Charlotte defended her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Ruby Riott tonight at WWE Fastlane. Charlotte emerged victorious but her celebration was interrupted following the match. Asuka made her way down to the ring and pointed at the WrestleMania sign hanging in the arena. It is now official, Charlotte will defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Asuka at WrestleMania 34.

Charlotte joined Renee Young and Sam Roberts on Talking Smack following WWE Fastlane 2018. Charlotte stated that she knows what it is like to come from NXT and want to make a name for herself. Charlotte said Riott made a name for herself tonight and added that she thought she was going to lose a couple of times tonight in their match.

Renee Young asked what was going through Charlotte’s head when Asuka’s music hit. Charlotte said that she has been watching Asuka for a long time and has witnessed her takeout everybody. Charlotte stated that she has never faced anyone like Asuka, but Asuka has never faced anyone like Charlotte. She added that this moment was made for WrestleMania and then vowed to defeat Asuka and leave WrestleMania 34 as the SmackDown Women’s Champion.

Sam Roberts stated that it has been a consensus that Charlotte was at the top of the women’s division in WWE, until Asuka arrived and then it became a conversation. Charlotte said that it motivates her and that having the opportunity to face her will cement her legacy. She stated that she felt like she has proven a lot on the main roster but she has never faced Asuka. Charlotte noted that Bayley defeated her last year at Fastlane and still lost to Asuka. Charlotte claimed that she wakes up every morning and wonders how to get better. Charlotte noted that she has to get better to defeat Asuka.

How does @MsCharlotteWWE feel about having to defend her #SDLive #WomensTitle against the UNDEFEATED @WWEAsuka at #WrestleMania? #WWEFastlane #TalkingSmack pic.twitter.com/5uJyhkzdqM

— WWE (@WWE) March 12, 2018

Asuka vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair is now on for WrestleMania 34, making it the first and possibly the only RAW vs. SmackDown match to take place at this year’s big event in New Orleans.

Asuka, who earned a title shot by winning the first-ever women’s Royal Rumble match back in January, confronted Flair in the ring after her title defense over Ruby Riott at Fastlane.

With that match set, here is the updated card for WrestleMania 34, which takes place from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on April 8th:

WWE Universal Title Match
Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar

WWE Title Match
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles

Triple Threat for the WWE Intercontinental Title
Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor vs. The Miz

RAW Women’s Title Match
TBA vs. Alexa Bliss

SmackDown Women’s Title Match
Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair

Finals of the WWE Cruiserweight Title Tournament
Cedric Alexander or Roderick Strong vs. Mustafa Ali or Drew Gulak

Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle vs. Stephanie McMahon and Triple H

WWE SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair recently did an interview with Hollywood Life to talk about a variety of professional wrestling topics. Flair was asked about RAW Superstar and the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble winner Asuka possibly picking her to face-off against at WrestleMania 34:

“Streaks are meant to be broken and we’ve never faced each other. I think if she does choose me, then ‘The Empress’ versus ‘The Queen’ is a WrestleMania moment. I want to break her streak. I want to be that woman who can say, ‘I beat Asuka!'”

Flair was asked if she wants a regular match or a gimmick match against Asuka in a possible WrestleMania collision:

“You know, I thought about that. Maybe like a ‘Falls Count Anywhere’ match or an ‘Iron Man’ [match] but I think what will be so special is a regular match. No one has seen us in the ring before and we have such different backgrounds and styles. I don’t think it needs any enhancement or name on the match. I think just seeing us go at it on the biggest stage of all is just as exciting.”

Being the daughter of two-time WWE Hall Of Famer Ric Flair, Charlotte has learned a thing or two from one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. She discussed what she is still able to learn from “The Nature Boy”:

“The one thing I love about my Dad is he knows who he is and he never second-guesses himself. He is just Ric Flair. I don’t know how really to explain it, but if you watch the 30 For 30, he doesn’t apologize for knowing that he is the best. He wakes up every morning and lives life to the fullest. I appreciate that.

“And him being so honest and not being afraid, and telling me how he did something well or this or that. It’s just a hope that I can get to a point in my life where I don’t second guess myself. That is what I learn from him everyday.”

You can read Flair’s full interview with Hollywood Life by clicking this link here.

