As noted, Nikki Bella returned to the ring at SummerSlam as the replacement for Eva Marie, who is currently serving a 30 days suspension for violating the WWE Wellness Policy after testing positive for Adderall.
WWE explained Eva’s absence at the pay-per-view by keeping with the recent storyline where her voiceover guy has announced why she can’t make her “spectacular debut.” This time the reason was that Eva is suffering from stress and anxiety, brought on by hostile WWE fans. It was also announced during her intro that she was taking a vacation in the British Isles.
Eva was watching SummerSlam from home in California and wrote the following on social media:
– Xavier Woods of The New Day recently interviewed Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman to promote WWE 2K17. Lesnar said he was honored to be on the cover of WWE 2K17, and honored to be speaking with Xavier Woods — although he was disappointed there were no Booty-O’s on hand. As far as tonight’s SummerSlam pay-per-view goes, Lesnar had three words for Randy Orton: “Suplex City bitch.”
– Eva Marie commented on her 30-day suspension from WWE on her Instagram page this weekend, saying that she’s disappointed it happened. She says she “understands and respects” that WWE upholds their Wellness Policy, and said she was suspended for not turning in required paperwork about her medication.
As noted, Eva Marie was pulled from tonight’s WWE SummerSlam PPV after violating the WWE Wellness Policy, resulting in a 30-day suspension.
It’s possible that her replacement for tonight’s tag match will be Nikki Bella, who was just cleared to return to the ring.
Nikki flew into New York City late last night after a busy day at Wizard World Chicago. Speculation has been that she’s going to the SmackDown brand with boyfriend John Cena and now there are rumors that she could return for tonight’s match, which will see Alexa Bliss, Natalya and a partner take on Carmella, Naomi and Becky Lynch.
Eva Marie took to Instagram after NXT Takeover and issued a new statement on her WWE Wellness Policy suspension.
As reported earlier, she violated after testing positive for Adderall, which Roman Reigns recently failed for. Eva told TMZ that her prescription was legitimate and that she planned to appeal.
She posted the following tonight on Instagram:
I am disappointed that this suspension has occurred, yet understand and respect that WWE upholds their Wellness Policy to the letter and won’t compromise on its integrity. I violated policy by not turning in portions of required paperwork in the time frame wWE Medical deemed timely. I look forward to my return! Thank you for your support.
WWE officials originally planned to announce Eva Marie’s suspension for violating the WWE Wellness Policy on the same day as Paige and Alberto Del Rio’s suspensions but for some reason they waited until the next day.
To kill any speculation that remains, none of the recent WWE Wellness Policy suspensions are part of a storyline or any kind of Total Divas angle.
As reported earlier, Eva tested positive for Adderall, the same substance that Roman Reigns failed for earlier this summer. No word yet on what Paige and Del Rio failed for.
There are rumors of more drug testing to come, which could mean more suspensions.
TMZ reports that Eva Marie tested positive for Adderall to violate the WWE Wellness Policy and receive a 30-day suspension.
Eva says she has a legit prescription from her doctor and is planning on appealing the suspension. A WWE source told TMZ that her prescription was not approved by the company but Eva insists the prescription is legit.
Eva told TMZ:
“I am disappointed that this suspension has occurred, yet understand and respect that WWE upholds their Wellness Policy to the letter and won’t compromise on its integrity. I violated policy by not turning in portions of required paperwork in the time frame WWE Medical deemed timely. I look forward to my return!”
Roman Reigns also tested positive for Adderall this summer and was suspended for 30 days.
Eva Marie’s husband Jonathan Coyle has more to say about his wife’s suspension from WWE.
On Thursday, Coyle tweeted that the public will be “absolutely outraged” when the truth is revealed regarding what caused her wellness policy violation. He’s promised evidence and an official statement to clear his wife’s name.
He later followed up with a message on Instagram praising his wife and their strength as a couple.
Eva Marie’s husband Jonathan Coyle says the full story about why Eva Marie was suspended by WWE will come out soon and when it does – the public will be “absolutely outraged.”
WWE confirmed on Thursday afternoon that Eva Marie violated the talent wellness policy. On the surface, it appears she tested positive for a substance prohibited by the company. Coyle says there is evidence and a statement forthcoming that will prove Eva Marie was suspended unjustly.
– SmackDown fans were once again deprived of watching Eva Marie wrestle after traffic prevented her from making it to the arena in time for her match. On Wednesday afternoon, Ms. All Red Everything sincerely apologized to her adoring fans:
I'm sorry to all my fans at #SDLive. Traffic in Austin is HORRIBLE!!!! Must be the weather…?!?
