12 Ups & 2 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Mar 5)

3. Kicked Where It Hurts

Charlotte Flair Becky Lynch
WWE.com

An early-show promo saw Charlotte Flair inviting Becky Lynch to the ring so that they could "discuss" their upcoming Fastlane bout. Later, a crutch-assisted 'Man' was shown hobbling through the backstage area, before SmackDown's two alpha females met in the main event slot.

The results were typically excellent. While last week's Charlotte promo felt purposeless, this was the opposite. Her earlier preening and gloating was all done to lure Becky into a trap. Finally, when the big angle hit, she was content to let Lynch say what she wanted to say, with 'The Lass Kicker' delivering a strong diatribe on both Flair and Ronda Rousey, before 'The Queen' struck hard.

She booted Becky's crutch away, slapped the taste out of her mouth, and the two brawled. Stomping away at the injured leg, Charlotte did significant damage. She was countered and locked in a Disarmher by the end, but it was broken up by the officials, and while Flair was left clutching her arm as she retreated up the ramp, the smile on her face told the whole story. Charlotte had accomplished everything she'd wanted to, and further doubt had been cast over Becky's condition ahead of Fastlane.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.