Introducing the challenger from
Lafayette, Indiana, Ruby Riott.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> And
her opponent from Queens city.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> She's the SmackDown Women's Champion,
Charlotte Flair.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Cory,
I think Ruby has gotten under the skin of Charlotte.
But by that same token, I've seen Charlotte deal with personal tragedies,
I've seen her deal with professional setbacks and yet
she has maintained her track to success.
And that's why she's a Smackdown Women's Champion.
>> Well, this embodies this particular match.
This situation embodies what Ruby Riott lives her life by down with the system.
[SOUND] Ruby feels as though Charlotte was given these opportunities that she's had
to fight for.
Ruby wants to tear down everything that the Queen has built.
>> When that being said.
>> I'm looking for the right kick right out of the gate.
>> Charlotte's just not quite.
Ruby Riott says that close with some Ruby realizes Charlotte's gonna have the power
advantage here Ruby's gonna have to think up something different.
Charlotte now looking for the figure four.
Letting Ruby know just that close.
A friendly reminder I could have had your Ruby,
Ruby wants against snatching the wrist of Charlotte.
Charlotte great technique to counter but
curious to see if Ruby's got anything up her sleeve to clean break there.
Wow.
>> Maybe not.
>> Very unique.
Using the top rope to close line Charlotte Flair.
>> Interesting parallels here it means, if you look back at Charlotte's career
two months into her WWE debut, she won the event Divas Championship.
Great Power, and
Ruby a couple months into her WWE career has a chance to win gold as well.
Last woman when when a title in their first opportunity was page just three
years ago, Ruby Riott follows suit.
Ruby just hanging on for dear life on the queens back.
This is the power advantage of Charlotte but
Ruby doing a great job of cutting off the oxygen.
The blood flow to Charlotte Flair's head right now.
>> Man onto the apron and down to the floor.
And Charlotte Flair had to take drastic measures to get Riott off her back.
>> Man.
We're seeing the aggressive streak of Charlotte come out here a little bit.
>> Well Flair can enjoy the champion's advantage,
title can only change hands by pin fall or submission.
>> Wait a minute.
>> No what.
>> We knew it wouldn't be.
It was unusual to see the Riott squad not flanking Ruby their leader.
But there's Sara Logan and Liv Morgan.
And just that momentary distraction of Charlotte Flair led to pay off dividends.
>> Apparently it was too good to be true that we were gonna have a one on one
match without any outside factor.
There was no outside interference, there was the Riott kick.
We got a new champion.
>> Down goes Flair, who's the title?
>> And a kick out by Flair.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Wow.
>> It goes no outside interference Cory but if you're Charlotte, as this match
goes on, now you've gotta be concerned about the threat of Liv Morgan and
Sarah Logan outside that ring.
>> Well listen Charlotte, this isn't her first day of school.
Charlotte knows what she's dealing with in any high stakes situation.
Any time her championship's on the line Charlotte prepares Ruby Riott is
apparently got something wrong something in her eye.
>> Yeah, watch this.
>> Yeah Ruby's eye this could be very detrimental.
>> No you Kenny this is Morgan and Lowndes opportunity.
>> We got some backup Naomi and Becky Lynch backing up Charlotte Flair.
>> Sure it's an even playing field.
And now amidst the chaos,
Ruby Riott realized that she's
got to stay on the champion here.
>> I'm just glad Ruby averted certain ocular disaster.
>> Stop it.
>> And now raining down punches here on the Smackdown Women's Champion.
>> Ruby growing more and more confident as this match goes on.
Ruby told me look l just l want to be the best in this division.
l don't care about the red carpets.
l don't care about the personal appearances.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> I don't need all the flask I just need
the championship.
>> Now Ruby Riott trying to out power Charlotte Flair.
Off the top woah.
>> Woah.
>> [SOUND] >> And a Slingshot Suplex there.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Wonder where Charlotte Flair learned
that one [LAUGH].
>> Uncle Tully.
>> [LAUGH] I'll back up to a fake Ruby Riott however can
x to the midsection [SOUND] face first, >> Come on cut it out, hey.
