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Charlotte's Face Turn and Its Effect on The SmackDown Women's Division

9K views 66 replies 33 participants last post by  JDP2016 
#1 · (Edited)

Let me preface this by saying this isn't meant to be a discussion about whether or not her face turn will succeed, but more of a discussion on its effects, consequences, and where we go from here. Lets talk about all storyline possibilities, potential feuds, and how it affects the alignments of the other women.

I for one, am quite pleased that they went in this direction. Over the last few weeks, the Smackdown audiences have naturally turned Charlotte face because they appreciate her ability to elevate this division. Having her on the show automatically increases match quality and star power, and that only scratches the surface of the benefits of this move. They have also created fresh feuds, and opportunities to make new stars. They've greatly aided Charlotte's face turn with the booking of her match with Naomi. Like @Genetically Superior, I was worried that Charlotte would be plunged into a sea of jobbers and just dominate. Thankfully, they made an attempt to book Naomi as Charlotte's equal, while protecting them both with the finish. They've also given the heels something worthwhile to do as they plot against Charlotte's once seemingly inevitable domination of the division. This shows promise for the building of the other women. Now, onto the feud most people are looking forward to: Charlotte vs. Becky.


I have mixed emotions about this feud because of the multiple directions it can go. As previously discussed in the "I'm Glad Becky Didn't Come Out to Help Charlotte" thread: http://www.wrestlingforum.com/smack...t-come-out-help-charlotte-2.html#post67338417 , my ideal scenario is for Becky to turn heel for being fed up with being screwed repeatedly. What I fear, based on what I see with Sasha and Bayley, is that Charlotte and Becky act all buddy buddy like nothing ever happened, and they have a heatless feud with nothing to look forward to besides a good match. I don't want that. It's why I'm not clamoring for a Styles/Zayn face vs. face feud like others after the trade. I don't care how good the match is if there's no heat. I also don't want 8 months of teaming and corny, eye rolling segments before someone randomly turns heel. This is why I believe that the best way to rectify this situation, and generate the most interest, is to have Becky snap on Charlotte in the near future, instead of joining her in the crusade against Natalya, Carmella, and Tamina. At this point, Becky's character needs to be fed up with being a perpetual loser, repeatedly being betrayed, and having nothing to show for it. If she continues to act like everything is fine, then she'll look as dumb as Bray Wyatt.

So with all that said, what are your thoughts on Charlotte's face turn, the direction of the division, and the dynamic with Becky?
 
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#2 ·
Re: Charlotte's Face Turn and Its Effect on The Smackdown Women's Division

Stupid tbh. Charlotte has prooved in the past she can't play babyface. She is naturally better as heel. I understand the direction behind it. I just have doubts Charlotte well get over as a babyface, when it just diddn't work last time round.
 
#27 ·
Re: Charlotte's Face Turn and Its Effect on The Smackdown Women's Division

Stupid tbh. Charlotte has prooved in the past she can't play babyface. She is naturally better as heel. I understand the direction behind it. I just have doubts Charlotte well get over as a babyface, when it just didn't work last time round.
You cannot compare the Charlotte we see now to the failed PCB babyface run because she's a totally different performer, back then she was getting the wrong heat because Daddy Flair was with her and we all rightfully assumed she was getting the nepotism push. She has grown leaps and bounds since then even gaining my respect someone who was a huge critic of her in NxT and her early days because of the obvious nepotism booking she was getting she stepped out of her father shadow and stood on her own merit since then and I feel Charlotte could easily work as a babyface now.

