Natalya was motivated by Bully Ray‘s comments to wrestle in the NWA in the Crockett Cup.
The former WWE Women’s Champion is embarking on matches outside the WWE in 2025 for the first time in decades. Natalya is set to compete in Billy Corgan’s NWA and will wrestle in the 2025 Crockett Cup on May 17th.
She spoke on Busted Open Radio recently about how some comments by Bully Ray motivated her to try out new things outside WWE. Natalya admitted that his comments about her not doing enough made her give this a chance while also citing her grandfather, Stu Hart, and his relationship with the NWA.
Natalya shares what (and who) inspired her to branch out from WWE
“A few months ago, Bully Ray had said some stuff about me. Bubba’s an asshole. He said I hadn’t done enough, that I wasn’t doing enough, and that I should be doing more. He was a little abrupt and blunt,” Natalya said. “I’ve thought about the things he said, and Bubba wasn’t wrong. I’ve wanted to do so much more, and the opportunity with the NWA is a chance to show everybody what I’ve always had and never lost. I just want to do so much more, and I want to be so, so much more.”
“I’ve moved heaven and earth to do this show. I love Billy Corgan. My grandfather had a very close connection to the NWA. But I just want to do so much more and be so much more. That is a huge catalyst for me to do this, and the NWA is a very special promotion that I can sink my teeth into and show the world that I never lost it. It’s always been inside of me, and it’s always here. I’m ready to unleash in a way they haven’t seen,” added Natalya.
Natalya is also scheduled to compete at Bloodsport in April, and has expressed interest in competing in TNA.
