Sonya Deville Reflects on Accidental Coming Out, WWE Royal Rumble Teases Surprises

STAMFORD, Conn. — WWE Superstar Sonya Deville opened up about her accidental coming out during a recent podcast interview, while Stephanie McMahon-Levesque teased surprises for the upcoming WWE Royal Rumble 2025 during a promotional appearance on ESPN.

Deville, the leader of the Pure Fusion Collective, described her experience as the first openly gay woman in WWE as a “happy accident.” During her appearance on the podcast, she recounted the moment she came out on national television during the reality show “Tough Enough” in 2015. “It was like a big accident,” Deville said. “I was on ‘Tough Enough,’ and during the tryouts, Triple H asked me if I was in a relationship. I froze and said, ‘I have a girlfriend, but she’s not my wife yet.’ He laughed and said, ‘Did you just come out on national television?’ I guess I did.”

Deville also shared how the moment impacted her personal life, as her then-girlfriend had not yet come out to her parents. “I had to call her and say, ‘I’m so sorry,’ but she told me it was meant to be that way,” Deville recalled. “That was 10 years ago, and it’s been a journey ever since.”

Meanwhile, Stephanie McMahon-Levesque, WWE’s Chief Brand Officer, hinted at unexpected moments for the Royal Rumble, set for this Saturday. “Lots of surprises that I don’t even know about,” McMahon-Levesque said during her ESPN appearance. “If I did, I wouldn’t be allowed to say. I know some things, but not all things.”

McMahon-Levesque highlighted John Cena’s participation in what is expected to be his final Royal Rumble match and the return of Charlotte Flair to the ring. “It’s been way too long,” she said of Flair’s comeback. “This event is going to be really meaningful.”

Deville, who has been with WWE since 2015, also expressed her ambitions for 2025. In an interview with Talking with Natasha, she revealed her goal of winning a singles championship. “I’ve had the tag team championships, but I’ve never had a singles championship,” Deville said. “That is a big goal of mine for 2025. It’s happening. I’m manifesting it.”

Deville’s last on-screen match was a six-woman tag team bout on Raw in November 2024. She previously held the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles in 2023, though her reign was cut short due to injury.

As the WWE Royal Rumble approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating the surprises McMahon-Levesque hinted at, while Deville’s candid reflections continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.