Eva Marie embraces the misconceptions of the fans on social media.
Eva Marie returned to WWE after five years away and has vowed to start the Eva-lution. Always seen as a polarizing character ever since her start on the Total Divas reality show, Eva Marie says this latest batch of misconceptions regarding her return and all of the negative things that are spewed against her on social media help her craft her villainous persona.
Speaking with Scott Fishman of TV Insider, Eva Marie reveals that despite what fans think, she's been enjoying training in the ring with Norman Smiley over the last 10 months since she has been signed by WWE.
“When you watch a TV show or movie, there is a good guy and a bad guy. I have no problem putting on that villain hat. The misconceptions people want to think of me? That’s fine. I enjoy it. It builds my character. I fell in love with it when I started. Over the last 10 months, since I’ve been signed, I’ve gone back to Orlando, and the Performance Center training with [coach] Norman [Smiley] has been fantastic. I absolutely love him. Being in the ring is something that has been pretty fun.”
She'd add, "I love it. That’s what it’s all about. I have the best fans. The WWE Universe is 100 percent the best fans in the world. The fact that I get love and hate, that’s what it is all about. I have no problem playing that villain. I embrace the criticism and all the hatred because I want all those fans to come to a live show and boo me, cheer me, be extremely happy seeing the smile on my face get knocked off by a Becky Lynch or a Bayley or a Rhea Ripley or anybody in the women’s division. If they’re talking, I’m doing my job."
In regards to working with Doudrop, the former Piper Niven, Eva would say that she knew for quite some time about the pairing, praising the athleticism that Piper brings to the Raw women's division.
“I knew for quite some time about getting paired with Doudrop and the vignettes and going into that creatively. It was a matter of the timing of when it would be put in the actual show. It just so happened that now is the time. The fact that I got to experience the ThunderDome before we actually start having live crowds again is amazing. Having Doudrop to work with is awesome. Not only is she an incredible athlete, but I enjoy working with her because it creates another element to the division.”
Fightful will have live coverage of Monday Night Raw, which may bring the next chapter for Eva Marie and Doudrop beginning at 8 p.m. eastern time.