Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton had quite a moment on the April 4 episode of WWE SmackDown. The two engaged in a back-and-forth segment which led many to race to online outlets to find out if the situation was in fact a “shoot.” Regardless if the two women went off script or the viewers are getting “worked,” this shows just how much of a letdown the overall build for this match has been heading into WrestleMania 41.
Tiffany Stratton is the WWE Women’s Champion and faces quite the challenge in Charlotte Flair. Opinions of Flair will always range widely, but there’s always the undercurrent of complaints that she’s reached a level of being over-exposed by the WWE where she remains in the title picture at almost all times.
Still, that led to a contentious situation on live television. Stratton and Flair took personal shots at each other, with Stratton referencing Flair's three divorces, and Flair claiming that Stratton’s real-life partner, Ludwig Kaiser, is in her DMs.
Fightful Select would report on the matter and offer insight into the backstage reaction. According to Fightful sources, “everyone that watched it unfold believes it wasn’t supposed to go down that way, including staff and talent.” The report also goes on to say that “Charlotte Flair didn’t appear to be pleased.” It’s also worth noting that the report mentions that “there were several talent that believed WWE, Charlotte, and Tiffany Stratton should all lean into the angle.”
The situation is indicative of the Charlotte Flair vs Tiffany Stratton build
Regardless of where one may feel about whether this was a “work” or a “shoot,” it does not negate the overall negative perception around this build and the match. Nine matches are planned for this card. When thinking about them in an order of importance approach, Stratton vs Flair has to sit close or at the bottom.
Stratton burst onto the main roster with a wealth of momentum. The fans were ready to see a new name rise to the top and she did that, capturing the Money in the Bank briefcase and eventually the championship. She was involved in entertaining angles with Nia Jax and the majority of the SmackDown women’s roster.
But all that momentum came to a screeching halt when Charlotte Flair’s music hit during the Royal Rumble. It was clear where WWE creative direction was headed, and fans collectively groaned, rolling their eyes. Just look back at the reaction Flair received during her first promo back, no one was excited to see her back in the position she’s held tightly for a decade. As the late Owen Hart would say, “Enough is enough and it's time for a change.”
At the end of the day, it will not matter if this situation between Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton was in fact, “real.” Surely, fans will hear about it in a tell-all book or podcast interview. That will not save the lackadaisical build this angle has survived heading into WrestleMania 41, where hopefully the feud comes to an initial end with a Tiffany Stratton victory.