WWE Divas Champion Charlotte recently appeared as a guest on her fathers podcast, “WOOOOO! Nation with Ric Flair” and spoke about a number of topics, including her desire to retire the term “Diva” and bring back the WWE Women’s Championship to replace the butterfly Divas title, her WrestleMania dream opponent and some of the main differences between the main WWE roster and NXT. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.
On if she’d wear a robe like Ric Flair and wanting to work with Natalya at WrestleMania:
“If I have my WrestleMania moment, I would like to have a robe made. There is so much family history there, with Bret [Hart] in her corner and my dad in mine.”
On wanting to change the perception of women’s wrestling:
“My dream and goals are to change the face of women’s wrestling, and being champion, I hope that gives me a little more leeway and opportunity to do that. I want to main event a pay-per-view. I want to wrestle at WrestleMania. I want to bring back the Women’s Championship. I want longer matches. I want those crossover segments. I want more storylines, [and] just not to be eye candy or popcorn matches. And, hopefully, being champion at the moment, I just can somewhat kick open more doors and pave the way for more opportunities.”
On wanting to retire the term “Diva,” the butterfly design title belt and bring back the WWE Women’s Championship:
“I’m not taking away anything from the Divas Championship. I just think as the division is evolving, the title can evolve too. But from what I understand, I think NXT is going to go to not using ‘diva’ anymore, so it would only be natural for that to happen on the main roster as well. But just think of how many years of branding [are] behind the butterfly Divas Championship, so it just can’t happen overnight.”
On the main difference between NXT and the main roster being the amount of time you have to prepare:
“What’s so different is NXT, you meet once a month and you tape four shows. The main roster, every single week and the show goes on, so every Monday, and then you have SmackDown tapings every Tuesday. I mean, you are go, go, go, go, go. NXT, maybe you find out a week ahead of time before what’s going to be taped at the next NXT tapings, so you’ll get to work that girl at the live event. Maybe you get to practice [and] maybe you won’t, but on the main roster, it’s changing up until the show starts. The times, maybe the finish, maybe the storyline, maybe even the person changes. The pressure and the money behind what’s happening on the main roster is completely different than NXT.”
Mick Foley recently took to social media to write about a fantasy booking scenario he’d like to be involved with in a perfect world.
When asked by a fan if he could manage anyone currently in WWE, the WWE Hall Of Famer said he’d like to manage Becky Lynch to counter Ric Flair being with Charlotte in the current Lynch-Charlotte program, which has seen the second generation Diva turn heel on her former “Team P.C.B.” teammate.
“The Hardcore Legend” posted the following on his official Facebook page:
HEARD ANY GOOD RUMORS?
During my Q&A in Greenville, SC on Thursday, I was asked a simple question: “If you could manage one person in WWE, who would it be?”
So, I gave a simple answer: “Becky Lynch”, along with my explanation of why – and by the next morning, it had become a genuine news story. I really wasn’t trying to make news; I was just answering a question honestly. But who knows – maybe the attention will lead to something in the future – and to quote my friend DDP, “That’s not a bad thing; it’s a good thing.”
Maybe Manager isn’t quite the right term – but it’s obvious Becky needs someone to neutralize “Nature Boy” Ric Flair – and given my real life history with Ric, and my real life friendship with Becky, I think I could do a good job, if asked.
How would you feel about a possible Lynch/Foley collaboration? I think we would make a ?#?Bexcellent? duo.
WWE will be taping this week’s edition of SmackDown on Tuesday night in Laredo, Texas for the first episode of the show to air in its’ new home on the USA Network.
WWE previously announced that John Cena would be appearing on the show and that Mauro Ranallo would take over as the new voice of SmackDown on the show, and following Monday’s WWE RAW, the following title matches are now confirmed for the show as well:
* Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Kevin Owens (WWE Intercontinental Championship)
* Charlotte (c) vs. Becky Lynch (WWE Divas Championship)
After some online speculation heading into tonight’s WWE RAW, WWE Divas Champion Charlotte revealed her status for what will be the final 2015 episode of the show.
As we reported on Monday morning, Charlotte was among those advertised to appear at the non-televised WWE live event in Allentown, Pennsylvania, which is scheduled on the same day, and as advertised, that’s exactly where the WWE Divas Champion will be.