>> I've got to be impressed with Ruby Riott to this point everything that
the queen is attempted Riot has had an answer for.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> To the stage dive CENTCOM over here,
kick out by Flair.
This has been so impressive from Ruby Riott.
Ruby knows the opportunity at hand right now,
let's take another look at this unorthodox.
It's like a cannonball backward on the Charlotte Flair.
We almost had ourselves a new champion.
No one's ever questioned the talent level of Ruby Riott.
No one's ever questioned.
>> Yes. >> What this young lady is capable of
inside that ring.
>> Make her quit.
Make her quit.
>> Who said they did Byron, I just said it was impressive.
>> [SOUND] >> The point is her actions are off
the left of controversy.
When you look pass it, yes she's a very talented superstar,
Ruby Riott can make good on that the mission of the Riot squad here tonight.
She could tackle the standard bearer on the SmackDown women's division,
she could sleep.
>> Look at this.
Look at this the straight jacket with the knees in the back.
Charlotte in a precarious position right now.
This could completely upset the order of things on the way to wrestle mania.
>> That's exactly what Ruby Riott wants.
>> And Charlotte Flair is finding a way to stay in this.
Morgan and Logan just soaking it all in.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Morgan and Logan realize that Ruby
captures the championship their quality of life improves.
These three are cohesive unit, one for all all for one.
>> Has all been the mission statement to the cause chaos and
disarray here in this women's division.
And Charlotte Flair bent over.
>> If it weren't for Charlotte's incredible gymnastics background,
l think that would've broke a lot of lesser women literally.
>> Do you want to let go?
What do you say Charlotte?
Do you want to give it up?
>> They're gonna see you fail.
They're gonna see you fail.
>> l, >> Ruby telling Charlotte,
look at your friends, they're gonna see you fail.
Ruby's words could prove to be prophetic,
Charlotte could be exposed as just a bleach blonde failure.
>> It's gonna be an exposable.
I'll tell you what,
I am extremely impressed by how sound the strategy is of Ruby Riott.
One thing we know about Charlotte Flair never backs down with a scenario
like this.
She fought her way to the top of WWE.
STL by Ruby, that could be it.
And now Riott to win the title here at Fastlane and a kick out of the Queen's
road to WrestleMania could end right here in Columbus.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Stop it enough.
>> Hey, I'm so impressed by the composure of Ruby Riott.
She's been able to make Charlotte make emotional responses, emotional reactions.
And Ruby has stayed the course and executed her plan.
>> No. >> And again, no.
Went for in a canon Flair was ready for it.
>> [NOISE] >> Knees right to the small the back
>> And Charlotte has suffered so
much punishment that is point O and
Riott bounces face first off with a top turnbuckle.
Riott got planted very neckbreaker by Charlotte Flair buys or
a little bit of time,
the Queen starting to rally Window of opportunity for Charlotte.
>> Now setting up Ruby Riott here.
Going up to the top, we know Charlotte Flair loves to do this.
No.
>> Not that she doesn't.
Ruby has been better at every step of the way tonight.
>> Gotta think the punishment that Ruby's inflicted on Charlotte effected
her ability to quickly climb those ropes, and Ruby made her pay for it.
>> Is it possible Flair was looking past Riott on her way to WrestleMania?
>> It's entirely possible.
The credit could be given to Ruby Riott for getting under the Queen's skin,
getting into Charlotte Flair's head.
>> Goes Riott going through the road.
She got caught up by the champions barricade.
The first mistake Ruby has made of the match and it could cost her.
Wait a minute wait a minute,
a desperate Queen Charlotte Flair the first time,
the second time it connected for the queen and
tossing Riott back inside the ring and a kick out.
And Charlotte Flair.
>> Single leg takes down all the Riott trying to set up the finger for
looking to transition.
Wow, what a knee direct impact to the jaw of Ruby Riott.
That looked like it might've been a last ditch effort from Charlotte, though.
She connected with that knee, and immediately.
