Natalya is getting opportunities outside WWE that she says would have been dead on arrival under Vince McMahon. She credited Nick Khan and Triple H with opening the door for her to work Bloodsport, the NWA, Reality of Wrestling and other projects without giving up her WWE career.
Speaking on Busted Open After Dark, Natalya explained that her outside work has only been possible because Khan is willing to let her pursue projects that help her grow.
“First and foremost, I’m able to do the indie shows and all of the work I’m doing outside of WWE because Nick Khan is allowing me to do things that will cultivate my personal growth.”
Natalya pointed to her appearances for the NWA, Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport and Reality of Wrestling, along with her upcoming trip to the Cauliflower Alley Club to present Bret Hart with an award.
“I would not be able to do NWA, Bloodsport, Reality of Wrestling or go to Cauliflower Alley and present Bret Hart with a big award there. I wouldn’t be able to do that because it’s outside stuff.”
Natalya still made it clear that she remains grateful to McMahon for the career WWE gave her. However, she didn’t sugarcoat how he would have reacted if she asked to compete for Bloodsport or GCW.
“I never would’ve been able to do that. Again, I love Vince, but I never would’ve been able to do that with Vince because Vince isn’t gonna let me work for Bloodsport. He is not gonna let me work for GCW.”
The situation is different under Khan and Triple H. Natalya said both men personally approved the opportunities and encouraged her to branch out.
“Nick Khan has given me those opportunities. He and Triple H have greenlit those opportunities and said, ‘Go spread your wings. Go do stuff that makes you feel alive. We’re proud of you. We have your back.’”
Natalya also revealed that she has additional projects in development, although she stopped short of explaining what they are.
“There are some other projects that I’m working on. It’s so cool that I can just build them and have the support of WWE for that.”
“Thank you, Nick. Thank you, Hunter, because you guys have allowed me to do that, which is, I know, almost unheard of.”
Bloodsport has been especially important to Natalya’s latest character reinvention. She credited Josh Barnett with understanding that the Hart Dungeon’s brutal submission-based training existed long before Bloodsport became an event.
“I’ll never not appreciate Josh Barnett for believing in me and letting me work under him because he is a big catalyst in the Natty character.”
Natalya also rejected the idea that her current persona is an attempt to copy Ronda Rousey or suddenly adopt an MMA gimmick.
“She’s not trying to do an MMA character. She’s not trying to be the new version of Ronda Rousey. The Dungeon was Bloodsport before Bloodsport even existed.”
WWE once kept its talent on a tight leash, but Natalya says Khan and Triple H are now letting her build something beyond the company’s walls. She’s still working for WWE, but she finally has room to test herself in places Vince McMahon never would have approved.
Do you think WWE should allow more wrestlers to accept outside bookings like Natalya? Let us know what you think and leave your feedback in the comments.
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