Unpopular Opinion: Charlotte being a Flair hasn't helped her in WWE, it has hurt her
"Charlotte Flair has been handed everything."
That's the opinion that came from many fans last Tuesday, when Flair defeated Asuka to win the SmackDown Women's Championship, just days away from main eventing WrestleMania 35 for the RAW Women's title against Becky Lynch and Ronda Rousey.
As a massive Asuka fan, I'll be the first to admit that the Empress' title loss didn't sit well with me, though I can appreciate the fantastic match these two incredible women showcased.
And though the match was great, it has been overshadowed by the fans' continued belief that Flair has done nothing to earn her status, other than being Ric Flair's daughter, and has only been a main fixture of the Women's revolution because of her bloodline.
However, in an industry full of second and third generation Superstars, how is she the only one who has apparently been the benefactor of nepotism?
Put it this way: If being related to someone is all it takes, then why weren't David Flair, Manu, or Ted DiBiase Jr successes too?
Could it be that Flair, who is considered by even her most fervent of critics as a great wrestler, is a great wrestler?
A fantastic heel (who plays on real-life negative feelings to her), why wouldn't WWE push her hard?
It's not to be said that being Ric Flair's baby girl hasn't helped her entirely. As his offspring, she has had access to one of the greatest minds in wrestling and presumably was given lots of guidance.
Nevertheless, it is her own hard work, not her father's, that has made Flair one of the biggest stars in women's wrestling.
I'd even argue that being Flair's daughter has hurt Charlotte more than it helped.
Imagine if you worked tirelessly, for years, to make your dream come true, only to have people say "you didn't do anything to deserve it."
The countless hours on the road, time in the gym, training, sacrifices made, nevermind the thousands of bumps she's taken in the ring, all of this is rendered moot by the fans who have decided they know what happens backstage in WWE, without ever being part of the company.
That's the hard truth fans don't want to admit. They're so quick to determine what's really happening, without giving the Devil (or Queen in this case) their due.