Charlotte Flair Open to a Number of Opponents–including Sasha Banks or Becky Lynch–at WrestleMania 40

Charlotte Flair on WrestleMania 39: “I had a lot to prove”

Charlotte Flair has grand ambitions for WrestleMania XL.

The two-day event, which takes place next April at Lincoln Financial Field, will be a star-studded affair. Flair is working to headline the event, which she would be honored to do against a number of opponents, including Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, or even Mercedes Moné if she returns to WWE as Sasha Banks.

Flair and Banks had a number of outstanding matches, but they never wrestled a singles match at a WrestleMania.

“We’ll see what WrestleMania XL brings, but you know what’s crazy?” says Flair, who was promoting WrestleMania XL ticket sales. “Think of how much better we are now than we were then. We’ve both grown so much, you can’t even compare it to before.”

WrestleMania XL will mark Flair’s eighth WrestleMania, already two more than her legendary father, Ric Flair. Incredibly, all seven of her matches at WWE’s signature event were title matches–a streak she plans on continuing.

“That wasn’t a goal, it just happened along the way,” says Flair, who is Ashley Fliehr. “I’m betting on myself being the champion or challenger. Brock Lesnar is the only other person to do that.”

WWE recognizes Ric Flair and John Cena as 16-time world champions, which is the company record. As a 14-time world champion, Charlotte Flair is approaching that number–and she intends on breaking it.

“I’m breaking the record,” says Flair. “I’m so close. For so long, I stayed away from discussing it. But I’ve done every single thing there is to do, and this is my next goal. I want to keep getting better and see where I can take this character.

Asked to reflect on her WrestleMania history, Flair started with the WrestleMania 35 triple threat against Becky Lynch and Ronda Rousey, which was the first time women main-evented the show.

“I loved WrestleMania 35,” says Flair. “Being in the main event, that was a surreal moment. When I walked out of the curtain that night, there was such a calmness. I used to be scared of my own shadow, and there I was, main-eventing New York-New Jersey.

“It’s hard to pick a favorite because they’re all so different and each opponent brings something different out of me. I’m extremely proud of the story with Rhea [Ripley] coming full circle, WrestleMania 32 put me on the map, and I thought the match with Asuka at WrestleMania 34 cemented our legacy. We left people in awe. I don’t think people thought it would be that good. We surpassed people’s expectations.”

Flair and Ripley wrestled a hard-hitting match in the Performance Center at WrestleMania 36, and delivered an outstanding rematch this past April at WrestleMania 39. Initially scheduled to headline Night One, it instead took place as the co-main event, which inspired Flair to put on a career-defining performance.

“I had a lot to prove,” says Flair. “That’s how I felt going in, and I think people saw that as I walked out. I was very happy for Rhea and happy with what we did. Now we’ve both beat each other at WrestleMania.”

Flair and Belair are also finally getting a chance to work a lengthy program. While it appears Belair will wrestle Ripley at WrestleMania XL, Flair knows their date with destiny will come eventually.

“Seeing Bianca handle her position as champion for so long, watching her do the interviews, the meet-and-greets, and carrying all of those responsibilities, I’m so proud of her. I know that type of pressure. She carried herself as a beautiful example of a WWE champion. And I love her competitiveness. We’re both very fiery. Whether it’s WrestleMania XL, WrestleMania 41, or WrestleMania 42, it’s going to happen.”

WrestleMania XL is eight months away, but Flair is already preparing. She just binge-watched the Rocky series, finding inspiration from Apollo Creed.

“I just watched all the Rocky movies for the first time, and I loved them,” says Flair. “I have all the Rocky feels. Maybe I’ll wear Apollo-inspired gear to WrestleMania XL.”

Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.