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What's the story?
The Queen of SmackDown Live is weeks away from defending her championship against Asuka at WrestleMania 34, but a recent injury has created doubt as to whether she will make it to the big event healthy.
WWE announced that Charlotte Flair is unable to compete in the Mixed Match Challenge this week due to injury.
In case you didn't know
Flair and Bobby Roode were paired for the Mixed Match Challenge and made it to the semi-finals of the tournament defeating the teams of Apollo & Nia Jax and Rusev & Lana.
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They were originally scheduled to take on Sasha Banks and Finn Bálor this week to determine who would go on to face The Miz and Asuka in the finals of the tournament.
The heart of the matter
WWE released the following statement regarding Flair's injury and only included details focusing on the Mixed Match Challenge:
With SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair unable to compete on WWE Mixed Match Challenge tonight due to injury, a fan vote will determine Bobby Roode's new partner against the Second Chance Fan Vote-winning tandem of Finn Bálor & Sasha Banks.
This could also be a work to prevent an early loss for the Queen before WrestleMania 34.
The choices to replace Flair in the Mixed Match Challenge are former Mixed Match Challenge participants Becky Lynch, Lana and Ms. Money in the Bank Carmella.
There has been no information regarding Flair's injury or whether it will affect their WrestleMania plans against Asuka.
This marks the second time that an injury has caused doubt regarding an announced WrestleMania match.
The first time was AJ Styles who was rumored to have suffered an injury to his leg that would prevent The Phenomenal One from defending the WWE Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura, but Styles seems to be okay to compete.
What's next?
Tune in to SmackDown Live for a possible update on Flair's situation and how it will affect the SmackDown Women's Championship match in New Orleans, Louisana.
Author's take
Hopefully, we get some good news on Flair's injury, otherwise, fans will likely be disappointed with whatever match is booked as a replacement.
