[dramatic music playing]
[Big E] Today on WWE Raw Classics,
bow down to the robe-wearing,
history-making
fourteen-time World Champ,
The Queen of WWE.
[Charlotte] I'm Charlotte Flair!
[crowd exclaims]
Woooo!
[Big E] From her impressive debut
to her dominant reign atop the women's division…
[Corey] There can only be one Queen.
…join us for the very best of Charlotte Flair…
You can't beat this.
…right here, only on Netflix.
["We're All Together Now" playing]
Aw, welcome,
WWE Universe,
to Raw Classics!
I'm your host, the "Powerhouse of Positivity" Big E.
Today we delve into the career
of one of the most decorated Women's Champions in WWE,
The Queen herself, Charlotte Flair.
Woooo!
[Big E] As the daughter of 16-time World Champion, Ric Flair,
Charlotte stems from wrestling royalty.
But The Queen quickly made a name for herself
as one of WWE's most skilled athletes
and dominant in-ring technicians.
Everyone bows down to The Queen.
And, on a 2015 episode of Raw,
Charlotte debuted to WWE's main roster,
helping usher in a new era of women's wrestling.
[crowd cheering]
So, um, on November 23rd of last year,
I defeated AJ Lee and became your WWE Divas Champion.
[crowd cheering]
Thank you.
And for the past 232 days,
I have defended this title against every single challenger.
I mean, I have given every single Diva a chance,
and I have taken no shortcuts.
I am the definition of fearless.
And whether it's in this ring,
on red carpets, on reality shows,
in movies, my goodness, you name it,
I am the total Diva.
[crowd cheering]
And now, with, uh, my lovely sister, Brie, and Foxy by my side,
Team Bella has become unstoppable.
We are dominant.
Us three have all the power because I own this.
[crowd cheering]
Us three make the decisions in this division,
we run it, we rule it.
And whether Naomi or Paige,
or any other WWE Diva…
None of them, and I mean none of them--
["Welcome to the Queendom" playing]
♪ Now welcome to the Queendom ♪
♪ The Queendom Where the kings bow down… ♪
[Cole] We're in Atlanta tonight for Monday Night Raw.
There is one of the principal owners of WWE, Stephanie McMahon.
Stephanie McMahon making a rare appearance here on Monday Night Raw.
We know, guys, she has taken a vested interest
in the Divas Division here in WWE
and Give Divas a Chance.
♪ Just don't care Nobody do her like she do her… ♪
[Byron] I can't wait to hear what Stephanie has to say.
[JBL] I just think Mrs. McMahon looks lovely tonight.
♪ Boss so Boss, never, ever gonna lose ♪
♪ Her top-down cruise so smooth Nothing better… ♪
[Cole] The Bellas look a bit taken aback.
♪ Mamacita off the meter She a go-getter ♪
♪ With a speed of a cheetah Live a jag is better… ♪
[JBL] That's a good sign that Stephanie's smiling.
'Cause when Stephanie's not smiling, there's trouble.
[crowd cheering]
I'm sorry, Nikki, the way you were talking,
it made it seem like you run the Divas Division somehow,
like you own the Divas Division, like you own WWE.
But let me be very clear,
I own WWE.
[crowd cheering]
And the legacy that WWE leaves behind rests on my shoulders,
and that includes the Divas Division.
Now, you're right,
Team Bella has been unstoppable.
There hasn't been that level of competition that I'm looking for,
that I think everybody here is looking for.
Let me tell you, there is a revolution with women in sports happening right now.
Whether it's women's soccer, whether it's UFC,
whether it's tennis,
women are making their mark,
and it is time for us to make a change in the Divas division right now.
[crowd cheering]
But I'm not gonna do that alone.
So first allow me to introduce the woman who is trying to make a difference.
Paige.
[crowd cheering]
["Stars in the Night" playing]
[Cole] Indeed, the woman who has led the one Diva--
[Nikki] I don't even understand why Paige is out here.
Honestly, how many times has Paige failed?
How many?
♪ Whoa, oh, oh ♪
♪ Tear the stars out from the sky ♪
♪ Whoa, oh, oh ♪
-[music fades] -Now, hang on a second here.
Nikki, Paige is out here because I wanted her out here.
So you can stop running your mouth.
Because things are going to change,
starting right now.
Now, I want this revolution here in WWE.
Paige wants this revolution.
But, Paige, courage can't do it by itself.
It takes more than that.
You need backup.
And, for some reason,
nobody's been willing to stand by your side.
[crowd cheering]
But I know someone who is.
I know someone who has had to scratch and claw and fight
for everything that they've ever gotten.
Somebody who's not afraid of the fire.
Somebody I would want in the foxhole with me.
So joining Paige right now
is Becky Lynch.
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] Oh boy!
["Celtic Invasion" playing]
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, if you watch NXT on the WWE Network,
you're very familiar with this young lady,
Becky Lynch.
Byron, you're one of the voices of NXT,
Becky Lynch has set that division on fire.
[Byron] One of the trailblazers of the Divas division on NXT.
One of the most energized Divas you will find.
She is fun to watch.
♪ Whoa, oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ Whoa, oh, oh, oh… ♪
[Cole] This is a coup.
[music fades]
[Byron] No doubt about that.
But now, when I'm looking at this,
you're still outnumbered, Paige and Becky,
there's three on Team Bella.
So joining forces with Paige…
-[crowd cheering] -[speaking indistinctly]
…will be a woman who was bred for this business.
[crowd cheering]
Someone who is high-styling and profiling,
someone who says she is genetically superior.
So, ladies and gentlemen,
Charlotte!
[crowd cheering]
["Recognition" playing]
[Cole] And you hear the "Woooos!"
That is because this young lady is the daughter
of the two-time WWE Hall of Famer,
"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair.
And, Byron, one of the most dominant Divas we've ever seen at NXT.
[Byron] Former NXT Women's Champion.
One of the most athletically gifted women you will ever see step inside a ring.
[Cole] John, Stephanie is shaking things up.
[JBL sarcastically] You think?
Not just incredibly talented,
her father happens to be the greatest champion of all time,
The Nature Boy.
Bred to be a champion.
Genetically superior, Charlotte.
[Byron] I can't believe my eyes.
[crowd Woooo!
-Woooo! -[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] NXT! NXT! NXT!
["Amazing" playing]
♪ I'm a, I'm a, I'm ama-a-a-a-zing… ♪
[Cole] That there is Naomi on the right and Tamina on the left.
Hold up.
Wait one minute.
We got some unfinished business with the Bellas and with Paige.
[crowd booing]
Naomi, I'm so glad you guys are out here.
You see, Stephanie, we are all the competition you need.
So when are we gonna finally get what we deserve?
That's right, Naomi and Tamina, you should be out here.
You should be taking your place.
And I'm so glad that you are.
But, you know what, there's someone else who thinks a lot like you do.
[crowd cheering]
Somebody who also isn't afraid to stand up for themselves,
and to seize the opportunity, and to seize that moment.
Someone who calls herself The Boss.
[crowd cheering]
And she is the current NXT Women's Champion,
Sasha Banks!
-[Cole] I can't believe this. -[Byron laughs] Man!
[Cole] Becky Lynch, Charlotte, and now Sasha Banks.
-Three women who have revolutionized NXT. -["Sky's the Limit" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] The reigning NXT Women's Champion.
Sasha Banks, she is bold, she is crass, she is aggressive.
She has this ability to shake up the system wherever she is.
[JBL] Talk about a system being shook up, this one has been shook to its core.
[Cole] Stephanie McMahon said, "It's time for us to make a change."
"There's a revolution with women in sports."
[Byron] This is a change, all right. This is a huge change.
-I'm the baddest Diva in NXT. -[JBL] It's a seismic shift.
♪ It's my destiny to be bigger Yeah, I got fight ♪
♪ And I've had visions of sitting high… ♪
[JBL] It's a new world.
♪ Never listening to criticism I built my own… ♪
[Byron] New division.
♪ I've gotten myself in my own zone Never stop ♪
[music fades]
Let me ask you, Nikki,
is this what you had in mind when you said you were looking for a little competition?
[crowd cheering]
Now, ladies,
I have set the table of opportunity.
Now I wanna see who's gonna take it.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Like a challenge.
-[Byron] Look at this. -[JBL] This is amazing.
[Cole] Nowhere for the Bellas to go.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome! This is awesome! This is awesome!
-[Cole] Oh! Look out! Sasha! -[JBL] Here we go!
[Byron] The NXT Champ went after the Divas Champ!
[Cole] And here we go! The Divas unloading!
There's someone for the Bellas to go right now.
[Byron] The battle lines have been drawn.
[Cole] The revolution has begun!
[Superstars grunting]
[Cole] The Divas Division is never gonna be the same.
[Byron] This is surreal.
-[Cole] Charlotte! -[crowd exclaims]
[yells]
[crowd] Woooo!
[Byron] That's what she's all about!
She calls herself genetically superior for a reason.
Naomi!
-Yeah! -[Cole] She'll take exception.
She believes she's the best athlete here today.
[Byron] Paige has something to say about that.
[Cole] Uh-oh.
PTO time.
-[Naomi screaming] -[Paige yelling]
[Cole] If this isn't symbolic--
-Oh no! -[crowd exclaims]
[JBL] So was that foot from Tamina.
[Superstars grunting]
[yells]
[Cole] Brie Bella taking down Naomi.
Sasha and Alicia Fox.
[Byron] Talk about changing the company in one fell swoop.
Stephanie McMahon has pulled an unbelievable coup today.
Oh!
There could be a serious power shift in the making in the Divas Division.
[crowd exclaims]
[Cole] And Becky Lynch!
Stephanie McMahon, she drew the battle lines.
And the Divas looking to make an impression here.
[Byron] An impression from Charlotte.
We've seen this in Hotlanta before!
Figure-four!
[crowd cheering]
-[Cole] Shades of her daddy! -[Byron laughs]
[Cole] Becky Lynch with a submission of her own!
Sasha Banks!
The NXT Divas taking over!
[Byron] This is a huge statement from the NXT Divas.
"We're here and we're gonna make a change!"
[crowd chanting] NXT! NXT! NXT!
[Cole] Take a look!
Team Bella tapping in stereo.
[Cole] The future of women's wrestling!
[Byron] This is a sight I never thought we'd ever see.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome! This is awesome! This is awesome!
[Superstars yelling indistinctly]
[crowd continues chanting] This is awesome! This is awesome!
[Big E] What a brawl!
The women's division was certainly changing course,
and Charlotte was at the helm.
That very next month,
The Queen would face one half of the most well-known twins
in professional wrestling,
Brie Bella, in a Beat the Clock match.
[bell rings]
[Garcia] The following is the second in a series of Beat the Clock challenges.
