Natalya is a shoo-in WWE Hall of Famer, and her career is far from finished at this point. That being said, shes seen a lot in WWE, and her longevity in the company can be credited to her ability to do business, no matter the storyline they gave her.
While speaking to Chris Van Vliets Insight podcast, Natalya opened up about the pressure she experienced during WWEs Divas Era and the choices she made to keep her place in the company. She reflected on how those years shaped her mindset and why she went along with one of her most controversial gimmicks.
Natalya went on to explain that she struggled to meet the expectations that the company placed on female performers at the time. Those standards led her to doubt her place as a champion and look for another way to contribute.
Natalya also said that focusing on others started to take a toll on how she viewed herself. She admitted that her confidence faded as she tried to convince herself that simply being employed was enough.
The Queen of Harts continued by describing how she downplayed her own ambitions, convincing herself to be grateful rather than strive for more. After all, she realizes how lucky she is to be in WWE.
This mindset continued until Beth Phoenix stepped in and encouraged her to stand up for herself. Natalya said that Phoenixs advice gave her the push to finally speak up to management.
Natalya also admitted that asking to be champion felt uncomfortable at first. Looking back, she is able to see that wanting success was not something to be ashamed of.
Natalya then addressed one of the most infamous storylines of her career, where she couldnt control her gas. She recalled the flatulence gimmick and how it came directly from Vince McMahons creative direction, not the writers room.
Bret Harts niece then said the writer distanced himself from the concept immediately. The message he delivered made it clear who was behind the decision.
The storyline was designed to make her appear more entertaining. However, Vince McMahon, as she explained, wanted to see another side of her personality on television.
Natalya admitted she was reluctant to do the farting angle, but she agreed to do it anyway. Her decision came from a desire to stay professional and prove her reliability to the company.
Natalya went on to explain that despite her hesitation, she did everything she could to make the idea work. She wanted to show that she could follow direction and maintain her standing in the company.
The gimmick lasted about six weeks before fan response led creative to end it. Sound effects were used throughout the run, and the storyline was eventually dropped without follow-up. Naturally, WWE fans were happy to see Natalyas gas gain some control as the gimmick faded like a silent but deadly idea.
There was also once a time in WWE history where the company wrote a farting angle for the Queen of Harts. Needless to say, Natalya is down to do anything for the show, and her family legacy in the pro wrestling business certainly proves that.
Whats your take on Natalyas run in WWE? Which Vince McMahon creative idea was the worst one he ever had? Let us know what you think in the comments section!
