Mickie James Defends Eva Marie’s WWE Return — ‘Not Everybody Has To Be A Five-Star Wrestler!’

Former WWE Superstar Eva Marie made her return to the company on this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW, with a new vignette airing to promote the ‘Eva-lution.’ Eva Marie was last seen on WWE television back in 2017 and she would leave the company in August of that year.

Her return was certainly not appreciated by fans, who were angry over the fact that WWE would release women like Mickie James, Chelsea Green, Billie Kay, and Peyton Royce but somehow bring back Eva Marie of all people. Marie had signed a deal with WWE back in September of last year and finally returned this week.

While speaking with Renee Paquette on Oral Sessions, Mickie James shared her thoughts regarding Eva Marie returning to the company while others were fired. James stated that not everyone has to be a ‘five-star’ pro wrestler and that if Marie has a strong character and sell tickets, then that is what matters.

“I think it’s incredible that she’s been able to step away and still remain relevant and rebrand herself and almost excel outside (of WWE). Not everyone does that. I don’t think her wrestling ability was ever her strength. I know she’s been down in NXT working and stuff. I don’t think wrestling was ever her thing. I still believe there’s a role for everybody and not everybody has to be a five-star wrestler and have dream matches. If their character is strong and they can sell tickets and ratings, then it works. Fans are like, ‘You just had these budget cuts and let all these people go and then you debut someone else?’ They always debut new talent after WrestleMania, so it falls in line. She’s beautiful and stunning and I do have mad respect in the sense that she has a million followers and has been able to rebrand herself and has been able to do a whole other thing outside of wrestling once she left. I respect that side of her and if she can capitalize on this heat and go, ‘Yeah, so?’ That’s where everyone will hate her and it’ll be great for her.” 

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Mickie James was released on April 15th as part of the COVID-19 budget cuts. James was also told that women’s wrestling in WWE doesn’t make much money and had also previously revealed what she wants to do after her WWE release as well. We will have to see which pro wrestling company Mickie James will go to next.

h/t to Fightful for the quotes.

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