Whichever PCB member wins their match the fastest
will earn a Divas Championship match
against Nikki Bella at Night of Champions.
["Recognition" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Garcia] Being accompanied by Paige and Becky Lynch,
from the Queen City, representing PCB,
Charlotte!
[Cole] Becky set the pace at three minutes 21 seconds earlier tonight.
Charlotte now hopes to better that.
We caught up with Charlotte earlier today.
Tonight is more than just an opportunity at the Divas Championship.
I want this.
I was born for this.
And I will seize this moment
with blood, sweat,
and a little bit of Flair.
Woooo!
[Cole] So, John, the daughter of Ric Flair has a tall task ahead of her.
Not only does she have to beat Brie Bella,
but she has to beat her in less than three minutes and 21 seconds.
[JBL] Yeah, what an incredible mark that Becky Lynch put up
by winning that match in three minutes and 21 seconds.
That is quick.
To beat someone like Brie Bella before that?
-That's a monumental task for Charlotte. -[bell rings]
[Cole] Becky knocking off Alicia Fox earlier tonight.
[Byron] Keep something in mind,
the last time Charlotte faced Brie Bella, she made her tap out.
Oh, hey!
[Byron] Charlotte's got a mental edge if nothing else.
[JBL] This match could end quicker than three minutes and 21 seconds,
'cause Brie could win.
[Cole] Look at Brie taunting Charlotte.
[Byron] Smart.
[Cole] Now down under three minutes.
Brie Bella getting tied up in the ropes yet again.
Staying away from Charlotte.
[JBL] Brie Bella, former Divas Champion herself,
[Cole] Went for the cover, and Brie again makes it to the ropes.
[Byron] Whatever you gotta do, I guess, to protect the Bella empire.
If your name is Brie Bella.
[Cole] Winner of this match will face Nikki Bella
for the Divas Championship at Night of Champions.
Assuming that Nikki's still the champ by that point.
[referee] Let's go, back in the ring now!
[Cole] Still got three weeks to get there.
It's a matter of pride for Team Bella as well.
[JBL] Alicia Fox already lost.
Brie Bella certainly doesn't want to lose as well.
[Cole] We saw how proud Nikki Bella was of being champion.
She's two weeks away, guys, 14 days from…
[Byron] The Bellatron.
[Cole] Yeah, tying AJ Lee for the longest reign in history.
Here's Charlotte again taking down Brie.
-[Byron] Going for it. -[Cole] She's going for the figure-eight.
Brie makes it to the ropes again.
[JBL] It's almost an impossible situation.
They got just a little over two minutes left.
Back it up.
[Cole] Under two minutes now.
You know, Team PCB, uh,
speaking of the WWE Universe,
throughout the night on WWE Snapchat account,
Paige has said she's actually gonna be the one that's gonna beat the clock.
Not Charlotte or Becky.
Here's the cover by Charlotte, will this be enough here?
-Hook the leg, and it is! -[bell rings]
[JBL] Wow!
-["Recognition" playing] -[Byron] You were saying, John?
[Garcia] Here is your winner, Charlotte!
[Cole] Charlotte beats the clock with plenty of time to spare.
You know, I think Brie Bella was so busy trying to stall,
she forgot to fight.
It took Brie out of her game.
It certainly didn't take Charlotte out of her game.
I'm the best.
And that's why you don't mess with The Queen.
The following month, Charlotte would win the Divas Championship
from Brie's twin sister, Nikki Bella,
and hold on to that title for an impressive 196 days.
But at WrestleMania 32,
the Divas Title was retired
and the new WWE Women's Championship was born.
And who would be the inaugural holder of that coveted prize?
You guessed it, Charlotte Flair.
["LoveFuryPassionEnery" playing]
[Garcia] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome WWE Hall of Famer, Lita!
[crowd cheering]
[music fades]
You know, I'm always asked
who are the females that I looked up to, growing up, in this ring?
But the truth is,
I didn't have a lot of female role models.
But I am so proud to say, for the young girls watching today,
this new generation,
that is not the case at all.
[crowd cheering]
This division has never been stronger.
Each and every one of these girls, last night at WrestleMania,
put their bodies on the line,
pushed themselves to the limit.
[crowd cheering]
Hell yeah.
So tonight,
we're gonna formally do this.
It's the new WWE Women's Championship.
[crowd cheering]
So please help me welcome
the new WWE Women's Champion,
Charlotte!
[crowd] Woooo!
["Recognition" playing]
[Cole] Last night, at a record-setting WrestleMania,
Charlotte defended her championship in a Triple Threat match.
Opponent number one, the self-proclaimed "Irish Lass Kicker" Becky Lynch.
Of course, Sasha Banks and her cousin, the new Hall of Famer, Snoop Dogg,
rapping her down to the ring.
Charlotte the third entity for that.
The brand-new WWE Women's Championship.
Superstars flying all over the place.
Sasha Banks paying homage to her idol, Eddie Guerrero.
[Byron] Yeah, this match was competitive, it was emotional, it was a game changer
in what is now the women's division of WWE.
[Cole] Now watch this. As Charlotte went for the figure-eight,
Ric Flair would grab Sasha, not allowing her to get in the matchup,
and allowing Charlotte to lock it in.
Becky Lynch would tap out.
Charlotte, the Women's Champion.
["Recognition" continues playing]
[music fades]
[crowd booing]
Before I say anything…
[crowd chanting] We want some Bayley! We want some Bayley!
[crowd continues chanting] We want some Bayley!
-[Cole] Bayley is not here. -This moment is about gratitude.
[crowd booing]
No…
This is about all the women in this ring.
-The Superstars in this ring. -[crowd cheering]
Who collectively-- No, literally, collectively, over the years,
made this happen.
This wouldn't have happened if it wasn't, listen, for you guys.
[crowd singing] ♪ Hey, Bayley ♪
You guys believed in us.
[crowd singing] ♪ Ooh, ooh ah ♪
♪ I wanna know ♪
♪ Will you be my girl? ♪
♪ Hey, Bayley ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ah ♪
♪ I wanna know… ♪
Is that the lyrics?
No. [chuckles] Listen.
Hold on, you guys. Thank you.
[crowd] ♪ I wanna know… ♪
Thank you to everyone at home.
Thank you to all of you standing in this ring.
Thank you to everyone in this arena.
Because this is the future.
[crowd cheering]
[JBL] These people are rude.
But most importantly,
I wouldn't have been--
[crowd chanting] Women's wrestling! Women's wrestling! Women's wrestling!
[crowd continues chanting] Women's wrestling! Women's wrestling!
That's all of us, you guys!
[crowd cheering]
No, but most importantly,
I wouldn't have gone down in the history books
as your new Women's Champion
if it wasn't for my father, The Nature Boy,
Ric Flair!
[crowd] Woooo!
Dad, you always go above and beyond for me.
And guess what, your daughter is finally immortalized.
Daddy, thank you.
No, but more importantly, thank you to everyone in the audience
who attended WrestleMania last night.
Because your energy fueled me to my victory!
-Woooo! -[crowd booing]
No, no, no. And listen, some of these ladies,
y'all have been here for, what, seven years? Eight years? Ten years?
I haven't even been here for a year.
[crowd chanting] Sasha! Sasha! Sasha!
Woooo! Woooo! Woooo! Woooo! Woooo!
No, but in less than a year, I was your last Divas Champ
and your new Women's Champion.
[crowd booing]
No, but…
[man] No one cares!
Sasha…
[crowd chanting] Becky! Becky! Becky!
…Becky,
we did it.
I mean, I did it.
But we did it. [laughs]
Whoa.
All right.
-Back it up, sister. -[crowd cheering]
I didn't bank on you leaving!
What?
Becky! You're…
[crowd cheering]
[Charlotte] Oh, really? Show some respect!
That's why I'm your Women's Champion!
Unity! Unity!
This is my moment!
How dare--
-You're gonna turn your back on me? -[Natalya] Hey, Charlotte!
-[Charlotte] Really? We started-- -Hey, Charlotte.
[crowd cheering]
You need to learn a thing or two about humility.
[Charlotte] Are you gonna teach me a lesson, Nattie?
Please, I'm ready for this lesson of yours.
I'm waiting. Please.
I am the woman who has given you some of your hardest-fought matches.
Like the one we had at Roadblock.
[crowd cheering]
But you don't respect me.
[Charlotte] I didn't say I didn't respect you.
-You keep talking-- -I don't wanna listen to you.
-You keep-- -This is my moment.
You keep talking about being genetically superior,
but I have the heart of a champion.
[crowd cheering]
So how about you put your genetics on the line with mine?
I'd love that.
Nattie, you see this Women's Championship on my arm?
This proves my family will always be better
than your family.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Oh, Charlotte!
-She got picked up by Nattie! -[Byron] Yeah!
And Natty looking for the Sharpshooter.
Natalya trying to send a message to the Women's Champion.
[Byron] There you go, Natalya.
[JBL] Get her out of there, Nature Boy!
[Cole] And dad saving Charlotte again.
[JBL] What else is new?
["New Foundation" playing]
[JBL] That's no way to treat the Women's Champion.
What the heck is wrong with Nattie Hart?
This is my moment.
-You're pathetic. -My moment.
[Big E] Charlotte declared her sovereignty that night at Raw.
And in typical Queen fashion, ignited a thrilling feud
with a fellow second generation WWE Superstar, Natalya.
["Recognition" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And there's the champ, Charlotte.
Accompanied by her Hall of Fame father, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair.
Charlotte versus Natalya tonight for the WWE Women's Championship,
currently around the waist of Charlotte.
[Byron] All right, guys, I gotta get the scoop here.
-Dr. Phil, number one, welcome, sir. -Thank you, thank you.
You had some strong words for Charlotte earlier on tonight.
Why are you out here now to observe this Women's Championship match?
Well, I wanna see if she lives up to the title of champion.
I wanna see if she took the advice I gave her earlier
and does this straight up instead of playing it cheap.
Very well, we'll see.
[Cole] Those the words of Dr. Phil.
Here at ringside to watch this championship match.
[JBL] Maybe he can deal with your personality disorder, Byron.
If you could find your personality.
-[Byron] I think he's booked up. -[JBL] He'd have a field day with you.
Whether genetic or not,
you're looking at a superior athlete in Charlotte.
[bell rings]
The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the WWE Women's Championship!
[crowd cheering]
Introducing first, the challenger,
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada,
Natalya!
[crowd cheering]
And her opponent,
from the Queen City,
she is the WWE Women's Champion,
Charlotte!
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Natalya, of course,
one of the stars of Total Divas on E! each Tuesday night.
Would love to become the Women's Championship tonight.
"Champion" tonight. Carry that into that show.
This is about the Women's Title,
and it's been quite the past couple weeks for the women's division here in WWE.
Of course Hall of Famer, Lita,
making the announcement at WrestleMania
that it's now gonna be called the Women's Title.
