WWE Faced “Real Possibility” Of Losing Natalya

Natalya is staying with WWE.

WWE contracts have been a huge talking point in 2024, but on July 13th it was revealed another mystery had been settled. Despite weeks of speculation, and hints she might be heading elsewhere, it was confirmed Natalya had signed a new deal to stay with WWE.

The star was famously the only female graduate from the original Hart Family Dungeon and holds several company records including the most wins by a female wrestler, and most matches by a female wrestler at WrestleMania, on Raw, SmackDown, and PPV.

Natalya is WWE’s longest-serving female star having signed with the company back in 2007.

How Close Did Natalya Come To Leaving WWE?

A new report from Fightful Select has now offered some more background on the star’s new deal, revealing just how close she came to going elsewhere.

Despite the speculation, the former Women’s Champion’s contract was actually finalised in June shortly before her previous deal expired, although she hasn’t attended any tapings since putting pen to paper.

Talks between the two sides began in May, with Natalya keen to make sure her non-WWE projects “lined up” with the terms on any new deal. Although there was outside interest in both the star and her WWE producer husband TJ Wilson, most expected her to stay with the sports entertainment giant.

However, WWE felt there was a “real possibility” of losing the veteran and wanted to tie her into a long-term contract before she became a free agent.