Charlotte De-Flair’ed at NXT TakeOver R Evolution

Charlotte_Flair_Article_2

If it’s one thing WWE loves, it’s a second- (or third-) generation wrestler. Now that they have a championship on one of them over on their developmental NXT brand, why is it that they’re De-Flair’ing Charlotte?

It’s a topic I touched on briefly in my review of NXT TakeOver R Evolution, but it bares more discussion. I first noticed it during the promotional hype video for the feud between Sasha Banks and Charlotte, they played it up like Sasha Banks was not JUST a former “BFF” of Charlotte, but that Sasha Banks also “taught (Charlotte) everything (Charlotte) knows”.

Oh really? The daughter of a guy who won more than 16 World Championship belts learned more from Sasha Banks than she did from “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair? 

Charlotte should’ve scoffed at the notion. The moment Sasha said it, that comment should’ve been laughed at. A heel exaggerating her importance on the career of a second-generation competitor, the current NXT Women’s Champion. It’s absurd. She’s a FLAIR… despite the fact that her NXT name is “Charlotte”, not “Charlotte Flair” for reasons unknown.

Ric-Flair-and-CharlotteAt NXT Takeover, Ric Flair accompanied his daughter to the ring for her championship match with Natalya, then celebrated with her, tears in his eyes, when she won her first title belt. I certainly didn’t expect NXT to pay Ric Flair an appearance fee for every title defense his daughter makes, but when they do use him, I expected more than what we saw at R Evolution. Ric Flair showing up backstage before the match was a good way to remind people who Charlotte’s father was, but The Nature Boy didn’t escort her to the ring, nor do I remember him congratulating her after the match. Why not? Would that cost extra? Showing that he’s in the building but not having him do anything other than stop by for a quick word almost makes it seem like he doesn’t care about her.

That’s far from the extent of the issue, because there are plenty of ways to sell the idea that Charlotte is the daughter of a legend than to have him make appearances with her.

flair-charlotteAbout the only thing Charlotte does anymore to connect to the Flair heritage is to use a Figure Four variation, a remixed theme song and she’s got a reference to the “Flair” name on the back of her signature tshirt. Where’s the fancy robe during her entrances? Why not “WOOOO” when she chops someone? How about a variant on the signature in-ring strut?

Though there are still some traces, WWE is distancing Charlotte from the Flair name. In a segment of the business which could use some flare, the NXT Women’s Division is missing out by not allowing their champion to bask in the proper amount of spotlight.

I will be discussing this topic with my co-host on this weekend’s edition of the GuysNation Wrestling Podcast, which makes its triumphant return after a frustratingly long hiatus. We’re available on iTunes, RSS and through direct download.