WWE Backstage Reaction To Natalya's Heel Turn On Raw

After working as a babyface since 2022, Natalya turned heel on the January 19 episode of Monday Night Raw, placing Becky Lynch's foot on the bottom rope when Maxxine Dupri had the Women's Intercontinental Title won. This allowed Lynch to recover and defeat Dupri, and Natalya proceeded to lay out her former protégé after the match.

PWInsider has reported that a lot of people within WWE were "very happy" for Natalya after her heel turn. It was noted that Natalya is one of the most well-respected veterans within WWE and the feeling was she more than "deserved" the opportunity to portray her Nattie Neidhart character on WWE TV.

There was hope within WWE that the new direction clicks for Natalya and she receives more of a prominent role on the company's televised programming. Many within WWE pointed to everything that Natalya and TJ Wilson do with helping wrestlers improve at the Dungeon.

The Nattie Neidhart character has already appeared on WWE TV in training vignettes with Maxxine Dupri in December of 2025. The gimmick was first used by Natalya for her appearances outside of WWE beginning with WrestleMania 41 weekend when she competed at Josh Barnett's Bloodsport.

The gimmick is heavily inspired by five-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Kōji Kanemoto.