During a recent appearance on the “Wrestling Life with Ben Veal” podcast, Ross Hart discussed the career of his niece, current WWE Superstar Natalya. He spoke about her recent award, her record-setting longevity in the company, and hinted that a significant character change could be in her future.
Hart was recently in Las Vegas for the 59th Cauliflower Alley Club reunion, where Natalya was honored with the prestigious Lou Thesz Award. “It was very special,” Hart said. “The Lou Thesz award, I think, recognizes grit and hardness and real wrestling ability, and not someone who’s just too flashy or has a gimmick of some kind, but just someone who’s a hard worker and can go the distance, and I think she’s very deserving of that award.”
He noted Natalya’s historic tenure with the company, a run that has solidified her as a veteran in the women’s locker room. “She’s been there, I believe, I think, over 20 years now, or very close to that,” Hart stated. “She’s had the longest run of any woman in the WWE and still going strong. You know, probably we could go another five years.”
Hart also pointed to herparticipation in Josh Barnett’s “Bloodsport” events as a catalyst for a potential evolution in her on-screen character. “She’s been performing recently on some of these blood sports shows,” he said. “It’s definitely more of a hardcore situation. It’s more real wrestling and grappling than what you’ll see on on the bigger promotions. And she sort of found a new identity with that.”
This new identity could soon be reflected on WWE programming. Hart suggested that a full rebranding for his niece may be in the works. “So, I’m not sure what the storyline they’re they’re doing right now in WWE, but it looks like they might be reinventing her, and she might be coming back under a new name,” he stated. Away from WWE, Natalya has been working a more serious pro wrestling style as Nattie Neidhart.
Away from her own performing career, Hart praised the work Natalya and her husband, TJ Wilson (Tyson Kidd), are doing to train the next generation of performers at their “Dungeon 2.0” facility in Florida. He confirmed the school is a resource for the entire industry. “It’s open to any wrestlers. It’s not just for WWE,” Hart said. “Some AEW performers have gone through, I think some TNA as well… TJ and Natty just have so much they can teach. A lot of that knowledge they can pass on to these younger wrestlers.” Natalya is also set to release a book this fall detailing her life and career.
Check out the entire Ross Hart interview below.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Wrestling Life with Ben Veal with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
