"The Queen" tells all.
The reigning SmackDown Live Women's Champion Charlotte Flair will be defending her title this Sunday against Ruby Riott. Riott will not be alone as her faction-mates Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan will be at ringside to aid their partner to victory. Although Charlotte is outnumbered, she is confident heading into her match at 'Fastlane'.
"Its not overlooking because every SmackDown Live you have Carmella with the Money In The Bank briefcase. So, it is just moving forward and coming out of 'Fastlane' looking as strong as I can as I go into WrestleMania." Charlotte told HollywoodLife.com.
If Charlotte is able to overcome the 'Riott Squad', she will not only have to keep an eye out for Carmella, but also for the winner of the 2018 Women's Royal Rumble match, Asuka, who has yet to decide which champion she will be challenging at WrestleMania 34.
"Streaks are meant to be broken and we?ve never faced each other. I think if she does choose me, then ?The Empress? versus ?The Queen? is a WrestleMania moment. I want to break her streak. I want to be that woman who can say, ?I beat Asuka."
Charlotte was then asked if Asuka were to challenge her at WrestleMania, would it be a stipulated/gimmick match, or a traditional one-on-one.
"You know, I thought about that. Maybe like a ?Falls Count Anywhere? match or an ?Iron Woman?, but I think what will be so special is a regular match." She said. "No one has seen us in the ring before and we have such different backgrounds and styles. I don?t think it needs any enhancement or name on the match. I think just seeing us go at it on the biggest stage of all is just as exciting."
The former 4-time RAW Women's Champion has been fortunate enough gain a great deal of knowledge from her Hall Of Fame father Ric Flair. Flair has stated in interviews that he has learned from Charlotte as well. She would reveal some of things that the two have taught one another.
"The one thing I love about my Dad is he knows who he is and he never second-guesses himself. He is just Ric Flair. I don?t know how really to explain it, but if you watch the 30 For 30, he doesn?t apologize for knowing that he is the best. He wakes up every morning and lives life to the fullest. I appreciate that." Charlotte said, "And him being so honest and not being afraid and telling me how he did something well or this or that. It?s just a hope that I can get to a point in my life where I don?t second guess myself. That is what I learn from him everyday."
Once WrestleMania 34 has concluded, the WWE calender year will reset and it will be time for the journey to begin all over again. Charlotte Flair has major plans in store for herself in 2018, which includes leaving New Orleans still the SmackDown Live Women's Champion.
"It?s crazy because every year I reflect. At WrestleMania 32, I won the first WWE Women?s Championship and then the next year, I main evented the first Hell in a Cell and then main evented RAW and SmackDown Live. So, going into WrestleMania, I don?t know what the future holds.I just want to keep working as hard as yesterday and keep working hard everyday. Hopefully, [I?ll] get to a point where I will be main eventing multiple pay per views and be an attraction and evolving my character is what I look forward to doing."
With the emergence of Ronda Rousey, more eyes are locked in on WWE's women's division. But Charlotte having spent the last five years of her life in the sport of pro wrestling knows well that the easiest thing to do is to sign that WWE contract, but putting in the work is a different ball game.
"The easiest thing she will ever do in the WWE ring is sign that contract. Not taking anyone lightly, knowing that the biggest thing in our industry is respect and hard work and she has to earn it."
Charlotte Flair would also discuss being a role model to young women across the world, revealed some of the funniest moments she's had on the road while traveling with WWE and more. To read more of her comments, click here.