Fans have long had something of a love/hate relationship with Charlotte Flair. Former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon pushed her as the company's top female star, and her repeated title reigns at the expense of the wrestlers fans wanted to see in the main event soon started wearing thin.
There's no denying that The Queen is immensely talented and one of the best female Superstars to ever step between the ropes. Unfortunately, the decisions made by McMahon have continued to follow her, something which was evident when she returned at (and won) this year's Royal Rumble.
During the build-up to Flair's match with Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania, fans turned on Flair and essentially turned Stratton babyface, as a result.
Then, there was an episode of SmackDown where Flair was rattled by the negative response from fans. During the promo, we also saw Stratton and Flair go off script before flinging some very personal insults at each other.
In a must-read guest piece for The Players Tribune, Flair broke her silence on what happened:
I’m still human. And I think in those times when people have seen me appear rattled by the booing, those are just the times when I’ve felt like — at least for a moment — the boos aren’t for Charlotte. They’re for Ashley. They’re for me. They’re because of the way I look. Or because of the energy I’m giving off as a woman. Or because of real trauma I’ve gone through in real life. So when it got mentioned in Chicago that I have an '0–3 record at marriages' ... yeah, it rocked me legit. I’m not too proud to tell you that."
"I don’t need everyone thinking I’m playing 5-D chess all of the time. My reaction to that line was as genuine as it gets. Because — and maybe this makes me naive — in my head?? Charlotte hasn’t been divorced. So I wasn’t expecting it to come up in that promo...and then all of a sudden I had an entire arena cheering as I got mocked for something that was (and frankly still is) devastating to me."
"Which isn’t the end of the world. I moved past it — I always do. But when I reflect on my time in WWE...honestly, that stuff hits me harder than any bump I’ve taken. Like, it’s tough enough to play a queen on your BEST day, you know? On your worst day, it’s even tougher. And on those days when you’re feeling insecure, or anxious, or weak, or ugly, or — yes — heartbroken?"
Later, Flair addressed her current standing in WWE and the fact that she's now viewed by some as part of a previous generation that needs to move over for rising stars like Roxanne Perez, Stephanie Vaquer, and Giulia.
Addressing being among WWE's older female wrestlers at 39, Flair made it clear she hopes to change the game for women and make it acceptable for them to still compete well into their 40s, similar to the likes of CM Punk and John Cena (while still being treated as top stars).
"I’m 39. But as a female wrestler who’s pushing 40, I promise you: there are people in this industry who already consider me old. Nevermind that I’m literally younger than Cody, who is considered the face of the company, and Roman, who is probably our biggest star. Nevermind that CM Punk, who I’m seven years younger than, main-evented Night 1 of Mania...and John Cena, who I’m nine years younger than, main-evented Night 2. Nevermind that we live in an era when athletes are extending their primes for longer than ever. For men — and I say this with so much respect for the guys I just mentioned — there’s no such thing as 'aging out.' For WOMEN, though?? The rules are just different. For women, as depressing as it sounds, I think a lot of people still only know ONE way to value them: as young and disposable."
"And I think you see that in the women’s stories that are allowed to be told."
"So when I say 'I’m just now getting good' ... I guess part of it is bittersweet. Because I think the next big step for female wrestlers — it isn’t the same amount of TV segments, or main events, or titles or money or opportunities as men. The next big step is the same amount of years as men. It’s women getting to be Cody, or Roman, or Seth, or Randy, or Punk, or Cena, or AJ, or Rey: guys who get to work through their 40s, hopefully even their 50s, and it does not matter. They’re killing it. No one cares about it — no one even talks about it. It just is."
You can read the full piece by Flair at The Players Tribune.