The arrival of one Ashley Flair — now known as Charlotte in WWE — has generated more press buzz than any other new female talent in WWE developmental in the past. And if you haven’t guessed why yet, the Flair name says it all.
The daughter of two-time WWE Hall of Famer and wrestling legend, Ric Flair, Ashley is bound to be more in the spotlight compared to her fellow NXT Divas — and likely more scrutinized, too.
In an interview with the Miami Herald, Steve Keirn, the president of NXT, talks about Flair’s progress in the ring so far and offers an insight into the training of the NXT Divas:
Speaking on the training of women in NXT:
It’s an usual (Note from Melanie: Think this is meant to say ‘unusual’) sport for a diva to begin with. It’s so physical, but a lot of them come into it thinking they’re just going to be putting on make-up and walking out and looking pretty for the audience. When they realize, there’s some blood, sweat and tears in it, then they start to appreciate what this business is all about.
People want to point a finger at it [wrestling], but we’ve got more injuries than anybody. You get girls in there with no helmets, no pads or anything like that. They’re risking getting injured, and they’re easier to injure than the guys. It’s a real experience for pretty much everybody who steps in that ring.
Commenting on Flair, Keirn says:
She’s been doing tremendous. She’s a great athlete, but the transition from volleyball to wrestling is not very easy. It’s much more physical. There’s more punishment to the body. In volleyball, you’re hitting the ball back-n-forth. In wrestling, your body’s getting beat up. It’s a big difference, and it’s an eye opening experience for her. Her dad, all the punishment he took over all those years, she’s going to appreciate him a lot more.
You can watch an interview with Ashley below:
21 Comments
at
Very nice girls, I think she is gonna do very good :)
at
In my honest opinion she looks very old compared to the other divas i really do feel because she is Flair daughter along with Raquel these two will be pushed to highest while a diva like Paige will somewhat be overshadowed
Raekon Reply:
September 18th, 2012 at
Don’t think that Paige will get overshadowed by anyone since she is already very over with the crowd.
I already think that Charlotte will do better than Raquel because she has a very athletic background and sports history that will definately help her in the ring.
That’s something Raquel doesn’t have and it shows.
Raquel is talented on the mic and personality department so if Charlotte will have to compete with her than maybe in this case depending on how talented Charlotte is in it.
Paiges main problem is her age since the WWE won’t put her on the main roster before she hits 21 so if Charlotte or Raquel are called up before her than rather because of the age than talent or contacts.
javiousmckenzie Reply:
September 18th, 2012 at
Im so tired of that WWE wont put her on the main roster due to her age how old was Kelly? And being over with the crowd does not mean a thing look at Zack Ryder, The Usos, Tyson Kidd and others WWE. Charlotte background is in volley ball that i dont see how that will help her. I find it funny when ppl say cause someone was good in one sport it will help them in the ring when its a whole nother game
FoxyKimLover Reply:
September 18th, 2012 at
Kelly was about 20-21 when she was actually competing. She was a stripper/dancer when she first came in at about 19 so she wasn’t really a wrestler. Paige will likely be in a wrestler role so she needs to be a certain age to be considered mature enough to go on tour with the others.
javiousmckenzie Reply:
September 18th, 2012 at
Kelly was wrestling shortly after 1st match a 6 tag against Torrie then a feud with Ariel then Layla
revivingophelia Reply:
September 18th, 2012 at
Yes, Kelly was 19 when she started appearing on ECW, but that was over 6 years ago (summer 2006), and company policy can change. It’s been within the past couple of years that it’s been reported that the company doesn’t want anyone under 21 on the main roster.
Raekon Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at
@Javious
She did all kind of sports, not only volleyball and she already states it in the interview.
Alone the fact that she did Gymnastics will help her a lot when it comes to finding her way within a ring, agility and speed.
Kelly got signed with 18-19 but only appeared in shows partially as a valet and a dancer.
She started to compete after she was at least 20 as far as I remember.
As others also said, policies change and if the company doesn’t allow anyone under 21 to compete in their main shows, there is nothing any of us can do about it.
Even I find the policy ridicoulos since in EU you are “mature” with 18 and in the US you can even have a drivers license and a car with like 16?
at
A very likeable person! :)
I really hope she will do greatly and make her dad and herself proud.
at
Seems like a lovely woman:)
Only thing is, of she’s creating a buzz which normally means gaining some press interest etc, why not give her Flair as her last name? With the talk of ric actually returning for a while surely it would gain publicity. I hope they give her the figure four as her finisher ha!
Raekon Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at
They probably didn’t do it because of “name rights” and probably also because her father is active in TNA.
kreece Reply:
September 19th, 2012 at
Oh true, well if Ric does happen to reappear in the WWE then I hope it’s considered, but it probably won’t happen just incase he goes back to TNA
at
Lovely girl, with an infectious smile. Sounds like she’s doing great. I could see her going far in the WWE. She could be the next great blonde bombshell.
at
OMG the NEW NXT website is nice! N skyler moon is back
Like Mike Reply:
September 18th, 2012 at
I don’t see her profile on there still (Skyler Moon’s)
jcarcano12 Reply:
September 18th, 2012 at
Really I see it?
at
Before she got signed. Ashley was already training with George South a name from the NWA in North Carolina
Best of luck to Ashley.
at
She seems lovely. I’ve seen a lot of people dissing her looks which I don’t understand as she’s pretty.
It’s impossible to judge her in-ring skills at the moment as we’ve seen nothing. I’ll be optimistic, and an athetic background like hers certainly doesn’t hurt, nor does her previous training.
at
She is very nice and pretty. And she does not look old at all. I see she’ll fall in love with the buisness more and more everyday. Btw I think she looks like Michelle McCool. Idk why, I just get that vibe from her.
at
I can’t wait to see her in the ring! I hope she does well. This current crop of NXT divas are the future of the company! Just think of all the great fueds and match ups we could have down the line.
at
I hope she have talent because she is really generating a big buzz and I hope that she is better than Raquel. <– SHE SUX!! The only girl that I'm exited to see on NXT is Paige! She is the female version of SHEAMUS! xD