Big E, a former WWE champion, has praised Natalia for her recent work on the independent wrestling circuits, expressing a desire to see her more aggressive “Nattie Neidhart” character featured on WWE programming.
During a discussion on WWE Raw Recaps about the company’s digital content, Big E highlighted his admiration for the diverse personas Natalya showcases outside of WWE, especially her performances at GCW’s Bloodsport events.
“I really enjoy Bloodsport Natty, and I’d love to see her bring that style to a match with Becky Lynch,” Big E stated. “She displayed a level of toughness that many fans might not have fully appreciated before.”
He also commended the seasoned wrestler for continuously evolving her in-ring abilities after almost two decades with WWE, adding, “She keeps adding new layers to her craft and showing different facets of her skillset. We’ve seen a lot from her outside WWE, but I hope to see some of those elements brought into the main roster.”
In 2025, Natalia participated in several wrestling promotions outside WWE as part of the company’s new partnership strategy. Under the “Nattie Neidhart” persona, she recently defeated TNA Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich on August 2nd at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIV, maintaining an impressive record in shoot-style wrestling events.
Fan Take: This recognition from Big E highlights the growing respect for independent wrestling styles within WWE, signaling exciting new possibilities for character development on the main stage. For fans, it suggests that WWE could embrace more diverse and intense wrestling personas, adding fresh dynamics to storylines and matches.