Charlotte Flair has not held the SmackDown or Raw Women's Championship since 2019.
Speaking with Graham Matthews of Bleacher Report, Charlotte noted that although she is constantly in the title picture, she has not had a successful run with a singles belt in the last couple of years. Her last non-tag team title reign was a short 63-day stint with the NXT Women's Championship after defeating Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 36. She has used that fact to help inspire her character.
"Yes, I'm the 13-time champion, but really, in the last couple of years, I have not had a successful title run," Charlotte said. "Yes, I've been in the title picture non-stop, but besides the tag titles, I haven't been the champion, but people just associate me [with that]. So, [I'm thinking], 'Play into that, go with that,' but I have been chasing. At the same time, like I said on Raw Talk, do I need a title to be Charlotte Flair? Absolutely not. Am I going to go into this any different? Absolutely not.”
Charlotte and Asuka captured the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles in December 2020 at the TLC PPV. Flair made her return to action that night as Asuka's surprise partner after having been off of TV for half a year.
Once again feuding with Rhea Ripley, Charlotte is in pursuit of the Raw Women's Championship. The two have been at odds for over two months, and according to Flair, she loves the heel persona she has been able to implement since her post-WrestleMania 37 return.
"I always want to be a heel," she said. "When I came back after WrestleMania, there was no questioning what I am. There's no questioning what side [I'm on]. All that frustration, all that confusion, and laying it all out there. I really feel that has [been] portrayed throughout my promos. You can only do so much in the ring, and having that ability to have the mic has really helped with somewhat of a character wrinkle for me since April."
Flair and Ripley will do battle this Sunday, June 20 at WWE Hell In A Cell for the Raw Women's Championship. Fightful will have live coverage of the event tomorrow beginning at 4 p.m. PST.
