Should Natalya Leave WWE For AEW When Her Contract Expires?
Natalya Neidhart, a stalwart of WWE’s women’s division, has graced the ring for over a decade, embodying the wrestling lineage of the illustrious Hart family. But, as noted by Pro Wrestling Torch, her contract is edging closer to expiration and it may be “time for a change.” There’s a growing buzz that maybe, just maybe, it’s time for Natalya to explore new horizons.
Imagine the seismic shift if she debuted in AEW as “Nasty” Nattie Neidhart and got to put together banger after banger at the top of the card. It wouldn’t just be a career move — it would be a statement.
The Legacy of Natalya Neidhart in WWE
Natalya, or “Nattie,” has been the cornerstone of WWE’s women’s wrestling for years. As a third-generation wrestler, she carries her Hart family legacy with pride. Since joining WWE in 2007, Natalya has captured the Diva’s Championship, the SmackDown Women’s Championship, and the Women’s Tag Team Championship. Her technical prowess and commitment to the craft are unmatched, making her a revered figure in the locker room.
Yet, despite her illustrious pedigree and undeniable skills, Natalya’s role in WWE has often felt like a revolving door of underwhelming storylines and missed opportunities. She’s been the workhorse, the reliable veteran, but rarely the focal point of the division. It’s like having a Ferrari and using it to fetch groceries — an egregious waste of potential.
Underutilization in WWE: The Tale of Missed Opportunities
Let’s face it — WWE has a knack for dropping the ball with its talents in the past. Natalya is no exception. Despite her extensive experience and the technical finesse she brings to every match, she’s frequently overshadowed by newer, less polished stars. Whether it’s being sidelined in favor of more marketable faces or being thrown into bizarre storylines (remember the farting gimmick?), as TheSportster points out, Natalya has seen her fair share of bad booking decisions in WWE.
Even as she holds Guinness records for the most matches and PLE appearances by a female wrestler in WWE, it often feels like she’s there to prop others up rather than bask in the spotlight herself. It’s a classic case of the veteran mentor being forever the bridesmaid, never the bride. She’s had moments of brilliance, sure, but never the sustained push she rightly deserves. It’s good to give, and Nattie has given this business so much. She deserves something in return while she is in her prime.
Why AEW is the Perfect Canvas for ‘Nasty Natty Neidhart’
AEW’s wrestling philosophy contrasts sharply with WWE’s spectacle-heavy approach throughout much of her career. AEW prides itself on in-ring storytelling and giving wrestlers the creative freedom to sculpt their characters and narratives, for better or worse. For someone like Natalya, who’s been boxed into WWE’s often rigid booking, AEW could be the creative playground where she truly flourishes.
Picture this: Natalya debuts in AEW as “Nasty Natty Neidhart,” embracing a darker, more aggressive persona. AEW’s women’s division is burgeoning, but the addition of a seasoned veteran like Natalya could elevate it to new heights. Her presence would not only bring immediate credibility but also provide a mentor figure for the burgeoning talents in AEW, fostering a richer, more competitive environment.
Natalya In WWE vs. AEW
The comparison between WWE and AEW in how they utilize their talents is stark. WWE, with its focus on marketability and mainstream appeal, often sidelines pure wrestling talent for the next big thing. Natalya’s WWE career, rich in accolades but light on spotlight (or even decent) moments, is a testament to this.
In contrast, AEW’s approach to talent is more inclusive and wrestler-focused. Wrestlers are encouraged to be the architects of their own stories, which is why stars like Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley have thrived since making the jump. For Natalya, AEW could provide the stage she’s long deserved — a place where her legacy can be celebrated and expanded upon, not just remembered.
Natalya’s Future: A Potential New Dawn?
As her WWE contract ticks down, we wait with bated breath to see what Natalya’s next move will be. Rumors swirl about potential roles outside WWE. Wouldn’t she be perfect to be involved in the upcoming Owen Hart Cup in AEW? In a recent interview on Casual Conversations with The Wrestling Classic, Nattie expressed desire to work with all sorts of different wrestlers in the industry.
“I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life, I’m doing the best work of my career. I just have so much more I want to do.
“There are so many more women in the industry that I want to work with. Not just in WWE, but I want to work with Gail Kim. I want to work with Jordynne Grace. I see some of these Japanese girls that I admire so much. Some of them come and train with me, but one day, I want to work with these girls. There are girls from every corner of the industry that I’m like, I want to work with her. I want to wrestle the best.”
Could she be alluding to a departure?
This tantalizing prospect aligns perfectly with her wrestling heritage and her continued passion for the sport.
For Natalya, moving to AEW wouldn’t just be a career move — it would be a statement. It would be a chance to redefine herself, to step out of the shadow of underutilization, and to cement her legacy on her own terms. As “Nasty Natty Neidhart,” or whatever she cooks up, Nattie could revolutionize AEW’s women’s division and finally receive the recognition she’s long been denied in WWE. As a cold-hearted heel with her eyes on the top prize in AEW, I think she could be the “Stone Cold Steve Austin” of this generation, and you can quote me on that. Hell, the state that she is in now is not unlike how Austin was when he left WCW after being underutilized for all those years.
Somebody please, for the love of God, strap a rocket to Natalya’s back and just let us see what happens.