– Currently there are only four matches confirmed for WWE NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, as of the last NXT TV taping. One thing that has yet to be confirmed is whether or not Johnny Gargano vs Tommaso Ciampa would be happening at the event as well. Gargano recently lost a match against NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas, and was forced to leave NXT as a result.

WWE accidentally posted a lineup of matches scheduled for NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, which included a yet-to-be-announced Unsanctioned Match between Gargano and Ciampa. The post was quickly taken down, but not before some screenshots could be grabbed:

WWE accidentally posted this on Facebook before immediately deleting it. pic.twitter.com/zWykr5eOp5

— AEW Enjoyer (@SoDuTw) March 10, 2018

– WWE is currently teasing a romance storyline between SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair and United States Champion Bobby Roode. The two are currently paired up together on the Mixed Match Challenge as “The Robe Warriors.” WWE posted an article teasing the romance angle between the two. Here’s an excerpt:

Charlotte Flair’s tweet leads to speculation of romance with Bobby Roode

“Later that night, The Queen tagged Roode in a tweet that included lyrics from Brandy & Monica’s “The Boy is Mine,” leaving many in the WWE Universe wondering if romance could be brewing between the two.

However, The Riott Squad were none too pleased with Roode’s meddling, and they used social media to send a warning to the United States Champion about what would happen if he stuck his nose in their business again.

Will The Glorious One’s robes be losing their luster anytime soon? Is romance in the future for he and Charlotte Flair? Tune in to SmackDown LIVE on Tuesdays at 8/7 C and find out!”

– WWE SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair recently took to Instagramto post a tribute to her late brother, Reid, who passed away in 2013. He would’ve been 30-years-old this week:

“Today, my brother Reid would have been 30 years old. Most of us in WWE have a favorite wrestlers; a superstars who inspired us to follow our dreams. We would dress like them, mimic them and even do their signature moves.

My favorite wrestler is my brother Reid. The life I am living was his dream, and he would talk about it daily. He would watch Dusty promos over and over (and recite them to our family). He looked up to Uncle Arn, and considered himself a Horseman at age 13.

He “debuted” on WCW tv, taking down Eric Bischoff with a single leg. He worked independents with guys like Rock and Roll Express, Lodi, Nasty Boys among others (those were just some of the stories I was told) and eventually made it to Japan before his passing.
He loved Japan. The culture, the talent he worked with, and most of all when my Dad managed him and Mutoh against Sanada and Fujinami. When I started wrestling, my mom would harp on me to do my Germans like Reid. I didn’t even know how to hit the ropes properly.

He was working towards a dream and had a true love and passion for professional wrestling. He KNEW it was what he wanted in life. I didn’t have that- not back then. I was figuring things out as I went along, often just going through the motions. For him, wrestling was everything. “Hey Reid, yeah I’ll go with you to Tampa and try out for NXT.” Those words changed my life in ways I couldn’t imagine.

Life isn’t fair. If you’re my friend, you hear me speak of Reid often. I miss him dearly. People say it will get easier- it doesn’t. The more success I have, the more I miss him and mourn the opportunity to share all of this with him. My career has grown from a seed he planted. I’ve made a career, a life, from his passion.

I miss you every day Reid. Thank you for the extra pair of wings. You being 30 makes me feel old, champ.

Love you as big as the sky”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfrGaP0FuAN/?utm_source=ig_embed

– On last night’s episode of Monday Night RAW Bray Wyatt indicated that he wasn’t finished with “Woken” Matt Hardy after suffering a loss to him at Elimination Chamber on pay-per-view (PPV) this past Sunday. Hardy wasn’t on RAW this week but made an interesting response to Wyatt’s comments via Twitter.

Matt said that he’ll confront Wyatt, but “it shall only be on MY terms. On MY Battlefield” His “my battlefield” comments may suggest a confrontation between Hardy and Wyatt at the Hardy Family Compound. WWE could be getting set to do their own version of the Final Deletion:

You're looking & sounding rather #BROKEN, Bray.

I absolutely CRAVE the opportunity to go to WAR with you once AGEEN..

For the COMPLETION of the DELETION of ABIGAIL.

HOWEVAH, it shall only be on MY terms. On MY Battlefield. pic.twitter.com/KORZ0pOXz3

— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) February 27, 2018

At last night’s WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view (PPV) event, former NXT Women’s Champion Asuka extended her undefeated streak by defeating Nia Jax in singles action. Had Jax won the bout she would be added to the RAW Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania 34, which could also include “The Empress Of Tomorrow” as she has yet to choose which title she wants to go after following her victory in the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble match.

