Eve Torres Talks 'Scorpion King 4,' WWE Divas Division and Self-Defense Program

Eve Torres, once a warrior in the WWE ring, is set to be a warrior on the big screen.

Most people would ache for a slower pace of life after working the grueling schedule that being on the WWE roster requires. Not Torres.

Since stepping away from the WWE in January of 2013, the former Divas champ has been busy. She has served as an instructor for the Gracie Women Empowered Self-Defense Program, appeared on the TV series El Matador, made a cameo in Queens of the Ring and married Rener Gracie.

Her next role is as Chancara in The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power, which is scheduled for release in January next year. She'll join Lou Ferrigno, Rutger Hauer and Ellen Hollman in the film.

It's the role of Scorpion King that first launched The Rock's career. Perhaps this will act as a similar launchpad for her as she adds to her movie resume.

Bleacher Report had the opportunity to talk to her about the movie and what she thinks about the Divas division that she is no longer a part of. Her fans will love what she has to say about booking the females on the roster, but not about the chances she'll join them in the squared circle.

Bleacher Report: You play Chancara in Scorpion King 4. What can you tell me about her?

Torres: Chancara is a fierce, pretty scary woman who the main character Alina (who is played by Ellen Hollman) has to face in order to finish her quest. It's kind of a big roadblock for her, and she has to overcome it in order to keep going.

It was a really fun role to play, and it was a great scene that Ellen and I got to do together.

B/R: How do you prepare for that role? It sounds a little like the character you portrayed at WWE: strong, a warrior.

Torres: There was obviously physical preparation for it. But kind of like WWE, you can't get into ring shape unless you have matches.

For this, I was ready to be like, "Okay, my body is going to be sore and I'm going to be kind of beat up. But we're just going to do it." As far as preparing for the character, it helped with lighting and costume and everything that it was really well done. The production was top-notch. Universal was great.

It was really fun to get into this character and know that here's Alina, the lead heroine in the movie. She looks kind of dainty. She's this blond, beautiful girl, and here she has to face me. It's supposed to be a huge challenge for her, and it's fun to play with that.

And it was fun to incorporate some things from wrestling.

B/R: On that note, what were some of the differences in those two types of performances? There should be some similarities, but they're obviously two different mediums.

Torres: I would say there are more differences than there are similarities. I went into this thinking, "I know nothing, and I'm here to learn everything."

I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I was able to pick up the choreography. As far as lighting and blocking, camera angles and facial expressions, all that stuff that has to be very specific in film, as opposed to in wrestling where everything is larger than life and you're performing to the masses.

You're performing for one camera, so everything's going to be a little more subtle or a little more direct.

B/R: Is this the kind of thing we can expect to see more of from you? Are you looking for more acting roles?

Torres: That's the plan right now. This summer, I was in a series called Matador on El Rey Network. That was a great role for me and a lot of fun working with really great people.

Next week, I'm going back to finish up another film that I'm currently working on that will be released next year.

B/R: What's this film?

Torres: I think it's okay for me to say: It's Skiptrace, and it's with Jackie Chan. It'll be another fun role in a great, funny, action-packed film.

B/R: Even with as much fun and all this success that you're having, I'm wondering if you're thinking about coming back to WWE at all.

Torres: According to what people are telling me, there's some rumors going around about a return. I would say I don't know if I should let those rumors keep going or not. But I feel like I have to just speak up and say that as of now, with having all these opportunities for film and television, I'm really enjoying it. 

It's a challenge for me. It's something I love—balancing that with my work with Gracie Academy and teaching the Women Empowered program. Between the two, it really has kept me busy and fulfilled.

I definitely miss parts of wrestling like having matches, especially when I watch the product. I'm not able to live my current lifestyle and work for WWE at the same time. 

B/R: The Gracie Women Empowered Program alone has to keep you pretty busy. What are some of the biggest changes you see when you work with these women?

Torres: One of my favorite courses to teach is when we go to the Air Force. We've done a few at Air Force bases. What's great about that is that it's a one-week course. It's five days and we work with them for about eight hours a day.

We're not only teaching them self-defense, but we're also teaching them how to teach it on base to others. It's the most significant change in five days that you're able to see.

There's a complete transformation from knowing zero, nothing, to Friday, when they feel fired up and confident and ready to go share this with the world. And watching that transformation, even though it's five days, it's tangible, it's right there. It's just so fun to watch.

I've had so many women, especially those who are survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence, and watch them coming face-to-face with their past. They come out of this willing to move forward and let go of that past.

That's one of the most valuable parts of what I do.

B/R: I'm glad you're doing that work. It's really important. As for the current WWE product, you mentioned earlier that you're still watching it. Are you tuning in regularly?

Torres: I wouldn't say I watch it regularly, but I try to watch the girl stuff every once in a while. I still have a few friends there.

And whenever I hear hype about it, for a pay-per-view match or a good match, I have the WWE Network, so I'll go and watch it. I try and keep updated.

B/R: Is there anybody from the new crop of women who is really standing out to you?

Torres: Yeah, I think Paige is going to go very far. She's young and she's already had some great experience. She already has a good concept of her character, which I think is the hardest part for anyone. It was the hardest part for me at least.

She's got that. She's got skills.

B/R: The last time we talked, you discussed how hard it is for the Divas to get their share of the time on screen, that it's a battle to get stories. Do you see any improvement on that end?

Torres: I do. It's still not where it needs to be, but I think having Stephanie McMahon back in the mix really stirred things up. It's given women some other opportunities for spotlighted segments and really good stories.

Her and Brie Bella, obviously AJ and Paige. All these girls, they're at least giving them somewhat of a story. Sometimes it doesn't always go the way we want or it kind of dies off. I still feel like it's getting better. Hopefully that will continue.

B/R: They are at least having more than one Divas story at a time.

Torres: Yeah. If it's just about the Divas Championship, it gets old real fast. We need other stories.