This week’s Total Divas spotlights Paige and Alicia Fox’s efforts to help a fan named Dustin come out to his family.
After a quarter of a century he feels he hasn’t been himself. His parents are apparently very conservative and religious people. So he hid in fear. Dustin says tries to hold on to the message Paige sends of being empowering and staying true to oneself. Alicia and Paige plan to be there for Dustin.
Paige’s idea is to coordinate a visit with the family under the guise that Dustin won a contest. The other divas have Paige thinking of the possible repercussions of inserting herself in the situation. Could she be doing more harm than good? Paige has some second thoughts. She calls Dustin to find out his mom had a small heart attack. Not really the best time for Paige to says she can’t help.
There is no turning back now. Paige is feeling the pressure and doesn’t want to mess things up. Paige and Alicia try to prepare Dustin with some role-playing. The three then go to Dustin’s house to meet the family. Dustin tears up as he starts building up to the revelation. The family turns out to be surprisingly accepting. Paige couldn’t be prouder of Dustin and feels his story is inspiring. Paige says she is motivated to do more for her fans in the future. In my eyes, she has already gone above and beyond already. It’s easy to see why Paige resonates with audiences.
Elsewhere, Nikki Bella says if rehab doesn’t work then she has to get surgery. The rest of the Bella clan goes on vacation in Sedona. Bryan’s itinerary includes meeting with a reincarnated Buddha and a Tipi Temple with the overall theme for the weekend geared to reawakening and healing. The others rather have a drink. Renee Young and Dean Ambrose (!!!) tag along for the vacation. Dean Ambrose and Total Divas are two things that you think would never be used in the same sentence, but here we are. He proved to be a welcome guest star.
Well, Bryan wants things a certain way. Brie thinks some compromises have to be made so everyone has fun. The guys head to the temple. The group tries to have an open mind. Bryan gets all controlling with the trip. Brie thinks he needs to relax. Bryan wants to engage in some meditation. The others want to chill around the house. There is conflict. Bryan lays the guilt on Brie after she wants to stay. Brie ends up going with Bryan to meet a monk. The last night Brie feels Bryan needs to loosen up a bit. She puts her foot down and gets Bryan to come out to the pool. Brie is happy to see all parties genuinely enjoying themselves in the end. She comes to the conclusion maybe she has to push him a bit more often.
Mandy Rose wants to train more with Natalya in the ring. The discussion leads to Nattie telling her she is going on a family vacation in Sanibel Island soon. Mandy basically invites not only herself, but her family? And it’s not just a nuclear family. It’s like 15 people. Now Nattie has to tell TJ. When she does, TJ’s response, ‘Who is Mandy?’ Not a good start for poor Nattie. She then tries to use a Maya Angelou quote and fails. At this point TJ is just whatever about it and accepts the relative strangers joining them for the vacation.
Marc Carano tells Mandy and Eva Marie to think about ideas for getting them on TV together. Carano specifically mentions the potential of Eva going blonde. Eva isn’t feeling it. With a milestone coming up challenging NXT champion Bayley in her first championship match., red and gold 2.0 is the last thing she wants to think about.
The NXT coaches feel Eva is already established. Their advice is to brainstorm about looks and entrance if they want to be a team. Eva has some reservations about being a duo, knowing her experience level is higher than Mandy’s and the goal she has set to develop her own brand. Nattie questions if Mandy is ready and thinks it’s time for Eva to shine. The veteran’s advice for Eva is to take care of herself as an individual first and foremost.
The moment arrives for Eva’s big main event title match. She can feel the energy from the crowd and gets a sense that this is where she is supposed to be. Even though she lost, Eva gained a memory she will never forget. It also showed the progress she is making. Eva eventually breaks the news to Mandy about her plan to stay solo for now. Mandy understands her decision. What’s this? No drama? No argument? What kind of reality show is this? Luckily for us, there is still some time left in the season.
- Watch WWE Total Divas 9 p.m. ET Tuesdays on E!.
- Follow me on Twitter @smFISHMAN.
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Photos Courtesy: WWE
