This past Sunday at NXT TakeOver: Portland, Charlotte Flair attacked Rhea Ripley after her title match against Bianca Belair and officially accepted her challenge for WrestleMania, and the following night on Raw, we found out why.
The Queen made her way to the ring (the black and gold ensemble was a nice touch) and explained why she chose to challenge for the NXT Championship after winning the Royal Rumble. Flair pointed out that she was one of the pioneers of the NXT Women's Division and was responsible for putting the brand on the map. She doesn't think Ripley has had to put the same amount of work in, and wants to take her down a peg or two by taking the title from her at 'Mania.
Charlotte finished by pointing out that everyone is the next big thing, "until they're not."
This was a terrific, to-the-point promo that establishes Flair as the antagonist, if not exactly a full on heel in this feud. For that reason, it will be interesting to see who the crows gets behind during their match. After all, The Nightmare is popular, but The Queen is over.