Okay, so maybe it wasn’t “Shockmaster” or “Gobbledy Gooker” level bad, but it was pretty damn bad.
Maybe the headline should read, “Worst Diva Debut In WWE Television History,” as now that I think about it, there’s been some stinkers throughout time to be calling this the worst in “history,” but good lord was it bad.
After a lot of anticipation, or as much as a “Diva’s debut” can actually garner, current NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte finally made her main roster television debut this week on the Slammy Awards, TLC “go-home” edition of RAW.
It was a colossal flop — and not the entertaining “Flair-flop” either. Just a plain, old flop.
When you take into consideration the many factors playing into this one, it really looks awful in hindsight. And while hindsight is 20/20, this — even on paper — would had to of looked just as bad.
WWE RAW emanated from Greensboro, North Carolina, otherwise known as “Flair Country.”
Charlotte is the NXT Women’s Champion. She wore her belt to the ring. She’s defending it this week on a live NXT special on the WWE Network — and she loses her debut match in just over two minutes.
After going out of her way not to be a Ric Flair clone, or to use the Flair name or style, WWE agents booked Charlotte to do two things offensively in her WWE television debut — a chop and a figure-four leg lock (attempt).
Sound familiar?
It was outright atrocious watching that match play out on television last night. They aired the big video package to introduce her, she’s hyped up as a super-athlete, she marches down to the ring wearing a championship belt, and then does basically nothing before being pinned — clean — 1-2-3, right in the middle of the ring.
What in god’s name was the point of that?
There’s an old saying in pro wrestling when something sucks. It goes something like this — “Who books this crap?”
Whoever booked that crap deserves to be unemployed today. If not that person, then whoever gave it the “okay” certainly does.
How in the world do you expect someone to get over in modern WWE when this is how people are introduced? Look at Adam Rose and Bo Dallas. Those were the latest two NXT call-ups that come to mind, that were given the “vignette” treatment, only to be used as second-rate, mid-card, filler-comedy characters from that point on.
Why bother in the first place if that’s all they’re going to be?
Every once in a while they’ll get it right. Usually when it’s an obvious one. The Wyatt Family — obvious. The Shield — obvious. Unfortunately, Charlotte seemed like an obvious one in terms of a Diva that could actually matter. Another Trish Stratus type, or something along those lines.
But nope. The writing is already on the wall.
Anyone who is introduced the way she was last night should not expect much in her future. It’s pretty clear that WWE is not going to capitalize on a superb athlete with a legendary bloodline.
She’ll join the rest of the nothing-happening Divas and if she’s extremely lucky — could get a small gig as one of the characters on “Total Divas.”
Yippee!!
NXT: Takeover R Evolution is this Thursday, December 11th, live on the WWE Network. If you want to see what Charlotte is really all about — check it out.
Until then, have fun discussing the horrible main roster debut of Charlotte in the “Comments” section below. You can also follow me on social media for more news and views at Facebook.com/MattBooneWZR, and/or on Twitter @MBoone420.