Carmella discusses her return after a lengthy absence.
The former SmackDown Women’s Champion went down with an injury at a live event on August 6, and she later revealed that she dealt with an ectopic pregnancy. She returned on the January 30 episode of WWE RAW, and she has regained her status as a featured member of the roster.
Speaking on WWE After The Bell with Corey Graves, Carmella discussed her return to WWE and noted that she was dealing with plenty of uncertainty, given the change in management, among other factors. She emphasized her gratitude for being able to bring back her “Princess of Staten Island” character and noted that she feels more comfortable than ever.
“I had no idea what to expect. I knew how things were run and how things when I was there before, but everything had changed. The locker room was different, the management was different. How am I gonna fit in? How are they gonna view me? How am I going to come back? Am I going to come back and be remembered and do what it is that I like to do, or is it gonna be completely different? I’m so grateful that I’m able to return to the moonwalking, trash-talking Princess of Staten Island. For me, this is the character that, it’s so near and dear to my heart. I created this character in NXT.
“It is me, it’s part of me. It’s me just turned way up, and I feel so confident and comfortable in this role. So to be able to be given the opportunity to go back to what brought me to the dance to begin, I’m just so grateful, and I’m so excited. I’ve never felt more comfortable. I don’t have to think about anything. It’s just me. I can just be and perform. To come out through that curtain, I hit the moonwalk, I heard the [new theme song], so it’s kind of like the best parts of the old Carmella, the best of the new Carmella, and mash it all up together. I’m thriving. I’m so excited.”
In her first match back, Carmella qualified for the Women’s Elimination Chamber, and she nearly won that bout before Asuka ultimately eliminated her to clinch the victory. When asked whether she expected to be thrown into the deep end by being put in that spot, the former WWE Women’s Tag Champion emphasized that she thrives under pressure.
“Absolutely. That’s what Carmella does, I thrive off of high-pressure situations,” Carmella said. “What, do you think I’m just gonna come back and sit in the back of the line? Hell no, I’m coming back right to the front of the line, right in the mix, right in the spotlight, right where I belong.”
Carmella went on to describe how, since she returned, she has a new “sense of zest” for her career, and she feels like she has a fresh coat of paint now. She cited her experience on commentary as an example of feeling confdient and comfortable with her new characte
“I think because I am back to the moonwalking, trash-talking Princess of Staten Island, I have this new sense of zest for my career. I’ve always been one to take whatever it is that’s given to me and run with it, whether it’s being with James Ellsworth, or running around with R-Truth or teaming with Queen Zelina, wearing a mask, whatever it may be, I always take what I’m given and I run with it. Now, I just feel like it’s this fresh coat of paint, and it’s so true to who I am. I feel so comfortable, I feel so confident.
“When I was in Montreal and I got to be on commentary a few nights ago, that was so much fun. I didn’t even have to think or plan what I was going to say. It was just Carmella, and I feel so excited to just show everyone and remind everyone who the hell I am and why I’m here and why I’ve made history, why I was the first Ms. Money in the Bank, why I was the second Ms. Money in the Bank, why I have defeated Asuka and Charlotte and Bianca, albeit it was by countout, but who’s collecting that? But I just feel I have this new zest for my career, and I’m just so excited for what my future holds. I see a championship in my future, just saying.”
Carmella will be in action on the February 27 episode of WWE RAW; she will face Asuka in a singles match.
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