Natalya Talks "NXT Takeover," Impact of Triple H, and More

Former Divas Champion Natalya recently spoke with Newsday in order to promote WWE’s upcoming live event at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday, July 12. The main event of the night will see Ric Flair and Triple H each lead 10 lumberjacks in a match pitting John Cena against Bray Wyatt.

Natalya spoke about what wrestling at Madison Square Garden means to her:

“I always get emotional there. So I’d hear all the time as a kid growing up about the place — you know, ‘Tonight, we’re going to Madison Square Garden’ . . . So when I finally got to perform at the Garden as a Diva, it brought me back to my childhood and some of the great matches my dad and uncle had.”

Natalya, who will face Charlotte at the event, talked about their match at “NXT Takeover,” which received high praise:

“I’m actually getting goose bumps talking about it. It was about honoring and representing two legacies. And it was the first time my uncle Bret and Ric Flair kind of reunited in decades. They haven’t always had a great relationship . . . It connected Bret and Ric in a way they never connected before . . . It was one of the moments I’ll never forget.”

Although she hails from the Hart family, Natalya credits Triple H for helping build her confidence up:

“Getting a chance to listen to him and hear his ideas and his philosophies, it’s such a great asset . . . You can make all the suggestions in the world but you cannot teach experience. I’ve actually learned how to be a ring general by working with people who have less experience that me, because I’m feeding off their hunger.”

Be sure to read the entire interview, in which she also talks about “Total Divas,” here.

Editor’s Note

Solid interview with Natalya. It’s awesome that she will square off against Charlotte again at the Madison Square Garden live event.