Charlotte Flair comments on Mercedes Mone's run in NJPW.
Mone, then known as Sasha Banks, walked out of WWE during the May 16, 2022 episode of WWE Raw, alongside her tag team partner Naomi. WWE stripped the duo of the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship and suspended them indefinitely, and Mone ultimately left the company. She landed in NJPW and made her debut at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4, 2023. Mone then defeated KAIRI to win the IWGP Women's Championship at NJPW Battle in the Valley.
For years, Mone and Flair were two of WWE's top stars, especially in the women's division. They feuded with each other and faced off on multiple occasions, and along with Bayley and Becky Lynch, they helped change the game for women's wrestling as the Four Horsewomen.
Speaking with Alex McCarthy of Sportsmail, Flair was asked to share her thoughts on the beginning of Mone's run in NJPW and STARDOM. When asked whether she thinks it's cool to see the way Mone has branched out, Flair noted that it's inspiring to see the former WWE star follow her heart. She then stated that there will never be another group like the Four Horsewomen.
"I think it’s cool whenever someone follows their heart, and that’s inspiring. There will never be another group like the Four Horsewomen, ever," Flair said.
Shortly before Mone arrived in NJPW, Flair returned to WWE. Following a lengthy absence, she appeared on the December 30 episode of WWE SmackDown and defeated Ronda Rousey in an impromptu match to win the SmackDown Women's Championship. Since her return, Flair has welcomed back by many fans. This response, along with a new perspective, has helped Flair feel a "certain lightness" when she performs now.
"When you come back you don’t feel like you ever left because you get back into the daily grind so quickly, but it definitely gave me a refresh and the opportunity to come back with a new perspective because any time you step away from something and come back without the baggage, I feel a certain lightness when I’m out there," Flair said.
The SmackDown Women's Champion also highlighted the ability to interact with kids at ringside as a major difference with this new chapter of her career. Flair described how she previously didn't get to engage with them, but now she's having fun, and she stated that this dynamic is rewarding. She also noted that she must have done something right all these years.
"I don't have to try to be good or bad, I can just be the star that I am. The one big difference is being able to interact with the kids around the ring after so many years of just always leaving after the match or not getting to engage or not wanting it. Yes, you always want to engage with the fans, but I never got to have that reception with them the way I have it now. It’s been so much fun and so rewarding and special, it's awesome. I must have done something right all these years," she said.
Flair recently stated that she is here to get her flowers. Check out her comments here.
Rhea Ripley won the 2023 Women's Royal Rumble, and she picked Flair as her WrestleMania opponent. The two stars will face off at WrestleMania 39. Ripley recently discussed her decision, and you can check out her comments here.
Check out the card for the March 17 episode of WWE SmackDown here.
