Multi-time Women's Champion Charlotte Flair is not considering the idea of hanging up her wrestling boots just yet. 'The Queen' addressed questions about her age and career longevity during a recent interview, making it clear she won't let anyone put her in a box.
Flair appeared on Casuals with Katie Nolan, where she was asked if she's started thinking about retirement now that she's in her 40s.
Flair Rejects Age Stigma
The question prompted a passionate response about double standards in wrestling and sports.
It's unfortunate that those sentences happen because I feel like in my industry, men don't reach their prime until 40," Flair said.
"Because I started late, I didn't win my first title until I was 30. Where the girls now, which is awesome, a lot of people are in their younger 20s.
She continued:
But saying that the men don't hit their prime till 40, why am I not hitting my prime now? I realize that I think it would be easier for people to label me in that box, but I'm not going to let anyone put me in that box.
Career on Her Own Terms
Flair highlighted that she hopes women in any profession approaching 40 don't view it as a slowdown or endgame. The former Women's Champion pointed to examples like Lindsey Vonn as proof that capability and willingness to put in the work matter more than age.
I'm not gonna say sorry anymore for winning, I'm not gonna age out of my career, I'm gonna quit when I want to quit. I'm gonna lace it up when I want to lace it up.
Flair noted that if people didn't know her age and saw her in the ring, they wouldn't single her out as someone who's been around for 10 years. She called out the societal stigma around women turning 40, contrasting it with how men are perceived to get better with age.
It's new territory. It was new territory when I debuted in 2015, and it's new territory now. So, I hope I am part of the progress of changing that.
Charlotte Flair will team up with Alexa Bliss and challenge for the Women's Tag titles in a fatal four-way match at WrestleMania 42.
