Triple H’s Reaction to Natalya’s Bloodsport Appearance

Natalya made her debut at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII, where she scored a submission win over Miyu Yamashita by locking in the Sharpshooter. This wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for Triple H changing WWE’s stance on working with outside companies. In fact, The Game has been super supportive of the idea.

While speaking to Busted Open Radio, Natalya spoke about her experience and the response she received from WWE, particularly from Triple H. She reflected on how her long tenure in the company shaped her approach to risk and expression.

“For me, one of the big reasons why I wanted to do this show was because so much of my career spent in WWE—it’s been over 18 years—I feel like I always played everything very, very safe and I made a career out of just being extremely safe and trying to please everyone. And I think it really stemmed from growing up with… you know, everybody knows I’ve grown up in a big wrestling family. My dad had a very cool career—he’s a WWE Hall of Famer—but he had a lot of volatility in his career. So for me, I think being in WWE for as long as I have, I’ve spent most of it trying to make sure that I was perfect, trying to say all the right things, do all the right things. Like, I’m… I’m like literally, if you look up ‘people pleaser’ in the dictionary, that has been me.”

Natalya went on to explain how performing at Bloodsport marked a change in her approach and opened up a new phase of growth in her career. She saw it as a huge risk, but the reward was also certainly there. Taking risks has also become a trend for the Queen of Harts.

“So for me, this show has been a huge risk for me and a chance for me and a way for me to step out and go—it’s really important to be able to speak your mind and to have a voice. And to be able to… sometimes things that you’re going to say, not everybody’s going to agree with them. And I was like, this last—these last six months—I’ve taken some really great risks. And they’ve really paid off. And they’ve been very calculated risks.”

Natalya then pointed to the current WWE leadership as a reason she now feels free to take those steps. Triple H has certainly done a lot to change how WWE operates and handles a lot of issues that Vince McMahon used to close the book on quickly.

“But I think that’s what I’m realizing more than ever. And I’m realizing that under this new regime in WWE, it’s been the first time in my career that I don’t feel scared to take risks. I feel encouraged to grow and to challenge myself and to be stimulated in a different way.”

Natalya also recalled the encouragement she received directly from Triple H after her appearance at Bloodsport. The Game said he was proud of her, which made the experience that much more valuable.

“And like, you know, even after Bloodsport, I saw Triple H a couple days later and he was like, ‘I heard you did great and I’m so proud of you and this is awesome.’ And like, I felt so happy because I was scared that they might not have liked some of the things that I did… and he was so great and so supportive. And it just—it made me realize that at the end of the day, like, I really do think that this new regime wants us to grow and to be challenged and to have a voice—more than anything, to have a voice and to not feel scared.”

Triple H has made changes to WWE’s stance toward outside promotions, supporting appearances in events hosted by companies like GCW, TNA, and NOAH. Shifting from an isolationist standpoint isn’t all The Game has done. Many other internal policies have been altered.

Through Triple H’s leadership, WWE has shifted away from a closed-door approach, opening opportunities for talent to work across different promotions while remaining part of the WWE system. After all, Vince McMahon never considered selling off advertising space on the ring itself, but now WWE is totally open for business in that regard.

What’s your take on Triple H’s leadership in WWE? Do you think that Vince McMahon is proud to see the changes that his son-in-law has made? Let us know what you think in the comments section!

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.