JOtY3e0
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) February 23, 2023
Alongside her partner, Sonya Deville, Toni launched the Train Like an Athlete 4-Week Challenge in June 2020. This program featured three special Livestream workouts, along with a training plan, instructional videos, and a nutrition download. Fans also got a chance to interact with the couple during the 4-Week Challenge through Q&A sessions.
Personal Life
Toni Cassano was previously married and has two children, two daughters aged 7 and 11. Her relationship with Sonya Deville first became public in 2019 when the couple attended the GLAAD Media Awards together. Since then, they have been open about their relationship, sharing pictures and videos on their social media accounts.
Also Read: When is WWE star Bray Wyatt getting married? JoJo Offerman reveals plans for their wedding
Sonya Deville: Bio
Born on September 24, 1993 in Shamong Township, New Jersey, Deville’s resilient disposition and captivating appearance have propelled her to the forefront of WWE fandom.2
Deville’s athletic journey began with an ardent involvement in a plethora of sports, including lacrosse, soccer, and mixed martial arts (MMA) training. Seneca High School provided an avenue for Deville to excel as an athlete, culminating in a scholarship to play soccer at the University of South Carolina Upstate.
Following her collegiate career, Deville shifted her focus to the MMA circuit for a period before embarking on a career in professional wrestling. In 2015, Deville participated in the reality series “Tough Enough,” which served as a stepping stone to joining WWE.
Despite not emerging as the champion of the competition, Deville’s proficiency and endurance on the show caught the attention of WWE executives, ultimately leading to a contract offer.
Deville’s emergence into the limelight of WWE’s main roster occurred in 2017, where she joined forces with Paige and Mandy Rose to form the Absolution faction. Their collective dominance and sterling performances in the women’s division garnered immense admiration. Deville’s signature move, the triangle choke, secured her triumph in several bouts.
Sonya Deville: Biographical Details
| Stage Name | Sonya Deville |
| Real Name | Sonya Deville |
| Profession(s) | Wrestler, |
| Birthday | September 24, 1993 |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Age | 29 years |
| Gender | Female |
| Birthplace | New Jersey, United States |
| Hometown | New Jersey, New Jersey, United States |
| Nationality | American |
Sonya Deville: Professional Wrestling Career
- In June 2015, Berenato was one of thirteen finalists on the WWE show Tough Enough, which was in its sixth season. She was the third person to be kicked out of the race.3
- Berenato signed a contract with WWE in October 2015, and she was sent to their training brand NXT to start her training. She had her first match in the ring on December 3 against Nia Jax, but she lost.
- Berenato first appeared on TV and wrestled in the ring under her real name on the August 17 episode of NXT. She was in a six-woman tag team match with Mandy Rose, Alexa Bliss, and Nikki Cross, but they lost to Carmella, Liv Morgan, and Nikki Cross.
- On the November 23 episode of NXT, Berenato and The Iconic Duo (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) were in another six-woman tag team match. They lost to Aliyah, Ember Moon, and Liv Morgan.
- On the December 21 episode of NXT, Berenato had her first televised singles match. She lost to Billie Kay because Peyton Royce took her attention away from the match.
- Berenato came back to NXT on May 3, 2017, under the name Sonya Deville. She took part in a number one contender’s battle royal for Asuka’s NXT Women’s Championship, where Peyton Royce and Billie Kay eliminated her.
- After that, Deville started to win, beating Lacey Evans, Rachel Evers, Jenna Van Bemel, and Zeda in a row.
- After another short break, Deville came back to NXT on the October 18 episode. She fought Ember Moon and Ruby Riott in a triple threat match to get into the fatal four-way match for the vacant NXT Women’s Championship at NXT TakeOver: WarGames on November 18, which Moon won.
- Ruby Riott beat Deville on the NXT episode that aired on November 22. On the December 6 episode of NXT, they fought again. This time, it was a no-holds-barred match, which Deville won.
- On the December 27 episode of NXT, Deville tried to take the title from Ember Moon but failed.
Sonya Deville: Net Worth 2023
Daria, a Mixed Martial Arts practitioner, garners both repute and remuneration from her exploits in the field of sports. As per a number of online sources, her current net worth is estimated to stand at an impressive $5 million. Her annual income from the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) alone amounts to a sum of no less than $500 thousand.
Besides her flourishing career as a wrestler, Daria’s coffers are further filled by the addition of revenue streams from brand endorsements and promotional deals. Although the details of her assets remain undisclosed, it is clear that Daria is a force to be reckoned with in the arena of sports and entertainment.
Sonya Deville: Facts
- Sonya Deville was born in the U.S. state of New Jersey.
- The star sign of Sonya Deville’s birth is Libra.
- She graduated from Seneca High School in Tabernacle, New Jersey, where she went to school. Before she became a professional wrestler, she had a lot of success as a judoka.
- She has been a co-host on the YouTube show UFC AfterBuzz.
- In real life, she is known as Daria Berenato. She is the first WWE wrestler to say that she is a lesbian.
FAQ’S
1. Who is Sonya Deville and what is her background in professional wrestling?
Ans: Sonya Deville, whose real name is Daria Berenato, is an American professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, and LGBTQ+ activist. She began her wrestling career in 2015 and signed with WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) in 2017. Deville has made history as the first openly lesbian performer in WWE and has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility in professional wrestling.
2. Who is Toni Cassano, and what is her relationship with Sonya Deville?
Ans: Toni Cassano is a fitness model and personal trainer who has been in a romantic relationship with Sonya Deville since 2021. Cassano and Deville got engaged in November 2021, making headlines as the first-ever engagement between two women in WWE history.
3. Why is Sonya Deville’s engagement to Toni Cassano significant for LGBTQ+ representation in professional wrestling?
Ans: Sonya Deville’s engagement to Toni Cassano highlights the importance of LGBTQ+ representation and visibility in professional wrestling, which has traditionally been dominated by heterosexual storylines and performers. The fact that two women can openly express their love for each other on a WWE platform and receive widespread support from fans and colleagues is a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ representation in the wrestling industry.
4. How have fans and colleagues reacted to Sonya Deville’s engagement?
Ans: Fans and colleagues have overwhelmingly shown support and positivity for Sonya Deville and Toni Cassano’s engagement. Many fans have taken to social media to express their joy and excitement for the couple, with the hashtag #LoveWins trending on Twitter after the announcement. Fellow WWE performers have also expressed their support, including Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and Nikki Bella.
5. What impact could Sonya Deville and Toni Cassano’s engagement have on LGBTQ+ representation in professional wrestling?
Ans: Sonya Deville and Toni Cassano’s engagement could have a significant impact on LGBTQ+ representation and visibility in professional wrestling. By showcasing their love and commitment to each other on a WWE platform, they are helping to break down barriers and stereotypes about LGBTQ+ relationships in the wrestling industry. Their engagement could inspire other LGBTQ+ performers to come out and feel more comfortable being themselves in the wrestling world, leading to a more inclusive and diverse industry overall.
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