This is an online exclusive story from ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue 2018.

Despite her family history, Ashley Fliehr — aka Charlotte Flair — never expected to be a wrestler. She spent her early years as a volleyball player and gymnast, following in her father’s footsteps only after she attended an event with her dad, wrestling legend Ric Flair, and a WWE executive asked her why she wasn’t participating. Seven championships later, Flair is a SmackDown Superstar. After her recent Body Issue photo shoot, ESPN caught up with Flair to talk about the challenges that face female wrestlers and what it’s like to be WWE royalty.

I wish I was more like my character. In character, I am the queen. I am strong. I am confident, sometimes cocky. I’m hard to beat. Out of character, I am a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a best friend and just the girl next door that likes Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.

When I first started in the WWE, I had a really hard time because I didn’t look the part. I had the athleticism, but I didn’t have the extra swag and the glam — what my character Charlotte has become today. But when I’m in that ring, I want the audience and little girls and children and adults to see me as the athlete I am, not just a tall blonde that’s a WWE Superstar. No. I am all athlete, and that’s important, that my looks have nothing to do with what I do in the WWE.

I idolize my dad because he was such a hard worker. Yes, he has a larger-than-life character, and he is Ric Flair inside the ring and outside of the ring. But growing up, he was just Dad to me. He wouldn’t let me leave the table unless I finished my spaghetti.

I do want to carry on my dad’s legacy, but I also want to carve out my own path. I have to work harder, I think, just because I do have that last name. I don’t want people to think that’s why I am where I am in this industry. I put in the time, and I want to be just as good as my dad was.

The most challenging thing that female wrestlers face is time. Getting those segments on Raw, getting one, two, three, four segments on SmackDown, main-eventing a pay-per-view, being considered a face of the division. … And I have said it since day one, I want to be an attraction for the company. I want to be a Roman Reigns; I want to be a John Cena. And right now the women are stealing the show and working harder than we ever have. We have had a lot of firsts, and I think we’re on the right path.

For me, training is more mental. It’s envisioning the match — seeing the story play out in my mind and how it should play out in the ring. Unless it’s a really big event and you want to do something super high risk, that’s the only way to really train. Because we have four live events a week, and that’s where you get in the most practice, those matches in front of live audiences where it’s not televised. In WrestleMania, I just wrestled Asuka, and I actually came here to the WWE Performance Center and worked on a high-risk move off the top with her. We did it a couple of times in the crash pad. But once you get to the main roster, you should be polished. You should know your moves.

With injuries, every match varies. The black eyes are accidents. The broken noses are accidents. But the bumps from when we land on the mat, they’re hard. I think it looks easier, or the fans don’t really understand what’s happening, but it does take a toll. Every week I have some kind of mark on me. And that goes for all the girls. I think that’s what separates us from other people, we’re always walking around with our battle scars, and we’re proud of them.

Charlotte Flair will be featured in BODY10 – the 10th Anniversary of ESPN The Magazine’s “Body Issue.” Available on Friday, June 29, Charlotte will join other athletes in celebration of the athletic form.

Joining the former six-time Women’s Champion featured in BODY10 are Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon, the New York Giants’ Saquon Barkley, Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, the Seattle Storm’s Sue Bird, the Houston Astros’ Dallas Keuchel and more.

Don’t miss out on the ESPN The Magazine’s BODY10, gallery available online Monday, June 25 on ESPN.com. The issue will be available on newsstands on Friday, June 29.

WWE.COM DIGITALS | TELEVISION CAPTURES

Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Alexa Bliss vs. Ember Moon vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch vs Natalya vs. Lana vs. Naomi vs. Sasha Banks.

Everyone battled at the bell. Bliss was whipped into a ladder on the floor almost immediately. Moon was tossed into the timekeeper’s area by Charlotte. Moon dove back into the ringside area, taking out Becky Lynch. Natalya slid a ladder into the ring but was nailed by Moon. Moon, alone in the ring, tried to set up the ladder but was confronted by Naomi. She fended off Naomi but was attacked by Sasha, who she nailed with a ladder and drilled with an enziguiri.

