WWE RAW Superstar Natalya tells Muscle & Fitness magazine writer Steve Mazzucchi in a feature article that she battled her way to success in the WWE despite not being a perfect fit during the Divas Era of the women’s division.
Here is what Natalya told Mazzucchi on advice she received from her friend Beth Phoenix as she was trying to break into the WWE:
“When I debuted, WWE was doing the Diva Searches and hiring models, and I’m like your traditional lady wrestler,” she says. “I’m not skinny and I can’t dance. I remember Beth [Phoenix] saying: ‘Nattie, you’ve just gotta fake it ’til you make it. One day they’re gonna be ready for us.’ ”
The article points out that she started her wrestling journey in 2000, but didn’t get a WWE contract until 2007. Natalya also spoke about her WrestleMania 35 match with Phoenix in which they challenged for the WWE women’s tag belts against The Boss N Hug Connection, The IIconics and Nia Jax and Tamina. Though the match was won by The IIconics, Natalya spoke about how much of an advancement in the women’s division that match and the main event for the RAW and SmackDown women’s championships between Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair that represented.
“It’s just surreal, because I feel like my dad has played a big part in all these wonderful things happening, but I also feel like WWE understands how much I’ve contributed,” Nattie reflects. “That’s why this all feels so good now, being able to wrestle and perform with all these strong female competitors. And it goes back to, ‘Why do I love this?’ Because it makes me excited to get up in the morning and live my dream.” Spoken like a beyond-worthy wrestling dynasty heiress. 2Pawz must be so proud.”
Here is a link to the full article:
https://www.muscleandfitness.com/muscle-fitness-hers/hers-athletes-celebrities/wwe-superstar-natalya-neidhart-talks-her-family-s