Daria Rae Berenato is a 31-year-old professional wrestler from New Jersey. She is currently signed with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and performs on its RAW brand under the ring name, Sonya Deville.
Berenato began training in martials arts at the age of 16 and in June 2016, she was one of the 13 finalists for the sixth season of WWE’s competition, Tough Enough. She was the third competitor eliminated from the competition.
Berenato’s WWE Contract
In October 2015, Berenato signed a contract with WWE. She was then assigned to the company’s developmental brand, NXT, to begin her training. On December 3rd, she made her in-ring debut during a live event against Nia Jax, which she lost. Her first televised appearance and in-ring debut took place the following August. She competed under her real name in a six-woman tag team match along with Mandy Rose and Alexa Bliss. They competed against, and lost to Carmella, Liv Morgan and Nikki Cross.
In November, she returned to NXT television and competed in another six-woman tag team match with the Iconic Duo (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce). They lost to Aliyah, Ember Moon and Liv Morgan. She competed in her first televised singles match on the December 21st episode of NXT losing to Billie Kay.
On May 3, 2017, Berenato debuted under the new ring name, Sonya Deville, and participated in a number one contender’s battle royal for Asuka’s NXT Women’s Championship. She was eliminated in the battle royal. After this, Sonya Deville began a winning streak, defeating Lacey Evans, Rachel Evers, Jenna Van Bemel and Zeda.
Sonya Deville Joins WWE’s Main Roster
On the November 20th 2017 episode of RAW, Sonya Deville joined Mandy Rose and Paige in attacking Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mickie James and Alexa Bliss. They called themselves “Absolution.” Deville had her first televised match on the main roster at Tribute to the Troops on December 19. Absolution defeated Bayley, Mickie James and Sasha Banks.
At the 2018 Royal Rumble, Sonya Deville entered the first women’s Royal Rumble match as competitor #10. She lasted 6:41 and eliminated Torrie Wilson before being eliminated herself by Michelle McCool. Deville also competed in the first ever women’s Elimination Chamber match but was defeated by Alexa Bliss. Then, at WrestleMania 34, Deville competed in the WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal which was won by Naomi.
Sonya Drafted to SmackDown
At the 2018 Superstar Shake-up, both Sonya and Mandy Rose were drafted to SmackDown. As a result, Absolution was disbanded as Paige was no longer able to compete due to an injury. Deville and Rose continued their alliance and remained a tag team throughout the summer competing in singles and tag team matches.
At the first ever all women’s pay-per-view event, Evolution, Deville competed in a battle royal match but was eliminated by Mandy Rose. She then took part as a member of Team SmackDown at the five-on-five elimination match at Survivor Series. Deville was one of the final two women of the team alongside Asuka. She was eliminated via count out after a brawl with Bayley outside the ring.
Sonya Deville competed in the 2019 Royal Rumble and lasted 4:26 minutes before being eliminated by Alexa Bliss. A few weeks later, Deville teamed with Mandy Rose in a six-team Elimination Chamber match for the inaugural WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. They were the last team eliminated by the winners Sasha Banks and Bayley.
Sonya Deville’s Singles Competition
In 2020, Mandy Rose began a storyline love triangle with Otis and Dolph Ziggler. On the April 3rd episode of SmackDown, it was revealed that Sonya Deville was working with Ziggler to keep Otis from Mandy Rose. Deville accompanied Ziggler to his match against Otis at WrestleMania 36, where she was attacked by Mandy Rose. This began a feud and on the May 22nd episode of SmackDown, Deville teamed with Ziggler to defeat Otis and Rose. Deville and Rose’s feud continued in July when Deville attacked Rose backstage and cut her hair.
Originally, Deville and Rose were scheduled to compete in a hair vs hair match at SummerSlam. However, the match stipulation was changed to a No Disqualification Loser Leaves WWE match. Deville lost the match to Rose at SummerSlam and then went on hiatus.
Deville Returns to WWE
Sonya Deville returned to WWE on January 1st 2021 in her first appearance since August 2020, and was announced as having been reinstated. She then became the assistant to on-screen authority figure Adam Pearce on the SmackDown brand. She began appearing on the RAW brand and making executive decisions such as reinstating Charlotte Flair after Pearce had suspended Flair. She then added her to the RAW Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania Backlash.
On the April 11th episode of RAW, after RAW Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defeated Queen Zelina, Sonya emerged to disclose plans to name Belair’s next title challenger. But when Belair turned her back on Deville, she blindsided and attacked the champion. Deville revealed herself to be Belair’s mystery challenger before signing the match’s contract. The following week, Deville goaded Belair into attacking her. She later revealed that Belair was to be fine because of the attack. As a result, Adam Pearce fined Belair $1 for the incident.
When Deville complained about this, Adam Pearce informed her that there was an investigation going on concerning her conduct. It was later revealed on the May 9th episode of RAW that Deville was no longer a WWE Official. She returned as a ring competitor and was defeated by Alexa Bliss. On the October 11th episode of NXT, Sonya made a surprise appearance and was attacked by Alba Fyre from the crowned. She then aligned herself with Toxic Attraction by powerbombing Fyre through the commentary table.
Deville Drafted to RAW
Sonya Deville competed at the 2023 Royal Rumble where she entered at number 27 and got 3 eliminations before being eliminated by Asuka. On the March 27, 2023, episode of RAW, Deville teamed up with Chelsea Green and defeated the team of Candice LeRae and Mia Yim to qualify for the Women’s WrestleMania Showcase match. At WrestleMania 39, Green and Deville were unsuccessful as the match was won by Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler. Sonya Deville and Green were drafted to the RAW brand as part of the 2023 WWE Draft.
Birth name: Daria Rae Berenato Born: September 24, 1993, Shamong Township, New Jersey, USA Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) Weight: 130 lb (59 kg) Ring name(s): Sonya Deville Current Roster: WWE RAW Finishing move(s): Square-Up Kick
