Charlotte on Ric Flair, Her Career, WWE Women’s Wrestling, More

The Pensacola News Journal had a recent interview with Charlotte discussing being raised by Ric Flair, her current wrestling career, growth of women’s wrestling in the WWE, and more.

On the topic of Ric Flair, Charlotte stated her father was a big inspiration for wanting to have a career in wrestling. She wanted to do it as a way to honor her father’s legacy and knew the road to her own success was going to be tough as a result.

“Growing up with a famous father, and one who mastered his craft, it’s one of those things where do you really want to be in the same profession?” she said. “I can’t imagine the pressure on, say, Michael Jordan’s kids. But for me, I think it’s molded me into the character that I am today. I think I definitely work out of my father’s shadow, but it was hard in the beginning. But I would never change my last name, and I couldn’t be more proud to carry on his legacy.”

On the topic of her current face run on Smackdown, Charollte stated she is still transitioning into the role after being more comfortable as a heel wrestler.

“This is a new transition for me, but I will take it as a challenge to be the best babyface I can be. Obviously, my comfort level with my size, my demeanor and my presence, and where I had elevated myself to, is definitely as a heel. But I’m ready to see what I can do as a babyface!”

When discussing her career accomplishments so far, Charlotte praised WWE’s and NXT’s women’s division for all the hard work done and being a big role in her own success. She also praised the Mae Young Classic as being another milestone in the current growth of women’s wrestling in the WWE.

“I wouldn’t have had those opportunities if it wasn’t for the collective effort of all the women in WWE and NXT. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time with the right storyline.

“Every time they give us these opportunities, we just have to deliver. I think the women’s tournament happening this week at NXT is a huge step in the right direction. I juts hope it continues to grow the depth of women on both brands — Raw and Smackdown — when women continue to come up from the third brand, which is NXT. I don’t ever want to say, ‘it’s at its height, it’s the greatest,’ because that’s when you get complacent. With the competitive nature, who knows? Maybe one day there will be 20 girls on Raw and 20 girls on Smackdown, but the most important thing is for the women to keep working as hard as they do, and having the fans and the WWE universe invest in us the way they are.”

Other highlights from the interview included disusing her recent acting role in Psych: The Movie, would like to continue a career as an actress after wrestling, and being amazed at being included in video games and general media like her father in the past.