Natalya Might Be Getting a Character Makeover in WWE

Natalya could be headed for a serious shake-up in WWE. According to her uncle Ross Hart, the longtime WWE veteran might be in line for a complete character reinvention—and it could even come with a brand-new name.

Speaking on the Wrestling Life with Ben Veal podcast, Ross hinted that Natalya’s recent matches at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport events may have opened the door for a new direction on WWE television.

“She’s been performing recently on some of these blood sports shows. 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.”

Ross didn’t stop there. He suggested WWE might already be moving forward with plans to repackage her entirely.

“So, I’m not sure what the storyline 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.”

Away from WWE, Natalya has been working that more aggressive style under the name Nattie Neidhart—and fans who’ve seen her in that environment say it’s a totally different vibe from what she’s done in WWE rings.

Ross was recently in Las Vegas for the 59th Cauliflower Alley Club reunion, where Natalya received the prestigious Lou Thesz Award. He praised her for earning it the hard way, not through gimmicks or flash.

“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 also noted just how much time she’s put into the business.

“She’s been there, I believe, I think, over 20 years now, or very close to that. 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.”

Outside of the ring, Natalya and her husband TJ Wilson (Tyson Kidd) continue to train the next generation of wrestlers at their Florida facility, Dungeon 2.0—open to everyone from WWE to AEW and TNA performers.

“It’s open to any wrestlers. It’s not just for WWE. 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.”

With a new book on the way this fall, Natalya could be ready to close one chapter and start another—one that’s harder, grittier, and more in line with what she’s become outside the WWE bubble.