Why WWE Hasn't Punished Charlotte Flair

Charlotte Flair has thus far emerged from her confrontation with Becky Lynch unscathed...

by Andy H Murray
Charlotte Flair
WWE.com

Controversy came Charlotte Flair's two weeks ago, as the WWE star was embroiled in backstage arguments with Becky Lynch and Sonya Deville over a belt exchange segment gone wrong, leading, reportedly, to the SmackDown Women's Champion being asked to leave the building.

Fresh reports continued for the next few days, painting a less-than-favourable picture of Charlotte's backstage reputation in the promotion. Despite all this, Flair was back on television for last week's episode of SmackDown, with a single wink to a camera the closest thing to an acknowledgement of what had happened.

Dave Meltzer has sourced a quote on Charlotte's repercussions (or lack thereof) in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter:-

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“Charlotte is a tricky situation. Not just because she’s a star in a division with very few stars. But because she’s not the only guilty party. Discipline her and you have to discipline quite a few people.”

This is similar to a report that emerged in the aftermath of the 22 October incident, stating that WWE's hands were effectively tied with the situation as letting her go would be tantamount to handing her over to AEW.

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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.