On an episode of “83 Weeks”, WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff shared his thoughts on the much-debated promo segment on WWE SmackDown that involved Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair.
Reportedly, Flair and Stratton deviated from their script during the segment, leading to noticeable tension backstage.
Brief highlights from the podcast can be found below:
On the impromptu segment with Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair: “I take things at face value – conspiracy theories and internet gossip do not interest me… This segment was just uncomfortable. Although I often praise WWE, it does not mean they don’t make mistakes. This segment could be seen as an example of that [laughs]. Several factors lead to this awkwardness. Maybe it was due to the lack of chemistry between Stratton and Flair, maybe they didn’t get enough prep time. Or maybe, and this is more probable, it’s because Stratton is relatively new. Irrespective of the situation, it was plainly forced. Even from a producer’s point of view, it was noticeable that she was quite nervous. For instance, her delivery was stilted and unnatural – a clear sign of tension. That was the vibe I got from Stratton.”
He elaborated on where things might have gone wrong and how being rusty can affect live performances. He mentioned that being in the spotlight in front of such a large audience can be nerve-wracking and shared his own similar experience during a promo in NXT. Bischoff also touched upon Flair’s prolonged absence and how it might have contributed to her less-than-optimal performance.
About Flair: “Charlotte has been on a break for a while, and she might be experiencing her own kind of stage rust. It’s not something you can understand unless you’ve been there. When I made my cameo in NXT, I forgot my lines halfway through my own promo. Ridge Holland brilliantly improvised and got us through it, saving the day. Even though I have over 30 years of high-level experience, I froze just like someone who’s new to it. This kind of struggle was evident in Charlotte’s performance. We all know she’s proficient in giving promo, so her struggle could just be a result of a long break. Coupled with Stratton’s inexperience, the whole thing just fell apart. That’s my analysis.”