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PWInsider.com spoke with Natalya at Wrestlemania Media Day ahead of tonight's Mania 39 Night Two:
Mike Johnson: You've been around for so long and you've had such a strong evolution as a personality, as a performer, is it easier now than it was trying to get the company and the fans to acknowledge who you are and find your voice? Or is it harder now maintaining that, especially in a big weekend like that where there's so many talents involved?
Natalya: The work never stops. You can never rest on what you did yesterday or the day before that or what you did a year ago. To me, I always feel like I have to earn everything. I have to earn my spot every time I walk through that curtain. Every time I walk out to the ring, every WrestleMania that I've been in. This is a world record year for me. My 13th WrestleMania appearance. And I am the woman with the most WrestleMania appearances, or matches, of any woman in WWE history. 11 WrestleMania matches. Not one single one of those matches I've taken for granted how hard it was to get there, how hard it is to work your ass off throughout the entire year to be a part of that, from doing live events to all the premium live events to every single SmackDown, to me, I've been so grateful to have had the longevity that I've had in WWE, because I've had pretty much 16 uninterrupted years.
I love what I do, I love the women that I work with, and I think it's just about: You don't get ready; you stay ready. And that takes work all year long. And that's why when people say, "Oh, Natalya's got a new partner," or, "She's in WrestleMania again," to be brutally honest, I think that every time I've been in WrestleMania, I've really earned my spot. And I don't just do that by thinking about myself. I think this whole thing would fall apart if you only think about yourself. I really take pride in making sure that every woman that I work with feels represented, they feel seen, they feel heard, and that we tell great stories.
Mike Johnson: Is it hard to keep yourself mentally fresh when you've been through so much physically, emotionally, personally in one company?
Natalya: It's part of the challenge. It's part of the challenge. You think about the great musicians in the world... You think about... I use, for example, Jennifer Lopez. She's constantly reinventing herself. She's constantly changing the game. Just when they think they figured out the game, she changes it again. Taylor Swift, another one. She's accomplished everything one can accomplish, but now she's continuing to do her best work of her entire career. Her performances have only gotten bigger. Her shows have only gotten crazier and more epic. And it's like: That's the fun part, is evolving with this, and also finding a way, no matter what, above all else, to give back.
Mike Johnson: With the Bellas leaving, there's been a lot of discussion about the legacy of Total Divas. When you look at that part of your life and career, how different do you think your WWE run would've been if they hadn't invited you and said, "We'd like you to be part of that inaugural cast?"
Natalya: I don't think I would've had the career that I have today without Total Divas. It was an opportunity that brought in so many different eyes into women's wrestling from a world... The people that watched Total Divas, they weren't wrestling fans. So we brought so many different women and viewers over to watch our product, and it gave me opportunities that I never would've had. It allowed me to really build my name so that when I would walk into a grocery store, somebody would hear my voice, and they're like, "You're Natty. You're Natty from Total Divas." It gave me a notoriety that I could bring back to the women's division and then pay it forward in the women's division.
Mike Johnson: Your family... One of the things that's interesting to me is: There's so many books either written by members of your family, or about your family, or about Stampede Wrestling. You've had such a great run. Have you ever thought about putting pen to paper and trying to maybe tell the Neidhart side of the Hart family story? Not just for yourself, but for your dad.
Natalya: Yeah. I mean, I have thought about writing a book and working on my memoirs. There's so many great stories to tell. And for me, I think that's the best part of being in the WWE is the storytelling. It's what makes it all worthwhile.
Mike Johnson: What can we expect from teaming with Shotzi this weekend in the Fatal 4-Way?
Natalya: I'm excited to win and to get a chance at getting an opportunity for the Women's Tag Team championships. But I'm also so excited to be a part of Shotzi's first WrestleMania. She cried when she found out she was going to be in WrestleMania. Her dad died last year. Her stepdad died last year. Her sister was diagnosed with cancer. It's been such a hard year for her, and to see her cry tears of joy being part of WrestleMania just made me so happy, because I get to have that childlike experience with her.
Mike Johnson: Well, wish you nothing but continued success for you and the family. Looking forward to seeing what you do this weekend.
Natalya: Thank you, Mike. Thank you so much.
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