Natalya Nattie Neidhart
January 3rd 2009 12:18
It only seems natural that Nattie Neidhart's life would revolve around the ring. Neidhart, a member of Calgary's famous Hart wrestling family, is making a name--or two--for herself in World Wrestling Entertainment.
She's known as Natalya now (her slogan: Natalya by Nature, Naughty by Choice), though she was once Nasty Nattie. Pro Wrestling Illustrated has placed her 19th in its top 50 female rankings for 2008.
Given her background, it's really no surprise to see what she's achieved.
"I've been surrounded by it my entire life,'' Neidhart explained. "I'm the only female in the family to get into wrestling. It just seemed the natural thing to do. I was very athletic and had a flair for drama.''
Neidhart was just getting her feet wet in the family business when her grandfather Stu Hart passed away.
"He'd come down and watch me training in the Dungeon,'' she recalled. "He took my training seriously and I appreciated his support. He believed in me.
"His mentality was, if you do something with passion, you'll never work a day in your life. He got to do it his way with a positive attitude. Everything he was about, he passed it onto us and we wouldn't be the people we are today if not for him.''
When asked about the people who helped her most in her career, Stu Hart heads that list. She also credits her uncles, Brett, Bruce and Ross Hart, as well as her father, Jim Neidhart, as mentors, as they introduced her to Stampede Wrestling.
She also holds one of her many trainers, Tokyo Joe, in high esteem.
The 26-year-old has been in Tampa, Fla., working out at the WWE state-of-the-art developmental facility in preparation for the next stage in her career.
"I moved down to Florida to train, but I still have a house in Calgary,'' explained Neidhart, who debuted on SmackDown last April. "My home and heart are in Calgary. It's an amazing place to be.
"At the beginning of my career, to be ranked No. 19 in the entire world . . . I feel like it's a nice place to start.
"There are a lot of girls, divas and women I've worked with in the past and it's cool to be a part of that group . . . although they're not as talented as I am!'' she added, with a chuckle.
She's known as Natalya now (her slogan: Natalya by Nature, Naughty by Choice), though she was once Nasty Nattie. Pro Wrestling Illustrated has placed her 19th in its top 50 female rankings for 2008.
Given her background, it's really no surprise to see what she's achieved.
"I've been surrounded by it my entire life,'' Neidhart explained. "I'm the only female in the family to get into wrestling. It just seemed the natural thing to do. I was very athletic and had a flair for drama.''
Neidhart was just getting her feet wet in the family business when her grandfather Stu Hart passed away.
"He'd come down and watch me training in the Dungeon,'' she recalled. "He took my training seriously and I appreciated his support. He believed in me.
"His mentality was, if you do something with passion, you'll never work a day in your life. He got to do it his way with a positive attitude. Everything he was about, he passed it onto us and we wouldn't be the people we are today if not for him.''
When asked about the people who helped her most in her career, Stu Hart heads that list. She also credits her uncles, Brett, Bruce and Ross Hart, as well as her father, Jim Neidhart, as mentors, as they introduced her to Stampede Wrestling.
She also holds one of her many trainers, Tokyo Joe, in high esteem.
The 26-year-old has been in Tampa, Fla., working out at the WWE state-of-the-art developmental facility in preparation for the next stage in her career.
"I moved down to Florida to train, but I still have a house in Calgary,'' explained Neidhart, who debuted on SmackDown last April. "My home and heart are in Calgary. It's an amazing place to be.
"At the beginning of my career, to be ranked No. 19 in the entire world . . . I feel like it's a nice place to start.
"There are a lot of girls, divas and women I've worked with in the past and it's cool to be a part of that group . . . although they're not as talented as I am!'' she added, with a chuckle.
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