'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Just like they did on the first night of the WWE Draft, the company booked a match between two huge Superstars from RAW and SmackDown. The winner would determine which brand would receive night two's opening selection.
Although the match was originally set to be between RAW’s Becky Lynch and SmackDown’s Sasha Banks, an injury sustained by Banks at Hell in a Cell kept her out of action. 'The Boss' was inevitably replaced by long-time Becky Lynch rival, Charlotte Flair.
The arch nemesis met inside the squared circle once again, and Becky showed a tremendous amount of heart, inevitably rolling up 'The Queen' with a small package for the victory.
Although the small package finish was a bit surprising, especially in a match of this magnitude, the finish allowed Lynch to take home the victory while simultaneously keeping Flair strong.
In this article, we will look at 4 reasons why Becky Lynch defeated Charlotte on this week’s RAW.
#1. Allows Lynch to prove why she was the #1 pick
On Friday Night SmackDown, the face of the RAW Men’s Division battled the face of the SmackDown Men’s Division in a match to determine which brand would get to make the very first pick of the WWE Draft.
Creative had a difficult task of picking a victor in the match between Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, and instead opted for a disqualification finish courtesy of The Fiend.
The match ended with a questionable Seth Rollins victory, but RAW earned the very first pick. The Red brand selected Becky Lynch, as the first overall pick in the WWE Draft. It was a headline making statement, as WWE declared Lynch's value to the company with the selection.
Since Lynch is the RAW Women’s Champion, it made sense for her to go over former SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair in the opening match of Monday Night RAW. Charlotte had nothing to lose, and Becky had everything to gain, as she has clearly become the face of the brand.
WWE had already used the disqualification finish during the first night of the draft. Doing something similar this week may have only enraged the fans. Therefore, it only made sense for WWE to pick the reigning RAW Women's Champion as the victor.
#2. Allows the company to use Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins’ relationship
This is what the WWE website read after the clash between Lynch and Flair ended in a victory for the RAW brand:
For those of you keeping score, that means two straight No. 1 selections for Raw. Seth Rollins earned the No. 1 overall pick that would eventually be used on Lynch when he defeated Roman Reigns via disqualification last Friday, and The Man claimed yet another victory against her longtime adversary, who subbed in at the last minute for an injured Sasha Banks.
After news of Lynch and Seth Rollins’ dating broke out, the company attempted to cash in. WWE utilized the happy couple in several segments and matches together in order to build momentum for the RAW brand. However, the on-screen relationship didn't work out very well. The WWE Universe soon voiced their displeasure, and so have the WWE power couple. This led to the company slowly pulling back from including the relationship in the RAW storyline. With both Lynch and Rollins back together again on RAW, this could all change and WWE could excel where they previously failed.
It was Rollins' win on SmackDown that allowed RAW to select Becky Lynch first overall, and Lynch’s win on RAW that allowed the Red brand to select Rollins. The move is fitting, as the real life couple are each responsible for the Red brand unification.
#3. Allows Lynch to be presented as the face of the brand
When Universal Champion Seth Rollins left Friday Night SmackDown, he wasn’t sure where he'd end up. Luckily for Becky Lynch, she’d already been picked by RAW when she got things underway with Flair.
Lynch has quickly become the face of the Red brand and arguably the entire company, over the past year. This has only increased fan enthusiasm and has helped the company attract new viewers. The RAW Women's Champion only solidified her role as the face of the brand by earning day two's number one overall selection with an impressive victory over Charlotte Flair.
A victory over Flair helped prove that Lynch is a superior talent, at least presently in the eyes of WWE creative. She is seen as the Superstar to feature, and to build around. She will be on all the posters and the video game covers - not Flair. WWE believes in Lynch to such an extent that they aren't afraid to hand the ten-time World Champion a pinfall loss when required.
With the #1 overall selection and the clean victory over Flair, WWE has announced loud and clear that Lynch is the official face of the Red brand.
#4. Opens the door for a future Championship feud
By the end of the night, the WWE Universe saw several big name Superstars switch brands. The entire WWE landscape was shaken to its core by some of the moves. One major switch included Charlotte Flair leaving SmackDown for Becky Lynch territory on Monday Night RAW.
The move intensifies the long-time rivalry between the two women, as they will battle for brand supremacy. Lynch and Flair, two of wrestling's Four Horsewomen, have come a long way. They have been the best of friends and the most bitter of enemies. They have co-headlined WrestleMania. This has allowed WWE to build terrific storylines and matches around two of wrestling's most recognizable female stars.
Charlotte was the SmackDown Women’s Champion on last week’s RAW when she appeared on Miz TV alongside Becky Lynch. The two had a brief spat before they were interrupted by The Kabuki Warriors. The angle led to Becky and Charlotte teaming up in a losing effort.
Charlotte lost the SmackDown Women's Championship to Bayley on Friday Night SmackDown, which could spell trouble for Lynch. Flair relishes championship gold and she could soon target the RAW Women's Championship.
While we aren’t sure how long creative will be able to hold out before they book a championship angle between Lynch and Flair, one thing is certain. With the addition of both Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch, the RAW Women's Division instantly became must watch television.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