Asuka was originally rumored to be facing SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania, however, a recent report from PWInsider suggests that Asuka will be taking on Alexa Bliss at WrestleMania for the RAW Women’s Championship instead. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter had previously reported that Asuka was slated to face Charlotte Flair while Nia Jax challenged Alexa Bliss for the RAW Women’s strap. This was the reason WWE added the stipulation to the Royal Rumble match of the winner being allowed to choose which title they want to go after.

It’s possible that WWE has changed their minds and will now have Asuka challenge Bliss at WrestleMania, leaving a ton of options open for what they can do with Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 34 instead.

– SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair was asked by a fan on Twitter if she’d face-off against Ronda Rousey ‘if she had to.’ Here’s how she responded:

Champions do not choose their challengers. I'll face whoever they put in the ring with me. #AskTheQueen https://t.co/YNrQ3zGfAb

— Charlotte Flair (@MsCharlotteWWE) February 7, 2018

– A lot of former WWE Superstars and personalities returned to the company for RAW 25. One was former United States Champion MVP. He recently was a guest on Big League Wrestling’s podcast to talk about his return to WWE and indicated that it was a one-time deal and there are no plans as of this writing to have him back:

SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan revealed the first SmackDown Top 10 List on tonight’s episode. The new ranking system is voted on weekly by the SmackDown Superstars but they cannot cast votes in their own name.

Bryan noted that he and SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon also have no input on the rankings.

The first edition of the SmackDown Live Top 10 List was:

10. Tye Dillinger
9. Randy Orton
8. Becky Lynch
7. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos
6. The New Day
5. WWE United States Champion Bobby Roode
4. Naomi
3. Shinsuke Nakamura
2. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair
1. WWE Champion AJ Styles

It was noted before that Bryan and Shane will use this list to make brand decisions and to plan matches. A new list will be revealed each Tuesday night.

– Vince McMahon and Alpha Entertainment recently applied to trademark their own and the XFL logo. They also filed to trademark terms related to Alpha and the XFL.

– WWE recently replaced their social media banners with the image of ex-UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey pointing up at the WrestleMania 34 sign. A lot has been made of Rousey’s debut at the Royal Rumble at her pointing at the sign.

In an apparent shot at “The Rowdy One,” Charlotte Tweeted out the following picture of herself and captioned it “Champions don’t need to point.”

Champions don’t need to point. #WrestleMania34 pic.twitter.com/bMYBj8vBvm

— Charlotte Flair (@MsCharlotteWWE) February 6, 2018

– WWE uploaded a video of Mixed Match Challenge partners Bobby Roode and Charlotte Flair backstage at the Royal Rumble last night. Two-time WWE Hall Of Famer Ric Flair joined them, and “The Nature Boy” and Charlotte tried to teach Roode how to properly “Woo!” Charlotte and Roode are looking forward to a week six match-up against Nia Jax and Apollo Crews in the Mixed Match Challenge:

– WWE.com has listed its top five best moments from the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble match. Here’s what they listed:

5. The return of women from WWE’s illustrious past

4. Naomi’s huge save

3. Sasha Banks’ incredible performance

2. Asuka’s history-making victory

1. Ronda Rousey’s shocking appearance

SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair was recently interviewed by Mike Jones of DC 101 to discuss several professional wrestling topics, including last night’s RAW 25 special. Flair was asked about her plans for her WrestleMania 34 entrance following last year’s peacock-themed entrance at WrestleMania 33:

“I already had that planned after WM last year. So, the peacock theme for last year was because we knew my dad was gonna be immortalized. If you look at the old wrestling magazines from the 80s, they had all of his robes and he was the peacock of wrestling. And we were like, ‘oh let’s make you a peacock’.

“So the robe on the cover of my book is the robe I want to do one day, but probably somewhere near the end of my career. This year, I had a specific idea and so we’ve been working on it since last Mania. (Any hints?) Warrior. You can go either way and I’m giving YOU the most. We just got an exclusive from the Queen herself about Warrior and WrestleMania in New Orleans.”

