9 Big Problems With WWE Heading Into WrestleMania 41

8. Tiffy’s Time Is Up

There is no denying Tiffany Stratton’s athleticism and raw talent. But one of the criticisms levelled when WWE called her up was that it was too soon, that she was an unpolished diamond who could crack under pressure.

Nevertheless, WWE persisted, not only promoting her, but making her WWE Women’s Champion. Then they decided to pit her against Charlotte Flair, who initially returned at the Royal Rumble as a babyface. Fans weren’t biting though, and she was forced to pivot back to her more natural state as a heel. That in turn necessitated a turn for Stratton, who went from the mean girl (though she had been getting cheered more for stepping out from behind Nia Jax) to white meat babyface.

Tiffany as a face doesn’t feel natural, and Flair’s stilted heel routine doesn’t work with everyone. The result is a mixed bag at best, punctuated by that dual sit-down segment between Flair and Stratton. In that interview, Charlotte ate Tiffany alive, talking over her and throwing the champ off her game enough that she stammered and repeated her scripted lines rather than thinking on the fly and reacting to the moment.

What’s being accomplished here? Fans won’t rally behind a champ who gets owned and looks out of her league, but they sure aren’t going to cheer a heel like Charlotte, so the most likely result is a lot of people sitting on their hands.