Becky should stay a face because she's one of the best faces in the WWE. But I don't really care as long as they wins the championship ASAP
This what I don't get why are so called Becky fans so content with her being this vanilla super babyface with zero character growth? Everyone says she just needs to be booked stronger and have a little edge well in WWE you don't get that edge by being a superface most characters gain their edge after a heel turn Becky needs a change in direction and the money feud on Smackdown right now is Becky v Charlotte, WWE seem set on turning Charlotte face or this narrative wouldn't have been set up so if this feud is to happen Becky is the one to turn on Charlotte and it can be easily explained by making Becky selfish and jealous of Charlotte stealing "her division" in terms of the draft Becky was the No 1 pick for division so it was in essence her division, now Shane brings in Charlotte calling her the "biggest acquisition" of the superstar shake up.

Like I said in the other thread LB mentioned
all they'd need to do is execute the turn like Paige on AJ Lee,

Smackdown division is her division and Charlotte is trying to steal it from her etc it would make good television and actually something new and interesting for Charlotte to do as she would look vulnerable for once.
Instead of "This is my house" you have Becky claiming "Smackdown is her division" as her motivations along with "You stabbed me in the back, now I stab you in the back" Yes she would be justified in her actions but going the wrong way about it. You play it like she has had enough of being walked over and not getting anywhere with her good morals and takes matters into her own hands by any means necessary.
The important factor into making this work is Charlotte has to look like a victim and play the victim while Becky needs to be ruthless and dominating in the early stages of the feud.
 
#5 ·
Re: Charlotte's Face Turn and Its Effect on The Smackdown Women's Division

Going back to NXT, Charlotte never really clicked that well as a face. And she really didn’t find her stride on the main roster until she turned heel. And even with the star power she now has being the top woman in the company, I can’t say I’m excited for that part of it.

And I do think it’s too early to tell if that’s the direction or not. I will say that I enjoy the dynamic of the division right now. You have 3 heels in Natalya, Carmella, and Tamina who don’t like Charlotte stepping on their turf and are looking to establish dominance. Charlotte is instantly the top contender and Naomi is the champion making them the 2 biggest targets.

And then you have Becky who does not agree with the other 3 women but also doesn’t like Charlotte either. And I did like how they kept Becky away from the closing segment despite the crowd wanting her to help. Let the story simmer for awhile.

Point is, I don’t know what overall direction they have but like the seeds they have planted so far.
 
#6 ·
Re: Charlotte's Face Turn and Its Effect on The Smackdown Women's Division

"Charlotte's move from Raw was the biggest acquisition of the Superstar Shakeup." - Shane McMahon

And, Shane is absolutely correct. Charlotte as a "Babyface" could do wonders for the SmackDown Live Women's Division, especially with Becky Lynch as a "Heel." And, with or without the SmackDown Women's Title, Charlotte is clearly the center of that division. This is something different and it could benefit both Charlotte and Becky. :aj3

 
#7 ·
Re: Charlotte's Face Turn and Its Effect on The Smackdown Women's Division

I'm skittish about Charlotte working babyface, BUT with the idea that Becky could be paying off the heels to attack Charlotte (which has festered in my head more and more as clever idea) and setting up Becky as someone who can't simply forgive Charlotte. She would then hate Naomi for even trying to side with Charlotte at all, win the title (probably in a dirty fashion) and have Charlotte actually get CHEERED going into her "Strive for the Five" storyline at SummerSlam, it sounds genius and reeks of similarity to Flair For the Gold and it should be done, because it would actually give Charlotte vs. Becky a complete face lift as a feud and it would give Charlotte something similar that her dad had to earn: Fans welcoming a Flair as a babyface while winning a major championship.
 
#9 ·
Re: Charlotte's Face Turn and Its Effect on The Smackdown Women's Division

I'm skittish about Charlotte working babyface, BUT with the idea that Becky could be paying off the heels to attack Charlotte (which has festered in my head more and more as clever idea) and setting up Becky as someone who can't simply forgive Charlotte. She would then hate Naomi for even trying to side with Charlotte at all, win the title (probably in a dirty fashion) and have Charlotte actually get CHEERED going into her "Strive for the Five" storyline at SummerSlam, it sounds genius and reeks of similarity to Flair For the Gold and it should be done, because it would actually give Charlotte vs. Becky a complete face lift as a feud and it would give Charlotte something similar that her dad had to earn: Fans welcoming a Flair as a babyface while winning a major championship.
Okay, I'm intrigued.
 