Recently Sasha Banks voiced her opinion that there should be a Women’s Tag Team division with Women’s Tag Team Titles. Flair doesn’t see that happening right now, and believes if you keep adding titles then it devalues them as well:

“I don’t see it right now because I just don’t think there are enough girls. And I don’t mean that ‘oh we need more women’. And if you think about it, the more titles you have, it devalues one title. Could you imagine tag titles for women on both shows? If there is a women’s show on WWE Network one day, for sure I could see that happening.”

Earlier this week in New York Flair had the chance to open up the New York Stock Exchange alongside Alexa Bliss, Roman Reigns, and AJ Styles. Flair explained why she was nervous during the event and said her heart was racing:

“It was crazy. I honestly didn’t know what to expect. Like, did I really have to ring a bell? It was just this little button that you had to press at 8:29:50 and hold it for 10 seconds. If you let go even before the 10 seconds was up you would ruin the entire day and the bell would never go off. Then everyone would boo you and I said I was used to that. But no pressure, so Alexa (Bliss) and I did it together. I was nervous and my heart started racing. Like, this is live and I’m used to live. I’m sure people have screwed it up before, but I’m gonna have to Google that.”

In regards to RAW 25 last night, several Hall Of Famers and legends of the past were in attendance. One of them was none other than Stone Cold Steve Austin, who received the biggest pop of the night. “The Queen” said it was surreal to see “The Texas Rattlesnake” do his thing at RAW 25 after growing up watching him:

“Well having Mean Gene there was pretty cool just because he was such an important part in my Dad’s career and going back to WCW before my dad wrestled Vader, when Mean Gene came to our house in Charlotte in 93. But also standing near the Gorilla Position and just being out there for Stone Cold. (How great was that?) Feeling the energy of the crowd and he is a SUPERSTAR and it was crazy to think ‘ok Stone Cold is on this show, I grew up watching him, and my dad has so much respect for him, and I’m on this show too. We’re like co-workers.’ Even though I’m in it and I grew up in the business, and I’m part of this show too. WOW. It’s surreal.”

Flair has had the privilege of playing both heel and babyface during her time in WWE, but revealed that although it’s fun being bad the connection she has established with the younger WWE fans while playing a babyface is a special one:

“I really enjoy being bad. But, I will say since I’ve made the switch to SmackDown through Social and different live events, the kids are really connecting with me right now. That means a lot to me especially being a positive role model especially at signings. I’ve had kids come up to me and say ‘you were not nice to your dad’ and it crushed me. But that’s my role, and If I go back to being a bad guy, it’s because I want to be the worst bad guy to make those good guys mean that much to them that they idolize them.”

You can check out Flair’s full interview with DC 101 by clicking this link here.

– SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair hit the gym with her Mixed Match Challenge partner Bobby Roode to work on some cardio. Roode tried to hit a couple of “Woo’s” during the session but Flair did not approve. She ended the video by showing him how it’s done. Check it out here:

Good morning ?? empty-stomach cardio w/ @REALBobbyRoode #WWEMMC #Glorious Wooooo! pic.twitter.com/oeJbHYz2Ew

— Charlotte Flair (@MsCharlotteWWE) January 14, 2018

– With rumors circulating around that Chris Jericho vs. Tetsuya Naito could go down at NJPW’s USA: Strong Style Evolved event in Long Beach, California at the Walter Pyramid on March 25th, “Y2J” and Naito recently got into a short exchange on Twitter in Spanish:

LOS INGOBERNABLES de JAPON

Hola amigo(@IAmjericho).
Detrás?
Donde esta?
Rápido por favor.
jajaja pic.twitter.com/7SmDNHpGaU

— ???? naito tetsuya (@s_d_naito) January 11, 2018

Hola @s_d_naito! Tu hablas esapnol? Muy bien! Entiendes esto?
I’m gonna KICK YOUR FUCKIN ASS…https://t.co/JZE4yNHEqx

— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) January 11, 2018

– Jason Jordan was advertised to defend he and Seth Rollins’ RAW Tag Team Titles against Sheamus and Cesaro at a WWE live event from Amarillo, Texas this past Friday, but the son of WWE Hall Of Famer Kurt Angle did not appear. The match never took place and Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins instead defeated The Miz, Curtis Axel, and Bo Dallas in a 2-on-3 Handicap match.

