Ric Flair Explains Charlotte Flair’s WWE Absence In 2022
Ric Flair has discussed the reasons behind Charlotte Flair missing seven months of action in 2022 before she returned to the ring and won gold.
Charlotte Flair has been a key part of WWE’s women’s division for the best part of a decade now but the company had to cope without The Queen in the latter half of 2022. Flair lost her SmackDown Women’s Championship at WrestleMania Backlash to Ronda Rousey in May and then went missing from WWE television.
During her absence, Charlotte Flair married AEW star Andrade El Idolo but according to her father Ric Flair, there was more than just her wedding that led to the prolonged absence.
Speaking on the After The Bell podcast, Ric Flair explained what else Charlotte Flair had to deal with during her time away from the ring:
“I’m so happy for her, and they’re very, very happy, and you know what happened? It happened at a time where she could take a break, where they didn’t get married and then go back to work. The arm thing with Ronda and she got hit in the mouth in that same match and had a major issue with her teeth, which are from all the years of cheerleading, wrestling, and whatever else, but it was a well-deserved rest.”
“I mean, sometimes it’s good to walk away from it. There’s certainly no loss of respect losing to Ronda Rousey. I mean, I thought they had a hell of a match and it was a good opportunity for her to get away. She and Manny (Andrade) had an opportunity to spend a lot of time together. They bought a new home. I mean, it’s really been good for them, but at the same time, I know how bad she wanted to get back into it. After a while, all that gets old and now I want back in.”
Charlotte Flair returned to WWE screens on the last SmackDown of 2022 where she exacted revenge on Ronda Rousey by defeating her to become SmackDown Women’s Champion once again.