#10 ·
Re: Charlotte's Face Turn and Its Effect on The Smackdown Women's Division

I could see her being a tweener with the same I'm superior to everyone attitude. Becky being a heel is strange, and I dont see it happening. I thought it was very strange that Renee on talking smack brought up becky and Charlotte being best friends on social media, when on SDL they haven't shown them being best friends at all, becky herself said they had a complex relationship. I think the two of them will be reluctant to team up with each other again, but eventually they will have no choice, but to team up together to take out the jobber squad. I still think the end game is Charlotte turning on her, but if Charlotte being a face does end up working, maybe they wont have to do that. If you need a top heel in the division, bring up Asuka.
 
#11 · (Edited)
Re: Charlotte's Face Turn and Its Effect on The Smackdown Women's Division

I'm really not even nervous here. She's so hard on herself over that first face run and is hell bent on fixing it. I was watching her and Nikki sitting down talking and Charlotte was all but apologizing to her because her character wasn't well developed at the time and she felt Nikki deserved better. Her and Becky have both said in interviews that they feel they barely scratched the surface last time and how they are on a completely different level now. All one has to do to see Charlotte's work ethic is simply watch her improve before our very eyes every week. For those guaranteeing failure based on her first run...ask yourself this....should Rock have never been allowed to be a face again due to the disaster known as Rocky Maivia? Very similar situations. Both were presented as faces and given titles relatively soon. Both were pushed as generational wrestlers and were resented for it.

@IceTheRetroKid I'm so glad we are on the same page about the possible Starrcade 83 parallel. I almost didn't even post about it as it just felt so far fetched to me. It's exactly what I want to see happen but it will require patience by the company to pace it right. The idea of face Charlotte chasing heel Becky for the title is very appealing to me.

Charlotte can still be Charlotte as a face. The key to being a confident/cocky face is that the audience has to believe you when you say you're the best. I thinking that as far as all around abilities go that she's reached that point comfortably. She is going to keep making those around her better. It's in her blood to do so. Fans will appreciate the higher quality division.

Naomi walks out of this feud looming stronger than ever and can be the babyface having a quality secondary feud with either Nattie, Tamina, or Carmella. Becky and Charlotte can do their thing and then I'm actually hoping for Nikki to come back heel. If Charlotte is face and is succeeding at it that door will be open for her to do so.
 
#12 ·
Re: Charlotte's Face Turn and Its Effect on The Smackdown Women's Division

I'm really not even nervous here. She's so hard on herself over that first face run and is hell bent on fixing it. I was watching her and Nikki sitting down talking and Charlotte was all but apologizing to her because her character wasn't well developed at the time and she felt Nikki deserved better. Her and Becky have both said in interviews that they feel they barely scratched the surface last time and how they are on a completely different level now. All one has to do to see Charlotte's work ethic is simply watch her improve before our very eyes every week. For those guaranteeing failure based on her first run...ask yourself this....should Rock have never been allowed to be a face again due to the disaster known as Rocky Maivia? Very similar situations. Both were presented as faces and given titles relatively soon. Both were pushed as generational wrestlers and were resented for it.
@IceTheRetroKid I'm so glad we are on the same page about the possible Starrcade 83 parallel. I almost didn't even post about it as it just felt so far fetched to me. It's exactly what I want to see happen but it will require patience by the company to pace it right. The idea of face Charlotte chasing heel Becky for the title is very appealing to me.

Charlotte can still be Charlotte as a face. The key to being a confident/cocky face is that the audience has to believe you when you say you're the best. I thinking that as far as all around abilities go that she's reached that point comfortably. She is going to keep making those around her better. It's in her blood to do so. Fans will appreciate the higher quality division.