However, Charlotte also alluded to the way WWE may keep her angle with Becky Lynch alive on the show this evening without her physically being at the Barclays Center to do so herself.
Charlotte posted the following on Twitter late Monday afternoon, which has led to speculation that Lynch and her father, Ric Flair, will keep the Lynch-Charlotte storyline alive on RAW this week.
Can't be there tonight at #Raw but this is a perfect opportunity for @BeckyLynchWWE to #DoItWithFlair. Time to go to work woman! 👑🐝💪🏻
The Rock took to social media recently to congratulate Kevin Owens on a great first year in WWE and to respond to a friendly challenge from Dolph Ziggler and Charlotte.
Rock posted this one regarding Owens’ debut year in WWE:
@FightOwensFight Mahalo my man. I know u know the joy lil' ones bring. Congrats on a helluva year w the company. Proud of ya. #SunsetFlips
The Rock also called Ziggler and Charlotte two of the best in-ring performers in WWE right now in response to the following photo Ziggler posted of himself and Charlotte, which contained a friendly challenge to The Rock and UFC star Ronda Rousey.
– Becky Lynch is featured in the above RAW Fallout video from last night’s TLC “go-home” show. Lynch reacted to the Miz TV segment with her two former Team PCB members Charlotte and Paige, who will once again be competing against each other for the WWE Divas Championship.
– The official Twitter page for “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” posted the following tweet to promote John Cena’s appearance the show tonight.
– Speaking of Cena, in addition to his scheduled late night talk show appearance tonight with Jimmy Fallon, he also appeared on “The TODAY Show” once again this morning. Cena posted the following about his morning schedule thus far today.
Spent a long day at #AmericanGrit just landed in NYC straight to @TODAYShow for some morning hi jynx!
– WWE.com is running a poll asking fans which championship belt needs a redesign. With over 45,000 votes cast, 53% say it’s the Divas championship that needs a makeover, followed by the WWE Tag Team titles (19%) and the WWE World Heavyweight title (12%).
– WWE continues to tease a possible heel turn for WWE Divas Champion Charlotte. They wrote the following in their official preview for tonight’s edition of RAW:
“We’re seeing a different side of Charlotte lately, and it’s not one that agrees with the Divas Champion’s longtime friend, Becky Lynch. On Raw, the daughter of two-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair took a page out of her dad’s playbook when she feigned an injury to take Becky off her game and steal a victory over The Lass Kicker in what was supposed to be a friendly bout. Then, on SmackDown, a hot-headed Charlotte got Becky disqualified in her match with Brie Bella. Although Charlotte’s interference was in retaliation after Brie accidentally knocked the Divas Champion down at ringside, the second-generation Diva seemingly had no regard for how her actions would affect her friend. Are we now seeing the “real” Charlotte?”
– After being sent home last week due to a “bad flu bug,” WWE Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens is expected to make his WWE television return on tonight’s RAW. Owens made his in-ring return at the WWE live event on Saturday evening in Fayetteville, North Carolina, losing to Dean Ambrose.
Make sure to visit SEScoops.com later this evening for live WWE RAW play-by-play results coverage!
WWE Divas Champion Charlotte recently spoke with the News & Observer publication out of Raleigh, North Carolina to promote next Sunday’s WWE TLC pay-per-view in Boston, Massachusetts.
On blurring the line between fiction and reality:
“Having my dad in the business and using a lot of what’s been real life … most of Charlotte’s character is really who she is. A lot of who Ashley is is Charlotte and the same with my dad. It’s not like I’m the Joker.”
On being a role model for women:
“That’s probably the main focus – to be a role model for younger girls and send positive messages to never give up and be who they want to be. That’s a really big part of the job where you talk to kids at (places like) Make a Wish and have that opportunity to interact.”
On her future in WWE:
“I’m not 21 anymore and I’ve got a good head on my shoulders. I’m on cloud nine. I want to be the female Rock. Honestly I can’t believe I’m here today. Where I’m going to be in three years, I’m sure I’ll be blown away.”
– WWE Hall Of Famer Ric Flair is currently scheduled to make his WWE television appearance at the December 28th edition of WWE RAW at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Additionally, “The Nature Boy” is scheduled to appear at the next WWE live event at Madison Square Garden in New York on December 26th. It is believed that Flair will continue to be included in the ongoing storyline involving his daughter, WWE Divas Champion Charlotte.
