USO News

WWE Diva Eve Torres Wins NBC's 'Stars Earn Stripes' Competition, Earns Cash Donation for USO

Tuesday, September 04, 2012

WWE Diva and USO representative Eve Torres left no doubt who was the king of the ring among the eight-competitor field by winning the NBC reality show competition “Stars Earn Stripes.” 

Torres, who selected the USO as her charity of choice, earned $150,000 for the USO’s Operation Enduring Care by defeating Olympic skier Picabo Street and actor Dean Cain in the final challenge and the renowned wrestler could not be more proud of her victory.

"'Stars Earn Stripes' was one of the best experiences of my life," Torres told WWE.com. "I went in assuming I was the underdog because I didn't have the military experience. The USO is a really important organization and I know that this win is really important to the troops."

Operation Enduring Care is a part of the wider USO Warrior and Family Care and raises funds to help the wounded, ill and injured troops and their families and caregivers while constructing two warrior and family centers -- one at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., one in Fort Belvoir, Va.

Torres revealed earlier how important supporting the troops and their families was to her and the WWE, a strong supporter of our nation’s military and she credited her training and mental toughness with giving her the edge needed to prevail.

“I think being a WWE Diva is a tough job; there's lots we do that's not seen on television, constantly working and trying to better ourselves," Torres told WWE.com. "And I really think that hard work and dedication from being a WWE Diva is probably what set me apart from the other competitors."

Torres has been receiving plenty of congratulations since the last episode aired Monday night, especially on social media via Twitter at @EveMarieTorres, after sitting on the fact that she was the champ for approximately two months.

“It’s really exciting to finally have it set in,” Torres said. “I’ve been getting contact from so many people, especially law enforcement and members of the military. With the show, it was a high priority of the producers that [the audience] could feel close to home and connect with it and show. And it felt like the message got across, which was the most important thing.”

The other focus of the show was to raise funds and awareness for great organizations that aid our military and law enforcement communities and to that end, Torres visited the USO Great Lakes center in Chicago on the day the final episode aired. 

“That’s when it sets in that this is where the money we raised goes and how meaningful it is,” Torres said. “And how great the USO is for troops … it was a really great feeling to see the benefits the troops get with the USO. … To see the USO and these centers and the volunteers who operate them, they’re a 'home away from home.' There’s something for everyone. You don’t really think how difficult it is to be away from your family and friends and the USO serves as that community center that they don’t have, allowing them to enjoy themselves a little bit.”

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Photo caption: WWE Diva and winner of NBC's “Stars Earn Stripes” Eve Torres dropped by for a Labor Day visit with sailors and military families at the USO Naval Great Lakes in North Chicago. (Photo credit: T. E. Klein / USO) 

Federal employees can help the USO fulfill its mission to support troops and their families through the 2012 Combined Federal Campaign. Please designate #11381.