Fourteen years ago during the first incarnation of the WWE draft, Ric Flair selected future Hall of Fame wrestler Lita with his last pick. He would go on to get mocked by his draft counterpart, Vince McMahon, who implied the only reason why Flair drafted Lita was so he “could get lucky” with her.
Needless to say, women’s wrestling has come a long way since 2002, and one of the key reasons for that change is thanks to a Flair.
Charlotte, the daughter of the 16-time world champion, has helped legitimize a women’s division that for the longest focused on sexuality instead of in-ring action.
“I didn’t even remember that,” Charlotte, who was 14 at the time, said about Flair’s selection of Lita in 2002.
Since getting called up from NXT one year ago, Charlotte has become the female face of the company and is currently the WWE Women’s Champion.
Her future will be determined during Tuesday’s live WWE draft where Stephanie McMahon and Shane McMahon, representing “Raw” and “SmackDown Live” respectively, will fill out their rosters in the latest version of the WWE brand split.
“I would be honored,” Charlotte said on getting selected as the first overall woman. “It would be awesome and I hope I am.”
On a personal level, how will the upcoming draft impact your friendships in the guys and gals in the locker room?
On a personal level, I obviously don’t want to get drafted away from my best friend, but on a professional level, I think it’s exciting. I think it’s an opportunity to create more competition. “Raw” wants to be better than “SmackDown.” “SmackDown” is going to want to be better than “Raw.” Everyone is just going to have to work that much harder to set the bar and have the better show. I know for me being a woman, I know it’s that much closer to me main eventing a pay-per-view. So, yeah, it’s exciting in general. I just have no idea what’s going to happen tomorrow [on Tuesday]. Will I work both shows or be all women or just one show or will we be divided, I have no idea.
Looking back at your first year on the main roster, what’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?
For me, I’m extremely competitive and super hard on myself, so because I’ve been on so many pay-per-views, I get so stressed out with each pay-per-view. How am I going to out do that one? How am I going to out do that one? How am I going to continue to be on my game? For me, I just don’t want to ever miss a beat and I want to continue to evolve so it’s just continuously trying to stay on top. It’s hard.
What was it like to have a storyline with Ric and what’s it been like not having him around every week with you on the road?
It’s a mixed blessing. He definitely was great to have but there was a time for him to leave … I did learn a lot having my dad on the road though. Personally, I learned a lot just with him critiquing me when we got back. And just the fact that Ric Flair, not my Dad, was out ringside and I wanted all the attention and I had to not let him overshadow me so I took it as I had to work that much harder while I’m out there, having him out there.
It’s no secret you are a Guns N’ Roses fan. If you could pick one Guns N’ Roses song as your entrance music, what would it be?
Oh man. Well, my favorite song is Patience but definitely not for an entrance. Civil War would be my entrance song. That’s such a strong song.
You attended the ESPYs last week. The show hasn’t had a female host in 24 years. Which female would you tap as the host if you were in charge?
I was actually thinking about that. I actually think Stephanie McMahon would do a fantastic job to be honest. She’s so powerful and dominant and such a huge face for women. I think she would do a tremendous job. I would love to do it but I’m not funny.
Who’s the one WWE wrestler most likely playing “Pokemon Go?”
Tyler Breeze.
Are you into it?
Do you want me to lie? I’m not into video games or anything like that. Don’t judge.
Interview by Yahoo Sports
Interview Link