– John Cena appeared on Talking Smack last night and spoke to Renee Young and Daniel Bryan about the New Era of WWE. Cena was asked if he thinks anybody on the RAW or SmackDown rosters could take his place as the face of WWE. Cena said, “If you look at what I’ve done, I just show up and deliver.” After 14 years, he’s still waiting for somebody else to do the same. Cena said today’s talent pool is as good if not better than it was back in the 2002 when the “Ruthless Aggression” era unleashed guys like him, Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar and Batista.
When asked who some of the best current WWE Superstars he’s been in the ring with, Cena says he looks for the total package and named Seth Rollins and Cesaro. He joked about Vince telling Steve Austin on the Stone Cold Podcast that Cesaro doesn’t have the “it” factor. Cena reveals Vince McMahon “absolutely hated” him at first and Randy Orton was marked as the next big thing. Cena won Vince over with his commitment to be the best month after month, year after year.
– With less than two weeks until NXT Takeover: Brooklyn, tonight’s NXT on the WWE Network will feature:
The Authors of Pain vs. Ryzin & Nails
Angelo Dawkins vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas
Liv Morgan vs. Billie Kay
Tucker Knight & Patrick Clark vs. Gargano & Ciampa
Asuka vs. Bayley contract signing for Takeover
Plus, an appearance by Bobby Roode
– The Eva Marie storyline will continue on next Tuesday’s SmackDown after an “injury” and “wardrobe malfunction” have delayed her in-ring debut for two weeks in a row. Eva says she will be ready to go next week in this new backstage video:
– Triple H tweeted the following props on Mojo Rawley from backstage at SmackDown last night:
– WWE has lifted Jerry “The King” Lawler’s suspension after domestic assault charges against the WWE Hall of Famer were dropped Friday — click here for details
WWE announced Friday, “Jerry Lawler’s legal matter has been resolved and his suspension has been lifted, effective immediately.”
– As you can see here, Eva Marie has released a new line of merchandise.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHVrpOKB2kl/
– Neville, who has been out of action since fracturing his ankle in March during a match against Chris Jericho, is scheduled to wrestle Y2J during WWE’s tour of Australia and New Zealand next month.
Other matches scheduled for the tour, which takes place August 10-13, include John Cena vs. AJ Styles, Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens, The New Day vs. The Wyatt Family.
– Enzo Amore was in fact backstage at Sunday night’s Extreme Rules PPV. No word yet if he’s been medically cleared, but he’s backstage for RAW and is scheduled to be at Smackdown.
– Charlotte talked to NJ.com this weekend and commented on fans getting behind the women’s revolution:
“We have the opportunity to connect with the fans, and they’re getting behind us. They’re not looking at us and saying, ‘Oh that’s a model, that’s a model, that’s a model.’ No, they’re seeing us and they’re getting behind the characters,” she said.
– Eva Marie presented the Extraordinary Child Award to Jake Schuster at Mattel’s Kaleidoscope Ball this weekend. She posted these photos:
Beyond honored to present The Extraordinary Child award to the unbelievably resilient and inspiring Jake Schuster. ? pic.twitter.com/gHnby5I2ax
– After throwing out the first pitch at Cooley Law School Stadium’s WrestleMania Night in Lansing, Michigan, former WWE Superstar Rhino was asked in an interview with WLNS-TV why he uses that particular name.
The one-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion said that it was a better name than “Mary,” and revealed that WWE wanted to name him that (when he joined the promotion in 2001).
“[Rhino is] a lot more marketable than Terrance Guido Gerin,” he said. “But Guido’s actually pretty over. It’s better than Mary. Actually WWE wanted to name me Mary, believe it or not.”
– After competing at WWE live events over the weekend, Eva Marie will be backstage at tonight’s Raw in Greensboro, North Carolina.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFeQT8xmzfv/
Lilian Garcia confirmed she will be at Raw tonight after being absent for two weeks.
Eva Marie did another Facebook Q&A session over the weekend. Some quick highlights:
– She acknowledged fans rejecting her and said that means she’s doing a great job as a heel. She jokes about handing out salt packets during her entrance because her haters are “salty dogs.”
– She’s like to wrestle Paige at WrestleMania.
– She looks up to The Rock, who is one of her mentors.
Eva Marie recently spoke with NewYou.com to promote Total Divas. Here are some highlights of what she said about:
Her favorite match so far:
“I would have to say my title match against Bailey at NXT because for starters, I have never main evented anything before. Additionally, I competed against the champ going for the title. This season on Total Divas, viewers will be able to see the backstory and how those elements take place.”
If she gets stage fright before performing:
“Absolutely, I always get nervous! It is one of those things that I personally believe everyone can more or less relate to. Especially if you have ever played a sport, participated in a play, or had to speak in a public forum. On the other hand, if you are prepared, and ready to go, then it’s game on! Once I step outside of that curtain it is the best feeling in the world and a constant reminder that I was made to do this. Once I am off stage I seriously experience the best adrenaline rush ever.”
