Natalie Eva Marie is excited about her future, whether that’s in the ring or in the gym.
WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard recently spoke with Natalie Eva Marie about her WWE career and her new partnership with TYR Sport. Eva Marie joined TYR Sport as an official athlete ambassador for the brand, which is one of the world’s most recognizable swimming and triathlon brands.
Now, TYR has expanded its product line to create fitness apparel and footwear, and Eva Marie shared how she linked up with the company. Eva Marie believed it was a “right place at the right time” situation, as she was in Austin to support Thor Bjornsson, a World’s Strongest Man winner from 2018-20 and her Reign Total Body Fuel brand partner, at the CrossFit Games.
“I knew them actually from [TYR’s reputation for swimwear] as well, just growing up. It was just like TYR was the shit like that’s what you would see from like swimsuits, to competition to caps like that was just how I knew them as well. And then obviously, watching the CrossFit athletes, I started seeing TYR, I got to meet [ TYR CEO Matt DiLorenzo] and then Cory [Berger, Director at TYR], and they were amazing. And then I got a couple pairs of shoes; I got a pair of lifting shoes, and their runners and their cross trainers. So I got three pairs of shoes just off of kind of shooting the shit, and it’s all about kind of — I like to vibe with anybody, I want them to want to partner with me and so that it goes both ways,” she explained.
“And then the conversation just started from there. I got some workout gear and fell in love with it. And I was like, ‘Let’s rock and roll. Let’s do this.’ And then, luckily, they [agreed]. And so now I’m here. Plus, I’m a huge fit like the athletes that they have; the roster is stacked. So far, everybody that I’ve either encountered or have met are amazing. And I feel like that’s what it’s all about. Teamwork is what makes the dream work,” Eva Marie explained, “so anything that I can be a part of that kind of puts across that message I’m all about. And so far, that’s just the vibe that I feel from this brand, and I’m really, really excited to be a part of it.”
Natalie Eva Marie also reflected on her WWE career, which took place during two separate stints in 2013-17 and 2020-21. Eva Marie’s gimmick the first time around saw her making excuses for not wrestling, like getting stuck in traffic.
Asked about the lack of payoff for that particular storyline due to her release in 2017, Eva Marie said she still enjoyed her time with the company overall. She noted how much fun she had playing a character that contrasted her in real life, also noting one of her favorite moments on the NXT brand.
“That’s one of those things where I don’t really feel like my character got too many of those payoffs ever. However, I had such a good time because once you lean into your character, whether or not you created it or it was given to you, or whatever that may be,” Eva Marie explained, “as long as you lean into it [it resonates]. I feel like the fans can kind of feel that, and I think my favorite part, besides me getting stuck in traffic and stuff like that in that storyline, I think was my storyline when I went back to NXT with Bayley.
“Being able to kind of tell that story was really fun. In wrestling, it’s all about — you need a good guy and a bad guy. You want someone to boo or hate or despise, and then you want the good guy to love to cheer for. Not everyone is going to be that strong — everybody wants to be that just kind of a badass, strong character. But also, I think for me, it was really fun to play — not that it was completely polar opposite — but I think that’s what’s kind of fun about playing something that is so over the top and out of control.”
Eva Marie’s second run with the company ended in 2021 as she was tying up a storyline with Doudrop. Asked if she was interested in a WWE return or had unfinished business in the ring, Eva Marie said it’s something she’s certainly up for.
“Of course. That door is always open. I mean, we’re in constant talks. When I had originally left, I was filming my first lead action movie,” she explained, “so that door is definitely one of those things that is always open. I’m definitely down to always cause some trouble and stir up some things, that’s for sure.”
Watch our full interview with Natalie Eva Marie below:
