WWE divas champ Eve Torres better the second time around
By Scott Fishman
For The Miami Herald
Feb 10, 2011
Eve Torres is enjoying her second run as World Wrestling Entertainment divas champion.
The 2007 WWE diva search winner won the gold from Maryse for the first time last year in London. However, Torres thinks her run means more this time around.
“It’s kind of like the first time you really don’t know how much it means to you, until you lose it,” Torres said shortly after speaking at the WrestleMania 28 press conference Wednesday, Feb. 9 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.
“When it is the first time, you almost don’t know how to make the most out of it and to truly fight for it. I think any time you get the chance to represent the title and to earn the title, you learn how to represent it in the best way.
“You learn how to wear it with honor, fight for it with honor and really become the face of WWE for the divas. It’s an amazing opportunity. You have to be ready for those opportunities when they come. Otherwise what is the point of having those opportunities? I have mine and plan on making it last. I plan on getting the most out of it.”
Torres is grateful for the chances she has received to succeed and takes her current position atop the divas division seriously.
“We are all given opportunities,” Torres said.
“All of the divas are given opportunities. It’s kind of the way you go after them and what you do with them. I feel like I was able to cease the opportunity I was given, and now I am divas champion.
“You are representing the entire company. I think it shows the company has faith in you, and we have faith in ourselves.”
Before joining WWE, Torres attended the University of Southern California and was a member of the school’s Fly Girls dance squad. She also entertained basketball fans as a performer for the Los Angeles Clippers Spirit Dance Team.
After winning the diva search, Torres honed her skills at Ohio Valley Wrestling, WWE’s then developmental territory in Louisville. From the beginning, the diva was willing to learn and work hard. However, she realizes she wouldn’t be anywhere without the people who helped her along the way.
“You never get anywhere on your own, especially in this business,” Torres said.
“You really don’t know what to do with the opportunities you are given, until you have people guiding you. You can’t figure this stuff out on your own. I had so many people helping me and giving advice. You have to be willing to listen to the advice, which is the other part to it.”
Torres credits Natalya Neidhart as one of the divas who has helped her grow as an in-ring performer. Neidhart lost the divas championship to Torres when she pinned Layla in a fatal fourway last month at the Royal Rumble in Boston.
Neidhart and Torres will meet on WWE Raw 9 p.m. [EST] Monday, Feb. 14.
“When I wrestle her, she is such a strong competitor and such a strong wrestler,” Torres said.
“Just watching her has helped me tremendously. I’d say one of the divas I look up to the most and hope to wrestle someday is Beth Phoenix. She is someone who has worked hard for everything she has gotten. She is such a strong, beautiful, powerful woman. I think she represents the divas well.”
Torres’ background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has helped her stand out among the other female athletes in WWE. She trains on her time off.
“Jiu-jitsu is something I absolutely love,” Torres said.
“I never planned on going into MMA or anything like that. I literally do it for fun and for my own self defense. I think it’s important for women to learn that. I think it’s very empowering and has helped with my confidence inside and outside the ring. I think that is why it’s so meaningful for me.”
The divas champion is looking to hold on to the gold when WrestleMania heads to Atlanta in April. At the same time, she knows nothing lasts forever.
“To me, every year has to be better, but you will never stay on top forever,” Torres said.
“There are times when I’m on top and times when I’m fighting to get back on top. Whatever it is, I want to make the most out of it. I hope to be on top again at next WrestleMania. I hope to still be on top at this WrestleMania.
“It’s a hard position whether you are defending or fighting for it. All that I want is that I’m representing the diva brand well, giving it all that I have. I am passionate about what I do, and I hope it comes across to the fans that way. I want people watching to enjoy the diva action, and I’m happy I can be a part of that.”
Fans can expect diva action next year when WrestleMania 28 heads to Miami. Torres is looking forward to the sun and the sand.
“It’s so much fun. When all the girls found out Mania was going to be in Miami, we all jumped up and down in the locker room,” Torres said.
“We were saying, ‘We are going to Miami’. It’s great because it’s such an awesome city. WrestleMania is really one of the only times we get to spend a lot of time in one place. We are doing activities with the surrounding city, local charities, local businesses and local schools. We always get involved with the city. We are there for an entire week, so we really get a chance to enjoy ourselves.”
During her appearance at the WreslteMania 28 press conference, Torres told the crowd her divas title is actually heavier than the Miz’s WWE championship.
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