There's something incredibly familiar about the way WWE is presenting the new version of Eva Marie. It's almost like WWE has tried and tested this formula before, perhaps 20-plus years ago with one of the most popular wrestlers in the past two decades.
For those that have been watching the latest Eva Marie vignettes, you'll notice she's been talking about how great her career has gone since leaving WWE. She's become a huge success and she's decided to bring everything back to where it all began. Fans don't know exactly what to make of the videos, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Radio suggesting WWE is going to push her as a babyface.
On the surface, it makes sense. I'm just not buying it and I believe WWE might be giving her the Kurt Angle treatment.
Angle Was Hated Upon His Arrival
While Kurt Angle will tell you he was shocked to see how quickly the WWE Universe turned on him, he didn't grasp right away what telling the fans he was a "real athlete" was going to do his character. After a series of vignettes aired saying he was a celebrated Olympic Gold Medalist, he acted as though wrestling wasn't a "real sport" and the fans hated him for it.
While he believed he was sending a message of positivity and that being an Olympic hero for the United States was a big deal, wrestling fans everywhere thought was talking down about them and the industry they love. They didn't care what he'd done for his country. They cared what he was bringing to the thing they loved more than, well, almost anything else.
Eva Marie Has Similar Messaging
No, Eva Marie is not an Olympic medalist. Still, on paper her messaging would suggest she is spreading words of positivity. The only issue is, it comes across as though she's better than everyone.
While at first glance it might appear she's a babyface, stating she's starting an Eva-lution spits in the face of the real women's Evolution. Saying that she doesn't see herself as a supermodel, but a "super role model" sounds conceited and arrogant. Even if she were just to call herself a supermodel, that's typically not something a babyface does.
Some have suggested her shtick is going to be similar to Emma's old Emma-lution character. I don't see it. I think, given her history in WWE, her bragging about her conquests outside of WWE and that she's calling herself a role model when real role models don't often see themselves that way (at least they don't brag that they are), it will make her an even more hated heel.
This Isn't The "Say Your Prayers, Eat Your Vitamins" Era
Hulk Hogan's old message of "Say your prayers and eat your vitamins" worked back in the day. Kids idolized him and believed he was their hero. In today's wrestling landscape, anti-heroes are far more popular and messages of positivity don't tend to go very far (just as The New Day). John Cena was able to pull it off, to a degree, but WWE fans turned on him too.
If you're sending out uplifting and motivational speeches in today's wrestling environment, fans assume you're doing it sarcastically, condescendingly or to serve your own self interests. Eva Marie's messaging isn't going to hit home as a babyface.
Eva Marie's WWE History Steers Her Future
Eva Marie's most successful WWE run was as a heel between 2015 and 2016. Part of what made her a heel is that the WWE Universe despised her because she was an inadequate wrestler. She used to generate mountain-sized heat just showing her face on a program that fans wanted to be reserved for strong in-ring talent. Until she proves she has that part of the wrestling game down pat, nothing she says will matter.
And, that what she's saying now is that she's done wonderfully after leaving a WWE that essentially rejected her, she's bragging that she did it all without the WWE. That's not going to sit well and like Kurt Angle, she's going to come across as the type of WWE Superstar that felt her other accomplishments were far more important.
If Meltzer is correct and WWE is trying to sell this as a babyface return, it's not going to work. In this case, I'm guessing Meltzer is wrong and WWE knows the Kurt Angle formula has proven itself to be successful.
Next: Jimmy Uso Is Right, Teaming With Roman Reigns Has Hurt Jey Uso