No Jason needed… Roman and Seth took care of business and brought the house down!!! Champs standing tall.#RomanReigns #SethRollins #WWEAmarillo credit to owners pic.twitter.com/OIlQffwE0h

— Handy ||•Roman Reigns Era•|| (@HandyRed) January 13, 2018

– Early last week it was announced that former NXT Champion Bobby Roode and SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair would be teaming up for the Mixed Match Challenge this week. It will air after SmackDown Live on Facebook Watch over the next several weeks. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that WWE paired the two up so they could be called “The Robe Warriors.”

– As we’ve noted, The Miz will rematch Roman Reigns for the Intercontinental Championship at RAW’s 25th Anniversary Show on January 22nd. The Miz closed out this past Monday’s episode of RAW by attacking Roman Reigns with The Miztourage. The assault didn’t stop there, however, as The Miz took to Twitter today to taunt “The Big Dog” even further:

https://twitter.com/mikethemiz/status/950924444419080192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

– On last night’s episode of SmackDown Live Ruby Riott suffered a loss to Becky Lynch in singles competition. WWE posted the following video in which Riott challenges Lynch, Naomi, and SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair to a Six-Woman Tag match against The Riott Squad:

WWE SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair recently did an interview with The Times of India to talk about several professional wrestling topics. Here are the highlights:

NXT Assistant Head Trainer Sara Amato:

“[Sara] Amato has had a huge impact. She was the first ever female brought in to work with the women wrestlers at the performance center. Her knowledge, her experience is immense, and she has wrestled all over the world. Being able to know what we go through as females in a male-dominated industry helped all of us a lot. I think she is one of the key elements to what changed in the women’s division. A few years ago, when FCW changed in to NXT and then NXT had its first-ever TakeOver pay-per-view, she had a big part to play. Just having a female presence in meetings, and having someone qualified as her, I think our collective effort and having her on our team made the difference.”

Who she’s picking to win the Women’s Royal Rumble match:

“There are so many. Actually, it is a tough question. I would say from RAW brand, Bayley is a fighter. Anyone who has followed her career would know she never gives up and she is the lovable underdog. From SmackDown, I would have to go with my best friend Becky Lynch, but personally I don’t want to face her at WrestleMania. She has shown that whenever she is knocked down, she gets right up. There are a lot of women in the division who are capable of winning. Sasha could win, Asuka could 100 percent win that.”

The highlight of her career:

“Up until few weeks ago, it was WrestleMania 32 facing Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch and winning the first ever RAW women’s championship after we re-branded the division. But a few weeks ago, I won the SmackDown championship in my home town of Charlotte, North Carolina. It had been hard couple of months for my family and winning the title against Natalya and my dad coming out in the end was very emotional.”

You can read Charlotte Flair’s full interview with The Times Of India by clicking this link here.

SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair recently did an interview with Fox News to promote her new book, “Second Nature,” and talked about a variety of professional wrestling topics. Flair talked about the characterization of her Charlotte Flair persona, understanding her father now that she herself is a WWE Superstar, redefining women’s wrestling, and more. You can check out the highlights here:

Who is Charlotte Flair?

“Charlotte Flair is continuing her father’s legacy, but paving her own, and she’s opening the door for women all over the world to be superstars in a male dominated industry.”

What’s something about your dad [Ric Flair] you understand now that you’re a WWE superstar yourself? 

“When I look back, I just wish I could have been more understanding in 2008 when he retired, because I just couldn’t figure out why he couldn’t just walk away from the job….But now being apart of the company [WWE] and understanding what it’s like to be in the main event, to feel the rush of the crowd…that’s what he did for his entire life and I understand now why he couldn’t walk away. Now I see why [but] in 2008 I couldn’t understand and I just gave him a hard time and we just went separate ways. But it was a growing process for both of us.”

How has it felt to redefine women’s wrestling? 

“I think because I’m in it, it’s really hard to take myself out of the bubble and see how much we’ve accomplished as a whole. Even now when you look at posters or how many storylines the women have just from three years ago, it’s mind boggling to think that we’ve made such an impact in such a short amount of time. But the future with the Mae Young Classic, where women all over the world competing in one tournament that’s solely just women, that goes to show that who knows how that’s going to translate eventually on the main roster.”