Naomi walks out of this feud looming stronger than ever and can be the babyface having a quality secondary feud with either Nattie, Tamina, or Carmella. Becky and Charlotte can do their thing and then I'm actually hoping for Nikki to come back heel. If Charlotte is face and is succeeding at it that door will be open for her to do so.
A good example to combat the "oh no she'll bomb as a face" is, look at AJ Styles current face run, it was a soft face turn that kept his edge. He's come miles ahead of what his character was when he first came to WWE and, he didn't just magically turn from a bad guy into an angel, he kinda just turned face, because the fans said "well we like him now". So he's an example I wouldn't mind Charlotte following.
 
#13 ·
Re: Charlotte's Face Turn and Its Effect on The Smackdown Women's Division

Who says Charlotte is turning face? Her using Naomi and eventually Becky to get Natalya,Tamina and Carmella out of the way so she can get back into the title picture with no roadblocks seems more logical to be honest.

Becky who despite months of misuse and bad booking is more over than Naomi who is only over because of her booking. The fact Becky hasn't turned despite of all the stuff that has happened to her is part of why people like her. This could also backfire in hilarious fashion.

Ziggler is a prime example of why I don't want this turn to happen. He was once considered a better part of Smackdown early brand split and now since the heel turn he is frequently considered the worst part of Smackdown. He struggles to even make t.v. A bad babyface can make a feud fail just look at the Charlotte Paige feud.
 
#15 ·
Re: Charlotte's Face Turn and Its Effect on The Smackdown Women's Division

Who says Charlotte is turning face? Her using Naomi and eventually Becky to get Natalya,Tamina and Carmella out of the way so she can get back into the title picture with no roadblocks seems more logical to be honest.

Becky who despite months of misuse and bad booking is more over than Naomi who is only over because of her booking. The fact Becky hasn't turned despite of all the stuff that has happened to her is part of why people like her. This could also backfire in hilarious fashion.

Ziggler is a prime example of why I don't want this turn to happen. He was once considered a better part of Smackdown early brand split and now since the heel turn he is frequently considered the worst part of Smackdown. He struggles to even make t.v. A bad babyface can make a feud fail just look at the Charlotte Paige feud.
Good idea. Let's look at Charlotte and Paige. Here's Charlotte who is a rookie told to go play a face to an audience that has already decided they hate her because they think she's getting pushed just for her name. She openly admits that she was green on the mic at the time and the company had to be aware of that, but they thought it would be a great idea to put her in a situation where she had to hear about her brother that killed himself being mocked. The person she was closer to than anyone else. The person that she credits for being the reason she got into the business. She doesn't credit Ric. She credits Reid. She was in a situation where not even her father could have gotten over under the same circumstances. But yeah, let's just ignore the fact that she was in an impossible situation and harp on it a year later while simultaneously ignoring her dramatic improvements on the mic and her far more developed character.
 
#14 ·
Re: Charlotte's Face Turn and Its Effect on The Smackdown Women's Division

Charlotte will fail as a babyface. She already failed to draw as Smackdown just experienced its lowest viewership yesterday.
WWE will tale a promising storyline and mutilate it. Turning Becky heel against a face Charlotte won't work. Charlotte has as much babyface charisma as Ric Flair has sobriety - none. The fans will side heel Becky over Charlotte.
 
#18 · (Edited)
Re: Charlotte's Face Turn and Its Effect on The Smackdown Women's Division

You make a lot of good points when it comes to storyline. And I know you didn't want a discussion about this, but Charlotte is a natural heel. Becky is a natural babyface. Becky should definitely be tired of the betrayals and losing so much, but I think what you are suggesting is wrong from a booking standpoint.

On the flip side, what you are suggesting seems like a storyline with natural progression. I just think it won't work. Sometimes that's the pitfall of booking.

I know that Charlotte is getting a favorable reaction, but her delivery is bad as a face.
 
