Charlotte Flair makes surprise return to WWE and wins SmackDown Women's title

Flair is now a 14-time champion.

By Stephanie Chase

31 Dec 2022

WWE

The final SmackDown of 2022 contained a huge surprise for fans as Charlotte Flair made her surprise return to WWE – but that wasn't all.

Charlotte hasn't been seen since May after she lost her SmackDown Women's Championship to Ronda Rousey in an "I quit" match at WrestleMania Backlash.

On Friday's show (December 30) Ronda successfully defended her SmackDown Women's Championship in a tough match against Raquel Rodriguez.

WWE

But after Ronda's victory, Charlotte's (new) theme music hit and The Queen made her way to the ring.

Charlotte immediately challenged Ronda to a match, which the champ accepted despite Shayna Baszler pleading with her not to.

In the ring, after Ronda went for an armbar, Charlotte was able to counter it and pinned her shoulders on the mat, getting the three count.

The win means Charlotte is now a 14-time World Champion and edging closer to her father Ric Flair's record of 16 reigns.

WHAT IS GOING ON?!?!@MsCharlotteWWE IS BACK AND JUST WON THE #SMACKDOWN WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP!!!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Rl3nSKyiZb
— WWE (@WWE) December 31, 2022

Following Charlotte's loss in May to Ronda at WrestleMania Backlash, WWE reported that she would "be out of action indefinitely" after suffering a fracture of the radius.

However, it was later reported that the real reason Charlotte was written out was so she could tie the knot with AEW's Andrade El Idolo.

Andrade popped the question to Charlotte on New Year's Eve 2019. The couple have been dating since February 2019 after meeting while they were both working for WWE.

Andrade was granted his release by WWE in March 2021 and debuted for AEW that June.

Since their wedding Charlotte had been keeping a low profile until last month when she teased a WWE return by posting a photo of her laced-up boots on Instagram.

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