Also, we learned that WrestleMania
would mark the final match in the career of Brie Bella.
[Byron] Brie Bella, no better stage to say your goodbye to the WWE Universe…
[bell rings]
…than on the stage of WrestleMania.
[Cole] So it's Charlotte versus Natalya for the Women's Championship.
Charlotte sending a tweet last week
thanking Natalya for, quote, "Preparing me to take your spot."
[Byron] That's the condescending nature we've seen of Charlotte
over the last couple weeks.
This facade of kindness and appreciation,
it's all just to feed her ego.
[Cole] Natalya claiming she's going to, quote,
"Knock Charlotte off her pedestal tonight."
[JBL] I'm not agreeing with a few things Shane McMahon is doing.
It's eight days from Charlotte defending that championship at WrestleMania,
and she has to come out here and defend this title against Natalya?
[Byron] John, you know as well as anyone,
a champion, you never know when your next challenge is.
You always gotta be ready, you always gotta be prepared.
[JBL] Not eight days away from the biggest event in history.
That's Shane McMahon just drunk with power.
[Cole] Natalya…
With Charlotte in trouble. Look at Natalya.
Of course, trying to weaken the legs of Charlotte for the Sharpshooter.
That's it, baby.
[Byron] Natalya said she's always evolving her offense,
working on new submissions, new counters.
[Cole] These two women, two Superstars,
have had some great matches over the past couple of years.
NXT TakeOver and, of course, at Roadblock last month.
[JBL] Let's face it, Charlotte at WrestleMania
with Sasha and Becky Lynch--
[Cole] Look at Natalya!
Charlotte could be in trouble here!
Oh man!
Spinebuster to Natalya. Kickout at two.
Now a straight forearm right into the jaw of Natalya by Charlotte.
[Cole] Natalya, head scissors, into the armbar!
Charlotte's in trouble.
Could she possibly tap out? But she's blocking.
-Charlotte with her hands clasped. -Break the hold. Come on.
[Cole] Reaches the bottom rope, gonna force the break.
[Natalya] Come on!
[JBL] You know what Charlotte went through 8 days ago. What did Natalya do? Nothing.
-She's been in Calgary, getting ready. -[Byron] It's not about yesterday.
What are you doing tonight? How do you respond tonight?
[JBL] That was eight days ago, Byron.
For those chronologically impaired.
-[Byron] Oh, stop it. -[Cole] Dr. Phil looking on here.
Charlotte rebuking with her father on the other side of the ring.
John, do you believe anything of what Dr. Phil was saying
when he told Charlotte earlier on tonight
that, "Your dad's dragging you down,
time for you to stand on your own two feet"?
Whoa! Whoa, whoa.
[JBL] Absolutely not.
Dr. Phil's a smart man, but…
-Oh! -[Cole] Oh!
…Ric Flair is a two-time Hall of Famer, 16-time World Champion.
You couldn't ask for a better coach.
[Cole] Natalya could be closing in on the Women's Championship.
Charlotte again rolling out of harm's way.
[Byron] Coach, not player-coach.
[Cole] Watch Natalya. Face-first goes Charlotte.
Remember, in order to win the Women's Championship tonight,
Natalya has to pin or make the champion submit.
You're pathetic!
[Cole] Champion's advantage in this match.
[Byron] Charlotte created the situation, she brought all the women in the ring,
claimed she's the one who made that moment,
who created this evolution into the--
[Cole] Neckbreaker!
-Kip-up by Charlotte. -[JBL] Ah! A thing of beauty.
And I mean our champion, Charlotte.
[crowd] Woooo!
-And Charlotte-- -Here we go!
[Cole] That looked familiar.
Taking down the knee pad and driving the knee into the shoulder of Natalya.
And again.
-Taken from her coach. -Cover by the champ.
Kickout by Natalya.
-[Charlotte] Count! -Come on. Hey!
[Cole] Charlotte dominating Natalya.
The Women's Championship is on the line.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] We are back live on Monday Night Raw.
Charlotte in control of Natalya.
Charlotte defending her Women's Championship here tonight.
Come on, Nattie, what do you say?
[Byron] Charlotte doing a really good job wearing down Natalya.
[Cole] We have a very special guest here at Raw in Los Angeles.
That is Dr. Phil.
Gave some advice to Charlotte earlier on tonight.
Charlotte, telling her that, hey, your dad is just dragging you down.
You need to stand on your own two feet.
Called Charlotte a victimizer not the victim.
[Byron] Those are valid points.
They're not valid points.
[Cole] Said Charlotte needs to stop cheating to retain her championship.
-Natalya, going for the armbar again. -[Byron] Oh!
[Cole] Again a great job by Charlotte to block it.
[JBL] Simply a point of view by somebody, Byron.
The great philosopher Gorgeous George, at the Olympic Coliseum also said,
"Win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat."
[Byron] Oh, wait a minute.
-[Cole] Charlotte… -[Natalya wails] No!
[Cole] Looking to put Natalya away.
-Ask her! -Take your time.
[Cole] You see Charlotte asking Natalya, "You gonna tap?"
What do you say?
[JBL] Charlotte, so far, has not tried to bridge into that figure-eight.
[Cole] This is the figure-four, made famous by her father.
But if she bridges into the figure-eight, that's her finishing maneuver.
Still, the damage being done on Natalya, who's gonna reverse it here!
[screaming]
[Cole] And Charlotte has to make it to the bottom rope.
[JBL] The only woman to ever train in The Dungeon of Stu Hart.
-[Cole] Charlotte with the takedown. -You should've tapped, sister.
Step through, yet again.
-This is insult to injury. -She'll use Natalya's move against her!
-Beats her with her own move. -The Sharpshooter!
Charlotte with a Sharpshooter against Natalya!
I love it. This is classic!
-Charlotte loves this. -[JBL] Beating her with her move!
How embarrassing would this be for Natalya?
Uncle Bret is throwing a brick at the TV right now in Calgary.
I wish I could see him!
-[Byron] Natalya trying to fight it. -This is great.
[Cole] Natalya…
[crowd cheering]
…reverses out of it.
[Byron] Natalya's hurt.
Yeah, Natalya's hurt bad.
[Ric] Put her in a figure-four.
This is what you wanted.
[Byron] Charlotte did the damage she wanted to do.
[Charlotte] What?
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Nattie! Let's go, Nattie!
-[groans] -[Cole] Wow.
[crowd] Woooo!
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Nattie!
-[Cole] Natalya's had enough. -[Byron] There you go!
[Cole] The right hands.
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] Natalya's too proud.
[JBL] Charlotte, this for the--
-Oh man! -[Cole] German suplex by Natalya!
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] Another?
[Cole] Going for another one.
Charlotte, this time, able to block.
[JBL] Terrific counter.
[Cole] There it is!
-Spinning discus clothesline from Natalya! -Come on, you guys!
[Cole] She could be closing in on the Women's Championship.
[Byron] Natalya feels it.
[Cole] Now she's gonna go for the Sharpshooter!
And Charlotte with a right!
Rolls up Natalya. Kickout at two.
-Big boot! -[Byron] Oh man.
[Cole] Just like that, the Women's Champ back in control.
-Cover. Hooks the leg. -One! Two!
[Cole] Another near fall for the champ.
[crowd exclaiming]
[Cole] Again, Charlotte with a cover.
Hook of the leg, and a kickout.
As we take another look at the boot by Charlotte.
Again! And another kickout by Natalya.
[JBL] When in doubt, kick somebody in the face really hard.
-Best counter in the book. -[Byron] Look at Charlotte.
You can start to sense the desperation now kicking in for the champion.
[JBL] The calming effect of her 16-time World Champion coach,
and father, The Nature Boy.
I think Dr. Phil will come around after this match.
-And realize The Nature Boy… -[Cole and Byron] Oh!
…has method to the madness.
[Cole] Charlotte seems to believe the end is near for Natalya.
Great suplex by Charlotte, and now…
The arrogant champion.
[Byron] That's putting it lightly.
[JBL] You mean the confident champion.
-[Byron] Oh! -[Cole] Look at this.
Moonsault! Nobody home!
-[groaning] -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Natalya realizes this could be her moment.
This is her opportunity to put Charlotte away!
-Going for the Sharpshooter! -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Turns her over on her stomach!
Is Charlotte gonna tap out?! Is Charlotte gonna tap out?!
-Nature Boy trying to get in the ring! -[Byron] Get him out of there.
[Cole] Natalya got the Sharpshooter locked in.
Charlotte's in trouble! Charlotte's gonna tap!
Charlotte just tapped!
Charlotte tapped!
-[bell rings] -[Byron] Come on!
[Cole] Charlotte was tapping.
But The Nature Boy pulled the official out of the ring.
[crowd cheering]
[Garcia] Ladies and gentlemen, winner by disqualification is Natalya.
[Byron] You've gotta be kidding me.
["New Foundation" playing]
[Cole] Yeah, but Charlotte's still the champ, guys.
[Garcia] However, still WWE Women's Champion,
Charlotte!
["Recognition" playing]
[Cole] Charlotte still the champion.
The Nature Boy pulled the official out of the ring
while Charlotte was tapping.
Doctor, you just saw how Charlotte managed to hold on to the Women's Championship.
What do you make of how she won here tonight?
Well, it's very disappointing.
I was hoping that she wouldn't resort to those kind of cheap, underhanded tricks.
I was hoping she would stand up
and be somebody that girls could be proud of,
women could be proud of.
But she just didn't do it.
Well, thank you for joining us, Dr. Phil. I'm sorry you had to see that.
[Phil] Well, I am too.
But, you know, I am really proud of this women's division.
I'm really proud of the way they're stepping up
and taking their place.
And I just know they're going to cement their place
in sports history they way they deserve to do.
And I am so proud of the women's division in WWE.
The dirtiest player in the game
will do whatever it takes to retain the gold.
And in 2016,
with the Raw Women's Championship on the line,
Charlotte met her fiercest rival, Sasha Banks,
in a brutal Falls Count Anywhere match.
["Recognition" playing]
[JoJo] Her opponent, from the Queen City,
she is the Raw Women's Champion,
Charlotte!
[Corey] The more I think about it, the less I agree with Foley's decision.
This is not fair to Charlotte Flair. There was a double count-out earlier,
the rule book says that the champion does not lose her title.
This match shouldn't have been restarted.
[Cole] The question now is,
which one of these women will head to Austin, Texas, next week
for Monday Night Raw, as the Women's Champion?
Will it be Charlotte on your left? Will it be Sasha on your right?
Again, no count-out, no disqualification.
Falls count anywhere.
So the champion loses advantage in this type of matchup, Corey.
[Corey] You're absolutely right.
Like I said, all Charlotte did was within the rules.
Got herself counted out,
she retains the championship.