#25 ·
I guess my feelings on it depend on who she's feuding with, face Charlotte feuding with Nattie and Tamina does 0 for me, her vs Carmella is better but seeing how Carmella got murked and berried by Nikki, I'm terrified by how badly she'll get annihilated by Charlotte. Face Charlotte vs heel Becky is great but I too don't want a heatless feud between them. Overall I'm not liking anything I see from that division regardless of a Charlotte turn, I just don't like the potential matchups except for the one they just wasted vs Naomi.
 
#28 ·
I've also got mixed emotions about this. I have really bad memories of Charlotte's initial face run in WWE, it was pretty catastrophic, because she always came across as so incredibly unlikable. However, she has developed very well since then, and i wouldn't rule out the possibility of her having a better run at that role this time around. She's been a heel for a good while and i guess you could argue that a new direction would do her some good, especially with how long she was at the top of RAW's division.

Becky, while i still believe that she is the best face out of the main roster females, with her endearing personality, great charisma and how easy she is to relate to, can do a pretty good job as a heel too. And there was indeed something about the last couple of weeks, and her neutral role in the whole thing, and Charlotte's presentation, that does make me think that Becky will turn at some point in the next few months. Again, i have mixed feelings due to Becky's face popularity, but again, it's something that could certainly be explored.

Becky v Charlotte is the biggest feud they can put together with the current roster, that much is clear for me, i don't hate Naomi, but there's something about her that just fails to connect i think. Becky and Charlotte do connect, and have gained more popularity in their first couple of years than the other SDL women really have throughout their time on the roster, even the more experienced ones like Natalya. Becky and Charlotte killed it in their last feud going into the 2016 Rumble, and it's definitely something that needs revisited, because i was never really resolved as a 1 v 1 encounter, due to Ric's shenanigans.

So yeah, i'm all for it, heel Becky v face Charlotte could be a killer feud once again, and i hope that it's something that they build towards.
 
#30 · (Edited)
As mentioned before I am not fond of the Becky Charlotte feud with Becky as the heel. Becky turning heel feels like the same feeling that people felt with Bayley, Sami Zayn and Cena. It is an unexplored option that people are curious about or have not seen in a while. The feud really would not work as well. There are many other feud options for both of them to do before Becky vs Charlotte and Summerslam is way too soon.

I doubt what people think is heel turn tease is actually that. With Becky as over as she is, it is not wise. You need a similar type of face to replace her and the only other one is on Raw.
 
#31 · (Edited)
First off, I think Charlotte will be cheered this time around, I'm not sure how her promo work as a face will be, but talking and
claiming she's the best while proving it shouldn't be hard to pull off.

Well, for the Jobber Squad, I'd like them to protect Natalya at least a bit as the big boss of the group and not have her eat pins
left and right, her winning her feud with Nikki helps her cause as well.

Charlotte, Naomi vs Jobbers Squad. I'd like to see another beatdown this week, where again, Becky doesn't show up to help. Distancing Becky from all this mess adds to her credibility.

I'd finally like to start seeing a different side of Becky, Renee interviews her, asks her why's not helping Flair and Naomi? She'll be like because "they don't deserve my help, every women in this division has, at least once, ambushed me, attacked me, cost me matches and titles" none of them deserve my help, I am a nice person, I will be a nice person, but I'm not going to be THAT nice anymore, the girl that turns the left cheek".
I want the tension to rise, Charlotte alone as the top dog, Naomi as the fighting champion, the hungry squad of Tamina/Mella/Nattie, and Becky waiting to strike for her opportunity.

