“That’s what a champion looks like,” the commentator intoned as Charlotte Flair, resplendent in blue sequined robe and massive ‘Divas Champion’ belt, walked with her father, WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, towards two opponents in the ring last April.
After some judicious laying of smackdown combined with sly underhand tactics, Flair emerged victorious to claim the newly minted title of WWE Women’s Champion.
‘The Queen’ has since gone on to make more dramatic entrances and score other wins, but last year’s match remains a proud memory that, for her, marked “the beginning of a new era for women” in the WWE.
During her recent visit to Shenzhen to promote the upcoming WWE LIVE China, we talked to ‘The Genetically Superior Athlete’ about female wrestlers’ shift from ‘divas’ to ‘athletes,’ following in her father’s footsteps and what it’s like to play a villainous character on TV.
Who is Charlotte Flair, and how has that character changed over time?
Charlotte Flair is dominant, confident, continuing a legacy. She has an obsession with her own perfection. She strives to be the best in the business. She’s the queen of wrestling. She’s evolved over time from needing a manager to being on her own to being at the forefront of the women’s division.
How much does the character draw off your own personality?
Not that I’m not confident, but when I first started, I played sports my whole life so I wasn’t comfortable with doing my makeup and dressing up and being this image of what used to be called a diva. I had to learn how to carry myself in a different way and to be in front of the camera and [deal] with criticism.
So I took all of that, and when I walk through that curtain, I find that confidence knowing that I’m playing a character. It’s everything I want to be in real life and sometimes I am, but you know, everyone has self-doubt [and] that character has that, I don’t know how. But it’s also having to have thick skin as a female in this business because you’re constantly under scrutiny due to social media.
How has women’s wrestling in the WWE changed since you joined, and what role did you play?
I think it’s a collaboration and effort from all the women working together. I just happen to be at the right place at the right time, with really talented women who all share the same passion for women’s wrestling. I think I represent athletes in the WWE versus just beautiful girls. We’re not just to be pretty, but we’re there to be just as good as the men.
Is your dad’s (WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair) reputation a burden, or do you see it as an asset?
Both. Being a generational kid is hard. I couldn’t just, you know, show up one day as a 5’10” blonde and [have] the crowd view me however they wanted to. I already carried a last name they knew, so I from day one was compared to him. That’s kind of what’s driven me to where I am today. I want to be known as his daughter, but I also want to be known for my own work as well. So that’s a mixed blessing.
Did you ever feel pressured to follow in his footsteps?
My brothers did. Both my brothers wanted to be professional wrestlers. I’m continuing my little brother’s dream, that’s why I started. And I definitely, I think, wanted to be where I am because I hated the pressure that they put on themselves and that they always wanted to live up [to], or just wanted to be like my dad and they couldn’t, so I feel like I’m doing it for them as well.
What do you want your own legacy for the WWE to be?
That I helped change the landscape for women in the company… That we are given just as important storylines and that we are the focus as well, even from a brand standpoint. When you see that the WWE is coming to China, I want the women to be just as important as the male superstars that are coming here. That we are an attraction.
You came with WWE to Shanghai last year?
Yes, I was with Sasha Banks. The experience, it was my first time in China and you could just feel the energy from the fans. We hadn’t been to China, I think in 10 years, so it was exciting.
What’s something fans would never guess about you?
I’m shy.
Really?
Yeah, I just faced my fears. It doesn’t mean I’m still not shy and every time I have to go through that curtain and be on TV, I feel sick and I’m like ‘Why am I doing this?’ [laughs] But then, once my music hits and I walk out there it’s just a certain confidence that I can’t explain. It’s where I feel home.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Buy tickets for WWE Live China in Shenzhen (September 17) here.
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