This is unfair.
[Byron] I disagree with you, Corey.
Because now that these two ladies know there's no count-out, no disqualification,
falls count anywhere, they know there will be no excuses,
and whoever wins this match deserves it.
[Cole] First time in the history of Monday Night Raw
the Women's Championship will be decided in a Falls Count Anywhere match.
-Charlotte versus Sasha. -[bell rings]
Corey, who do the rules in this matchup favor?
[Corey] I think I'm gonna go with Charlotte
if for no other reason than genetic superiority.
She's bigger, she's stronger, she's faster than Sasha.
[Byron] Again, history has been very kind to Sasha Banks.
We pointed it out earlier.
Both of Sasha Banks' Raw Women's Championship wins
have occurred here on Raw.
[Corey] You can't dwell in the past, Byron.
Few people perform on the big stage-- Oh!
[Cole] Sasha launching herself through the second rope!
And taking out Charlotte.
[Byron] Sasha's dwelling on nothing.
She is bringing the fight to the champ.
[Cole] The official not counting, no count-outs here.
Sasha can do whatever she wants to Charlotte outside the ring.
Just like that. Cover. Falls count anywhere.
Kickout by Charlotte.
[Byron] How about what Sasha said earlier.
Dedicating her win to "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair.
[Corey] That's just salt in the wound.
That's a smart strategy by Sasha.
Try to play mind games with Charlotte.
[Cole] As we learned,
Charlotte one of the best in the business at playing mind games.
Sasha, kick to the midsection. And another one.
Charlotte again outside the ring.
It has been all Sasha early going
in this matchup for the Raw Women's Championship.
[Byron] Sasha looking for the double knee.
[Corey] Oh my goodness!
[Cole] Speaking of doubles, both women down.
Who will survive Falls Count Anywhere?
Who will be the Raw Women's Champion?
Charlotte or Sasha?
[Cole] The Queen, the Women's Champion, Charlotte,
in control of the challenger, Sasha.
This is for the Women's Title.
Charlotte, shoulders down. And a kickout.
It's falls count anywhere.
No disqualification, no count-out.
Get that hold. Get that hold right there.
[Cole] And it seems like Charlotte is starting to gain control of the match.
Before the break, this happened outside the ring.
Both women knocked down with a double clothesline.
[Byron] This is where the no count-out rules favor these two.
Then during the break, watch this.
[Cole] Oh man!
Ever since that point, Corey, it's been all Charlotte.
[Corey] Charlotte is just imposing her will on The Boss.
This is where the strength game comes into play.
Charlotte the stronger of the two.
[Cole] Charlotte in her hometown,
Charlotte, North Carolina.
This is Flair country,
as Charlotte has told us a number of times over the past week.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Charlotte!
[Corey] Charlotte has said time and time again,
Sasha Banks will always play second fiddle to her success.
[Byron] Remember, this match can be ended by pinfall or submission
anywhere in this arena.
-[Cole] Sasha up over the top. -[Byron] Or out of the arena.
-[Cole] Charlotte rolls through. -[Byron] Oh!
[Cole] Perhaps looking for the figure-four into the figure-eight.
[crowd] Woooo!
[Byron] Charlotte soaking in the moment.
Where she could potentially be on the verge of putting away The Boss.
[Cole] A move made famous by her father, the two-time Hall of Famer, Ric Flair.
[Byron] Look at Sasha--
[Cole] Double knees to the face of the champ!
[Byron] Great counter by The Boss.
[Cole] Charlotte looking to regroup.
Sasha Banks has some valuable time here.
Sasha into the corner with the running knees again.
[yells]
[both grunting]
[Cole] Oh! And a shot by Sasha.
Charlotte doesn't wanna be there. We know what Sasha…
[Corey] We know what Sasha's thinking, what she's capable of.
[Cole] Went for the knee, Charlotte moves.
-Kick right to the midsection. -[Byron] Charlotte knew it too.
These two Superstars know each other so incredibly well.
[crowd] Woooo!
[Byron] Done battle so many times.
[Cole] Gotta wonder what Charlotte has in mind here.
-[Corey] Oh no. Not… -[Cole] Oh my goodness.
Looking for a suplex, perhaps, out to the floor.
[Byron] Oh…
[Cole] And Sasha, though, lands on the apron.
[yells]
[Cole] A Flair Chop! And another!
-[both grunting] -[crowd] Woooo! Woooo! Woooo!
[Cole] Sasha with a chop of her own.
-[Corey] Blocked it. -[Cole] Blocked that, and a right hand!
[both grunting]
[Byron] Dangerous positioning here for both these ladies.
Look at Sasha!
[Corey] The Boss just teeing off on the champion.
-Oh! -[Cole] A big kick!
Sasha hit hard!
She hit the apron hard, back of her head,
and she could be out!
[Byron] My goodness!
[Cole] Charlotte may be out!
[Corey] Sasha, rather.
Understandably.
What a kick by The Queen,
knocking Banks all the way to the floor.
If Sasha can't answer the referee's ten-count,
this one's over, guys.
[Byron] Sasha's not moving.
[Charlotte] Count, ref!
[Cole] All Charlotte has to do is pin Sasha.
No, stays in it!
Remember, falls count anywhere,
no disqualification, no count-out.
[Byron] Smile on the face of Charlotte. Watch this again.
[Cole] Watch the impact here.
Oh! Sasha hitting so hard.
And now whipped into the barricade.
Charlotte continues to punish The Boss.
[Byron] Charlotte knows that Sasha could be in grave danger right now.
-Oh my goodness! -[Cole] Natural Selection!
That's how Charlotte won the championship inside Hell in a Cell!
And Sasha stays in it!
A unique Natural Selection, Corey, off the stairs.
-[Corey] Somehow, though… -My hometown.
Some way, The Boss was able to muster up enough to kick out.
I don't know if it was pure instinct.
But The Boss' opportunity lives on.
-Take a look at this. -One, two, three!
[Byron] How in the world Sasha Banks…
was able to kick out of this…
The champ is in disbelief.
[Cole] That's what Charlotte was asking herself.
You want more, don't you?
[Cole] Giving Sasha valuable time here to regroup.
-[Byron] She needs to stay the course. -She wants more.
[Cole] Guys, Charlotte has no idea,
but Sasha just took a kendo stick out from under the ring.
-And this is legal. No disqualifications! -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And Sasha taking it to Charlotte!
The Boss is in business!
[Byron] No rules, no problem.
[Corey] Countless lashes for The Queen.
[Cole] Charlotte trying to create some separation.
Trying to get that kendo stick away from Sasha.
-[Charlotte wails] -[Cole] Sasha's down.
[Byron] Charlotte didn't get the stick away from Banks,
but stopped the assault, if only momentarily.
[crowd chanting] ECW! ECW! ECW!
[yells]
[Byron] Sasha… Charlotte trying to do whatever she can to fend off The Boss.
[Cole] She did kick the stick out of Sasha's hand.
But now Sasha
looking for a suplex outside the ring.
Charlotte blocked it a couple of times.
-Sasha lands on her feet. -[Charlotte] Woooo!
[Cole] Charlotte, neckbreaker!
[crowd exclaims]
[crowd cheering and applauding]
[Cole] This has been a vicious match.
[Byron] Was definitely effectful.
Took out The Boss.
But how much damage did it do to Charlotte for delivering the move?
Take another look.
Both of these women crashing hard into the ringside.
[Cole] That answered your question, left part of your screen.
The kip-up by Charlotte,
who now has regained control.
-[man] Let's go, Sasha! -[Cole] Falls count anywhere.
Which means pin or tap your opponent,
which Charlotte may be looking for here.
Figure-four, looking to bridge into the figure-eight.
And she does. And Sasha's in trouble!
-Is Sasha gonna tap to Charlotte? -[Sasha groaning]
[Corey] Charlotte said tonight--
[Cole] Figure-eight, almost got there!
And now she's got it in!
-And is Sasha gonna tap? -[screaming]
[Cole] Is Sasha gonna tap out?
Charlotte looking to retain the title!
-[Byron] Boss' hopes-- -[Cole] A kendo stick!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] We learned, inside Hell in a Cell last month,
what both of these Superstars are willing to do
for the Women's Championship.
More of the same tonight.
This fierce rivalry writing yet another chapter here,
live on Monday Night Raw.
[Corey] What we just witnessed was a perfect case
of right place, right time.
The kendo stick.
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, Monday Night Raw is live tonight
in Charlotte, North Carolina.
This is our main event.
It's for Charlotte's Women's Championship, versus Sasha Banks.
-Falls count anywhere. -[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
[Cole] No count-out, no disqualification.
The first time in the history of Raw
the Women's Title being defended in a Falls Count Anywhere match.
[Charlotte yells]
[Byron] Two women with undeterred confidence
that they each have what it takes to lead this women's division here on Raw.
[Cole] Sasha battling back.
Fighting up the ramp now, to the stage.
Dangerous position for both of these ladies.
[Byron] I think…
I think they're coming our way.
[Cole] Now Sasha down on the stage.
Things are getting even more dangerous.
There's not much room up here in this area.
Sasha Banks is coming to the announce table.
-Oh no. No. -Get out of my way!
The Queen just tearing our table apart.
[Cole] There goes the monitor.
And now Sasha from behind.
And now Charlotte with a right.
And Sasha Banks onto the announce table!
And now Sasha dropping down to the floor,
the official down to check on her.
-[Corey] Oh… -[Cole] Charlotte!
-Get down from there! -[Corey] No, no, no.
-No, no, no. -Not from up there!
-No. -Charlotte!
-[Byron] This is too much. -[Cole] Moonsault off the announce table!
A moonsault from the announce table!
Charlotte looking for the win!
Here's the cover on Sasha.
Hook of the leg!
-Sasha kicks out at two! -[crowd exclaiming]
[Cole] The Boss is in it!
[Corey] How on earth did The Boss survive?
One! Two!
[Cole] Cover again! And again Sasha kicks out!
Absolutely incredible action!
Charlotte went high-risk, moonsault off the announce table,
and Sasha survived!
-[Byron] How is Sasha still in this match? -[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
-[man] Come on, Sasha! -Three! I saw three!
-[crowd chanting] This is awesome! -[Cole] Corey, that's incredible.
[Corey] Absolutely death-defying by the Women's Champion.
I have no idea how The Boss survived.
[Cole] Sasha bounced off that steel grating by Charlotte.
Suddenly The Queen is in complete control.
Sasha kicking out of instinct alone.
[Charlotte] That's right.
[Corey] Just goes to show you what Charlotte's legacy means to her.
To be known as the greatest Superstar in her family, ever.
[crowd] Woooo!
[boy] Come on, Sasha.
[mockingly] Come on, Sasha!
[Corey] The intensity of this match is unparalleled.
