Former WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair is determined not to let age define the next chapter of her career, declaring that female wrestlers deserve the same long-lasting opportunities as their male counterparts. In her Players’ Tribune article, Flair voiced her frustration with how differently wrestling treats women as they get older.
“I’m just now getting good,” she wrote, explaining that despite her 14 world championships, she feels she hasn’t even peaked yet. Flair pointed out that she started wrestling later than many of her peers and has often learned on the fly. Looking back on some of her biggest moments, she often thinks, “If I had known then what I know now, I would have done this, this, and this so differently.”
But Flair also acknowledged the darker side of wrestling for women approaching 40. She’s 39 now and noted that while men like Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, CM Punk, John Cena, AJ Styles, and Rey Mysterio work into their forties and beyond without scrutiny, women often face whispers of being “old” or “obsessed” if they continue competing at the highest level:
“I’m 39. But as a female wrestler who’s pushing 40, I promise you: there are people in this industry who already consider me old. Nevermind that I’m literally younger than Cody, who is considered the face of the company, and Roman, who is probably our biggest star. Nevermind that CM Punk, who I’m seven years younger than, main-evented Night 1 of Mania … and John Cena, who I’m nine years younger than, main-evented Night 2.
Nevermind that we live in an era when athletes are extending their primes for longer than ever. For men – and I say this with so much respect for the guys I just mentioned – there’s no such thing as ‘aging out.’ For WOMEN, though?? The rules are just different. For women, as depressing as it sounds, I think a lot of people still only know ONE way to value them: as young and disposable.”
Flair’s vision is clear: she wants to “play out” her career, not “age out” of it. She dreams of a future where women in wrestling are valued for their skills and stories regardless of age, just as the men are. “I want the story when I’m going for my last World Title to be ‘the grizzled vet, chasing glory’… not ‘she’s old and she’s obsessed.’”
More than anything, Flair said she wants “more time.” Time to keep improving, keep performing, and prove that women deserve the same longevity as the men who headline WWE’s biggest stages.