Moon tried to set up the ladder, but Banks returned. They battled near the ladder with Banks being hit with a bodypress, crashing down across the ladder. Lana swept Moon’s legs out from under her and drilled her with a ladder, then nailed an X-Factor onto the ladder. Lana pulled a larger ladder in the ring, but Natalya confronted her and slammed her on the ladder.

Natalya and Naomi battled, and Naomi was nailed down, hitting a split on the ladder. Charlotte went after Natalya and chopped her chest over and over. Natalya finally went down, and Charlotte went for the ladder, but Becky grabbed the other side. They battled over the ladder. Naomi dropkicked the ladder, taking both down.

Naomi went to use the ladder, but Bliss pulled it out of the ring. Naomi nailed her with a dropkick through the ropes. Naomi nailed a Blockbuster off the apron to the floor on Banks. They showed everyone wiped out on the floor. The crowd chanted, “This is awesome.” While I hate that chant as it’s overused, I really have enjoyed the hell out of this so far.

Naomi and Moon battled over the ladder allowing Lynch to try and climb it while they were holding it but failing to get to the briefcase. They wiped her out and continued their battle against each other. Moon hiptossed Naomi into the ladder, which was braced against the buckles;. Banks returned and used her legs to drive Moon into the buckles, then drilled down atop of Moon, with a ladder underneath. Lana tried to get involved but was nailed and stacked over Moon. Banks nailed a double knee off the ropes onto the two who were prone across the ladder.

Banks set up a ladder in the center of the ring but found Charlotte ready for her. They faced off and tried to climb the same side of the ladder. They stopped the other and battled back and forth. Flair nailed a neckbreaker. Flair tried to nail a Razor’s Edge onto a ladder in the corner but Banks pulled herself onto a ladder and started climbing. Flair was attacked by Natalya and they battled but Lynch shoved Banks off the ladder and she crashed down on Natalya and Flair.

Bliss, Banks and Lynch all climbed the ladder and battled near the top. Lana set up another ladder next to them started to climb it. Banks grabbed the case but couldn’t remove it. Natalya pulled Banks down. Moon joined the fray. Banks was pulled off the ladder and powerbombed into it but Natalya. That knocked Lynch off of it. Flair returned to the fray.

Everyone battled, being wiped out one by one as Bliss held on. Finally, Flair grabbed Bliss, who reversed a move and nailed a Code Red on her. Lana tried to get up the ladder as the others were wiped out, but Bliss pulled her down. Bliss menaced her, but Lana nailed a great kick to the head. She locked on an Accolade, paying tribute to Rusev.

Naomi hit a springboard onto the ladder and made it to the case, but Lynch yanked her down and drove her knees into the ladder. Lynch ascended the ladder, only to find Flair on the other side. They battled back and forth but Bliss toppled the ladder. Lynch crashed into the ropes, but Flair landed on her feet. She speared Bliss. Naomi smashed Banks into the ladder. Lana nailed Naomi and started to climb but Natalya pulled her into an Electric Chair.

Natalya began climbing the ladder but Moon dove into the scene and drilled her off the ladder. Flair and Moon battled with Flair spearing her into a ladder in the corner. Lynch caught Charlotte with an exploder. Lynch made it to the top but didn’t unhook the case. She looked down scared and Bliss was running around. She tipped the ladder and Lynch crashed down to a ladder that was bridged in the corner.

Bliss scrambled to the top and retrieved the briefcase.

Your winner, Alexa Bliss!

WWE.COM DIGITALS | TELEVISION CAPTURES

The women in the Money in the Bank Match from Smackdown are in the ring with Paige, but there are no ladders.

Paige introduces Naomi, Lana, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair.

Paige says they have the opportunity to change your lives forever. She mentions that Raw is bringing their four finest women into the match. Paige says she needed the best that Smackdown had to offer. These ladies qualified and earned their chance to be in the match. Paige says she does not care who wins, as long as one of you brings the briefcase back to her house.

Lana says she will bring it home.

Naomi interrupts and Lana asks Naomi if she can climb a ladder better than she can dance.

