Layla Retires from WWE: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

WWE Diva Layla has retired from the company after nearly a decade with it. 

Speaking to Craig Tello of WWE.com, Layla announced her decision to walk away and why she chose this moment to do so:     

"

I feel like deciding to retire from the ring has been a hard decision to make because I’m passionate and I love performing. I’ve known everybody in that company now for nine years. They’re family. ... But sometimes you just need to step out and take a risk and move onto the next phase in life.

"

As far as future plans, Layla said that she would like to try doing something in the television business in the United States or her native England or possibly going back to dancing and choreography. She also added she is engaged to be married and wants to start a life with her family.

Recently, Layla's time on WWE television has been sporadic. She had surgery last January and pledged to be back in an Instagram post, eventually returning in April during an episode of Main Event. 

Layla came to WWE in 2006 during the Diva Search, winning the competition and making her main roster debut at SummerSlam that August. 

After hanging out on the roster for a few years, Layla's first major storyline was in 2008, when she aligned herself with William Regal. The following year she joined forces with Michelle McCool as part of a duo that would become known as LayCool. 

As part of LayCool, Layla would find her best success in the ring. She won the WWE Divas Championship during an episode of SmackDown in May 2010, pinning Beth Phoenix. She also holds the distinction of being the last WWE women's champion before the title was unified with the Divas title. 

The Diva Search competition was hit-and-miss for WWE over the years, but Layla certainly turned out to be one of the biggest bright spots. She turned her victory in that into a solid nine-year run with the company and can ride off into the sunset with her head held high.