How Charlotte Flair Is Beating Her Dad’s WWE Legacy

by Andy H Murray
Charlotte Ric Flair WWE Sheffield 2016
WWE.com

While some argue Charlotte's surname as the reason behind the glut of opportunities thrown her way throughout her seven-year wrestling career, the cynicism surrounding her reigns doesn't reflect on her as a performer. She is excellent now and will only improve as the years progress, justifying her spot as one of the fixtures around which the women's division is built, with WWE's booking practices making 20 championships an attainable goal if she keeps going for another five years or so.

Regardless, her record-breaking night will feel as hollow as a politician's promise. It'll go down as one of the worst examples of WWE trying to force "historic" moments and make a mockery of Ric's old benchmark, but such is WWE in 2019.

WWE are more of a content company than a wrestling promotion these days. "Charlotte Flair Wins Record-Breaking 17th Title!" works more as a click-grabbing YouTube video title than it does as a compelling storyline (in this form, at least), and that's why we're getting it. It's as contrived as the time John Cena needlessly equalled Ric's record, Shawn Michaels' "boyhood dream," and the first women's Hell In A Cell match.

Numerically, Charlotte Flair will soon surpass her dad's WWE legacy. Creatively, her 17 won't about to a quarter of his 16.

In 1983, being the man used to mean beating the man. In 2019, it's all about that extra million YouTube hits.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.