Glamour: Women’s wrestling—and women’s sports more broadly—feels like it’s having a real cultural moment. What do you think people are now seeing that longtime fans have always known?
Charlotte Flair: WWE was probably one of the first places where women were truly given the opportunity to be highlighted. I was part of the first-ever women’s main event of a Premium Live Event and then main-evented WrestleMania. Lexi was the first woman to wrestle in Abu Dhabi. We’ve been main-event players for a long time. Now, with partnerships like Netflix and ESPN bringing WWE to a broader audience, people are realizing, Wow, these women are badasses in main events in a male-dominated sport. And that’s what makes WWE women so special. We’ve always had to work that much harder because there are fewer spots.
Wrestling occupies a unique space between sports and entertainment. When you first got into WWE, what drew you in more, the athletic challenge or the performance aspect?
Charlotte: I always relied on my athleticism, that was the part that came naturally to me. The entertainment side wasn’t as easy at first. But 13 years in, I’m still finding new layers, especially working with Lexi. Our opposite personalities bring something different out of each other.
Alexa Bliss: For me, it was always a combination. My athletic background brought me in—I was doing bodybuilding at the time—but I’ve always loved performing. I did gymnastics, all-star cheer, softball, kickboxing. I loved being on a stage. And I’ve also been told I’m dramatic, so that helped.
You both spend so much time creating your characters. Is there a moment—putting on the makeup, the gear, a specific piece—that makes you feel like you’ve officially become your WWE persona?
Alexa: It’s the makeup for me. Mine has always been dramatic because I felt like I needed to compensate for my height and create something intimidating. It’s almost like putting on a mask and becoming that persona.
Charlotte: For me, it took time because I came from sports, so dressing up and the showmanship weren’t as natural. But once I realized I could be an athlete and a diva at the same time, everything clicked. The robes, the entrances, the gear—it’s one of the most fun parts because we get to create an entire aesthetic. I have these iconic peacock feathers on my robes, and at WrestleMania I did butterfly wings and Lexi did moth wings. So Lexi does the goth, I do the glam and the glitz.
Are these things you two decide together? Like, what you wear and how you look is totally up to you?
Charlotte: Yes. Although they tried to say that our wings at WrestleMania were going to be hokey and Lexi and I were like, “They’re not, I promise you. She’s dark, I’m light.” Imagine it coming down the ramp. And after that show, I don’t think there was a male Superstar or fan or little kid that wasn’t into it. It really resonated with children, which was kind of the best part.