Eva spoke with Gerry Strauss of The Hype Magazine recently, regarding the return of Total Divas and her time in the WWE. Listen to the interview ahead!
 

Eva spoke with Kenny Herzog of Rolling Stone recently, about Total Divas, the main roster and how she handles her critics. Check it out ahead!
 

No WWE superstar’s been thrown to the wolves quite like Eva Marie.
 
The California-bred fitness model and wrestling neophyte was signed in 2013, and by that summer was thrust onto audiences as both a centerpiece of Total Divas and in-ring competitor on Raw. Fans summarily rejected the imposition and, in turn, Eva’s predetermined anointment as the future face of her division. Unfortunately, her innate sex appeal and presentation as flame-haired queen biatch couldn’t cover for her lack of polish. By early 2015 – and after combating injury – she willingly stepped out of the spotlight to train with former WWE tag champ Brian Kendrick, and has since resurrected herself as a legit lady heel in NXT, warring with Women’s Champion Bayley and seemingly priming herself for a return to the main roster.
 
One day following her near-win in a No. 1 Contender’s Battle Royal at Full Sail Arena (and with a new season of Total Divas premiering Tuesday on E!), we asked the divisive Diva about whether we’ll be seeing her at Fastlane, tuning out those “Eva can’t wrestle” chants and why Asuka is what’s best for business.
 
So, for the record, can we infer from recent photo shoots that you’ll be back on Raw and SmackDown again soon?
I mean, that is the hope. I can tell you [the photo shoot] was definitely for Fastlane, and that is the goal for sure. I think there needs to be a little bit more of All Red Everything on Raw and SmackDown.
 
Where does Eva Marie fit into the Divas landscape, which is markedly different than during your last main-roster run?
So much has changed. I’m a pretty big bad guy, so that would definitely transpire on the main roster. I’d be coming in as a major heel. I think they need some heel blood for sure, so hopefully that can happen.
 
In terms of timing, has it been about waiting until your character generated enough heat in NXT before being called up?
Yeah, the fact that I’m able to be on the road and be performing in front of crowds and building my heel character, as well as on NXT TV, is huge, because you take what we’re doing there and put it up on the main roster. So far, so good.
 
Was part of the plan to have this Total Divas season introduce the work you’ve been doing in NXT to a wider audience before returning to the main roster?
Yes, exactly. I was not the most liked cast member last season, so this season you’re gonna see how and why I chose to go to NXT and the reasoning behind going to hone my craft and build my character as well. I think that’s great for not only the E! network, but our WWE universe to see, because you get to see the difference between myself and people like Natalya or Paige, who were born into wrestling. I think it’s good for people to see the difference between the two and how much work it does take to become a WWE Diva.
 
How do you win over fans that are still skeptical about your commitment to wrestling as opposed to the overall Eva Marie brand?
People are always going to have something to say, where it’s good, bad or indifferent. And for me, I know exactly why I became a WWE Diva. I think people forget I tried out to be a Diva before I got Total Divas. So I was given this amazing opportunity that, if presented to anybody, they would take. As far as my commitment to being a wrestler, the proof is in the pudding. I asked to go back to NXT when I really didn’t have to. I was already on the main roster, so I could have continued doing what I was doing up there. I never want to do anything mediocre, so I needed to make that personal assessment and ask Vince McMahon and Triple H, “Can I go to NXT?” Because we have the resources, so why wouldn’t I want to capitalize on that? I’ve put in blood, sweat and tears to progress, which is awesome, ’cause look at me now: I’m working a live event tonight. It was definitely one of the scariest – but best – decisions I’ve ever made.
 
Was there ever talk of completely overhauling your character rather than just changing her attitude?
A little bit, but then it was one of those things where I already had a little of this character created, and I just needed to bring it from a two and put it on a 20. You can see my progression from my first match back to my title match with Bayley and really embracing my heel character and coming into my own and enjoying the bad-guy persona.
 
Was the biggest obstacle not appearing rattled when fans antagonize you or chant, “Eva can’t wrestle”?
A hundred-and-ten percent. The Eva Marie two years ago? Sure, mentally, it would get to me, but that was before I had the skillset I do now. For me, it’s all about being the character, so those boos and the craziness are super-inviting – I want it and I want them to continue bringing it. If they were quiet, I’m not doing too much. It’s awesome for storytelling, and at the end of the day, that’s what WWE’s all about: telling a great story within the match.
 
And with the influx of talent brought in – or rumored to be coming – from other promotions around the world, does that put the NXT locker room on edge, or are you guys enthusiastic about it?
I think each individual feels differently about what talent’s getting brought in. For me personally, the more the merrier. Each person is an individual, and as long as you’re comfortable with your character and what you bring to the table, that’s all that matters, because there is enough room for all of us. For instance, them bringing in Asuka – it’s such a great thing for not only NXT but the WWE brand, because you’re able to pull in different audiences from all around the world. At the end of the day, that helps you with your performance and your character, because you’ll be able to step in the ring with someone like her or someone from a different organization. All around, it’s a win-win and beneficial.

–RollingStone.com

Nia Jax isn’t in the main event because her neck is still recovering from London; Eva Marie laughs at her.

 

Battle royal to become the new #1 contender for the Women’s Title: Billie Kay, Eva Marie, Deonna Purrazzo, Emma, Alexa Bliss, Carmella, Nia Jax, Cameron, Asuka, Live Morgan, Payton Royce, Aliyah.

 

Asuka kicked Marie in the face and she rolled under the bottom rope to the floor. A brawl then a broke out.