>> Wait a minute, now Flair misses in the corner and what a boot.
Right down to one day now.
Flair try to go on top again and Ruby Riott leaving no space between her and
the champion.
>> Ruby has been so impressive tonight.
I can't state that enough.
And we go late and disrespect from Riot to the queen.
What's Ruby thinking here?
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Hurricanrana it connects we're gonna
have a new champion hooked up both legs and Charlotte kicked out for
almost ready to head to Riott mania, but Ruby needs to stay focused.
Keep her foot on the gas pedal, she's got the Queen on the ropes figuratively.
Could you imagine if this team this trio and
this particular superstar Ruby Riott took the title away and
marched into WrestleMania >> Yeah,
I think it's exciting to potential for Ruby Riott.
Look at this hurricanrana all the way from the top.
Like the Joker said some people just want to let the world burn.
Ruby Riott case in point just wants to cause a little chaos stirred things up.
Mocking the Queen, defying shot back from the champion.
>> All Ruby is doing is firing up the Queen hand slap I'm showing
my to run Ruby's ears and hear the breaking eardrum.
>> [NOISE] >> Ruby Riott
seeing firsthand finding out what Charlotte Flair is all about.
Was patented for family chops Charlotte Flair.
>> [NOISE] >> Back breaker and St.
Ruby Riott into the middle rope.
Ruby and certainly a little out of sorts here.
Good aware with off in the champion knowing exactly how to use those ropes to
her advantage smart home my Ruby propping herself up on the bottom rope.
She can't be pinned that way.
Took out the left leg and then face for one of the men.
>> What is this?
>> Morgan and Logan thought about it,
anyway it might just have been to bait Naomi and Becky.
>> That's exactly what it was.
>> Naomi and Becky have been tossed.
>> You've got to be kidding me.
>> The Riott squad outsmarting everybody once again.
And look down in the corner of your screen.
>> Seriously?
>> Logan and Morgan, come on, >> You're a mog going on over here.
>> Hey, you have to appreciate the strategy by these three women.
>> Not appreciate it.
>> Yes you do.
>> Thank you.
>> Morgan and Logan rejected from ringside.
>> Thank you, good call by the official
Ruby's disconsolate to insurance
policy she's got bounced.
And will be liable focus up here scalping
the champion has begun to start.
>> Wait a minute.
Off The Boat.
>> The Queen has got that familiar look of resolve.
And now it's got Ruby Riott exactly where she wants her.
No, it's on credo Homer kick out we just had a new champion.
For the ride kick once again,
Charlotte's had that well scattered throughout the night.
>> Off the robes Ruby Riott caught up on the shoulders.
All Ruby's gonna be out.
>> Riott just got whipped into the top turnbuckle.
>> Incredible power from the Women's Champion Charlotte.
>> Charlotte Flair using her environment to her advantage here
tonight at Fastlane now the Queen size number one a spear,
I think it's time to go to school and everybody.
>> By the centre of the ring.
Charlotte locking it in.
>> Figure 4, trying to Bridge.
Figure 8, yes.
An immediate tap-out.
>> [NOISE] >> Flair retains the title.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Here is your winner by submission.
And still the Smackdown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair.
>> The Queen remains atop the throne.
>> But you have to give respect to Ruby Riott who stepped to the throne.
Knock Charlotte off bit quite a few times.
>> Absolutely watch this face first howl invented by the champion.
Every time we see Charlotte she seems to get better and better and
better and listen.
Charlotte was pushed to the limit here.
>> [MUSIC]
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> My god, Michelle knows.
>> [MUSIC]
>> I think it's safe to say that Oscars made her decision,
the winner of the first ever Women's Royal Rumble match as a guaranteed level
opportunity of WrestleMania.
>> [MUSIC]
>> Alexa Bliss must be relieved the raw Women's Champion but,
[MUSIC]
It looks like the Queen may have a date with the Empress pump tomorrow.
[MUSIC]
>> Looks this was a dream match and
Chalotte Flair WrestleMania future has apparently been confirmed.
[MUSIC]