Natalyas heel turn on the January 19, 2026, episode of Monday Night Raw may have blindsided fansbut according to the Queen of Harts herself, this new chapter is only getting started.
Speaking during an appearance on Busted Open Radio on January 22, Natalya addressed the betrayal of Maxxine Dupri and her interference in the Womens Intercontinental Championship match, which directly cost Dupri the title. But instead of delivering a full explanation, she teased theres far more to come.
The veteran star, who had been working as a babyface since 2022, helped Becky Lynch escape defeat by putting her foot on the ropesrobbing Dupri of a title win. The post-match beatdown cemented Natalyas turn and introduced fans to a darker, more calculated version of herself that she hinted had been building for a while.
She admitted that some fans were looking for a more detailed explanationbut insisted the time isnt right just yet. Instead, she framed her actions as part of a larger personal evolution.
Natalya also touched on her ongoing work behind the scenes at WWE and NXT, mentoring younger talent, and how that has affected her understanding of identity and presentation.
This gives even more weight to what PWInsider reportedthat WWE management and locker room veterans were fully behind this character shift, believing it could be the catalyst for a major resurgence for Natalya on-screen. As one of WWEs most respected in-ring performers and mentors, this next chapter could definitely be her most creatively fulfilling yet.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