 

We’re back with Aliyah being thrown out then Purrazzo by Asuka. Morgan botched a powerbomb to Cameron. She went for it again and attempted to toss her over the top rope and did, but Bliss then tossed Morgan over. Emma elbowed Bliss out of the ring. Asuka hit Emma with a big kick that sent her to the floor. Kay and Royce tried to send Asuka to the floor, but she fought them off. Asuka sent Payton and Billie out of the ring. Marie then sent Asuka out of the ring. Carmella then tossed Marie outside of the ring to win the match.

 

Winner: Carmella

Related Links, Photos & More:
» EVAMARIEPHOTOS.COM: World Wrestling Entertainment > Digital Photos > NXT > 2016 > January 13th
» EVAMARIEPHOTOS.COM: Screen Captures > World Wrestling Entertainment > NXT > 2016 > January 13th

Want to know what Eva will be getting up to on NXT in the coming weeks? Find out below!
 

Eva Marie

Let’s be honest. At the beginning of her WWE career, the bulk of Eva Marie’s in-ring skill consisted of climbing the steel steps without stumbling. In two years, however, that’s all changed. Anyone who’s watched videos of her training with former WWE Tag Team Champion Brian Kendrick realizes the hard work — and hard knocks — she’s put in to level up her game. Although there’s inarguably room to grow, Eva has proven she’s determined to earn her spot. And with matches against the likes of NXT Women’s Champion Bayley already under her belt, Eva is sure to have the WWE Universe seeing red in 2016. — GREG ADKINS

–WWE.com

WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, Big Show, R-Truth, Alicia Fox and Eva Marie embarked on a journey to greet U.S. military personnel serving overseas.

Related Links, Photos & More:
» EVAMARIEPHOTOS.COM: World Wrestling Entertainment > Other > WWE Tribute to the Troops 2015 handshake tour

“My family wouldn’t ever decorate or get our Christmas tree until after Dec. 10, because my oldest brother’s birthday is on the ninth and we never wanted his birthday to pass like it wasn’t special. I was always responsible for putting Santa’s cookies and the reindeer food out on Christmas Eve.

 

“Once we did get to the celebration, one of my favorite memories was watching all the Christmas movies that came on. One of our favorite quotes was always from ‘A Christmas Story’: ‘You’ll shoot your eye out!’ Honorable mention also goes out to ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ and ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’! As a kid I just always remember Christmas as a time of all of us being together! It’s all about love, family and enjoying amazing food.”

After Bayley’s successful victory against Peyton Royce, Nia Jax and Eva Marie hit the stage. Eva taunts the crowd, before saying that somehow, two weeks ago, Bayley escaped with the NXT Women’s Title. Nia takes the mic from Eva, and says she doesn’t need Eva to do the talking for her. Nia says that Bayley has been lucky that Nia didn’t get here sooner – if she did, Bayley would never have even been Champion. Nia says that she’s been destined for greatness since day one, and Bayley is looking at the next NXT Women’s Champion. Nia tells Bayley she’ll see her in London. Eva waves at Bayley, and the two leave.

Related Links, Photos & More:
» EVAMARIEPHOTOS.COM: World Wrestling Entertainment > Digital Photos > NXT > 2015 > December 9th
» EVAMARIEPHOTOS.COM: Screen Captures > World Wrestling Entertainment > NXT > 2015 > December 9

Related Links, Photos & More:
» EVAMARIEPHOTOS.COM: Screen Captures > World Wrestling Entertainment > Video Exclusives > Nothing is handed to Eva Marie: WWE.com Exclusive, Nov. 25, 2015

Backstage, Eva Marie is in William Regal’s office. She says thank you to the WWE Universe for all of the gifts they have given her. She said the only thing more important than that is friendship. She introduces us to her new friend, Nia Jax. Later, Senior Referee Charles Robinson walks out to the ring. He tells the ring announcer that he was sent here by WWE corporate to make sure there is no controversy in the women’s title match.
 
NXT Women’s Championship Match: Bayley (c) vs Eva Marie w/Nia Jax
 
Bayley grabs a side headlock and immediately takes Eva down. Eva get to her feet, and reveres it to take the advantage. Eva takes Bayley down by her hair. Eva follows that up by forcing Bayley into the corner and elbow smashes her. Suplex by Eva. Bayley immediately hits a Bayley-to-belly. Jax pulls the ref out of the ring. While Bayley complains, Eva rolls her up from behind. Referee Robinson runs into the ring to count the fall, but Bayley kicks out.
 
While Referee Robinson has his back turned, Jax get in the ring an hammers Bayley. Bayley kicks out at two. Eva is in control, slamming Bayley around and going for multiple pin attempts. Eva hits the ropes, but Bayley clotheslines her out of her boots. Bayley is about to hit her whoa splash in the corner, but Referee Robinson gets in the way, stopping her in her tracks. Eva hits the sliced red #2, but Bayley somehow kicks out. Eva yells at the Referee Robinson to count faster. Bayley pushes Eva into Referee Robinson, sending him careening to the outside of the ring.
 
Eva gets on the second rope, but Bayley cuts her off. Bayley attempts a second rope Bayley-to-belly, but Jax grabs her foot and pulls her out of the ring. Jax tries to help Eva off the top rope, but Bayley pulls her off the apron. Bayley gets back in the ring and hits the second rope Bayley-to-belly for the win.
 
Winner: Bayley
 
After the match Jax attacks Bayley, laying her out with a leg drop to end the show.

Related Links, Photos & More:
» EVAMARIEPHOTOS.COM: World Wrestling Entertainment > Digital Photos > NXT > 2015 > November 25th
» EVAMARIEPHOTOS.COM: Screen Captures > World Wrestling Entertainment > NXT > 2015 > November 25