FAIRBORN, OHIO – MAY 9: Charlotte Flair speaks during SmackDown at Nutter Center on May 9, 2025 in … More
Naomi owned an absolutely amazing night of professional wrestling at WWE Evolution in Atlanta, and long-time friend Charlotte Flair acknowledged her.
In case you missed it, Naomi lost to Jade Cargill in a No Holds Barred match but cashed in her Money in the Bank briefcase and became the Women’s World Heavyweight Champion to crash a classic main event between Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky.
After Naomi’s big night, tributes and love poured in online, but perhaps most notably, Charlotte took to social media and posted a simple but statement-making image of the new champion.
Pictures are said to be worth a thousand words, and this is an example. Almost everyone in the wrestling community chimed in to congratulate the new champion, who has been one of the most consistent performers in WWE over the past decade-plus.
Naomi hasn’t held a top-level singles title in WWE since 2013, but despite the long drought between singles gold, she holds quite a few important distinctions.
Pro wrestling content creator Joey Karni pointed out Naomi’s cross-promotional championship record.
In addition to achieving top-level status with two different promotions, Naomi also became the first Black woman to win the Money in the Bank match and to successfully cash in the briefcase.
Naomi had performed in four other MITB matches. Ember Moon and Sasha Banks/Mercedes Moné have been in MITB matches, but neither won.
Charlotte and Naomi go way back in pro wrestling and WWE.
Naomi began her in-ring career in 2009, while Charlotte started in 2012. Charlotte’s place as a second-generation talent after her iconic father Ric Flair was never really in doubt. She worked hard to become arguably the greatest women’s wrestler ever, but Naomi’s road to her current spot has been more arduous.
At the outset of her run with WWE, Naomi was reduced to less significant roles with the company. She was a Funkadactyl, which was essentially a backup dancer for Brodus Clay, a male professional wrestler who was signed with WWE at the time.
Naomi battled to become an in-ring performer, then a singles performer and title contender. She and Sasha Banks rose to become WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions but became frustrated with their situation, and they walked out of WWE on May 16, 2022, during a live taping of Monday Night Raw in Norfolk, Virginia.
According to reports and WWE’s own statement, they were scheduled to participate in a Six-Pack Challenge to determine the next challenger for the Raw Women’s Championship.
Citing creative differences and concerns over how they and the titles were being booked, they left their tag belts on John Laurinaitis’ desk and walked out before the match aired.
WWE released a public statement during the live broadcast. WWE announcer Michael Cole said, “Naomi and Sasha had let us all down.” Both were suspended indefinitely just days later. Their merchandise was pulled from WWE Shop, and the Women’s Tag Titles were vacated.
Banks wound up going to New Japan Pro Wrestling before settling in as one of the biggest names with All Elite Wrestling. Naomi landed with Impact Wrestling, performing under her given name, Trinity Fatu, but she returned to WWE in 2024.
Both women bet on themselves, and it seems clear they are winning. It says something when a peer and fellow legend like Charlotte gives public praise. Congratulations to Trinity for reaching the top of her industry.
In case you missed the results of WWE Evolution, here’s a match-by-match breakdown.
Naomi cashed in on the Women’s World Championship Match to make it make in a Triple Threat Match
Naomi def. IYO SKY (c) and Rhea Ripley NEW CHAMPION
Stephanie Vaquer won WWE Evolution Battle Royal to earn a Women’s Championship Match at Clash in Paris
No Holds Barred Match With Special Guest Referee Bianca Belair
Jade Cargill def. Naomi
WWE Women’s Championship Match
Tiffany Stratton (c) def. Trish Stratus
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-Way Match
Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez (c) def. The Kabuki Warriors, Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair, and Sol Ruca & Zaria
NXT Women’s Championship Match
Jacy Jayne (c) def. Jordynne Grace
Women’s Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat Match
Becky Lynch (c) def. Bayley and Lyra Valkyria