What sets her apart from the rest of the women in WWE:
EM: I think that I personally stand out because my end game and career goals are ones that any of the Divas have yet to achieve. Not only do I want to leave an impact on the WWE Universe as an entertainer but I also want to bridge the dynamics of the WWE and the mainstream world. For instance, I want to bring them [WWE] along to Paris fashion week, blockbuster movie, red carpet events, and makeup aisles within major department stores. Being an entertainer is a huge part of who I am but there are many more facets to me. That is why it is important for me to distinguish myself in more ways as an entertainer within the WWE.
– Tucker Knight, who was defeated by Baron Corbin on this week’s episode of WWE NXT, came out to former WWE Diva Tori’s theme song for the contest.
– After WWE announced this week that more than 155 hours of Raw from 2002 and 2003 are now available on the WWE Network, episodes of SmackDown from 2000 and 2001 are being added to the service.
– Here is video of Eva Marie being interviewed on the 2016 WWE Hall of Fame red carpet.
– WWE is reportedly not happy with the crowd’s reaction to Eva Marie at Monday’s RAW in Brooklyn, NY. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that Eva was meant to be a returning babyface and WWE management was not expecting her to get booed out of the building.
– WWE has officially hired 27 year old TV host Cathy Kelley, and she’ll be starting with videos on WWE’s social media pages the rest of WrestleMania week. Wrestling fans may recognize her from Afterbuzz TV’s WWE recap shows. We first reported back in February that she would be signing with the company.
https://twitter.com/catherinekelley/status/714961785158115328
Eva Marie recently did an interview with the E! channel to promote the current season of Total Divas. During the interview Eva addressed criticism from fans, saying she’s happy with her in-ring progress so far.
“We are in the entertainment business so the fans are everything and without them I pretty much don’t exist,” Eva Marie said. “They mean the world to me, but at the same time I’m actually very happy that they’ve seen my progress from when I first came in to where I’m at now. It’s just also one of those things like to put out there to any little girl or boy, anybody, that if you want something bad enough you have to just keep knocking down those doors and go for it, regardless of what anybody…whether it’s a colleague, family member or whomever is telling you, ‘No.’ Just don’t listen to that.”
She said she’s happy with her time in WWE so far, and takes a moment to thank Triple H and WWE chairman Vince McMahon.
“It’s awesome,” she revealed. “I’m really thankful for Triple H and our chairman Vince McMahon because when I came back from my surgery I basically was like, ‘I want to be the face of this company and I want to bring something to the table.’ And luckily we have NXT, a phenomenal developmental program, so I had asked to go back and train so that I could be the best I possibly could be.”
– NXT Diva Eva Marie flew into Philadelphia, PA this morning, site of tonight’s WWE RAW. She posted a video on Snapchat of her getting off an airplane. Eva Marie has not wrestled on WWE television since September 2014.
– When asked on Twitter if the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament will be an annual event in NXT, Cody Rhodes replied:
Eve Marie did another Q&A on her Youtube page. Here are some highlights:
– She thinks WWE should have a Divas tag team division. It would be interesting, entertaining and would allow for more Divas to get TV time. She’d want to team with Nia Jax and thinks they would dominate.
– She absolutely believes she will be WWE Divas Champion one day. Divas who say they don’t want to be champion are lying.
– She can see herself going back to being a brunette because of the upkeep needed for her red hair
– Her favorite thing to do with free time is hang out with family
– She considers herself to be very competitive.
Other topics discussed include getting married one day, what she eats on cheat days, family and working out.
ShowBuzzDaily reported that this week’s edition of WWE’s Total Divas reality show on E! drew 808,000 viewers for a key demographic rating of 0.38. This was down very slightly from last week’s show, which drew 810,000 viewers and a 0.41 key demographic ratings. While realistically, it’s flat compared to last week, technically speaking, it’s down, as it has been every week this season since the premiere, though it’s easily the smallest loss so far.
Meanwhile, WWE put up the preview clips for next week’s episode on their YouTube channel:
In the first clip, Rosa Mendes and Alicia Fox plan for Rosa’s baby shower…but Fox isn’t really into decorating like it’s a baby shower. As in she’s planning on decorating it like a Halloween party. Why? I guess we’ll find out Tuesday.
In the second clip, Nikki Bella talks to Rosa Mendes and Eva Marie about her neck and back injury. Her immediate concern appears to be that she “feels fat” because she can’t really work out.
The new episode, titled “End of a Friendship,” premieres Tuesday night at 9:00 p.m. ET on E!