Eva Marie returned to WWE on Monday's Raw with a new vignette airing to promote the Eva-lution.
After the vignette aired, many fans were upset that WWE would release women like Mickie James, Chelsea Green, Billie Kay, and Peyton Royce, but opt to bring back Eva Marie. It should be noted that Eva Marie reportedly agreed to a deal in September 2020, but had not been used on television until Monday.
Speaking with Renee Paquette on Oral Sessions, Mickie James gave her thoughts on Eva's return.
"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," she said.
James was released by WWE on April 15 after not being featured on television regularly since fall 2020.
You can find Mickie's full comments on her release, ideas pitched, and how she felt about being sent a trash bag by clicking here.
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