Opinion

Cook: The Charlotte Flair Conundrum

Has WWE booked themselves into a trap with Charlotte Flair? Steve Cook lays out points that cite concern for the supposed greatest women’s wrestler in the world.

Published

5 years ago

June 10, 2020

Steve Cook

Has WWE booked themselves into a trap with Charlotte Flair? Steve Cook lays out points that cite concern for the supposed greatest women’s wrestler in the world.

Charlotte Flair might be the hardest-working person in sports entertainment.

The Queen has been all over WWE television ever since the Pandemic Era started. You might recall how it all started. Charlotte won the Women’s Royal Rumble Match. She got to pick which champion she would challenge at WrestleMania. Most of us assumed it would either be Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch or SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley. Some of us, since we didn’t think Becky vs. Charlotte or Bayley vs. Charlotte were particularly inventive matchups, were kind of hoping that Charlotte would challenge NXT Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley. They hadn’t met before, and a big win over Charlotte would be a pretty great WrestleMania Moment for a red-hot Rhea Ripley in front of tens of thousands of fans in Tampa, Florida.

It was a fine idea in theory, right?

We ended up with a WrestleMania held in front of no one. We got a really good match between Charlotte & Rhea, who was dressed as an anime character because it was WrestleMania. Somewhere along the way, Rhea lost a lot of her heat. Charlotte went over, and those of us that were all about Rhea Ripley were left wondering what was the deal was.

The idea pitched to us was that Charlotte holding the NXT Women’s Championship would raise the value of the championship. Seemed logical. Charlotte appeared on all WWE TV shows with the belt. She was on Raw & NXT pretty regularly. She even made a Smackdown appearance. This was all about raising the prestige of the NXT Women’s Championship, and I’ll never argue against making a title seem important. If the championships you’re fighting for aren’t important, why are you bothering? The titles need to mean something, I don’t care what Vince Russo wants to tell me otherwise. If you’re in a so-called sport, you need your so-called championships to mean something.

I assumed that her eventual loss of the championship would mean something. It’d be on a major show in a major match. Preferably against Rhea, but somebody else could have been fine. A big time singles match with Charlotte eating the pinfall against a young & hungry talent could have raised somebody to the next level. The Queen does have some cred. Why not use it to put somebody over?

Seemed logical to me, and everybody else except the NXT booking team. Nah, the NXT bookers decided that we needed to see Charlotte lose the title in a triple threat match where she didn’t even eat a pinfall or a submission. Nah, she had the Figure 8 locked in on Rhea while Io Shirai decided to moonsault onto Rhea’s face. That Figure 4 was still locked in when Io got the pinfall. I remember a time a few weeks back where one could get a pinfall off of a submission, but not now since the NXT writers thought their finish was so clever they could do it twice in less than two weeks.

Poor Io. The NXT students serving as the audience didn’t even pop since they thought Io killed Rhea with that moonsault on her face. As far as I know, Rhea is ok. She did eat that pinfall though, so Charlotte wouldn’t have to. And that’s why Charlotte could shrug off that loss the next night on Raw, and work two matches that she won, including one over the Raw Women’s Champion.

That’s how you make a title loss not matter.

The downside: THAT’S A TITLE LOSS THAT SHOULD HAVE MATTERED! Good Lord. I know Triple H told the folks interviewing him in his press conference after the show that we’ll get that booking a couple of months from now. He’s basically telling us that Rhea will get a big win at a PPV down the road. But let’s be honest. The people interviewing him there, like Sean Ross Sapp & Ryan Satin and all the alleged big IWC names right now that can’t report shit, didn’t get Triple H to address any of the issues we actually cared about. Because they’re in Hunter’s hip pocket due to a couple of good years of well-booked NXT television one hour a week on the WWE Network.

Once ya send the guy a fruit basket, your opinion is invalid. I dunno whether Sapp or Satin was behind that, they’re basically the same guy to me so I assume they were both behind that deal. So fuck both of ’em.

They’re all full of shit. We can accept that. The mainstream media is what it is.

We have to ignore mainstream media takes here. We’ve got to address the takes of regular wrestling fans here. Regular wrestling fans are wondering about certain things concerning women’s wrestling title scenes. At the top of the list: Why is Charlotte on top?

I feel like Charlotte is falling in the trap that so many others pushed by WWE have fallen into .There’s a couple of other factors playing into it, but there’s a lot of ways this seems like usual business. If you’ve been around this online stuff as long as I have, long enough to see Chris Hyatte in his prime, you smell what I’m cooking.

Anybody that WWE pushes to the moon gets a backlash. Baron Corbin got it a year or two ago. John Cena & Roman Reigns can tell you what it’s like. Even Becky Lynch got a backlash at some point; It is what it is. Once somebody gets that “all shows” push from WWE we will reject it, no matter who it is. Even if it was Chris Benoit in his IWC prime, the Rabid Wolverine would have gotten a backlash in this environment, even before he wanted to kill people.

I can’t think of a soul that WWE would have pushed to the moon in this environment that the people would have rebelled against. Not even Stone Cold Steve Austin. The people don’t like being told who to root for.

Do I think Charlotte Flair should have as many title reigns as her dad? Absolutely not. I’m pretty sure that’s the end game for WWE, and they’re trying to get there before Ric passes. In that case, I get their idea. Would I recommend it for any other reason than popping Ric Flair? Nope.

Fortunately, WWE makes more than enough money to indulge these things. Triple H would book anything to make Ric Flair happy. Ric would be happy to see Charlotts have as many title reigns as possible. Could be worse. Bruno could want a grandson or granddaughter to have an eight-year run.

It’s become obvious that many folks resent Charlotte’s push to the moon. The ratings don’t tell us there’s a silent majority backing the Queen. If WWE thinks that Charlotte should still be all over Raw, like she was this week, there aren’t many people agreeing with them.

Personally, I think Charlotte is great.Top notch in-ring talent, and some good physical attributes if ya know what I mean. But I can see the writing on the wall. It’s time to move on to something else. If Triple H wants to promise his bootlickers like Sapp & Satin that Rhea will get her shine in a few months, that’s fine, but will anybody care by then? Nah, it’s just enough time to kill the Nightmare off.

It’s classic WWE booking. Keep the nonsense going on so long that nobody can keep track. The main rubes like Bryan, Sean & Ryan can be counted on to forget numbers. Then once we get removed from this time period, plenty of people will feel like pitching the lost cause. That’s wrestling.

The Lost Cause of Charlotte will be pitched soon enough. Randos will tell us to bow down. All I know for sure is that we need a breather, and Charlotte probably needs a breather soon. Charlotte can save one women’s divison. She can’t save three. And if she tried…fans would reject it. Let Charlotte be the big deal on one show. More than that is asking a bit much.

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Up Next

Rob Bonnette: Hard to Write

Don't Miss

Mishal’s Top 5 Takeaways from WWE NXT TakeOver: In Your House

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

1 day ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY – 4 Corners Podcast (sports)

WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY – POD is WAR (Los Tres Friends)

FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network
Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts… Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Listen on your favorite platform!

iTunes | iHeart Radio | Google Play | Spotify
Listen, like, subscribe, and share!

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

4 weeks ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1