Natalya is proud to be a part of history.
"The Queen Of Harts" Natalya has been with WWE since 2007 and has been involved in every phase that the company's women's division has gone through and now she is a part of the developing and ever-growing women's evolution. Natalya has competed in the first-ever Women's Money In The Bank Ladder match, the first-ever women's match to main event SmackDown, the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble match and the first-ever WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal.
WWE is currently on tour of Europe and the Irish news publication 'Buzz.ie' was able to speak with the former SmackDown Live Women's Champion about witnessing and being involved in the growth of WWE's women's division.
"It shows how the company has grown and how it continues to move forward. In the last couple of years I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of the first ever female Money in the Bank ladder match and the first female Royal Rumble. I’ve been a former Divas Champion and a former Women’s Champion; it’s just so great to see the women of WWE move forward." Natalya shared. "The WWE continues to make such an effort to put women at the forefront. It’s exciting to be a part of that and that’s the main reason why I’m excited to continue to grow with the company.''
Over the past number of weeks Natalya has been paired with former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey on WWE TV. Natalya and Ronda's friendship goes beyond a few weeks as Natalya would travel to Orlando to train with Ronda Rousey before Ronda made her first appearance on WWE programming.
''I was grateful to be part of her training and know that I was able to build a friendship with her, because she’s someone that inspired me - she’s been a huge part of moving women forward in sport in general." She said. "She’s been a revolutionary voice in that and is a force to be reckoned with. In helping her I actually really grew myself. I can't wait to get into the ring with her in the future.''
After 11 years in the company Natalya has stood the test of time and has remained a focal point in the women's division. She explained how she is able to keep the ball rolling after a great run.
''People look at me and they go 'Wow, you’ve been here so long". I just started at a young age and had a head start on my peers. At 35, I’ve done so much but I feel like there’s still a lot more to do, and there’s so many exciting women coming up from NXT, and girls like Ronda and the 'Four Horsewomen'. It’s been such a driving force for wanting to continue my career in WWE. If you feel good and you love what you’re doing there’s no need to stop.''
The Women's evolution is rolling on as there have been qualifying matches to determine the field of competitors for the second Women's Money In The Bank Ladder match next month. Both RAW and SmackDown Live have added one superstar each to the match.
