Charlotte Flair is back and dripping in gold (Picture: WWE)
WWE superstar Charlotte Flair made a shock return on SmackDown and walked out moments later with the women’s title.
The now 14-time women’s champion pinned Ronda Rousey in just 40 seconds on Friday night’s huge show after being written off television back in May with a broken arm at the hands of the Baddest Woman On The Planet.
First, Rousey narrowly escaped with the gold in a physical and thoroughly entertaining title defence against a gutsy challenger in Raquel Rodriguez thanks to her friend Shayna Baszler.
However, she didn’t get much time to celebrate as Flair’s music hit and the Queen made her way down the ramp to a huge ovation from a hyped crowd.
Rousey mocked her longtime rival, referencing the beatdown back at WrestleMania Backlash and wondering if she was there to lay down a challenge for the Royal Rumble.
Flair wasn’t in the mood to wait though, insisting she wanted a title match right there and then.
The UFC legend was up for a scrap, but a quick running boot from Flair left her instantly on the defence, even when she was able to slip in the armbar.
In the end, the decorated champion was able to get a win less then a minute into the bout, ending Rousey’s reign and starting her latest run on top of the blue brand’s division.
Rousey managed two title defences during her latest 83-day stint with the gold, including a feud with former champ Liv Morgan.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Rousey, Flair and the SmackDown division as a whole, but this week’s show certainly appeared to be a statement of intent from the company.
The night opened with Uncle Howdy shockingly laying out Bray Wyatt after the latter rowed with LA Knight and set a match for the Royal Rumble, while Sheamus and Solo Sikoa got things started early on with a banger of a bout.
WWE SmackDown airs Friday nights at 1am on BT Sport 1.
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The Queen is back!Â