[Byron] We've seen it time and time again,
Charlotte and Sasha bring the best out of each other.
-[Cole] Uh-oh. -Move. Move out of my way!
[Cole] Screaming, "Get out of my way."
But it's Sasha Banks now driving Charlotte right into the post.
[Byron] Boss able to redirect the champ.
Driving Charlotte spine-first into the barrier.
[Cole] How much does Sasha have left?
That's the question now.
-[Byron] Oh! -[Cole] Back body drop.
Champ hit hard.
Move!
-[Cole] Where's she going now? -Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
[Byron] Boss clearing out the WWE Universe at ringside.
[crowd] Woooo!
[Cole] Sasha on the barricade!
Sasha measuring the champion!
Double knees to Charlotte!
Here's the cover. Shoulders down!
And a kickout at two!
Charlotte survives!
[Byron] Both these ladies not thinking about how they'll feel tomorrow morning.
Not thinking about the bruises, about the pain.
It's all about becoming Raw Women's Champion.
[Cole] Guys, this rivalry, it's only fitting it has come to this.
Charlotte trying to catch her breath.
[Corey] See Charlotte saying to herself, "I'm the champ."
Trying to psych herself up.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Boss is looking to break The Queen.
-[Cole] Kendo stick to the spine! -[crowd exclaims]
-[screaming] -[Cole] It's Charlotte's turn to scream.
[crowd exclaims]
-[Sasha yells] -[Cole] Sasha again!
[crowd exclaims]
[Sasha] No you don't.
[Cole] Such disdain between these two women.
Such a competitive fire.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Sasha now back out into the WWE Universe.
There's Charlotte with a right.
[crowd] Woooo!
[Cole] Falls count anywhere in this matchup.
On the floor, out in the WWE Universe.
On those stairs, in the stands, anywhere!
[crowd cheering and yelling]
[Cole] Charlotte making her way up the stairs, missed.
Sasha bounces Charlotte off that railing.
That steel railing.
Sasha Banks now!
She's got Charlotte pinned between the railings!
And now teeing off! Banks teeing off!
[crowd cheering]
-[Byron] Oh my goodness! -[Cole] Look!
Charlotte tapped!
-[bell ringing] -[Byron] She tapped!
[Cole] Charlotte taps!
A unique Banks Statement! The Boss wins the title!
[JoJo] Here is your winner, and the new Raw Women's Champion,
Sasha Banks!
[Cole] Sasha Banks is a three-time Women's Champion!
-What an incredible match! -["Sky's the Limit" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Both these Superstars putting everything on the line!
[Byron] Sasha Banks said,
Charlotte, I want you to know how it feels to lose in your hometown.
The agony, the pain, and The Boss delivered.
[yells]
[Corey] Absolute battle from both competitors.
Each one trying to outdo the other for the right to be called champion.
And these two women did anything and everything in their arsenals.
[Cole] Including this moonsault.
An absolutely incredible moment from Charlotte to Sasha.
And how the hell Sasha Banks kicked out of this is beyond me.
[Corey] Take a look at this.
The Boss, brutal knee strikes.
Disorienting the champion,
and then locking in the Banks Statement around the steel guardrail.
[bell ringing]
[Byron] I tell you, that tap out, seeing those hands tap by Charlotte,
the greatest visual in the mind of The Boss.
Because it has just given her
her third reign as the Raw Women's Champion.
[Corey] The Boss has done the impossible.
-["Dawn" playing] -Sasha-- Oh.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] It's The Nature Boy!
-[Byron] Oh my God. -[Cole] Ric Flair!
Home in Charlotte!
["Dawn" continues playing]
[Byron] Sasha said she would dedicate her win to The Nature Boy.
-[crowd cheering] -[Cole] This is an incredible scene!
[Byron] What an endorsement.
[Cole] An incredible scene here tonight on Monday Night Raw!
"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair
holding Sasha Banks' hand high in victory!
[Corey] Sasha Banks did the impossible.
She marched into The Queen's castle and knocked Charlotte off the throne,
and now a ringing endorsement from one of the greatest of all time.
What a night for The Boss.
[Cole] Remember what Charlotte did to her father.
Throwing Ric Flair to the curb a number of months ago.
-Tonight it all comes full circle. -["Sky's the Limit" playing]
Ric Flair with a rousing endorsement to the new Women's Champion.
-Sasha Banks! -I failed.
I was supposed to do this.
An incredible first-ever moment.
Falls Count Anywhere,
history made on Monday Night Raw
between two of the great women competitors in not only WWE today,
but in WWE for all time.
Sasha and Charlotte make history again tonight on Raw.
♪ Now that's not quite ♪
♪ Hustling every day I'm on my way to that sharp light ♪
♪ It's my destiny to be bigger Yeah, I got fight ♪
♪ And I've had visions Of sitting high on my own gold throne ♪
♪ Never listening to criticism I built my own ♪
♪ From the bottom I've gotten myself in my own zone ♪
A Queen knows how to build her empire
with the same stones that were thrown at it.
So Charlotte picked herself up, adjusted her crown,
and made damn sure the world and her father
knew she was a true force to be reckoned with
in the Raw women's division.
[crowd booing]
Last Monday night, when I lost my title,
it was hard.
The WWE means everything to me.
[crowd] What?!
The title means everything to me.
[crowd] What?!
No, that's fine. You can "What?" me.
But, please, give me a chance to explain.
[crowd] What?!
But you know what was harder than losing the title?
[crowd chanting] You can't fight!
What was harder
was watching my dad walk to the ring,
stand in the ring,
put his arms around Sasha Banks…
[crowd] What?!
…and raise her hand.
[crowd] What?!
It was like my dad was saying, "Sasha's the woman."
It was like he was saying, "Sasha's the athlete."
[crowd] What?!
It was like he was saying,
"Sasha's the competitor that I wish my daughter was."
"That I hoped she would be like."
[crowd] What?!
All I have ever wanted was my dad's approval.
All I've ever wanted from him was for him to be proud of me.
[crowd] What?!
No one knows what it's like
being Ric Flair's daughter in this business.
[crowd] What?!
Every single day I'm like, "Am I good enough?"
[crowd] What?!
Do any of you know what that's like?
[crowd] What?!
No, you don't.
[crowd] What?!
But when I was sitting in my hometown, I sat in the audience, and…
I watched my dad raise someone else's hand.
Then I was like, oh, I obviously failed as his daughter.
[crowd] What?!
It broke my heart.
So…
I haven't seen my dad in six months.
And I asked him here tonight
to give him a heartfelt apology.
[crowd chanting] Who's the baddest? Who's the baddest? Who's the baddest?
Dad, please come out here.
[crowd] Woooo!
["Dawn" playing]
[crowd cheering]
I love you. I love you.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd] Woooo!
-I love you. -[crowd] Woooo!
Dad, I'm sorry.
-[crowd booing] -[man] We want Sasha!
I'm sorry.
[crowd chanting] No! No! No!
[crowd chanting] Who's your daddy?
-[crowd booing] -[Ric speaking indistinctly]
-[Corey] Oh! -[Byron] Oh.
[crowd exclaims]
You son of a bitch!
[crowd booing]
I'm your daughter!
I'm your flesh and your blood!
Who is she to dedicate her victory to my father?
My father!
You turn your back on me?
Really?
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Sasha Banks. Sasha Banks!
Trying to come to the aid of Ric, and…
[Byron] There is something seriously wrong with Charlotte.
-Disgustingly wrong. -[Corey] You don't have to like it, Byron.
This could've been a very well-laid trap by The Queen.
[Byron] The crocodile tears, the fake emotion.
To humiliate your father, your own flesh and blood,
on national television again.
[Cole] And to drag Ric out here and put him through all this again,
and now Sasha just coming down to do the right thing,
and Charlotte beating the hell out of her.
Are you done talking?
[Corey] Sasha's sticking her nose into family business that does not concern her.
[Byron] Absolutely no shame.
-[Cole] At least she had compassion. -Here's your trophy!
-[Byron] No shame. -Come hold my hand!
-[Byron] No compassion with The Queen. -That's your girl.
Hey! Come on, get out of here!
Let's go, Charlotte. Get out of here!
Charlotte, no! Come on! Charlotte!
[Cole] Your heart's gotta break for Ric Flair
as he just watches this.
No! Don't you do it, Charlotte!
[Cole] My God. No, no, no.
-Charlotte, what… -Charlotte, stop it!
No! No!
-[Corey] Oh! -[Cole] Launching Sasha off the post!
[Moore] Come on, get her out of here!
[Corey] The Raw Women's Champion is out cold.
I'm the woman!
Oh, yeah, I'm the woman!
[crowd booing]
[Moore] Charlotte, stop right there!
-Hey, don't touch her! -Hey, don't you touch her!
[Corey] She's not done yet?
[Cole] This is pathetic.
-[Moore] Stop it right now! -This is pathetic.
This is pathetic!
[Moore] Charlotte, stop it right now!
Stop it!
Charlotte, you can't do this!
-Stop! -Shut up!
[Moore] Stop it right now!
Sasha who?
-Sasha who? -[crowd booing]
Oh, boo-hoo.
Ric Flair crying.
-Boo-hoo! -[Moore] Charlotte, let's go.
[crowd continues booing]
[crowd chanting] Charlotte sucks! Charlotte sucks! Charlotte sucks!
That's your trophy.
[crowd continues chanting] Charlotte sucks! Charlotte sucks!
Boo-hoo.
[Big E] Mm. The look on poor Ric Flair's face.
A shocking moment, for sure,
but also a reminder of the kind of competitor Charlotte Flair is.
Savage and relentless in her pursuit of greatness.
Charlotte would defend her Raw Women's Title again in 2021
with that same unforgiving gusto.
This time it was "The Irresistible Force" Nia Jax,
who was looking to erase the luster off The Queen's crown.
[Corey] See it in the eyes of both of these women.
Both competitors are ready for a battle.
Because it is all about the Raw Women's Championship.
Nia Jax has held it in the past.
Charlotte Flair holds the throne at the moment.
This is gonna be a good one.
[Jimmy] Think about that psychological edge of Nia Jax.
-"I beat you last week." It's fresh. -[bell rings]
[Shayna] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
[Byron] What…
Listen, Charlotte,
I'm counting with you.
I'm not sure that my partner here has what it takes
to beat you twice in a row.
And we know I do.
-Could you? -Bring it down!
But, uh, the real question here tonight,
is will my tag partner become the champion or will she choke?
-[Corey] Wow. -[Byron] Whoa!
[Corey] Friends like that, who needs enemies!
Charlotte Flair not wasting any time.
We're getting what we thought we were gonna get, guys!
-[Byron] We knew it wouldn't be pretty. -[Corey] Oh!
This is about the Raw Women's Championship.
I don't know how Nia can concentrate
when her partner and friend just turned her back.
