Professional wrestling is a realm characterized by larger-than-life personalities and intense emotions, making it common for real-life conflicts and interactions to seep into storylines. Authentic narratives and genuine rivalries can elevate a storyline significantly, even if casual viewers may not always discern whether a situation is scripted or sincere.
Last night’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown blurred the lines of kayfabe dramatically, as WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair, the 2025 Royal Rumble victor, clashed in a segment designed to intensify their ongoing feud as they approach WrestleMania 41. This confrontation was noted as one of the most unscripted, or “shoot,”segments aired by WWE since the Attitude Era, which raised some concerns among the fanbase.
The Promising Start to Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair’s Feud That Quickly Unraveled
Initial Confrontations Revealing Growing Tensions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D80or4Gdoo
Tiffany Stratton, emerging as one of the top talents from WWE’s latest NXT roster, seized the WWE Women’s Championship by cashing in on Nia Jax during the January 3rd episode of Friday Night SmackDown. With Charlotte Flair freshly returning from a significant knee injury stint, a showdown between these two seemed inevitable.
Stratton previously expressed her eagerness for a match against Flair, hoping it would occur during WrestleMania 41 or 42:
“I definitely, totally can see that. I would love for that to happen, and I hope for that to happen. Whether it’s this Mania or the following Mania, I would love for it to happen. So I guess we’ll have to wait and see. I think she comes back soon. I’m not even sure where she is, so we’ll have to wait and see.”
After Flair’s victory in the Royal Rumble in February, anticipation built for their confrontation. Unfortunately, issues began to surface with missed cues and awkward exchanges during build-up segments. Their first official altercation aired on the March 21, 2025 episode, but while Flair appeared comfortable, Stratton struggled to keep pace, leading to criticisms from fans on social media about her readiness.
Last Night’s SmackDown Promo: Too Authentic (and Not Positively)
Superstars Blasted Live Rounds At Each Other
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsOkf_XGlww
With WrestleMania 41 just two weeks away, Tiffany Stratton faced Charlotte Flair in the ring, with SmackDown commentator Wade Barrett stepping in as moderator. To kick things off, Flair dismissed her upcoming match with Stratton as “charity work,” which led to Stratton questioning if Flair had her signature “woo”moment in the segment.
What came next was a departure from scripted lines, as both women started exchanging unscripted barbs that visibly unsettled Barrett, the live audience, and viewers at home. Stratton initiated the confrontation by mentioning Flair’s emotional struggles related to her recent divorce from Andrade, then claimed she would never measure up to her father, Ric Flair.
Flair attempted to engage but faced harsh boos from the Chicago crowd, which only escalated her frustration. After multiple interruptions, she allowed Stratton to dominate the mic. Stratton’s sharp remarks included pointing out that while Flair was “partying”in her father’s basement at 25, she had already become the WWE Women’s Champion, culminating in her questioning if Flair was truly the queen of anything as she exited the ring.
In a particularly contentious moment, Stratton remarked that after she defeated Flair at WrestleMania 41, Flair would be “alone”in wrestling, a jab at her divorce, and provocatively asked about her marriage statistics, commenting, “0 and 3?”This aggressive exchange shattered the intended boundaries of the promo, leading to Flair’s retort about personal DMs, further escalating the tension.
The Risks of Shoot Promos in Wrestling
Navigating Reality and Fiction: When It Doesn’t Go as Planned
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqS0jj36PTg
While shoot promos are not an uncommon occurrence in wrestling, they can also lead to severe consequences for the involved wrestlers. Historical examples such as CM Punk’s iconic “Pipe Bomb”and Paul Heyman’s 2001 promo with Vince McMahon have successfully blurred the lines between fiction and reality, creating highs for promotion. However, unscripted remarks can jeopardize careers, as seen with Scott Steiner’s controversial promo aimed at Ric Flair in WCW, which almost cost him his job.
The unscripted nature of Stratton and Flair’s exchange during last night’s broadcast is likely to raise concerns among WWE management, as recent reports confirm both wrestlers diverged significantly from the script. While the long-term effects of this segment remain unclear, WWE has already taken action by editing much of the off-script content from the promo in their YouTube repost and removing the tweet about the segment from their X (formerly Twitter) account.
Analyzing Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair’s Promo: A Heated Exchange with Uncertain Prospects
The Heat is Rising, but Will It Maintain Momentum Towards Vegas?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g88bH5dVD3Y
Regardless of how one feels about it, Charlotte Flair’s influence on WWE’s women’s division and the evolution of women’s professional wrestling cannot be overlooked. On paper, allowing an up-and-coming talent like Tiffany Stratton to shine under Flair’s spotlight appears advantageous for both athletes. However, there seems to be a serious discrepancy in how this feud is being built, and last night’s promo only served to highlight those issues.
While Flair displayed visible irritation toward the Chicago crowd, Stratton seemed still impacted by the earlier March confrontation, feeling less confident in her role. WWE may choose to lean into the authentic tension between the two stars, potentially allowing for more pre-approved exchanges. The real question remains whether this genuine fire will keep the interest alive and maintain momentum heading into WrestleMania 41, especially with the tepid chemistry displayed thus far.