Becky needs to snap, but it depends on the direction they want from her as a heel, cowardly or a submission machine that breaks people's arms? yeah she'll probably be booked as a coward. I think a good way for her to turn heel would be in 1 on 1 match with a face Charlotte for the title. Fake an Injury to win the title after having an incredible match, only for it to end in such a cheap way would get her tons of heat. She can trash talk everyone as cheaters get ahead, charlotte is the last one that should talk about cheating, she's finally champion because she's stopped playing by the rules... then goes and gives JBL a kiss and thanks him for the advice becoming the biggest heel in the company ( just kdg here :lmao)
 
#33 · (Edited)
Charlotte, Naomi vs Jobbers Squad. I'd like to see another beatdown this week, where again, Becky doesn't show up to help. Distancing Becky from all this mess adds to her credibility.
Distancing her from this will not help, if she's kept away to much longer the feud will move past her and she'll be left with the only other option in the division and that's putting Lana's dancing gimmick over I can only imagine the meltdown on this forum if Becky jobs to Lana. The obvious and most likely play here is a 3v3 match at Backlash solidifying Charlotte's face turn and her reconnecting with Becky and if that doesn't happen I really do fear for Becky over the next few months because it means she may not be used in the major angle for the summer.

Becky vs Charlotte and Summerslam is way too soon.
So what waiting for Mania is right? This time last year everyone was certain Sasha v Bayley was the Mania program for Raw and what happened? We got a 4 way and the feud we wanted never happened. I'd rather get a good feud happen then it be stretched out for months for it not to happen because Vince doesn't see the bigger picture.
 
#37 ·
No that wouldn't work she's the top heel by a mile then you would have to find another top heel and who would that be? Carmella? LOL.
James Ellsworth has more charisma than her.

Naomi is top face, Charlotte is top heel keep it that way they can drag this feud till Backlash then Charlotte can get into a programme with Lynch or something.
 
#41 ·
Pretty much what most of us are saying :draper2

According to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the likely reason why WWE is turning Charlotte is because they want to make her the “women’s face of the Smackdown brand” moving forward.

WWE feels that with Charlotte’s name value (daughter of Ric Flair) and ring presence, that she can be a huge star and fan favorite for years to come. Charlotte has made history several times already in her career, including this past week on Smackdown where she became the first female to main event: RAW, Smackdown and a PPV event. It is likely that WWE continues to push her as a ground breaker for Women’s wrestling moving forward.

The one problem that they have is that Smackdown is lacking heels for her to work with. Tamina, Natalya and Carmella provide her with short-term opponents. They are going to have to turn someone in the near future or add another female for long-term opponents for her. If Charlotte is staying as a long-term babyface, my money would be on Becky Lynch turning heel, leading to a big feud between the two. Also, I could see Asuka getting called up to feud with Charlotte. WWE likely has big plans for Charlotte at both Summerslam and Wrestlemania 34.
 
#42 ·
There is a surefire way to garner sympathy and make Charlotte a full fledged face. Thing is I'm not sure they would allow it to happen to a woman. First have Becky turn heel on her. Then, either alone or with henchwomen, have Becky butcher Charlotte's hair or even shave her hair. I think it could be controversial but Charlotte's quest to avenge her honor and hair would be quite compelling. :mark
 
#43 · (Edited)
Going full on white-meat babyface with her would be a big mistake in my opinion.

If I could describe my affection towards Charlotte in one word it would be Respect
She's had to work for her fans, she doesn't have this natural connection or charisma that Sasha or Becky for example do.

Have her face both heels and babyfaces, but always put her in positions where she has too work hard for her victory's. Kinda like how New Japan books Okada, where even when people are rooting against him, they still end up respecting him because of the amount of effort it took.

But for god sakes, don't have her pander much to the crowd.
 
#44 ·
All Charlotte really needs as a babyface is to shut up and wrestle. She's impressive as fuck to watch, I tend to watch her matches for the spectacle alone because she can pull off some sick shit none of the other women do. A face turn is as simple as not being a bitch and insulting everything in sight and she'll get over by being pretty much the best wrestler there. Do Becky, then heel Asuka as a call up and that'll be some solid women's wrestling on Smackdown. I'd watch.
 
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