– Speaking of Flair, the two-time WWE Hall Of Famer noted during the latest edition of his “WOOOOO! Nation” podcast that Randy Orton is out “indefinitely” from WWE right now.
As noted, Orton’s shoulder surgery was going to keep him on the sidelines until after WrestleMania 32 in April. Since then, it has been revealed that he needs a second operation to clean out bone chips in his neck after he heals up from his shoulder surgery.
The neck injury could keep him on the shelf for another three-to-six months, and as we reported via the Wrestling Observer Newsletter last week, there is a chance that Orton’s neck is worse than WWE currently believes. If that turns out to be the case, he will have to get fusion surgery, which could keep him out of action for well over a year.
– The November 24th “Off The Rope” ESPN segment featuring WWE World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus drew 99,000 viewers. By comparison, WWE Divas Champion Charlotte’s ESPN appearance the previous week drew 78,000 viewers.
– The following are some recent WWE attendance figures:
* November 11th in Rome drew 8,890 fans
* November 12th in Bologna, Italy drew 7,096 fans
* November 28th in Kansas City, MO dew 9,000 fans
* November 29th in Huntington, WV drew 3,200 fans
* November 30th in Pittsburgh for RAW drew 8,500 fans
– Triple H and Stephanie McMahon tweeted the following video clips of their latest late-night workout at the gym.
WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair is scheduled to appear on tonight’s RAW from Pittsburgh, PA, according to PWInsider.com.
Flair’s appearance comes just two weeks after he spoke out about the controversial contract signing angle between his daughter Charlotte and Paige, which led to several awkward mentions of Flair’s deceased son Reid.
No word yet on what Flair’s role will be on RAW this week, but he’ll most likely be involved with Charlotte’s feud with Paige.
Make sure to visit SEScoops.com later this evening for live WWE RAW results coverage!
WWE’s top female wrestlers continue to push for the return of the Women’s Championship.
The WWE website is running a poll asking fans which championship they want to see brought back. Choices include Hardcore, Women’s, Cruiserweight, European and Million Dollar titles. With over 25,000 votes cast, the Hardcore title has 48% of the vote, followed by the Women’s belt with 28%.
WWE Divas Charlotte, Sasha Banks and Bayely took to social media to make it clear they would much rather be competing for a WWE Women’s Championship instead of a butterfly Divas accessory.
– In the “holiday spirit” department, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, along with longtime top WWE Superstar and the star of the new FOX reality show “American Grit,” John Cena, posted the following Thanksgiving messages on Twitter today.
Today is the day to truly remember what we’re thankful for in life. Happy Thanksgiving to the WWE Universe.
– In keeping with the Thanksgiving theme, WWE.com is running a poll today asking fans which WWE Superstar they are the most thankful for. The options include Roman Reigns, John Cena, Dean Ambrose, Charlotte, The Undertaker, Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, The New Day, Dolph Ziggler, Paige, The Dudley Boyz, Cesaro, Daniel Bryan, The Usos, Kane, Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, Ryback, Natalya and “Other.” Leading the pack with 17 percent is The Undertaker, followed by Roman Reigns (14%), Dean Ambrose (12%), John Cena (10%), Cesaro (7%) and The New Day (7%).
– SEScoops.com would like to wish everyone a healthy and happy Thanksgiving!
In regards to the “nuclear heat” that we reported Lana has backstage in WWE right now, it was noted to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the reports that WWE isn’t happy with her right now is a “major understatement.”
Despite the fact that WWE’s official website was told — and attempted to — turn the Lana situation into a storyline, when she began publicly tearing into Paige on social media for “bullying her” during her time in NXT, it was at that point that Lana went from having heat to “nuclear heat.”
In regards to the claim that she was bullied by Paige in NXT, it was noted to the Observer that it’s a “preposterous charge,” and that Paige and Charlotte were the two who were messed with the most when they first arrived to WWE’s developmental system.
Another WWE talent ended up writing something negative about Lana after seeing what was said about Paige, but was immediately called by the WWE office and was told to take it down.
Lana is currently in the gym training for her eventual WWE return.
