Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton Go Off-Script in Heated SmackDown Segment
The recent SmackDown segment featuring Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton took an unexpected turn, veering sharply off script and delving into personal territory that left fans and insiders buzzing. According to PWInsider, the verbal exchange deviated from the planned dialogue, leading to unscripted remarks that raised eyebrows both in the arena and backstage.
Off-Script Exchanges
During the segment, Stratton made pointed references to Flair's personal life, alluding to her three divorces by stating that Flair was "alone" and had a record of "0-3" outside the ring. In retaliation, Flair quipped about Stratton's significant other, Ludwig Kaiser, suggesting he had been in her direct messages. These unscripted jabs appeared to stem from real tensions, with sources indicating that Stratton's comments were in response to feeling overshadowed by Flair in a previous verbal showdown, which you can see below.
Backstage Reactions
The unsanctioned nature of the exchange elicited mixed reactions backstage. Some viewed Stratton's assertiveness as a bold move to reclaim the spotlight, especially given the Chicago crowd's favorable response towards her. Others felt that the segment's derailment was unprofessional and detracted from the storyline's integrity. Notably, Flair seemed visibly unsettled by the unexpected direction, with her final retort occurring after Stratton had exited the ring, leading some to perceive it as a reactionary misstep.
WWE's Response
In the aftermath, WWE took measures to manage the fallout. Portions of the contentious dialogue were edited out of the official YouTube highlights, and related social media posts were deleted, indicating the company's intent to downplay the incident.
Ludwig Kaiser's Reaction
Adding another layer to the situation, Ludwig Kaiser responded to Flair's insinuations with a pretty clear post on where he stands on being accused of flirting with her. He shared an old clip of Shawn Michaels telling Diana Hart "don't flatter yourself." Hart was the wife of the British Bulldog, with whom Michaels was feuding at the time, and she accused Michaels of putting the moves on her.
Coincidentally, Charlotte Flair's birthday is today, April 5th, and her now ex-husband, WWE superstar Andrade, wished her a happy birthday.
It's yet to be seen how this will impact the narrative leading up to WrestleMania 41, where Flair and Stratton are slated to face off. This certainly adds an unpredictable element to their impending clash.