Naomi reminds everyone she won the Wrestlemania battle royal and she will win on Sunday.

Charlotte reminds Naomi that Naomi won because Charlotte was not in the match. Charlotte says she has won the NXT, Divas, Raw, and Smackdown Women’s Title. She will complete the cycle.

Becky says if anyone is going to win on Sunday, it will be her. Becky reminds everyone that she was the first woman drafted to Smackdown and the first Smackdown Women’s Champion. She says she is going to grab that briefcase and cash it in and become the Smackdown Women’s Champion again.

Charlotte wishes her luck and Becky says she does not need luck. Becky says she is willing to go through anything and anyone, including her best friend. Becky reminds Charlotte that she won last week.

Naomi reminds Becky and Charlotte there are six other women in the match.

Peyton Royce and Billie Kay make their way to the stage.

Billie asks Peyton if she is thinking what Billie is thinking. Peyton says it will take a miracle for Smackdown to bring back the briefcase. Billie says that is true, but the WWE Universe smells funny.

Peyton does a Becky Lynch impression. Billie Kay does a Charlotte Flair impression.

Naomi wants to know if they are done yapping their mouths.

Billie says they didn’t forget about Naomi and Lana. Billie and Peyton dance like Lana and Naomi.

Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville make their way onto the stage. Mandy tells Paige that she hates to break it to her because she will be disappointed on Sunday. The talent outside the ring is superior to the talent in the ring.

The women in the ring go to the floor and we have a brawl.

Match Number Four: Carmella, Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, Billie Kay, and Peyton Royce versus Asuka, Naomi, Charlotte Flair, Lana, and Becky Lynch

Sonya and Naomi start things off and Sonya with a kick. Naomi with a head scissors and Lana tags in. Lana with a running elbow into the corner followed by a kick and neck breaker. Lana gets a near fall. Lana with a front face lock and Sonya runs her into the corner. Carmella tags in and kicks Lana. Carmella moonwalks and misses a bronco buster. Lana kicks Carmella away and Becky tags in and hits a clothesline followed by a drop kick. Becky with a back heel kick and uppercut followed by a clothesline. Becky with an exploder and she gets a near fall.

Becky kicks Sonya when she tries to interfere. Peyton tags in and she hits a spinning heel kick after Becky deals with Billie on the apron. Billie tags in and they hit a series of double kicks and Billie gets a near fall. Sonya tags in and he punches Becky.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Billie kicks Becky. Peyton tags in and kicks Becky. Sonya tags in and Becky with an inside cradle for a near fall. Sonya with a spear for a near fall. Billie tags in and applies a cravate. Billie sends Becky to the mat and returns to the cravate. Becky gets to her feet and she punches Billie but Billie with a knee. Billie taunts Becky but Becky escapes a slam and hits an enzuigiri. Charlotte and Peyton tag in and Charlotte with a clothesline and she knocks everyone off the apron. Charlotte with chops and she struts. Charlotte kicks Billie and hits a fallaway slam.

Peyton with a kick to Charlotte but Charlotte with a spear. Charlotte goes up top and she kicks Carmella off the apron. That delay allows Peyton to get her knees up. Sonya tags in and then she tags in Mandy. Mandy with a kick and Sonya with a sliding kick. Charlotte avoids a double suplex and she tags in Asuka who hits a missile drop kick on Mandy. Mandy blocks a German suplex and Mandy with an elbow. Asuka applies the Asuka Lock and it is broken up. Everyone gets in the ring and Carmella tags in. Asuka with a hip attack and then she sends Mandy to the floor. Charlotte goes up top and hits a moonsault on Billie and Peyton. Sonya and Mandy send Becky into the ringside barrier. Naomi with a splash onto Sonya on the floor. Asuka with a round kick to Mandy but Carmella with a thrust kick to Asuka and Lana makes the save.

Carmella sends Lana to the floor. Asuka misses a round kick but she applies the Asuka Lock and Carmella taps out.

Winners: Asuka, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Naomi, and Lana

After the match, Becky, Charlotte, Naomi, and Lana surround Asuka as they look up to the briefcase.

We go to credits.