Welcome to another edition of Triple Threat from Smark Out Moment, where three of us get together to discuss three questions based on one big topic going down in the week of professional wrestling.
This week, Dallas Allsopp, Matt Morgan and Ben Williams discuss the recent trials and tribulations of Charlotte Flair.
Recent reports have intimated that Charlotte Flair has real heat backstage. But is this justified?
Question 1: Following recent reports that Charlotte Flair has heat backstage, do you feel her spot in WWE is under threat? Is she right to hold herself and her position in such high esteem?
ALLSOPP: I feel that in the current climate of WWE, no-one’s position is safe. Bray Wyatt was a recent WWE Universal Champion, a huge merchandise seller, and a character the likes we haven’t seen since The Undertaker. And he was pushed out. Charlotte Flair appears to come with significant attitude issues, and these have crept into programming as of late. Remember the shoot fight that almost erupted between Flair and Nia Jax? That was just the start, and despite being a star in WWE, she is not replaceable. So she either buckles up or is gone.
MORGAN: I do not believe that Charlotte Flair’s spot is in jeopardy despite the recent reports that have come out. In the past, I feel like there have been stories of numerous stars, such as Randy Orton or Shawn Michaels, who were hard to work with, but were allowed to keep their spots. Flair is one of the performers that WWE constantly relies on, so I don’t think it’s unfair for her to be protective of her spot. At the same time, I would hope in the upcoming months and years that Flair is willing to be a giving performer. Especially since she has been given so many moments and matches in the past 6 years.
WILLIAMS: I don’t believe Charlotte Flair’s spot will ever be in jeopardy for as long as she’s in WWE. She’s a top level performer, amongst the very elite talent in either division, and WWE knows what she brings to the table. It would also be rather embarrassing for WWE to put so much stock into a performer, to just then have to punish them years later. Whilst Flair is immensely talented and has proven her value, there does seem to be an air of her believing herself to be above the division, when it could be argued both Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks have surpassed her in terms of relevancy within the women's division.
Question 2: Would Charlotte Flair benefit from a sabbatical, or does she need to leave the company, one way or another?
MORGAN: I don’t think Charlotte Flair needs either a sabbatical or a fully fledged departure from the company. I think she would benefit from a change in booking more than anything. I feel like part of the reason that people get so angry at Flair is because she’s always the contender or champion. Flair’s consistency of being in the title picture takes a top spot away from a lot of other female talent, which to me builds the resentment that fans have against her. Going forward, I would like to see Flair participate in storylines that aren’t about the title and at the same time are still booked strongly enough that fans have a reason to care.
WILLIAMS: We had a sabbatical from Charlotte Flair in 2020, and it was a glorious time where plenty of women had the chance to flourish (Asuka, Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose etc). I do think the division as a whole will massively benefit from Flair retiring or leaving the company from a booking standpoint, but there is still plenty for Flair to achieve in her WWE career.
ALLSOPP: A sabbatical would suit both parties, if only so Charlotte Flair can take a long hard look at herself and what she wants from WWE, and wrestling as a whole. AEW is always an option for her, especially with her fiancé Andrade El Idolo a star in the company. It would also give her an opportunity to come back with an image and character that fans can get behind.
Question 3: What is the true legacy of Charlotte Flair’s career so far in WWE?
WILLIAMS: Charlotte Flair is an icon of women’s wrestling and second only to Sasha Banks as one of the greatest female wrestlers of all time. Her match quality speaks for itself, whilst her athletic ability and raw talent stands head and shoulders above most of WWE’s roster, male or female. Whilst her booking is the worst WWE has done for any female star ever, it can’t be denied that Flair is an absolute superstar.
ALLSOPP: I want to go out on a limb and call her the greatest women’s wrestler in WWE history. Fabulous Moolah is just too… murky, to be called the best. And women like Lita and Trish Stratus cannot match Charlotte Flair for in ring ability. These issues don’t really detract from this, but they will potentially impact on her ability to cement her legacy further. It’s strange how she seems to have similar personal issues to her father, Ric Flair.
MORGAN: At this point, Charlotte Flair could leave the company tomorrow and she would still go down as one of the most decorated superstars of all time. She’s won so many championships (at this point a ridiculous amount) and has been a part of a lot of history making moments for the women’s division. Beyond that, Flair is darn good in the ring. She is an incredible performer who has been a part of countless great matches. Between her in ring talent and her numerous accomplishments, Flair will always be considered one of the company’s greatest female wrestlers.
Those are our thoughts on the issue, but where do you stand?
Let us know your answers to these questions in the comments below!
Subscribe to Smark Out Moment on YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more!
0 comments: