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By Andrew Ravens
Contributing Sports Writer
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Over the past decade, Charlotte Flair has firmly established herself as one of the preeminent figures in WWE's women's division.
Known as a fourteen-time world champion, a WrestleMania main event participant, and the only woman to have won two Royal Rumble matches, "The Queen's" accomplishments speak volumes about her impact.
Her consistent presence and compelling storylines have often transcended the significance of championships themselves, with her involvement frequently headlining major events, even when she enters title matches as the challenger and the overwhelming favorite.
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This star power has, on multiple occasions, resulted in reigning women's world champions being arguably overshadowed by Flair's narratives and trajectory. Her prominent positioning within key storylines and the anticipation surrounding her matches have sometimes diminished the focus on those holding the championship at the time.
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Asuka Was A Speed Bump
In the lead-up to WrestleMania 35, SmackDown Women's Champion Asuka, fresh off a clean victory over Becky Lynch, found her momentum abruptly halted by Charlotte Flair. Despite holding the title for three months, Asuka was notably absent from the WrestleMania card where Flair was already slated for the main event.
In a move that relegated Asuka to an afterthought, Flair decisively defeated her on SmackDown, using Asuka's championship reign as a mere stepping stone towards the unification match at WrestleMania, where Asuka ultimately became a forgettable participant in the women's battle royal.
Nikki A.S.H Never Felt Like A Real Champ
Nikki A.S.H.'s Money in the Bank cash-in for the Raw Women's Championship from Charlotte Flair the night after her ladder match victory offered a brief elevation for the Scottish star. However, she was consistently portrayed as being a tier below established stars like Flair and Rhea Ripley.
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Her single pay-per-view title defense at SummerSlam saw "The Queen" quickly reclaim the championship, effectively ending Nikki's reign and returning her to the mid-card of the women's division, highlighting her role as a transitional champion.
Nikki Bella Felt Like A Placeholder
Despite holding the longest Divas Championship reign in WWE history, Nikki Bella's final months on top signaled the impending arrival of the next generation of female talent, spearheaded by Charlotte Flair. Their match at Night of Champions established a recurring pattern where Flair entered as the challenger with an air of inevitability surrounding her victory.
Bella's championship reign became a mere placeholder, an interim period as WWE ushered in the "Women's Revolution" with Flair at the forefront, alongside fellow NXT call-ups like Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks, who would carry the division forward for years to come.
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