Backstage News On WWE Using Natalya As Nattie Neidhart On Raw

Natalya appeared as Nattie Neidhart on WWE programming for the first time during the December 1 edition of Monday Night Raw as she was involved in a Hart Dungeon training vignette with Maxxine Dupri, repeatedly defeating the WWE Women's Intercontinental Champion during submission drills.

According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, WWE management decided to utilise Nattie Neidhart on TV after seeing the positive reception to the persona at events and on social media.

"According to those we spoke to, we can report that Natalya's work as the Lowkey Legend across several different promotions quickly caught the attention of upper management, including how well it was being received by fans everywhere, both in person and online through social media. The decision was then made to bring the character to WWE TV with hopes that Nattie will be a vital part and a strong part of the women's division going forward," WrestleVotes said.

Natalya began using the Nattie Neidhart gimmick for her appearances outside of WWE beginning with her Josh Barnett's Bloodsport match against Miyu Yamashita over WrestleMania 41 weekend. The persona sees Natalya adopt a more serious attitude and make her way to the ring to Rage Against The Machine's 'Killing in the Name.' Natalya has since performed as Nattie Neidhart at Bloodsport XIV, Reality of Wrestling Hart and Soul, and the NWA Crockett Cup.

Natalya expressed her wishes to bring Nattie Neidhart to WWE TV earlier this year, and she stated on Busted Open Radio following the Raw vignette with Maxxine Dupri that Neidhart never wants to see Natalya ever again.

"When I look back at Natalya, I was like, over the last couple of years, I'm like, 'She's done everything. She's done everything. She's really run the gamut. What can I do on my end with my control to make things exciting, to feel reinvigorated, to be refreshed?’ And it wasn't until after I wrote my book and I had this whole epiphany of like, oh my God, why don't you do what you always wanted to do? Why don't you be who you always wanted to be? I had to look at myself in the mirror and go, 'I don't want to see Natalya ever again,' and it's not sh*tting on that character. She did great work, she's f*cking awesome. I don't wanna see her again. So how do I change? How do I do this from a very authentic way that's still very true to me?" Neidhart said.

The former SmackDown Women's Champion noted the Nattie Neidhart character is heavily inspired by five-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Kōji Kanemoto.

"Do you ever remember Kōji Kanemoto? Kōji Kanemoto is one of my biggest inspirations for this new character, Nattie…Kōji Kanemoto has this level of 'f*ck you' in him that I'm just like, that is so inspiring to me because he doesn’t give a sh*t."

H/T Fightful