WWE Raw: Eva Marie returns; what’s next?

After rumors had circulated for a few months on the return of a certain wrestler to WWE, those rumors were confirmed last night.

A vignette aired for Eva Marie on the May 3 episode of WWE Raw as “All Red Everything” will return, fittingly, to the red brand.

She said she’s been thinking about her past and future. She said she was always in control of her own life and the independence that comes with it, but part of that is giving back.

Sure?

She added she wants to be someone others look up to, influence others to go after their ambitions (like she did). That’s why she’s “back where my journey started,” and ended it with, “This is Eva-Lution.”

What was missing is exactly what this influence, this giving back will look like. It’s a bit amorphous since the words all sound good, but there’s a lack of detail. Granted, this is the first return vignette of at least several (if Rhea Ripley’s are any indication), so there’s time to fill in those detail gaps.

We also don’t know what “Eva-Lution” means or is besides another attempt by WWE at being witty with wordplay. Is it just about Marie having evolved in the four years since her release, does it apply to the women’s division on Monday nights, etc.?

What will be interesting to see is just how Marie is reintroduced on television. Before her suspension for violating the company’s Wellness Policy in 2016 (and release in 2017), Marie’s presentation was that of an outwardly confident competitor who just happened to have sudden issues preventing her from competing, obviously orchestrated by her.

The most infamous was when she had a wardrobe malfunction prior to her match with Becky Lynch.

Now, I think it’s fair to say that Marie hasn’t been known as an in-ring general or above-average worker. Maybe the time away from WWE helped hone her skills, like with others in the past. Even then, I wouldn’t expect Marie to be pushed to the Women’s Championship picture anytime soon after she returns.

However, it’s also likely she could act in a managerial role. She mentioned wanting to give back and serve as an inspiration; what better way than to act as someone’s mentor?

(Let’s put aside the discussion on just what Marie would bring as a mentor to an in-ring competitor. Let’s also put aside the fact that she was standing on the hood of a Ferrari in heels; not sure if I should be impressed, mad, or both.)

Marie does have a presence and look that draws your attention. She also knows what it’s like to be an in-ring competitor. Maybe a managerial role is actually what’s best for everyone involved.

This isn’t to denigrate her, but to make a comparison, you often hear in sports that the best coaches/managers weren’t the greatest players. This could be one of those situations for Marie.

Now, the question is who would make a great pairing (or teaming) with Marie? There could be the odd pairing with Asuka, allowing Asuka to reign in her hyper promos with a more muted Marie. Chances: unlikely.

Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler are out since they’ve done just fine without her (and have Reginald). Naomi & Lana don’t fit with the presentation of Marie as they’re more rambunctious and flamboyant.

Ripley is Women’s Champion and needs the room on the mic herself to grow. Charlotte Flair, with this heel character, is perfect, and already has a pseudo-manager in Sonya Deville.

The best option might be Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke. They both fit Marie’s style in terms of aesthetics and athletics as all three are involved in fitness in different ways. Rose & Brooke are also not the best talkers, and while Marie never excelled on the mic, her presence alone might be enough to elevate all three women.

The more intriguing and unique option: have Marie serve as Deville’s manager. In this brooding feud between Deville and Adam Pearce, Marie could serve as an effective buffer, shielding Deville from Pearce’s attacks and insinuations.

Both Raw and Smackdown have shown the effectiveness of managers. M.V.P. has been as integral to the rise of WWE Champion Bobby Lashley the past year as Lashley’s been. Roman Reigns’ “Tribal Chief” and “Head of the Table” wouldn’t be where as effective without the exemplary work of Paul Heyman, both on the mic and with his facial expressions/gestures.

If Marie does indeed return as a manager, she has contemporaries and co-workers she can lean on for tips and advice. She can use her abilities to elevate those around her and herself.

Sure, she can return as a wrestler, but I think there’s more for her as a manager.

Regardless of what you think about Marie, one thing’s for certain: she definitely has people’s attention, just like she asked in her vignette.