Charlotte Flair Is Ready To Retake The Throne on WWE SmackDown
Following The Allies of Convenience's loss to The Kabuki Warriors on Raw, it seems like the right time for Charlotte Flair to reenter the WWE women's title picture as a singles competitor.
In February, the 14-time women's champion returned to the fold to win this year's women's Royal Rumble match after a year-long hiatus to recover from the worst injury of her career. As a result, she became the first two-time winner and punched her ticket to a dream match with Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania 41.
On the surface, it should have been an ideal return for someone who has been a stalwart for the company since 2015. However, The Queen has had a divisive run with WWE and a dysfunctional connection with its fanbase for years due to her positioning as a second-generation star.
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Many viewers weren't pleased with her latest accolade because it would mean she would get an immediate title shot. It felt unearned, and not because of her last name or the usual preconceived notions about her rise to greatness.
No, there was no interesting buildup or significant character development for what should have been a triumphant moment. Similarly, the build to her match with Stratton was a mess, and the matchup didn't live up to the hype.
Fortunately, her reluctant friendship with Alexa Bliss allowed us to see Flair in a new light, and it's time for her to challenge for one of the main titles again.
The Right Time and Proper Demand
Flair was a part of a short-lived tag team with Asuka in 2020 and a fierce friendship with Becky Lynch, but this is the first time in years that she has been the focal point of the women's division.
The 39-year-old also hasn't had a sustainable push as a babyface since 2018, so this is an unfamiliar situation for her character.
It has been a welcome change of pace for her because viewers have seen the same dynamic for so long. Her Player's Tribune article in July helped to humanize her as well, but it looks like she enjoys teaming up with Bliss and playing a different role.
It's easy to typecast her as a heel because she has been so polarizing, but it's hard to deny that her energy as a part of The Allies of Convenience was infectious. This has been the most convincing and motivated she has looked since she returned.
Naturally, that would lead some people to believe it's too soon to split Flair and Bliss, but SmackDown could use new challengers for the women's title. WWE ran Jade Cargill vs. Stratton too many times, and there aren't any other credible contenders.
The recent staredown between Flair and The Storm is already an intriguing development, and the new champion needs high-profile opponents. Frankly, the blue brand needs singles wrestlers with star power more than it needs The Alliance of Convenience as a tag team.
The Journey Back Should Be More Interesting
More importantly, WWE has the opportunity to create a compelling story around a new matchup with Flair and Cargill.
The Queen has been more selfless as a tag team, and this is the chance to redefine her drive to reclaim her spot at the top of the division.
Fans often want to feel like they're a part of the journey with someone, but her positioning has often seemed too predictable and rigid. It's already hard to remain interested in someone who wins all the time, but the approach to her reigns and motivations also rarely changes.
Her resurgence as a viable fan favorite should lead to more growth as a character. Genuine friendship gives her character something worth fighting for, which will likely lead her to participate in this year's women's WarGames match.
Even more, it was disappointing WWE didn't play up how much a career-threatening injury would affect Flair. We haven't seen how an aging superstar will respond to a younger and hungrier crop of talent.
We're ready to see the 12-year veteran as a singles competitor again, but we also want to see her venture into uncharted territory and show vulnerability.
Flair is prepared to retake her throne, but what does that story look like after everything she's been through this year?
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