• Backstage Reaction To Natalya’s Heel Turn On RAW
After three years of playing the veteran mentor, Natalya has officially burned her bridges and the WWE locker room couldn’t be happier about it.
The shift occurred during a high-stakes Women’s Intercontinental Title match on the January 19 episode of RAW. Just as Maxxine Dupri appeared to have the championship secured, Natalya intervened, placing Becky Lynch’s foot on the ropes to force a break. The betrayal allowed Lynch to retain the gold, but the real fireworks happened post-match when Natalya decimated her former protégé, Dupri, officially ending their partnership in a cloud of violence.
According to PWInsider, the reaction backstage has been overwhelmingly positive. Natalya is arguably the most respected veteran in the company, and the consensus among peers is that she has “deserved” this creative pivot for years. Specifically, the locker room is excited to see the television debut of her “Nattie Neidhart” persona, a grittier, more intense character she originally developed for independent appearances like Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport.
This gimmick change is seen as a reward for a career spent building others up. Many officials pointed to the tireless work Natalya and her husband, TJ Wilson, do at their Dungeon training facility as a reason why she earned this center-stage opportunity. By shedding the friendly veteran skin and embracing the Neidhart legacy, Natalya is finally being positioned as the dominant force she helps everyone else become.
• Top NJPW Star Is Reportedly Coming To WWE
The “King of Darkness” is preparing to trade the cerulean blue ring for the bright lights of WWE. After a decade and a half as a cornerstone of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, the 38-year-old EVIL has reportedly given his notice to the promotion, marking the end of an era for the House of Torture leader.
According to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live, the rumors of EVIL’s departure have shifted from speculation to a “strong” likelihood. Super J-Cast further corroborated the move, reporting that the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion has officially signaled his exit with WWE as the primary destination.
The shift comes after a high-profile loss at Wrestle Kingdom 20, where EVIL dropped the NEVER Openweight Title to Aaron Wolf, a match that many now see as his “putting over” the next generation on his way out the door.
Interestingly, while many NJPW stars often look toward AEW as a potential landing spot, that door appears firmly shut. Reports suggest Tony Khan is famously “not a fan” of EVIL’s polarizing, interference-heavy style, leaving the path to Triple H’s WWE wide open.
