Toni Storm, now a rising star in AEW, recently opened up about one of her most notorious WWE moments — the controversial pie-in-the-face segment involving Charlotte Flair. While the stunt was met with mixed reactions from WWE fans at the time, Storm revealed she genuinely enjoyed the experience and embraced the angle despite the backlash.
The Pie Face Moment: A Notorious WWE Segment
The pie-throwing angle occurred during an episode of WWE SmackDown on November 26, 2021, where Charlotte Flair humiliated Toni Storm by smashing a pie in her face live on television[1][2]. This segment quickly became infamous among WWE audiences, with many fans criticizing it as an embarrassing and degrading moment for Storm, who was then a promising talent on the SmackDown roster.
Backstage, the creative idea was reportedly intended to generate heat for Charlotte Flair’s heel persona while giving Storm a memorable storyline moment. However, there were rumors the original concept might have been even more humiliating, which Storm herself later confirmed was thankfully toned down before airing[3][6].
Toni Storm’s Take: Embracing the Angle Despite Criticism
Contrary to public sentiment, Toni Storm expressed she “loved it” and viewed the segment as an opportunity rather than a setback. In candid comments, she stated that such theatrical moments are part of professional wrestling’s entertainment essence, and she was proud to be central in a storyline that garnered so much attention[2].
A WWE insider close to the situation shared that the company initially wanted to push the segment in a more embarrassing direction, possibly ordering Storm to be stripped down to her underwear during the angle. This idea was dropped after Storm’s pushback, showing her assertiveness in protecting her dignity even within such a controversial spot[1].
Behind the Scenes: Wrestling Insiders Weigh In
According to insiders, the pie angle played a significant role in pushing the “Queen” Charlotte Flair’s heel character further by portraying her as a manipulative and ruthless competitor[4]. One backstage source revealed, “Charlotte smashing two pies in Toni’s face was WWE’s way of elevating both women through a memorable feud, even though the crowd reaction was divided.”
Sources close to AEW management also acknowledged Toni Storm’s professionalism during that period, noting how she transitioned smoothly from a WWE storyline that many saw negatively to becoming an impressive featured talent in AEW, gaining respect for her in-ring skills and work ethic.
How the Angle Impacted Toni Storm’s Career
Despite the polarizing reaction, the pie incident helped keep Toni Storm in the wrestling conversation and demonstrated her versatility in adapting to both serious competition and comedic segments. WWE fans might remember her getting the pie in the face, but wrestling insiders credit her ability to use that moment as fuel to enhance her wrestling journey.
Since moving to AEW, Storm has rebuilt her image as a dominant competitor, shedding the remnants of WWE’s controversial creative decisions. Her recent interviews confirm she harbors no resentment about the pie segment and instead values it as a memorable chapter from her WWE tenure that helped shape her career[2].
The Wrestling World’s Takeaway: Wrestling’s Fine Line Between Drama and Embarrassment
The pie face angle highlights wrestling’s ongoing balancing act between creating dramatic storyline moments and avoiding fan alienation. While some fans criticized the segment as humiliating, Storm’s positive outlook reminds the community that not every theatrical segment defines a wrestler’s legacy.
Charlotte Flair’s willingness to put over younger talent, even through unorthodox angles, illustrates how WWE leverages character dynamics to build storylines, whether that means drawing heat by embarrassing opponents or showcasing competitiveness.
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“Toni was always professional about the angle, even when some people failed to see the entertainment angle,” a WWE insider commented. “She understood the bigger picture and never let it derail her ambition.” This backstage respect echoes Toni’s current standing in AEW and wrestling at large, showing that sometimes, what appears controversial on screen can become a cherished career milestone.