Charlotte Discusses Her Start In The Business And The Influences Of Her Father And Her Late Brother

In the new episode of the PWI Podcast, WWE NXT women's champion Charlotte talks about growing up as Ric Flair's daughter, her experience in NXT, and what she would like to accomplish in the WWE Divas division.

"Charlotte offers some unique insights on the WWE developmental system, and her relationship with some of the other second-generation WWE Divas, like Natalya and Paige," said Pro Wrestling Illustrated Senior Writer Dan Murphy, who conducted the interview with the NXT women's champion. "Her path to WWE stardom is quite unique, and her vision for the WWE Divas division is refreshing to hear."

Charlotte began the interview by thanking the readers of PWI for voting her the "Rookie of the Year" for 2014.

"I was shocked when I read the news because there's so much great talent out there, especially this year, especially with NXT getting so much exposure," she said. "A lot of talent was shown to the world and to be voted by the fans... especially that they believed in me and they thought that I had progressed enough in a pool of so many amazing talents in NXT?in the whole world, I guess?I'm just honored."

Discussing her start in the business, Charlotte recalled her dad and her late brother Reid were instrumental in her decision to become a wrestler.

"Honestly, I grew up always playing sports," Charlotte explained. "I never in a million years thought that I was going to be a WWE/NXT Diva. I was in Miami when the Four Horsemen were inducted?it was me, my little brother Reid and my dad. We were sitting with Johnny Laurinaitis at dinner and they were just kind of talking and joking like, 'You know, Ashley, you should really give it a go' and at that point I was just personal training in Charlotte and my little brother was an aspiring wrestler? and he was pretty much my motivation. I wanted to do it with him and I was like, 'Sure, why not?' But of course, my dad had a huge pep talk with me and he said, 'Listen? if you're going to do this, you have to put your whole heart into it. Don't just go down there because this is one huge opportunity and? it's not easy. You need to get mentally tough and you have to put everything into it?as much as volleyball, gymnastics, cheerleading?into it to wrestling (in) FCW [now NXT]'."

In addition, Murphy and fellow PWI Senior Writer Al Castle discuss the fallout from the 2015 Royal Rumble, the strengths and weaknesses of Roman Reigns, and the creative challenges facing WWE headed into WrestleMania.

The PWI Podcast Episode 6 can be found on iTunes and at www.pwi-online.com.