WrestleMania is already infamous for its electric atmosphere, wild storylines, and dream matchups that can make or break someone’s career. One match at WrestleMania 41 that has been announced will see Charlotte Flair, a 14-time women’s champion returning after a break from health issues, take on the champion, Tiffany Stratton. The stakes are really high; however, this matchup has oddly came up short when it came to anticipation for a marquee women’s match at WWE’s biggest show of the year.
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A Comeback of Significance, but a Story That Falls Flat
Charlotte Flair’s return became one of the most discussed topics of the year. Her triumphant return resulted in her winning the Women’s Royal Rumble. The win put her in the main event of WrestleMania 41, and firmly established her position again in Women’s wrestling.
If you just look at what has taken place, this should have been a huge moment—a legend returning to get her crown back against one of the hottest new star in WWE. However, the buildup leading into the match has not had the emotional heft or great stories that galvanize fans into strong opinion.
Other than a short fight on SmackDown, there hasn’t been much physical action between the two competitors. Fans that were hoping for weeks of heated promos, sneak attacks and an overall buildup of tension have been left disappointed with a lackluster buildup to their match that did not help their excitement for the match.
It is also quite confusing that there wasn’t more advanced storytelling. Some fans say that the match poster is more interesting than the story which is not a compliment to WWE focusing more on the visuals as their sole marketing, instead of a story.
Fans Disappointed with Lack of Energy and Narrative Depth
WWE fans are among the most passionate and vocal in all of entertainment, and the fans are quick to express their displeasure when a story doesn’t connect with them. For many fans this almost feels like a placeholder for an actual show-stealing match. It lacks the advanced feeling of other stories brewing for WrestleMania 41, such as Cody Rhodes’ emotional redemption or Gunther’s dominant title reign.
There is an overall feeling this feud is vacuous, without the depth of character work and emotional stakes needed for any WrestleMania match to feel special. There is no depth of history to latch onto, and beyond Flair winning the Rumble and Stratton holding the title relates nothing to the feud.
This makes it difficult for fans to invest in the story or connect with either side in any way, with any fervor. Whereas every other match on the card has gotten long-term booking to aid their ability to have emotional conflict attached which can put this particular match in a difficult spot.
Charlotte Flair’s Return: Opportunity or Overshadowing?
There is no doubt about Charlotte Flair’s legacy in WWE. Her credentials and talent have risen her to an elite status as one of the most prolific female superstars we have seen in the promotion’s history. However, it also makes it a challenge when she gets slotted at the top of the card. Flair undoubtedly brings star power, but she may provide shadow when it comes to promos and on-air time to make a name for herself or for someone new to rise, like we have seen with Tiffany Stratton in recent episodes.
Stratton has been establishing herself in WWE with a charisma and in-ring ability that makes it seem like she could be a significant player for years. However, now that the Queen has emerged back into the storyline, one must worry that Stratton’s reign – and perhaps even her momentum – will be shelved in favor of strengthening Flair’s own legacy.
In fact, the way the story has been framed suggests that Stratton is more a device to make Flair’s return feel like it matters, rather than her being a legitimate threat in her own right. That makes it difficult for fans to emotionally invest in Stratton’s success, or see her as an equal and stagnant force in the match.
A Match with Potential, but Missing the Spark
As WrestleMania 41 approaches, time is running short for WWE to infuse energy into what could potentially be a key match, not just for Charlotte Flair, but also Tiffany Stratton. On a show that is a skit primarily celebrating, drama, passion, and legacy, this match still has a chance to deliver outside of the ring. Both women are great athletes, and a very good performance could at least help shift the perception of the fans’ concerns regarding the match, even if it won’t have great momentum coming in.
Still, the WWE creative team deserves to be held responsible for failing to create excitement leading into this match. A truly engaging story — from Flair’s comeback to Stratton’s quest to stay at the top — would have made this match one of the most anticipated of the evening. Instead, it is being overshadowed by storylines that are more compelling.
While they have some time to right the ship in the final days before WrestleMania 41, WWE will need to put in some serious emotional and story depth between these two women. In the end, Charlotte Flair vs. Tiffany Stratton should be a career-defining moment for both women. But if WWE doesn’t create something tangible soon, it may remain a blip on the WrestleMania radar.
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Vijay Suyal 
Reddaveni Saisneha