WWE Has High Hopes For Ex-World Champion After Shocking Heel Turn

Former WWE SmackDown’s Women’s Champion Natalya turned heel on WWE RAW this week.

On the January 19 edition of Monday Night Raw, Maxxine Dupri challenged Becky Lynch for a rematch for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, which she lost two weeks back.

It was an entertaining match, and Dupree almost had Lynch pinned, but as the referee was counting, Natalya turned on her protégé and put Becky’s leg on the bottom rope to break the pinfall.

Lynch took advantage and flattened Maxine Dupree, who was stunned and distracted by Natalya’s betrayal, with a Manhandle Slam to retain the title. After the loss, Natalya viciously attacked Maxine Dupree in the middle of the ring, fully embracing her darker heel side.

WWE Is Very Happy About Natalya’s Heel Turn

According to PWInsider, WWE’s internal reaction to Natalya’s heel turn has been extremely positive, with many in the company genuinely happy for her and excited about the new opportunity this change creates at this point in her career.

For years, she was mostly positioned as a veteran babyface and mentor, helping younger stars rather than being a central on-screen focus. Now, there is a strong belief within the company that her more serious, hard-hitting “Nattie Neidhart” persona, which she has been testing in promotions like Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport, fits well with the company’s current creative direction.

Creative hopes this version of her character could translate effectively to WWE TV and lead to a more prominent role, giving her a chance to make a bigger impact.

The report also noted that internally, Natalya and her husband, TJ Wilson, are also highly valued for their ongoing work training younger talent at the Dungeon, which is seen as clear proof of her importance to WWE both on screen and behind the scenes.

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