The crew at WrestlingDVDNetwork.com continued their week of match reveals for the upcoming NXT’s Greatest Matches Vol. 1 DVD and Blu-Ray set today by announcing that these three will be included:
NXT Championship Finals: Seth Rollins vs. Jinder Mahal (NXT August 29, 2012)
Ladder Match for the NXT Championship: Bo Dallas vs. Adrian Neville (NXT ArRival February 27, 2014)
NXT Championship Match: Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens (NXT Takeover: Rival February 11, 2015)
It looks like WWE is in damage control mode after their Reid Flair storyline on last Monday’s RAW. WWE is trying to make it seem that Charlotte came up with the idea, due to the backlash they’ve been receiving.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that a WWE rep told him on the phone that the angle mentioning Reid was Charlotte’s idea, and that she had been wanting to do it for months. The rep from WWE told him “we really didn’t want to do it, but Charlotte was insistent on it.” Meltzer says the rep was lying to him.
With the bad publicity they’ve started getting from the Reid Flair mention, apparently WWE thinks the best thing they could do is to pin it all on Charlotte and have her take one for the team.
As previously reported, the reality here is that the angle was not Charlotte’s decision, and it came from WWE creative. They re-aired the angle on SmackDown and it’s still up on their YouTube channel as of press time.
WWE was also unhappy with Ric Flair for calling them out about the Reid angle on his podcast.
Bret Hart was recently interviewed by Justin Barrasso for the Sports Illustrated Extra Mustard blog. The Hitman said he doesn’t watch as much WWE since CM Punk and Daniel Bryan left the scene. It’s going to be tough for today’s top stars to match the interest that Punk and Bryan brought, even though he like guys like Dean Ambrose. As for Punk’s falling out with WWE, Bret makes it clear he’s on Punk’s side and doesn’t appreciate how he was denied the chance to main event WrestleMania.
“I’d have to take Punk’s side on it,” explained Hart. “Triple H is a bodybuilder nut. He goes after the bodies. He doesn’t care how good–and he can look in the mirror–guys work, he cares how guys look. Punk and Bryan are guys concerned with how they work. It’s a different philosophy. I admire Punk for taking his stand. He was the guy doing all the work, every week, going injured, and here’s a guy sitting at home–working three or four times a year–and you’re going to give him the main event at WrestleMania? I’m not buying it.”
As much as Vince has a track record of favoring muscular performers, Bret believes he also appreciates great in-ring technicians, while Triple H is still a body guy. He named Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens and Dean Ambrose as the “hardest working guys in the company.” No mention of Seth Rollins, but it was looking ahead to Sunday’s Survivor Series pay-per-view. Bret questioned the booking of Roman Reigns.
The 5-WWE Champion has a strong opinion about WWE using Reid Flair’s name during the Divas segment that closed RAW, expressing his sympathy for Ric Flair.
“How could they not see the slight there? That’s really insensitive to Ric and his family, and I totally sympathize with Ric. You didn’t see them doing that after Jerry Lawler lost his brother. Maybe someone just made a poor judgment call, but I was flabbergasted to see they did that to him. It was totally wrong.”
WWE has issued the following statement regarding the controversy surrounding Paige’s reference to Reid Flair on RAW:
“Subject matter this personal is only approved as a result of the strong advocacy of the talent themselves. Notwithstanding that, WWE is ultimately responsible for what airs in its programming.”
WWE will be releasing a statement to address the controversy surrounding Paige referencing Reid Flair on Monday’s RAW. f4wonline.comreports that WWE will say Charlotte was the one who came up with the idea, they took it out of the script thinking it was too sensitive, but Charlotte insisted it be included.
To recap, Paige got extremely personal with Charlotte on RAW, telling that her brother Reid didn’t have enough “fight in him” prior to his overdose death in 2013. WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair spoke about the situation on his podcast this week, noting that he cried when he heard about it and WWE did not give him a heads up in advance or apologize to him after the fact. Flair said:
“[Charlotte’s] only been up there three months. It’s a pressure cooker and a tough spot to be in. Even though she’s the champion doesn’t mean that she goes ‘hey, this is what I wanna do or what I’m not gonna do … If you’re asked to do something, that’s pretty much the way things operate up there” …
“I never heard a word about it. I started crying when I was watching it. Nobody called me and no one’s called me today. That would indicate that they just assume that it’s good. I don’t have an answer for that.”
It’s worth noting that Flair’s podcast co-host Conrad said rumors that the whole angle was Charlotte’s idea are “100% false.”
