3 top moments of Carmella's impeccable WWE career before her surprising release

Carmella had an incredible WWE career before she was released from the company this year.One of the top and most exciting WWE superstars that fans loved was Carmella. The Princess of Staten Island began her run in WWE NXT as a manager to a tag team.

In 2016, she was called up to the main roster on SmackDown to begin her singles journey.

In doing so, Mella carved out a top-notch career, winning multiple championships and accolades. However, in a surprising turn of events, Carmella was released from WWE this year amidst her recovery from an injury during her maternity leave. With Mella on a different path now, here is a look back at three of the greatest moments from her WWE career:

3. WrestleMania 35 victory

Much like many WWE superstars, Carmella also had her big WrestleMania moment in her career.

It came in 2019 when she competed in the Women's Battle Royal in the WrestleMania 35 pre-show. Mella competed alongside an array of top-tier competitors. She last tossed out Sarah Logan to clinch the coveted trophy to a huge ovation from the crowd in MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.

2. Two-time Money in the Bank winner

Carmella created history with the Money in the Bank. In 2017, she became the inaugural winner of the ladder match at the namesake pay-per-view.

However, the victory was controversial as her cohort, James Ellsworth, climbed the ladder and dropped the briefcase in Carmella's hands. This led to her being stripped of the win, and another ladder match was contested a week later on SmackDown. Mella once again climbed to the top and retrieved it, winning the match twice.

In doing so, the Princess of Staten Island etched her name in the history books in a span of a week.

1. SmackDown Women's Champion

After winning the Money in the Bank ladder match, Carmella tried to cash in her golden opportunity on numerous occasions, but could not get the job done. She even broke the record of holding the Money in the Bank briefcase for 287 days. On the SmackDown after WrestleMania 34, Mella's time finally came. After the SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair was attacked by the debuting team, The IIconics, Carmella rushed to the ring to cash in her contract.

One timely kick on a beaten-down Flair was all it took for Mella to win her one and only Women's Championship in WWE.Also read: A Twist of Fate: How John Cena nearly missed his WWE destiny