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In the ever-evolving world of professional wrestling, storytelling is just as crucial as in-ring performance—if not more so. As WWE marches toward WrestleMania 41, the stakes are high not just for the matches, but for the narratives meant to elevate stars and captivate fans. Yet in the case of Charlotte Flair versus WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, what should have been a compelling generational clash has instead highlighted the growing disconnect between WWE’s creative vision and audience expectations. The following editorial explores how this feud has faltered, what it reveals about WWE’s current trajectory, and why it may represent a cautionary tale for how rising talent is developed—and sometimes mishandled—on wrestling’s biggest stage.
The Queen vs. the Face, Heel, Hottest Thing, Rookie, Underdog Champion
As WrestleMania 41 rapidly approaches on April 19-20, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, WWE faces backlash over the problematic feud between Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Championship. The rivalry, which prematurely thrust a veteran performer against a promising but inexperienced champion, has deteriorated into disorganized storytelling. WWE’s questionable decision-making has left Stratton vulnerable, highlighting her shortcomings rather than elevating her as a credible star. Without significant corrections, this matchup risks negatively impacting Stratton’s career trajectory and diminishing Flair’s reputation, underscoring deeper issues within WWE’s creative process.
The feud began through interviews where Tiffany admitted Charlotte inspired her to wrestle. Charlotte Flair, a 14-time women’s champion and the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble winner, returned triumphantly from a year-long injury hiatus (torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus suffered in December 2023). Her victory earned her the right to challenge for any women’s title. After considering other competitors—including Rhea Ripley and Giulia—she set her sights on Tiffany Stratton, the reigning WWE Women’s Champion. Stratton had prematurely ascended to the top by cashing in her Money in the Bank contract on Nia Jax on January 3, 2025, establishing herself ambiguously between a face and a heel—this ambiguity being the first of many missteps. While Tiffany excels as a heel, Charlotte Flair is naturally suited to that role, making Tiffany’s attempts at heel promos against Flair a complete misstep.
This matchup made little sense from the outset: Flair, the seasoned veteran with a storied legacy, versus Stratton, a cocky newcomer with only one title reign from a cash-in and no notable accomplishments to support her status. Flair’s experience and in-ring skill paired against Stratton’s flashy but inconsistent ring work created an unbalanced booking. WWE’s recent tendency to rely more on fan suggestions and recycled storylines has contributed to a feud widely regarded as a masterclass in missed opportunities, failing both to elevate Stratton and respect Flair’s legacy.
The feud’s failures are most evident in its promo segments. Flair consistently showcased her veteran savvy, leaving Stratton flailing. Problems began during a split-screen interview on the March 21, 2025, episode of SmackDown. Flair dominated, dismissing Stratton as an undeserving champion who only won via cash-in, labeling her a “pity pick” for WrestleMania. Stratton’s attempts to counter, accusing Flair of suppressing new talent, felt rehearsed and lacked impact. Tiffany’s inauthentic, repetitive delivery ultimately buried her in a critical moment.
This dynamic escalated on the April 4, 2025, episode of SmackDown in Chicago, where their face-to-face confrontation intended as a heated prelude to WrestleMania devolved into an off-script disaster. Flair struggled with the hostile, largely artificial crowd reaction, while Stratton’s improvisation emphasized her inexperience. Stratton inappropriately pivoted to personal attacks, referencing Flair’s real name (Ashley Fliehr), her father Ric Flair, and failed marriages. Flair, blindsided, retaliated by mentioning Stratton’s real-life boyfriend. WWE later edited out these controversial elements, implicitly acknowledging the segment’s failure. Attempting to elevate an unprepared Stratton at Flair’s expense reveals WWE’s misjudgment about her readiness for the spotlight.
WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray summarized the dynamic on “Busted Open Radio,” warning that Stratton would be exposed if Flair dragged her into deep waters. Social media echoed this critique, labeling the feud “dreadful fiction” in storytelling terms, and noting how damaging it was for Stratton’s credibility.
The physical aspect of the feud was similarly lackluster. Highlights included Flair ambushing Stratton post-match with a Figure Eight on March 7 and a brief pull-apart brawl on March 15 in Barcelona. Although these moments briefly ignited audience interest, inconsistent momentum persisted. Stratton’s dive from the entrance ramp two weeks before WrestleMania was notable, but her routine missed targets on high-risk moves further disappointed fans.
The booking failed to generate sympathy for Stratton or genuine heat for Flair. Flair’s dominance unintentionally portrayed her as an overpowering antagonist and bully, while Stratton appeared outmatched rather than cunning. The feud’s personal jabs felt more like reality TV than wrestling storytelling, reflecting WWE’s trend towards controversy over substance.
This feud represented a crucial opportunity for Stratton to establish herself as a main-event star. Instead, it risked derailing her momentum. At 25, Stratton’s potential was evident in her title win, but facing her idol at WrestleMania has clearly overwhelmed her, revealing her inexperience. Flair, 39, thrives at WrestleMania, and her insistence on not “being less than” has further exposed Stratton’s deficiencies. Stratton’s lackluster matches and shaky confidence have painted her as a performer still developing her on-screen presence, undermining her short reign.
The storyline also failed to enhance Flair’s legacy. Her return should have been triumphant, but the feud’s one-sided nature cast her as a gatekeeper stifling new talent—something Stratton herself noted. WWE’s unclear booking confused fans about Stratton’s role as a heel, face, victim, or bully. This ambiguity harmed audience engagement and further confused the narrative. WWE could have leveraged Flair’s experience to elevate Stratton instead of exposing her limitations.
Ultimately, WWE’s reluctance to adapt creatively has exacerbated these issues. Flair’s polished skills starkly contrasted Stratton’s lack of experience, and the creative team failed to provide sufficient support or depth. Stratton needs substantial improvement across the board, while Flair requires fresh character development beyond repetitive title feuds. The decision to let Tiffany improvise in Chicago was a failed gamble, making the feud uncomfortably personal.
With WrestleMania 41 approaching rapidly, there is little time to salvage this storyline. Although the match itself could deliver in-ring, the poorly executed build-up has been a disservice to both competitors. Unless WWE corrects course, this feud risks becoming a notorious example of desperate booking, negatively reflecting on WWE and its new TKO Group partnership.
