Charlotte Flair is making a statement at 40, and she wants the wrestling world to take notice. Speaking with Sports Illustrated ahead of WrestleMania 42, Flair reflected on reaching the milestone birthday while four of her male colleagues in their 40s are headlining the biggest show of the year. She did not shy away from addressing the long-standing double standard in the industry.
“Unfortunately, men seem to get better and women seem to get older,” Flair said.
She also reflected on how her perception of that age has shifted since she was younger.
“These years have gone by so fast. And then when I was younger, when I thought of 40, I thought of the Golden Girls. That’s really what I thought of. But now it’s like, not only did I have an opportunity in 2015 to be a part of the women’s evolution and redefine what it meant to be a female superstar, longer matches, no longer eye candy, now I’m here,” Flair said.
Flair said she sees her current position as another opportunity to push the conversation forward for women in the industry.
“I have another opportunity to help bridge the gap and redefine what success means for long-term female careers in professional wrestling. I hope that I bridge that gap in a male-dominated world where before it was like everyone’s got to be 25, women are disposable. No, we’re not,” Flair said.
She also described a growing comfort level with her craft that she feels has only come with experience.
“The one thing about building my character Charlotte is I have fallen in love with the process. So I feel like I’m at the best I’ve ever been. Like, oh, now I’m just getting good. Now I’m just understanding the audience. Now I’m just understanding the actual psychology of being in the moment and not letting nerves take over,” Flair said.
Flair teams with Alexa Bliss at WrestleMania 42 night one on April 18 in a fatal four-way Women’s Tag Team Championship match against the Irresistible Forces, Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, and The Bella Twins.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit Sports Illustrated with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