[Byron] Nasty shots right now delivered by Nia Jax.
[Jimmy] She's gonna have to concentrate.
-Hands full of hair. -What you got?
-[Jimmy] Hands full of face. -You want it?
-Let's go. -Come on.
[Jimmy] Starting off where we left off last week.
[Corey] You're right. Someone's about to get pieced up good.
Come at me!
-You need to protect yourselves. -Come at me.
[Byron] The official's restored just enough order.
You think pulling my hair is tough?
Come on, pull my hair!
-I am tough. -Pull my hair.
-Oh! -[Corey] Uh-oh.
Now The Queen trying to get under the skin of Nia Jax.
[Jimmy] The strategic retreat by The Queen, Charlotte Flair.
Shayna Baszler, clearly upset at Nia Jax about last week.
[Zapata] Back it off. Let's go. Charlotte, come on.
You can kiss my ass.
-[Corey] The Queen is… -[Byron] Where's The Queen going?
Charlotte Flair's taking her Raw Women's Championship.
[Shayna] You're not getting out of here.
-Yes, I am. Get out of my face. -You know what'll happen.
Get out of my face.
-Get out of my face. Get out of my face. -You're not getting out of here.
[Corey] Oh! Jax from behind!
Taking advantage of the situation.
Charlotte paid just enough attention--
This is…
[Jimmy] Oh!
[Corey] Hung across the top rope.
The Queen able to create some separation.
[Jimmy] I think "unbelievable" is the word you're looking for.
[Byron] Jax trying to ensure that she's not going to miss out
on her championship opportunity.
So many angles, we don't know what to keep an eye on right now.
[Corey] Gotta keep an eye on the two women in the ring.
The champion and the challenger.
Charlotte Flair, great agility.
-Chop block! -[Jimmy] Oh!
What she's so great at,
taking advantage of the weaknesses of her opponent.
[Corey] She didn't become a 12-time champion for nothing.
Doesn't happen by accident.
That is greatness.
Right now The Queen trying to figure out how to solve The Irresistible Force.
[Jimmy] So great at working the joints. Going after the knee again.
There's the power of Nia Jax.
She is always the equalizer.
[Byron] The physical dominance of Nia Jax.
That's why the confidence of Nia Jax
has been on overflow against Charlotte Flair.
[Corey] The Queen able to turn the momentum in this matchup around
with the chop block.
But now The Queen, the champion, placed upon the top turnbuckle.
-And Jax is giving chase. -[Byron] Oh boy.
[Corey] Oh no.
[Jimmy] She has the power to fling her all the way across the ring, we know that.
[Corey] Jax might send The Queen into orbit.
Great-- Oh.
-Charlotte able to… -[Jimmy] Oh!
-Flipping it around, has her on her back! -One! Two!
[Jimmy] Nia Jax powering out of that one.
[Byron] The Queen nearly escaping with her championship intact.
[Cole] I think Nia's got Charlotte Flair a little shook, guys.
I'm being perfectly honest here.
We're used to the finesse of Charlotte Flair.
The always composed ice-cold Queen.
Charlotte Flair is showing emotion.
She's… I don't want to say she's off here game,
but this is a different Charlotte Flair.
[Jimmy] She's a Charlotte Flair who is making emotional decisions in the ring.
She's never done that before, Corey.
[Corey] It may, in fact, make The Queen even more dangerous.
[Byron] Goes after the knee.
-[Jimmy] Trying to set up-- Oh! -[Corey] Oh…
Charlotte Flair whipped down hard.
I think she might have had a glancing blow on the… bottom turnbuckle. I'm not sure.
This thing's ugly, but it's just getting good.
[Jimmy] Did you wonder if it would be a brutal as last week
now that the Raw Women's Championship is on the line
between Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax?
-The answer is an emphatic yes. -[Corey] No doubt about it.
These two women giving it everything they have
for the right to be called champion.
And The Queen is headed up top.
[Byron] Charlotte Flair looking to up the ante here
against Nia Jax.
[Jimmy] Who is outside of the ring.
Ten, 12 feet down!
-[announcers] Oh! -[crowd cheering]
[Jimmy] Laying out Nia Jax!
[Corey] Charlotte Flair taking a high risk flying blind,
but it paid off big-time.
[Jimmy] You wanna call yourself "The Irresistible Force"?
[Byron] Shayna Baszler!
-[Corey] Oh. -[Byron] Oh, whoa.
Shayna, no!
Get it-- Hey, calm it down.
[Byron] It almost went horribly wrong.
[man] Come on, Nia!
[Corey] As we look back once again
at the athleticism of the champion, Charlotte Flair.
Flying through the sky, crashing down on Jax.
But at the top of your screen, Nia's got Charlotte.
-Wait a second! -[Byron] Oh!
Pull her over!
-Not gonna happen. -[Corey] Charlotte's not strong enough.
[Jimmy] Oh!
[Corey] The game-changing power possessed by Nia Jax!
[Jimmy] Flattening Charlotte Flair against the turnbuckle.
Can The Queen come back from this?
[Byron] Charlotte Flair's lifeless body perched on that top rope.
Courtesy of Jax. And what is…
-What the hell is wrong with you? -[speaks indistinctly]
[Corey] What?
Seriously? Get out of here!
-[Byron] Oh my goodness! -[Jimmy] The Natural Selection!
-Off the top rope, to the cover! -One! Two! Three!
[bell rings]
-["Recognition" playing] -I don't believe it!
[Rome] Here is your winner,
and still the Raw Women's Champion,
Charlotte Flair!
[Jimmy] Shayna Baszler just cost Nia Jax the Raw Women's Title.
I didn't do shit. Not at all.
Champions know how to seize the moment.
And with a little help from Shayna Baszler,
Charlotte took her opportunity and pounced,
retaining her coveted gold hardware.
However, the following week on Raw,
The Queen of Spades wanted her turn against The Queen of WWE.
["Loyalty is Everything" playing]
[Corey] Listen, every team has a problem once in a while.
This is a chance for Shayna Baszler to lead by example.
To demonstrate to Nia where Shayna feels Nia has shortcomings.
[Jimmy] Yeah, but the last thing you want if you're Shayna Baszler,
is to come into a match with Charlotte Flair
that might lead to a shot at the title, with a ton of distractions.
[Corey] Did you just say "Shayna Baszler"
and "last thing she wants" regarding a fight, ever?
Are you kidding me? Have you met Shayna Baszler?
Shayna lives for the fight.
Particularly when the opportunity at stake is as large as you mentioned.
[Corey] You hope her focus is solely on The Queen
as they get it started.
[Byron] Here's the flip-side, something to question, to be aware of.
Has Shayna Baszler put a little bit too much pressure on herself by saying,
"I can and will beat The Queen"?
[Corey] That's what this game is all about, Saxton, is pressure.
Back inside!
One!
[Corey] Shayna Baszler now picking up steam.
-[Jimmy] Charlotte went right down. -Back inside! One!
[Byron] The Queen looking to go airborne!
[announcers] Oh!
[Jimmy] She takes out Shayna Baszler!
-Outside the ring, The Queen is reigning. -Come on, Boston!
[Charlotte yells]
[Shayna grunts]
[Byron] The Queen continuing to dominate Shayna Baszler.
[Jimmy] Shayna Baszler bringing a very different style.
If you watched the last few weeks,
Charlotte Flair has taken on Nikki A.S.H, been in there with Rhea Ripley, Nia Jax.
Shayna Baszler, a different kind of animal than any of those Superstars.
[Corey] A different style of competition than Charlotte Flair is normally used to.
The Queen right now utilizing her athletic ability.
All the way up top.
-And Baszler… -[Jimmy] Oh!
[Corey] Just in time, shaking the ropes.
Connecting with a glancing kick that took down The Queen.
Cover here.
[Jimmy] Trying to get it over with.
Not quite yet.
[Corey] That's the difference between these two.
Charlotte Flair is arguably the most well-rounded female competitor in WWE.
Shayna Baszler sticks with what works.
Shayna sticks with her style of fight, and it's served her incredibly well.
However, Shayna's shown in the past, if she's thrown off of her game--
-Uh-oh! -[Jimmy] Oh!
-[Corey] Can lead to catastrophe. -[Jimmy] Thrown off, rolled up.
Shayna Baszler out at two, and this is what she's great at.
[Corey] Close quarters!
-[Corey and Jimmy] Kirifuda Clutch! -[Jimmy] It's deep.
Charlotte Flair, toward the center of the ring,
needs to fight out in a hurry.
[Shayna grunts]
[Byron] Very instinctual presence there from Charlotte Flair.
-Looking to escape! -[Jimmy] Oh!
Not just great instincts. Great reactions, great training.
She was raised in this game, Byron.
She's been in it for decades, not years, decades, and it shows.
[Byron] There's a reason Charlotte Flair is a 12-time Women's Champion.
She proves it night in and night out.
[Jimmy] Shayna Baszler, I think, coming into this match,
we saw her confrontation with Nia Jax,
she's been frustrated.
-[Corey] Whoa, whoa. Up and… oh gosh! -Oh!
[Byron] Oh man!
[Corey] Big-time power right on the back of Charlotte Flair's neck.
What a nasty landing.
[Jimmy] That frustration, it shows in her matches.
Just like this.
-[Corey] I think Charlotte might be out. -[Jimmy] Cover! This might be it. Oh!
[Corey] I'm not entirely convinced Charlotte wasn't out,
at least for a brief second.
Watch this German suplex by Shayna Baszler.
Look at the angle, the high impact.
Charlotte lands on the bottom of her neck, across her shoulder.
-But The Queen now asking for more. -[Byron] Be careful what you ask for.
Especially when you are requesting that from Shayna Baszler.
[Corey] Baszler all too happy to provide more.
[Jimmy] Oh.
Vicious with the kick combinations.
Over and over and over again.
Close quarters is where she excels, right here in the clinch.
-[Corey] Uh-oh. -[Jimmy] Oh!
Great turnaround by Charlotte Flair with the clothesline.
[Byron] Gotta be impressed by The Queen daring Shayna Baszler.
"Give me more," and responding in kind.
[Jimmy] When you're The Queen
it's all about sending a message to the division.
Am I right? You can't back down.
You can't be technical all the time. You gotta be a warrior sometimes.
[Corey] That's what it takes to retain the throne,
by any means necessary.
-Charlotte-- Oh! -[Jimmy] Oh!
-Boot didn't connect, but elbow did! -Cover!
One! Two!
[Jimmy] Oh! Not quite.
[Corey] Charlotte Flair, like a woman possessed right now.
But a bit of frustration has to be creeping in.
The Queen thought this one was over.
But it's a testament to the tenacity of Shayna Baszler.
The toughness.
[Jimmy] She is smiling, we can see it.
The look on her face, like she's ready to put this one to bed.
