John Cena was not the only massive superstar to return to WWE for its final SmackDown of 2022 coming out of Tampa. Florida. Cena’s return was announced in advance – and it did its job by moving thousands of tickets – but fans were stunned when Charlotte Flair also returned to the ring during the show.
Flair had been out of action since May, with her last appearance seeing her drop the strap to Ronda Rousey at Wrestlemania Backlash in an I Quit match. A fracture of her radius – and/or her marriage to Andre El Idolo of AEW – was the reason for Charlotte’s lengthy hiatus from the ring. Most of the speculation had her returning at the Royal Rumble next month. That, however, was not the case, with the roof blowing off of the building as Charlotte’s slightly altered theme music hit.
Get Your Heel 24/7 Merch Here!!!
14-Time Champion Charlotte Flair
This was a great spot to bring Charlotte back. Rousey had just beaten Raquel Rodriguez in an entertaining match with the SmackDown Women’s Championship on the line. As she picked up the mic, Charlotte’s music hit, and the pop might have been the biggest that Charlotte has ever received.
Charlotte is a natural heel, and many of her runs as a face have felt forced. Eventually, she will return to that role, but Rousey is perhaps the only woman in the company who is even more natural as a heel and every single fan in that arena wanted Charlotte to win the title as soon as Ronda accepted (foolishly) the match.
The win makes Charlotte a 14-time champion. The win – where she rolled up Ronda as the former MMA star went for an armbar – caused a second eruption from the fans. She is now just two title wins behind her dad’s record of 16 reigns, a number she is sure to break with years and years of career still in front of her.
Love her, like her, or hate her, WWE is a better product with Charlotte around. She is naturally athletic and has that ring-general ability to make everyone she wrestles look better. This should also set up some fun potential storylines leading into the Rumble, with the change at the top of the company – namely Triple H replacing Vince McMahon – already seeing this billed as the most anticipated Rumble in over a decade. It is a good time to be a wrestling fan.
Always remember folks. Pro Wrestling is Real.