Will Eve Ever Really Succeed?

First, let me talk about the diva match on Raw. It was Eve vs. Layla. It was for a draft pick and McCool was out with Layla. Just talking about the match itself, it was stupid. The aftermath between Layla and McCool served the purpose of furthering their issues and did well, but I just want to talk about the match. I do not say it is stupid simply because it was short. It is what was lacking that makes me say it was stupid. It lacked a good story and development. Eve hits Layla with a move, Layla kicks out, issues between Layla and McCool follow, and Eve wins with a roll up. What does a win like that really do for Eve's character? I know people can say she won a huge draft pick for Raw and all that sweetness, but the match itself did nothing for her. I am not complaining for Layla because the aftermath was more than good for her. People love seeing a fight. There are short matches that actually make kayfabe sense and do something for the winner. Look at Christian vs. William Regal at Summerslam a few years ago. It was for the ECW Championship. Regal had Kozlov and Zeke in his corner. It lasted about 10 seconds. Christian hit one move and it was over. If you want a backstage reason for the match being so short, the WWE didn't really respect ECW that much, so why waste too much time on that when you can devote it to a Cena match? In kayfabe, the quickness of the match makes sense. The longer the match went on, the more likely Regal's friends would interfere and help Regal win the title. They never got the chance. Christian looks a little clever with the way the match turned out. He got to completely own a top heel (Regal was top heel on ECW at the time, believe it or not), and many fans usually react well to heels getting owned like that when against a very over face. Moreover, a quick, out-of-nowhere win like that has excitement to it. It's like when Orton hits his RKO out of nowhere. Back to Eve. Had she won the match after the first move she hit, it still may not have been as good. She isn't that over to begin with. If they were going to have the match drag on a few more seconds after that, they should have done better than a mild interaction between McCool and Layla, just to have Layla lose to a roll up after that. Eve was never really in trouble. Her victory was not as emphatic as Christian over Regal, Mickie over Madison, Mysterio over JBL, and the legendary series of classics between Benoit and Orlando Jordan. This diva match ended up being simply a...diva match.

I do think Eve deserves better. I see in how she performs that she really does want to be the best she can be. Yes, the WWE has screwed her over in some sense by making it clear that she is not a priority. Her treatment heading into Wrestlemania this years shows this. Thing is, I cannot put all the blame on the WWE. I see in her performances that she wants to succeed, but I also see that she is not getting the point. She is focusing on one thing and not aiming for what will make her a success, whether the WWE is on her side or what. I see her spamming finisher moves. I have seen her move between at least four since she first started getting pushed seriously in the ring on Smackdown years ago. I see her trying to supplement it with a few other unique spots here and there. What really defines her? What really defines her style in the ring? What is her true signature? What is really associated with her? People can hate Cena for having a 5-move combo he always does, but even Shawn Michaels had a combo. Whether it is because I am not paying attention or the WWE does not give Eve enough time to work in the ring, I am really not seeing what Eve represents in the ring. That brings me to the most important thing that is stopping Eve's performances from grabbing me. Emotion. Yeah, Cole does a number to bite Eve's head off for not being charismatic, but you really do not have to be charismatic to bring a good emotion or atmosphere to your matches. Look at Chris Benoit. Not charismatic. But he did bring an intensity. Some wrestlers bring a cockiness or attitude, even the faces. Pro wrestling is not about doing 50 new moves you have never used before every single week you are out there. Pro wrestling is about going out there to put on a performance that draws the fans into you. Spamming finishers is not getting it done for Eve. Relying on the WWE to hype her to get over will sure not get it done, especially with Kelly Kelly going to Raw. Again, I know Eve is trying her best, but trying your best when you go up to bat, even if you have all the training, skill, and good advice on your side, does not mean you are hitting it out of the park. Eve is showing that she can do a lot of moves, but she is not proving she can perform to connect with the fans.

Lastly, since I mentioned Michael Cole, how long until he wins the Diva's Championship? Just give it to him. I'm not even joking. A man held the Women's Championship the last time the diva division was as crappy as it is now, so I honestly would not be surprised if Michael Cole does get the Diva's Championship. He is the biggest heel in the Raw diva division. He craps on the whole division. Yes, the WWE could easily make the divas the focal point in the division, but it really is Cole who has been the most interesting steady thing related to the diva matters. He has been doing his act even before and after Trish/Snooki/Vickie matters. He has been doing it even before Awesome Kong hype. And both of these two things are not even the focal point, or what should be the focal point, of the division. I am talking about title matters. Cole is more important than the title. Fact is, Cole is merely parroting the same criticism the diva division has gotten from many fans for a long time. The division sucks. Bathroom break. Ignore it. Who cares? Just give Cole the full attention by giving him the title. It will be a comedy match, much like Santina Marella crap and a man winning the Women's title a decade ago, but it will probably lead to a nice little moment where the divas own Cole and one of them wins it back. All the Diva-Dirt fans get to put a smile on their face and celebrate, and the WWE can slowly go back to turning the division into a mediocrity until it develops a centerpiece that works out. People are already talking, so just get them talking more.