[Byron] The Queen now trying to muscle up Shayna Baszler.
[Corey] Baszler able to escape, lands on her feet in the corner.
[Jimmy] Oh!
Beautiful boot at the right time.
Plenty of fight in Shayna Baszler.
[Corey] Backbreaker from Charlotte.
Face-first into the middle turnbuckle!
The Queen has been just a half step ahead basically this entire matchup.
[Byron] Wasting no time now, following Baszler all the way outside.
What is going through the mind of The Queen?
[Jimmy] What's going through her mind is, "You want a piece of my title?"
"You gotta get through me in a challenger's match."
And that's not happening tonight.
[Corey] Charlotte Flair from the top rope!
-[Jimmy] Oh… -[Corey] Oh!
-The Queen takes out Shayna Baszler… -Come on!
…in spectacular fashion.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] You can almost feel the confidence of The Queen growing.
-Uh-oh! -[Jimmy] What?
Here comes Nia Jax!
[Corey] The Irresistible Force.
Nia and Charlotte Flair…
[Jimmy and Byron] Oh!
…no fans of one another.
[Jimmy] Who knows what's coming after this.
[Jimmy] Welcome back
to what has been an incredibly competitive championship contenders match
between Charlotte Flair and Shayna Baszler.
The way this is going, Corey,
was this a smart idea for Charlotte Flair to take this match
right before Extreme Rules?
[Corey] Right before the break
we saw the arrival of "The Irresistible Force" Nia Jax.
To answer your question, Jimmy,
Charlotte Flair is the ultimate competitor.
The consummate competitor,
Charlotte wants to make sure that she stays razor sharp 365 nights a year.
[Shayna grunts]
[announcers] Oh!
[Corey] Again, not just because she has a championship defense
at Extreme Rules against Alexa Bliss.
But that could also be trouble for Charlotte Flair,
because if she's focused too much on Extreme Rules,
Shayna Baszler will turn The Queen's lights out.
[Jimmy] We have Nia Jax outside the ring.
What is that X factor?
It's gotta be in the head of Shayna Baszler, Byron.
[Byron] Maybe Nia Jax--
[Corey and Jimmy] Oh!
[Jimmy] Brutal chop block to the left knee.
[Byron] Maybe Jax is out here to support Shayna Baszler.
Maybe these problems are going to continue between Baszler and Jax.
We don't know.
[Corey] Uh-oh.
Charlotte Flair from the outside, look at this.
-Tearing apart Shayna Baszler's knee. -[Byron] Oh…
Regardless…
Woooo!
[Corey] I don't know if this is a wise decision by Charlotte Flair.
You never want to invoke The Irresistible Force.
[Jimmy] Gotta be upset from the match they had last week.
She was distracted by Shayna Baszler.
[Byron] Without question Nia Jax is still gonna be upset.
[Corey] The knee connected.
-Charlotte's up, but… -[Byron] Wait.
[Corey] Here comes Nia.
[Jimmy] Right when she has Charlotte on the ropes!
-It's like déjà vu. -To the cover!
One! Two! Three!
-[Jimmy] It's over. The Queen! -[bell rings]
[Corey] Wow.
[Jimmy] With a pin in the center of the ring.
[Rome] The Raw Women's Champion,
Charlotte Flair!
[Byron] It's almost identical to what Shayna Baszler did to Nia Jax last week.
[Corey] Of course it is.
Nia and Shayna wanted to get back on the same page.
They are on the same page, in the losers' column,
when it comes to The Queen, Charlotte Flair.
[Byron] This is not going to sit well with Baszler.
[Corey] It looked like Shayna might've had a chance to finish this one,
delivering a knee that rocked Charlotte Flair.
But Nia makes her way to the apron,
draws the attention of Baszler,
who has her features kicked off her face courtesy of a Charlotte Flair boot.
And The Queen is victorious yet again.
Man, that boot to the face
was the ugliest, the roughest,
the toughest… wait.
Am I making a lot of EST references?
That's because the following month on Raw,
Charlotte was primed to face The EST herself,
Bianca Belair.
["Recognition" playing]
[Byron] The Raw Women's Champion, Charlotte Flair,
has made it clear time and time again
she feels Bianca Belair is nowhere close to her level.
[Jimmy] Well, that's how she feels about everyone.
Is she right tonight, Corey?
[Corey] History has proven Charlotte Flair to be right on more than one occasion.
Charlotte Flair has earned the right to be called The Opportunity,
the right to be Raw Women's Champion.
Charlotte Flair, our statuesque Raw Women's Champion, has set the bar.
It's up to Bianca Belair to knock Charlotte off of her perch.
[Byron] Here's my question. Where are the emotions of Charlotte Flair?
Who has been complaining, crying "conspiracy" all night
because she didn't have a going away party,
as I said, for her?
[Corey] Charlotte Flair is a consummate professional
from bell to bell.
I understand that Charlotte was upset.
Charlotte probably felt a little disrespected by the lack of balloons,
by the lack of champagne, by the lack of goodbye hugs,
because Charlotte Flair has carried the Raw women's division on her back.
[Byron] You see her right now making Bianca Belair wait,
as only Charlotte Flair can do.
She's the master of the psychological game,
is she not, Corey?
[Corey] I would agree with you wholeheartedly.
But again, you cannot discount what Bianca Belair brings to this matchup.
Bianca won
the SmackDown Women's Championship
at the pinnacle of sports entertainment,
the main even of WrestleMania.
Bianca knows what it's like to breathe that rarefied air.
This one could be for the record books.
[bell rings]
The following contest, scheduled for one fall,
is for the Raw Women's Championship!
[crowd cheering]
Introducing the challenger,
from Knoxville, Tennessee,
Bianca Belair!
[crowd cheering]
[Rome] And her opponent,
she is the Raw Women's Champion,
Charlotte Flair!
[crowd booing]
[Corey] Blatant disrespect from Sacramento for Charlotte Flair.
This one's gonna be good, you can feel it in the arena right now.
[Byron] You wanna talk about disrespect,
how about the disrespect we've heard from Charlotte Flair to Bianca Belair?
Saying she's just a rookie, just a flash in the pan.
[Corey] Byron, those are mind games from Charlotte Flair.
You have to understand,
Charlotte has taken such great pride in being a superior athlete…
[bell rings]
…to just about everybody on the roster in WWE, Raw or SmackDown.
Then along comes Bianca Belair,
truly living up to the moniker of The EST of WWE.
Charlotte Flair may feel a little threatened by Bianca.
I think that's safe to say.
[Byron] Remember the last time these two faced off?
Bianca Belair did have Charlotte Flair beat.
Had it not been for Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair very well could've said,
"I have a victory over the Raw Women's Champion."
[Corey] Not about revisionist history, it is about the here and the now.
The EST, the Raw Women's Champion,
one-on-one for the gold.
The question is, what did Charlotte Flair learn from that match?
The winner, they fight the same match twice.
It's the one that came up short that has to change things.
Charlotte Flair is a smart competitor. She made changes.
[Byron] But I promise you, Bianca Belair, student of the game,
has done the exact same thing, Jimmy.
[announcers] Oh!
[Corey] Mirror images.
-[Byron] Oh yeah! -[Jimmy laughs]
[crowd cheering]
[Jimmy] Important message to send if you're Charlotte Flair.
"You may be an athlete, I am too."
[Corey] It's also equally important to Bianca Belair to say,
"Oh, you're Charlotte Flair? I don't care. I'm The EST."
[Jimmy] Look at that.
Holding on to her hair, busting those moves.
[Byron] There's a clap back for you from Bianca Belair.
[Corey] Bianca mocking Charlotte Flair.
What athleticism!
-[Corey and Byron] Oh! -[Jimmy] Oh boy!
Virtually cutting Charlotte Flair in half
with that shoulder right to the midsection. Oh!
[Corey] The knee just in time.
Thwarts Bianca's offensive attempt.
You don't get many chances to make a mistake and recover
when you're dealing with Charlotte Flair.
[Byron] She calls herself "The Opportunity."
She wants to be opportunistic tonight.
She doesn't want to make it about athleticism, speed.
-[Jimmy] Whoa! -[Corey] It's all about athleticism.
When you're talking about Charlotte Flair, when you're talking about Bianca Belair,
as we just saw yet again,
it is all about athleticism.
[Byron] Blair in peril on the apron.
-Uh-oh. -[Jimmy] Oh, there--
[Corey] There's trickery just like that!
[announcers] Oh!
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Bianca tossed over the commentary table.
The Queen back in the ring.
[crowd cheering]
[Jimmy] We have a great one tonight.
Finally sitting at our commentary table,
because the Raw Women's Champion, Charlotte Flair,
has been using it as a weapon this entire time.
[Corey] But right now Bianca Belair in control.
Body slamming Charlotte Flair.
Can Bianca make something happen?
-[Corey and Jimmy] Oh! -[Byron] Goodness.
Charlotte, once again, just a step ahead of the challenger.
[Jimmy] Beautiful timing on that kick by Charlotte Flair.
Bianca's finding out that if you wanna defeat Charlotte Flair,
you have to alter your play book.
Come here.
[Corey] Charlotte is a strategist.
Charlotte Flair does her homework.
-[Jimmy] Oh! -Comes into a match with a game plan.
[crowd chants] EST!
[Jimmy] Never caught by the same move twice, Corey.
[Corey] You're right, Charlotte doesn't make the same mistake twice.
That's one of the reasons she is the most decorated female in WWE history.
And now doing a little Bianca.
-Oh no! -[Jimmy] Oh!
[Byron] Now it's Bianca Belair
you could say is one step quicker than the Raw Women's Champion.
[Corey] I think Charlotte Flair got a little overconfident.
[Jimmy] Now Bianca Belair, confident, chaining her offense together. Boom!
-[Corey] Right into the moonsault. -That's right!
[Corey] Now The EST feeling it.
[Byron] We've seen a heightened level of physicality, of aggression
between both these Superstars.
[Jimmy] You talked about the emotions of Charlotte Flair, Byron,
what about the emotions of Bianca Belair?
'Cause she is fired up right now.
[Corey] Bianca's done an amazing job of keeping her emotions in check.
-Bianca is-- -[Jimmy] Oh wow.
-[Byron and Jimmy] Oh! -[Corey] Oh baby, what a suplex!
[Jimmy] Two on the back!
One! Two! Oh!
[Corey] Bianca has done a fantastic job of maintaining her composure
even when the times got extremely tough.
Moments ago, during the commercial break,
Charlotte Flair dropkicking Bianca into our announce table.
-[thuds] -Listen.
-[crowd exclaims] -[groans]
[Corey] You could hear the gasp leave Bianca's body
with the breath in her lungs.
[Byron] You almost feel
like that moment served as a wake-up call for Bianca Belair.
Realizing, "I have to step up my aggression,
take it to another level if I wanna win the Raw Women's Championship."