Charlotte and Reid’s mother Elizabeth expressed her outrage on Twitter, calling WWE disgusting, disrespectful, cruel and sad.
Paige was bombarded on social media with fans who couldn’t believe what she said. Playing up her heel role and relishing in the heat she generated, Paige responded:
Despite rumors to the contrary, it was not Charlotte who came up with the idea to mention her deceased brother Reid during her Survivor Series contract signing segment with Paige on RAW this past Monday night.
While it was WWE who pitched the idea to reference Reid during the segment to Charlotte, Uproxx.com reports that it was actually Charlotte’s idea, which is not the case. According to their report, Charlotte pitched the idea as a way to deal with a personal tragedy in her life by turning it into a part of a fictional storyline.
Ric Flair’s WOOOOO! Nation podcast host Conrad Thompson noted that Charlotte absolutely did not pitch the idea herself. Flair himself even pointed out how his daughter is still very new to the company and she’s not in a position to turn anything down. He also made it clear without saying that he wasn’t happy about the Reid mentions during the segment.
For more on what Flair had to say about the Reid mentions during the Charlotte-Paige contract signing, click here.
On the latest episode of his “WOOOOO! Nation” podcast, Ric Flair addressed the controversial angle at the conclusion of Monday’s RAW, with Paige telling Charlotte that her brother Reid didn’t have enough “fight in him” prior to his overdose death in 2013. Flair did not know anything about the angle in advance and says he cried when he heard about it.
“Here’s the problem. Obviously I have an opinion, but I’m afraid to voice it because I don’t want anything to affect Ashley’s career. I would just say that I know that Hunter and Stephanie and Michael Hayes have her back. I think…if anything I don’t think that she feels she’s comfortable enough to say ‘no’ to anything yet. She’s only been up there three months. It’s a pressure cooker and a tough spot to be in. Even though she’s the champion doesn’t mean that she goes ‘hey, this is what I wanna do or what I’m not gonna do.’”
“If you’re asked to do something, that’s pretty much the way things operate up there.” He added, “Everybody walks on pins and needles and just because you’re the champion doesn’t mean you have the right to say no and if somebody writes it down…one person approves everything. So I really don’t have an opinion.”
“I was very sensitive to it obviously because it’s a very sensitive issue and it’s very new. I know her mom is on fire. I’m not going out on a limb to say what I think.”
Flair said he thought the segment was intense and Charlotte cut a great promo, but he doesn’t think WWE fans would like Reid being referenced the way he was.
“It’s still new…it’s not even three years old. It’s something we deal with in the family on a daily basis.”
“I never heard a word about it. I started crying when I was watching it. Nobody called me and no one’s called me today. That would indicate that they just assume that it’s good. I don’t have an answer for that.”
Flair said he wouldn’t have felt any differently if WWE would have given him a heads up in advance. They tell you what to say and for the most part, you’ve gotta keep the show rolling. He noted that WWE writers have scripted things for him before that he disagreed with, but nothing like what happened on RAW.
Flair said that he knows that Charlotte is a team player and will do whatever is asked of her.
You can listen to Flair’s “WOOOOO! Nation” podcast at Play.it.
WWE Divas Champion Charlotte appeared with Jonathan Coachman on this week’s “Off The Top Rope” segment on ESPN SportsCenter. Instead of recapping the top moments from RAW, Coachman looked at the most memorable moments in Survivor Series history, including The Undertaker’s debut, the Montreal Screwjob and The Rock joining The Corporation back in 1998 and capturing the WWE Championship.
Charlotte then joined the segment and was asked about what it was like growing up as the daughter of Ric Flair. She said he was “just dad” growing up and she still had to worry about homework and curfew like everyone else. Ric was gone a lot of the time, but he always made up for it when he was home by bringing her lunch at school and attending all of her sporting events.
Charlotte said her goal in college was to get a full scholarship playing division 1 volleyball, which she did. She had no idea she would get into wrestling. She was also a personal trainer for a while and enjoyed that job because she was able to make a change with people’s lives.
Coach asked if Ronda Rousey’s big loss at UFC 193 changes anything, in regards to Rousey’s recent comments about wanting to be Divas champion one day. Charlotte says of course Rousey would still be welcomed in WWE. She’s proud of what Rousey has done and is anxious to see what’s next. She hopes Rousey returns to avenge the loss and she remains a huge fan.
