WWE WrestleMania 36: 5 Reasons why Charlotte Flair should challenge for the NXT Women's Championship

The match card for WWE's WrestleMania 36 is quickly coming together. Starting with the 2020 Royal Rumble, Drew McIntyre won the men's match and announced his intentions for Brock Lesnar's WWE championship. Edge vs. Randy Orton, given the events on RAW after the Rumble, is possible as well. Preceding , however, was Charlotte Flair's win in the women's match, adding to her long list of accolades.

The two main titleholders for the women's divisions, Becky Lynch for RAW and Bayley for SmackDown, have faced Flair on countless occasions. From pay-per-views to television, fans have seen it before, including the Flair vs. Lynch vs. Ronda Rousey match at WrestleMania in 2019.

However, Charlotte has a third option, and with the rise of WWE's third brand in North America to prominence, it's a viable option. This is Rhea Ripley's NXT Women's Championship.

This decision would be a first for the Black and Gold brand, which has not been featured on previous WrestleMania cards since its reboot in 2012. NXT Superstars have partaken in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, but never a standalone match, let alone for a title.

Charlotte challenging for the women's NXT title is a unique and worthwhile call for WWE to make for the WrestleMania card. It offers something different for a likely loaded slate and the chance for the most polarizing female star on the roster to make NXT shine on WWE's biggest stage.

But what are the specifics for this match being the proper call to make at WrestleMania 36? Let's take a look:

---

#5 Breaking away from Becky Lynch, Bayley

As noted, Becky Lynch and Bayley have shared the ring with Charlotte Flair over the years. Their matches produced several special moments, including Flair vs. Lynch vs. Sasha Banks at WrestleMania 32 and last year's all-female main event at MetLife Stadium. Bayley also defeated Charlotte to win her first main-roster title, along with other interactions on WWE programming.

While Charlotte has never faced either woman in a one-on-one match at WrestleMania, neither need to happen. It would not feel fresh, unlike other matches planned for the card, and risks being forgotten on a potentially double-digit bout slate. The Four Horsewomen matches have been prevalent on WWE programming for years, especially at WrestleMania, so repeating one in a headlining spot is unnecessary.

Plus, this provides new directions for the RAW and SmackDown titles. Refreshing storylines are always a positive for WWE's road to "The Grandest Stage of Them All."

Lynch and Bayley are just better off elsewhere on the card, finding fresher matchups to make WrestleMania 36 more intriguing. They will have opportunities elsewhere at the show.

#4 Deepens the match card

Becky Lynch with RAW women's title - Credit: WWE.com

Charlotte, staying away from Bayley and Lynch, allows the women's division to be spread across the card more prominently, creating multiple exciting matches instead of just one. Three of WWE's top female Superstars were in the WrestleMania 35 main event, which was terrific, but it was the lone singles match for the women.

With Charlotte challenging for the women's NXT title, it opens the door for three singles matches for the women at WrestleMania. Never before have three title matches for this part of the roster been featured at The Show of Shows, so add them to the long list of belts potentially set for the card, and WrestleMania 36 will become more diverse and loaded for fans to enjoy.

That joins a line of matches including Lesnar vs. McIntyre, The Fiend's WWE Universal Championship defense, Edge vs. Orton, the mid-card titles and the tag team belts. The potential already exists for something special, so putting the NXT title among them only adds to the hype.

#3 Leaves prominent title matches for other female stars

Charlotte Flair and Shayna Baszler at Royal Rumble - Credit: WWE.com

When Charlotte Flair won the Royal Rumble, it seemed to place her in the RAW or SmackDown women's championship picture for yet another year. Hardly a refreshing outcome for WrestleMania, especially with two familiar faces holding the other titles.

However, if Charlotte challenges Rhea Ripley, it opens opportunities for other female stars to compete for singles titles on the main stage. Whether it's Sasha Banks, Lacey Evans, Natalya, Carmella or someone of Shayna Baszler's caliber from NXT, the chances are there for two Superstars to be elevated.

An intriguing matchup could forecast Lynch vs. Baszler, with the win over Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 35 looming in the background. Perhaps Banks faces her long-time friend and former NXT rival, Bayley, which is the lone Four Horsewomen singles match that can be deemed "fresh" in 2020.

Moving Charlotte away allows two female Superstars to step up. It's healthy for the division and the growth of women's wrestling in WWE.

#2 Charlotte's presence permanently elevates the NXT Women's Championship

Charlotte Flair at Royal Rumble - Credit: WWE.com

The RAW and SmackDown women's titles already have a positive lineage. They are main roster belts and highly thought of. From Charlotte to Rousey and the other talented women to hold either belt, these championships are already prestigious.

The NXT Women's title, however, has been a rung below these and rightfully so, given the Black and Gold brand's status as WWE's developmental territory. It only received more shine in September, when WWE made WWE NXT a live program on the USA Network.

So, place a prolific main roster Superstar like Charlotte alongside the title, and it elevates to feel on-par with the titles on RAW and SmackDown.

A big name competing for the women's NXT title at WrestleMania makes it feel important. That's not to say a match with just NXT Superstars would not, but fans are more familiar with Charlotte than those only exposed to Wednesday nights or the brief storyline for the 2019 Survivor Series. Her presence, if anything, will make her competitors more recognizable moving forward, making it a win for Ripley and the rest of the division.

#1 It's all about Rhea Ripley

Rhea Ripley at Worlds Collide - Credit: WWE.com

Hypothetically, Rhea Ripley will remain the women's NXT champion until WrestleMania 36. She is the face of their division, having her crowning moment in late December. The title won't move off her quickly like previous fan-favorite Superstars (Johnny Gargano, Sami Zayn), so look for her to remain the champion and potentially have her biggest matchup in WWE to date.

It's hard to think Charlotte wins the title unless WWE wants The Queen on WWE NXT to boost its ratings. An unusual but bold move, it could provide credibility.

However, this match should be all about enhancing Ripley's star power and putting her over as the face of the NXT women's division. Defeating Charlotte, who has the titles and all-time recognition to her name, at WWE's biggest show, fulfills that whether in a one on one or a triple threat.

Sure, it's still early in Ripley's career, but WWE clearly sees something in this Australian Superstar. Cashing in on her talent at WrestleMania would solidify her status as a star.