The fallout from Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Strattons SmackDown promo just keeps getting messierand now new backstage details that shed light on what really happened behind the scenes.
The April 4 segment between Flair and Stratton was already turning heads thanks to brutal lines that felt way too real for WWE TV. Fans were quick to point out that WWEs YouTube channel trimmed out the most controversial parts, but the USA Networks YouTube channel? Still running the full unedited version, including Flairs now-infamous Is that why Kaisers in my DMs? and Strattons savage What is that, zero and three? divorce shot.
Now, according to Fightful Select, the segment is still a hot topic among WWEs womens divisionand not just because of the drama. The outlet reports that the controversial back-and-forth was a hot topic among the womens roster since it happened, with several talents weighing in backstage. One source via PWInsider described Flairs last-second retaliation as a flailing shot from a boxer who didnt realize they were KOd.
The script, reportedly penned by Devyn Prieto, may not have included the personal jabs at all. Fightful noted, We havent been told outright that Tiffany and Stratton went off script by anyone involved with the segment itself However, almost everyone that watched it unfold believes it wasnt supposed to go down that way, including staff and talent.
So what really triggered the chaos? Multiple sources say the Chicago crowd flipped the segments direction. Flairvisibly rattled by the fans siding with Strattontried to get the crowd back on her side. But Tiffany had already stolen the moment and closed it with a mic-drop insult that left everyone in shock.
According to Fightful, Charlotte Flair didnt appear to be pleased, and one veteran star told the outlet that going toe-to-toe with Flair isnt for the faint of heart. Going at Charlotte in that manner can be daunting, but its something every talent has to be willing to do. Another talent said Stratton had to fight back after Flair took control of their previous side-by-side promo weeks earlier.
Interestingly, WWE didnt just remove the lines from their YouTube version. Fightful says the edit came down from above: The comments were quickly edited out of the digital versions of the promo, which were told was a specific directive.
As of now, WWE hasnt publicly addressed the drama. And while there were no reported altercations backstage, the tension was real. Fans watching in the arena reportedly reacted with audible oohs and woahs during the live tapingand its clear WWE wasnt ready for that heat.
With WrestleMania 41 around the corner, some within WWE believe the company should embrace the chaos and let the real tension fuel the storyline. But with edits being made and Flair reportedly unhappy, its unclear if the company will double down or clean it up.
For now, if you want the real version, youll have to head over to the USA Networks YouTube channelbecause thats where all the fire is still burning.
Whats your take on the Flair-Stratton promo? Should WWE lean into the unscripted energy or rein it back in? Drop your thoughts in the commentswe want to hear everything.
