Cena Tells Charlotte Flair She Can Pass His 17 Titles

John Cena used the November 13 SmackDown to name Charlotte Flair as the wrestler he wants to break his record of 17 world championships. The announcement came as he added her to his John Cena Classic.

Why Cena picked Charlotte

Cena tied the choice to his chase of title number 17. He had said earlier that he needed it so he could shake the hand of whoever eventually reached 18. By his account, she was the name behind that remark from the start.

He also spoke about her path. People assumed her family made entry into WWE easy, he said. He argued her success was earned, not inherited, and credited her with helping to rebuild the women's division. "You never had it easy, you made it look easy," he told her.

Charlotte's confidence problem

Charlotte answered by describing a hard stretch. After WrestleMania 41 she doubted herself and questioned whether she wanted to keep wrestling. Cena had asked her backstage what happened in Chicago, and she admitted she had failed.

His advice, she said, changed how she approached her career: "Stop trying to be perfect and own who you are."

She thanked him for believing in her as a person, not only as Ric Flair's daughter. She also said she plans to win the championship at the Classic, and called herself the greatest champion of all time.

The Classic itself

The John Cena Classic is set for December 14 in Orlando, Florida. NXT, WWE's developmental brand, will send a record number of its stars to make RAW debuts against established WWE talent. Cena said championship opportunities are on the line.

Source: Ringside News