Former WWE Diva Serena Deeb has officially announced her retirement from pro wrestling, and will work her last match tomorrow in Japan.
Tomorrow I wrestle at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. This will be my final match. I have opted to peacefully and humbly close my career, with the deep honor & respect that I was brought up with. I infinitely thank OVW for raising me in such a way in this business- it is a lost art. I am so grateful to every person who I have formed memories with over the past 10 years. So many of you are my family. I fell in love with pro wrestling when I was very young. I experienced many incredible moments, as well as countless heartbreaks. I got to have my Wrestlemania moment in front of 72,000 people. I have been blessed with 7 trips to Japan & I have chosen to close this chapter of my life in this beautiful country. There is no remorse in this decision. I have simply grown. I love you all. Thank you.
Serena has been wrestling since 2005, working with the likes of Beth Phoenix, Cherry Pie, Amber O’Neil, Shelly Martinez, Katie Lea, and ODB for years in Ohio Valley Wrestling and SHIMMER. She made a one-time appearance at TNA Slammiversary back in 2008, answering a “fan challenge” against Awesome Kong, and another one-time appearance later that year for Ring of Honor, in a match won by Sara Del Rey.
In 2009, Deeb signed a deal with WWE and reported to FCW for developmental, where she spent six months before debuting on Smackdown as an audience member who volunteered to have her head shaved by CM Punk and his Straight Edge Society. She spent most of that year on television alongside Punk and current IWGP tag champion Luke Gallows, but only wrestled one match in her time with WWE and was released from her contract in August.
Since her departure from WWE, Serena has been working frequently for SHIMMER, and recently made a surprise appearance at the Impact Wrestling tapings, as James Storms’ mystery partner against Mickie James and Magnus. It was thought she might be given a more full-time role with the company, but obviously her newly announced retirement confirms that is not the case.
The last conversation I had with Serena was back in 2013 on a podcast I did with Doug McDonald, and she has always stood out to me as the nicest, most cheerful and approachable person I’ve spoken with in the industry. I wish nothing but the best to her on this next chapter in life.