[Jimmy] She should've known that coming in against Charlotte Flair.
[Corey] Charlotte now, shoulders down.
One! Two!
-[Byron] Oh! -[Jimmy] Oh!
-Wow! -Look at that!
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] Incredible power by the Raw Women's Champion!
-[Jimmy] On her back again! -One! Two!
-[Jimmy] Not quite three. -[yells]
[Corey] How about the power displayed by the Raw Women's Champion?
Charlotte Flair utilizing her lower body.
Incredible leg strength to hoist the challenger high up
and drive Belair down to the canvas.
Nearly ending this thing.
[Byron] Flair wasting absolutely no time repositioning the body of Bianca Belair.
I think we know what's on the mind of the Raw Women's Champion.
[Corey] A little extra malice on the stomp from Charlotte,
who's gonna make the long, familiar climb to the high-rent district.
[Jimmy] Where she's so dangerous.
[Byron] Going for the home run!
[Jimmy] Oh, nobody home!
Look at that!
Look at that beautiful follow up, to the cover!
-[Byron] No! -[Corey and Jimmy] Oh!
And Belair somehow survives.
[Jimmy] Just in time with the kickout.
[Byron] Much to the dismay of Charlotte Flair.
Quite frankly, probably can't believe that Bianca Belair kicked out.
[Corey] Look at the athleticism.
Charlotte Flair looking for the moonsault.
Belair readjusted.
Out of the reach of Charlotte,
who still manages to deliver a standing moonsault on a second attempt.
But Belair will not be denied.
[Jimmy] Adjusting to your opponent's adjustments
is what the greats do.
On her back, trying to get it over with!
Nope!
[Byron] Another close call in this Raw Women's Championship match.
[Corey] Wow.
Back and forth we go.
[announcers] Oh!
-[Jimmy] Look at that spinebuster! -[Corey] That could do it!
That might do it!
Charlotte knew she was in trouble
and got the hell out of Dodge.
[Jimmy] A tactical retreat by Charlotte Flair.
-I think that was the perfect move. -Come on, get in the ring!
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] Charlotte Flair has gotta find a way to regroup here.
Especially after this.
Strong spinebuster delivered by Bianca Belair.
[Corey] Thunderous, and Bianca looked…
Bianca, you could tell, was disappointed after delivering the spinebuster.
Belair thought this one might be over.
[Byron] Wisely, Bianca Belair has not let up.
Taking this fight to the outside of the ring.
Now back inside.
[Corey] Bianca realizing that Charlotte, if she gets counted out or disqualified,
retains her Raw Women's Championship.
Bianca needs Charlotte in the ring to get the win and win the title.
But The Queen very wisely playing a little cat and mouse.
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] I'm not sure that strategy's gonna work right now.
Going for Flair!
[Corey] Belair bringing the fight to the outside.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jimmy] We are seeing it all, gentlemen.
-[Corey] Look out, and again! -[Byron] Get out of the way again!
[Corey] Turnabout is fair play!
But The Queen, Charlotte Flair, needs to be thrown in the ring.
Bianca needs to get the champion in the ring.
[crowd cheering]
[Jimmy] I know Crown Jewel is Thursday,
but I can't believe we're seeing this Raw Women's Championship match for free.
It has had everything, Corey.
[Corey] No doubt about it.
Charlotte Flair defending her Raw Women's Championship
against the former SmackDown Women's Champion, Bianca Belair,
who will have another opportunity this Thursday
to become SmackDown Women's Champion.
But it's been brawling, it's been high-flying,
it's been technical, it's been aggressive.
[Byron] We've seen a little of it all, Jimmy, in this matchup.
This is as competitive as competitive gets for the Raw Women's Championship.
[Jimmy] They're two of the best, and it's showing.
[Corey] Charlotte looking to counter out, but Bianca a step ahead!
-[Jimmy] Stuck on her back! -[Byron] Oh!
[Corey] Great wherewithal by the challenger.
[Byron] Flair looking for the boot, second time connects!
[Jimmy] To the cover. Hooking the leg!
Oh! Desperation kickout by Bianca Belair.
[Corey] Charlotte Flair has continued to pour it on in this matchup.
During the break, Flair propelling herself over the top rope to the outside
just to take out her challenger.
[crowd cheering]
[Jimmy] The fact that Bianca Belair took that
and is still in this match,
is a testament to, what, her grit? Her fortitude? Her ability to keep going?
[Byron] Bianca wants to become Raw Women's Champion.
Knows the opportunity to go to Crown Jewel
and win two championships is on the table.
This is the first step.
[Corey] A battle of wills.
Belair on the outside, Flair on the inside.
A right hand just rocked Charlotte.
[Jimmy] That's how you win a battle of wills,
with a short strike.
Now Bianca Belair looking to put it away.
[Corey] Flair answers with a right of her own.
Sending Belair all the way to the outside.
One!
[Jimmy] No one has been able to get the advantage, Corey.
[Corey] Not to be able to sustain it.
But what a right hand.
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] Now Charlotte Flair ascending to the top rope.
High-risk on tap!
[Jimmy] But it's high reward as well.
Can she put this one away?
Oh!
[Corey] Charlotte, right on target,
takes out the challenger.
And the last few grains of sand may be falling through the hourglass
for Bianca Belair's Raw Women's Championship hopes.
[Jimmy] Referee counting now.
This is why. Look at this.
Unbelievable, Corey.
[Corey] We talk all the time
about the athletic abilities of both of these women.
-Wait, Natural Selection! -[Jimmy] No, counter!
Her face never hit the canvas.
-[Byron] Backslide! Shoulders down! -One! Two! Oh!
[Corey] Charlotte escapes.
Bianca avoids the clothesline.
Swung the braid.
[Byron] Goes for the boot, does Flair.
From behind, here comes Belair!
-[Jimmy] Just dropping her! -[Corey] Modified Glam Slam.
[Byron] To the cover!
[Jimmy] Could we see a new champion?
Not quite!
[Corey] You can see the look on Belair's face.
This is where reality begins to creep in.
This is where doubt seeps in to a competitor's mind.
Bianca Belair thinking, "I've thrown everything I can at Flair,
what do I have left?"
[Byron] This is the proverbial fourth quarter
for Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair.
What else can you bring to the table?
[Jimmy] What an amazing night it has been on Raw.
-This main event has been unbelievable! -[Corey] May be just about over!
[Jimmy] K.O.D.!
[Corey] Charlotte clutching the top rope with everything in her being.
[Jimmy] What a beautiful escape and counter by Charlotte Flair!
[Corey] Brilliant ring awareness by the champion.
[Jimmy] Oh! Thought she was gonna roll her up there.
[Corey] Charlotte Flair, go behind, looking for the O'Connor Roll.
Belair hangs on.
-[Byron] Both ladies on the move. -[Corey] Oh!
-[Jimmy] A spear! -[Corey] Good night!
-[Jimmy] This has gotta be the end! -One! Two!
[Byron] It is not!
Not the end!
There is still life in The EST.
[Jimmy] Where did that kickout come from?
[Byron] I can't tell you, Jimmy.
Just pure instinct.
[Corey] Back and forth these two women went,
and spear.
Charlotte Flair flattening the challenger,
but Belair will not stay down.
[Byron] Think about all the emotion Charlotte Flair has gotta be feeling now.
Shock, rage, over the fact that Bianca Belair continues to survive.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome! This is awesome! This is awesome!
-[Jimmy] Oh… -[yells]
This is approaching Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder III proportions.
No one can sustain an advantage.
Heavy hitting back and forth.
Who wants it more?
[Jimmy] Who's willing to do more?
As we see Charlotte Flair, no problem going to the braid of Bianca Belair.
[Corey] The only thing harder than becoming a champion
is remaining a champion, Jimmy.
No one knows that better than Charlotte Flair,
who is once again perched on the top rope.
[Byron] Will this be what secures Flair's retention--
-Oh no! -[Corey] Oh!
[Jimmy] What a move by Bianca Belair!
[Byron] Bianca trying to muscle up the champ!
-[Corey] Oh! -[Byron] Oh my gosh!
-[Corey] Colossal German suplex! -[Byron and Jimmy] This could be it!
[Byron] Hook of the leg! No!
-Are you kidding me? -[crowd exclaims]
[Byron] Are you kidding me?!
[Jimmy] From unbelievable kickout to unbelievable kickout.
[Corey] And a look of disbelief in the eyes of the challenger.
Watch this one again.
Charlotte Flair thinking about a moonsault.
Belair out of the way yet again.
And then the power of The EST.
The strongest.
Just ask Charlotte Flair.
[Byron] Bianca Belair just fired her best and last shot
against the Raw Women's Champion.
[Jimmy] It better not be her last shot.
'Cause Charlotte Flair is still very much in this match.
[Byron] Now it's Bianca Belair perched on the top.
Bianca Belair can taste the Raw Women's Championship.
[Corey] But Charlotte, just a step too quick.
Able to knock down the competition.
But Belair in a precarious position on the top rope now.
[Jimmy] A chance for Charlotte Flair to get her own offense going.
Charlotte Flair
trying to muscle up Bianca Belair.
Looking for a superplex.
[Jimmy] That would have to put this one away, Byron.
If she can superplex her here…
[Byron] Defiantly, Bianca Belair fighting off the Raw Women's Champion.
Once again, Flair.
Hard right hand to Belair.
Who is gonna get the advantage here?
[Jimmy] Who can get the footing?
[Corey] Just the power of Belair, who was able to hold Charlotte--
-[announcers] Oh! -[crowd cheering]
-[Jimmy] Powerbomb to the back! One! Two! -One! Two!
-[Jimmy] No! -[Byron] Oh my gosh!
Oh my gosh!
[Jimmy] This crowd here in Sacramento cannot believe what they are seeing.
[Corey] No on can, Jimmy.
Just enjoy it.
This is a bona fide main event title fight for the Raw Women's Championship.
One!
-[Byron] A look of desperation on Bianca. -[Corey] She's gotta get Charlotte--
-Wait a second! -[Byron] Oh! What?!
-[bell ringing] -[Byron] Not like this!
-Not like this. -[Corey] Damn it.
[announcers] Oh!
-[Jimmy] A brilliant match! -[Corey] Oh! Wait a second!
Bianca may not be the Raw Women's Champion,
but she's gonna have the last word.
[groaning]
["Recognition" playing]
[Big E] The 14-time World Champ
continues to spearhead the women's division.
She has set the bar as the first female to main event Raw,
SmackDown,
and the grandest stage of them all,
WrestleMania.
All hail The Queen.
That wraps up this edition of Raw Classics.
Once again, I'm Big E,
and it's been my pleasure to present the very best of Charlotte Flair.
Woooo!
["Recognition" continues playing] nt the very best of Charlotte Flair.