On last week’s episode of SmackDown Live, Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair thanked the crowd for being so invested in the Women’s Revolution. This promo came just 24 hours after Monday Night RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon announced the first-ever all-female Royal Rumble match set to take place next month. Charlotte is a big fan favorite at the moment on WWE TV, but former WWE Superstar Taz took to his radio show, The Taz Show, to explain why he feels “The Queen” should’ve turned heel:

“There was a good portion of [the interview] were I thought, ‘Wow, she’s gonna turn like, nasty heel here, early in this promo,'” said Taz. “She didn’t do it, but I thought she was gonna. I really did. And then they went into doing angles after that. But, there was an opportunity for her before Naomi came out.

“For her to really turn heel, heel, heel, but, it’s probably not time. I just was thinking, they need someone to bury this Royal Rumble first time ever female thing. They need a woman to do it, not a guy. And it’s just a heat, heat gimmick, and I think Charlotte could do it with no problem. But, I think [WWE] had their chance, and they didn’t do it. Instead, they went to a tag match.”

You can listen to The Taz Show by clicking this link here.

H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions

WWE RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss was recently a guest on Sam Roberts’ Wrestling podcast to talk about her journey through the industry. During the interview, “Little Miss Bliss” discussed the comparisons she has received, as far as her in-ring ability goes, to women such as those in the Four Horsewomen stable. Oftentimes Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, Bayley, and Charlotte Flair are referred to as better workers than Bliss, however, “Five Feet Of Fury” is statistically the most successful champion since the beginning of the Women’s Revolution.

During her interview with Roberts, Bliss explained that she believes this distinction is made due to the fact that she doesn’t use “flashy moves,” something she doesn’t like to do as a heel character:

“When I was in NXT, I was still training every day. I was still in the ring every day and working every live event. And just because I wasn’t on shows that were taped for NXT TV, I don’t think people knew what skills I could do. And being a bad guy, I try not to do a lot of flashy moves and a lot of, I guess, good guy skills because that’s not my character and I feel like people take that as, ‘oh, well, she’s not as skilled as Sasha [Banks] or Bayley, Charlotte [Flair], or Becky [Lynch].

“But, I take that as a challenge. I’m like, ‘well, I can do all these things. I chose not to because I don’t have to. My character isn’t supposed to be flashy and be over-the-top. I’m supposed to be dirty in the ring. I’m supposed to kick and punch and I’m supposed to cheat and find ways to win at all costs.”

You can listen to Bliss’ interview on the Sam Roberts’ Wrestling podcast by clicking this link here.

H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions

SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair recently had an interview with New Zealand’s NewsHub, where she talked about the upcoming Women’s Royal Rumble and more. Below are some highlights from her interview:

Coming to NXT and immediately feeling that she belonged there:

“When I first showed up, I was knew I was right where I belong. I was comfortable having my dad as a wrestler – everything just felt natural. I did have doubts about if I would be any good, but I knew I belonged almost immediately. It was a just a matter of the trainers believing in me and identifying that I had the talent to achieve anything.”

The bond between the Four Horsewomen:

“I feel that the four of us will always have a special bond from coming up together through NXT, having created so many firsts together. When the four of us were in NXT together we were fighting tooth and nail to make a big difference – to have women mean something in wrestling. Sasha and Bayley stealing the show at the first ever NXT event in Brooklyn. It was amazing. Together we have had all these amazing moments, and I know personally for me those three women are who I looked up to when I started because I wanted to be as good at this as them. The four of us will always share those moments we had.”

The possibility of facing Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania:

“Charlotte Flair vs. Ronda Rousey will create a special Wrestlemania moment, but in saying that another great moment would be my best friend Becky Lynch winning the Royal Rumble and facing me for the title – so many possibilities. I just hope that whoever wins has to face me for the Smackdown women’s championship at Wrestlemania.”

Feeling that Women’s Revolution is complete

“With the announcement of the first ever women’s Royal Rumble match I feel the women’s revolution is complete.”

Discussion: What’s your take on the current state of the Women’s Revolution?

– WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore recently appeared on EBRO In The Morning with Peter Rosenberg on HOT 97. During the appearance he did  two minutes of rapping, which you can check out here:

https://twitter.com/HOT97/status/943481794279723008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

– On Xavier Woods’ YouTube channel, UpUpDownDown, SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair and Natalya battle it out in a game of Madden 18 for EA Holiday Week. Flair plays as the Atlanta Falcons while Natalya uses the New England Patriots. Check it out here:

Ric Flair recently spoke with the Daily Star and indicated he wants his daughter to turn heel. He also commented on how he believes Charlotte is already the greatest women’s wrestler of all-time.

