When one figures that Eva Marie's professional wrestling career began just over a year ago, it becomes much easier to forgive some of the in-ring performances fans have witnessed out of the red hot Diva. For months, fans cited the Total Divas cast member's porous work between the ropes as a reason to bash her, to remind their fellow wrestling fans that she is the epitome of what is wrong with WWE's Divas division and that models have no place in the business. The fact is, they failed to take her considerable inexperience into account and, more importantly, they laid the blame for her in-ring showings at her feet rather than taking to task those within WWE who threw an ill-prepared performer into the ring before she was truly ready. The quality of her performances are as much their fault as hers, if not more. Yes, Eva Marie was one of the worst wrestlers in WWE in 2014, but it was not completely her doing. She should have never been exposed the way she was by a company looking to promote their reality show. She was and now it will be incredibly difficult for her to shake preconceptions about her abilities, or lack thereof, going forward.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