Ric Flair Interview Highlights

On Charlotte being the greatest:

“She (Charlotte) already is the greatest, by far. I don’t know who to compare her to.”

“That’s just my opinion and I’m biased but I’m also a guy that’s qualified to make that remark so let’s say she’s not my daughter and I was the father of another girl I would say to the other girl you better push if you want to be like her.”

“And I have tremendous respect. I think Sasha Banks is off the hook in terms of ability.”

How Sasha Banks, Natalya, and others compare:

“What separates Ashley is her size and her athletic ability. Sasha Banks is every bit of a performer that Ashley is, make no mistake. As are a couple of the other girls – Natalya is fantastic. They’re all good.”

“There’s a fine line between good and great and I just look at her and I’ve known them all.”

On a potential Charlotte Heel Turn:

“I wish they would use her on the other side.”

“I like her when she’s bad. She’s really good at enhancing other people’s work. As a heel she’s really good at that, that’s art in itself.”

The full interview can be read here.

– On last night’s episode of Talking Smack following WWE’s Clash Of Champions pay-per-view (PPV) event, Charlotte Flair was asked by Renee Young about what’s next for her in her title reign. Flair noted that she wants to continue to improve but she also wants to be irreplaceable. She wants to be a feature attraction and the reason people are buying tickets to shows – much like WWE Champion AJ Styles. You can check out the video here:

– Last night also marked five years since former NXT Champion Big E made his main roster debut in WWE at the 2012 Slammys episode of Monday Night RAW. E took to Twitter to comment on the anniversary:

Five (yes, FIVE!) years ago today, I stared blankly into your homes for the first time. pic.twitter.com/2ZGlPgKZIP

— Ettore “Big E” Ewen (@WWEBigE) December 17, 2017

– As he continues to rehab his recently repaired bicep, former NXT Champion Drew McIntyre posted a clip on Twitter of himself training with former 3MB member and ex-WWE Champion Jinder Mahal. Check it out:

https://twitter.com/DMcIntyreWWE/status/941478556512555013?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

– SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair is set to do a Facebook Q&A this Monday at 8 P.M. EST. If you’d like to be eligible for a prize pack, use the hashtag #SecondNature.

Charlotte Flair recently had an interview with Arm Drag Takedown podcast where she talked about her brother’s death, her divorce and more. Below are some highlights from her interview:

Fearing that people would make fun of her divorce:

“It really got to me when I first started in WWE that people would make fun of me being divorced. My dad has been divorced so many times. I don’t know why it bothered me. I don’t know whether it’s because I hate failing or I was embarrassed or comparing myself to my female peers — I don’t know. But to just get that off my chest, explain what I’ve been through or what I’ve learned, [how] I’ve come out a better person. I think that was the hardest part to share.”

Dealing with the death of her brother Reid:

“I don’t think I’ll ever put losing my little brother to rest, because I have so much guilt. Just the fact he has never seen me on the main roster is so hard — like I deal with it every, single day.”

Feeling the pressure of being Ric Flair’s daughter:

“When you walk out through that curtain, and people know you’re Ric Flair’s kid, you’re not going to get away from it — either you accept it or you don’t. Fans can think what they want. But if I was just another 5’10” blonde that was very athletic that stepped through, I don’t think I would have dealt with as much criticism as I did. I think the criticism and pressure is what’s gotten me to where I am today. It elevated my game.”

Quotes via Huffington Post

Charlotte Flair is one of the most successful women in WWE.

If in doubt, check out this playlist that was released by WWE to relive all of her Championship wins; including highlights from the first ever women’s Hell in a Cell match against Sasha Banks, and Charlotte’s win against Nikki Bella that ended a 301 day Diva’s Championship reign.

The Queen of WWE now looks to showcase her other skills by taking on a villain role in Psych: The Move which debuts December 7th on the USA Network.

Charlotte joins the likes of John Cena, The Miz, The Bella Twins, Big Show, Stacy Keibler and Mickie James who have all appeared on the USA Network as well.

Get excited to see some familiar faces, and some new ones, in #PsychTheMovie, premiering THIS THURSDAY at 8/7c on @USA_Network. pic.twitter.com/04gJwVpp1s

— Psych on Peacock (@PsychPeacock) December 2, 2017