Natalya Neidhart

Early Life and Training

Natalie Katherine Neidhart was born on May 27, 1982, in Calgary, Alberta. She is the daughter of professional wrestler Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart and Elizabeth "Ellie" Hart, making her a third-generation wrestler and a direct descendant of the Hart wrestling dynasty through her maternal grandfather, Stu Hart. She has two sisters, Jennifer and Kristen, and is of partial Greek descent through a maternal great-grandmother. Growing up in the heart of the Canadian wrestling scene, Neidhart cites her grandfather Stu and her uncle Bret Hart as her primary inspirations both inside and outside the ring. She attended Vincent Massey Junior High School and graduated from Bishop Carroll High School in 2000, participating in dance and gymnastics while also training in Jiu-Jitsu and amateur wrestling.

Neidhart received her formal professional wrestling training in the infamous Hart family "Dungeon" under the tutelage of her uncles Ross and Bruce Hart. She holds the distinction of being the first and only woman to be trained in the Dungeon, a fact that underscores her unique position within the family legacy. In addition to her professional wrestling training, she has also received instruction in amateur wrestling and mixed martial arts, contributing to her well-rounded and technical in-ring style. Before her wrestling career took off, she briefly worked as a salesperson for Kirby vacuum cleaners at the age of eighteen.

Early Career and Independent Circuit (2000 to 2007)

Neidhart's involvement in wrestling began in late 2000 and 2001 when she served as a host and ring announcer for the Eric Bischoff-led youth promotion MatRats. She made her in-ring debut in 2003 for the Hart family's Stampede Wrestling promotion under the name Nattie Neidhart, immediately beginning a lengthy feud with fellow wrestler Belle Lovitz. This feud included intergender tag team matches where Neidhart teamed with her father against Lovitz and Apocalypse. By 2004, the pair had formed a tag team, competing in several intergender matches against teams like The Meyers Brothers.

Seeking to broaden her experience, Neidhart travelled internationally for tours in 2004 and 2005, wrestling in England and completing a two-month tour of Japan where she performed under the name Nadia Hart. Upon returning to Canada, she adopted a villainous persona, dubbing herself "Nasty Nattie." On June 17, 2005, she defeated Anna Marie, Belle Lovitz, and Ma Myers in a four-way match to become the inaugural Stampede Women's Pacific Champion, though she later vacated the title. A serious knee injury requiring surgery sidelined her for six months in late 2005 and early 2006. She captured the SuperGirls Championship from Lisa Moretti in October 2006, holding it for 19 days before losing it to Nikki Matthews. That same month, she debuted for the all-female promotion Shimmer Women Athletes, and in November she competed in a tournament for Great Canadian Wrestling's inaugural W.I.L.D. Championship, reaching the finals before losing to Sirelda. Her final independent match before joining WWE was a victory over Veronika Vice for Stampede Wrestling on January 26, 2007.

WWE Developmental and Main Roster Debut

Neidhart signed a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment on January 5, 2007. She was initially assigned to the Deep South Wrestling developmental territory before moving to the newly opened Florida Championship Wrestling and then Ohio Valley Wrestling. In OVW, she debuted as part of the Next Generation Hart Foundation, accompanying her cousins Teddy Hart and Harry Smith. By late 2007, she was back in FCW, where she formed an early alliance with Victoria Crawford, later known as Alicia Fox, and feuded with The Bella Twins.

Neidhart made her main roster debut on the April 4, 2008, episode of SmackDown as a villainous character, rushing from the crowd to aid Victoria in an attack on Michelle McCool and Cherry. She introduced herself as the daughter of Jim Neidhart and made her televised in-ring debut two weeks later, defeating Cherry with the sharpshooter submission move. She quickly qualified for a match for the newly introduced Divas Championship at The Great American Bash but lost to Michelle McCool. Throughout 2008, she remained allied with Victoria, feuding with The Bella Twins and others until Victoria's retirement in early 2009.

The Hart Dynasty and Divas Championship Reign

In early 2009, Neidhart began managing her real-life boyfriend TJ Wilson, known as Tyson Kidd, on the ECW brand. On April 15, she was officially drafted to ECW, and soon after, she and Kidd were joined by her cousin David Hart Smith to form a faction initially called The Hart Trilogy, later known as The Hart Dynasty. The group was traded to SmackDown in June 2009. At WrestleMania XXVI in 2010, they assisted Bret Hart in his match against Vince McMahon, turning them into fan favourites. Shortly after, The Hart Dynasty won the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship.

Drafted to Raw in April 2010, the group feuded with the debuting trio of The Usos and Tamina. Following the eventual breakup of The Hart Dynasty due to tension between Kidd and Smith, Neidhart started a singles run. She won a battle royal to become the number one contender to the Divas Championship, then held by the duo Lay-Cool. After several attempts, Neidhart defeated both Michelle McCool and Layla in a two-on-one handicap match at the Survivor Series pay-per-view on November 21, 2010, to win the WWE Divas Championship for the first time. She formed an alliance with Beth Phoenix, and together they defeated Lay-Cool in the first Divas Tag Team Tables match at TLC. Her reign ended after 70 days when Eve pinned Layla in a fatal four-way match at the 2011 Royal Rumble.

The Divas of Doom and Continued Competition

In August 2011, Neidhart turned villainous again by attacking then-Divas Champion Kelly Kelly and declaring war on the more bubbly and glamorous characters in the division. She aligned with Beth Phoenix, and the pair dubbed themselves The Divas of Doom. They feuded with various teams, including The Chickbusters and the duo of Kelly Kelly and Eve Torres. Phoenix won the Divas Championship at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view in October 2011 with Neidhart's assistance. The Divas of Doom enjoyed a winning streak through the end of the year, which also precipitated a villainous turn for Kaitlyn, one-half of The Chickbusters.

Neidhart continued to be a consistent presence in the women's division throughout the following years. Her career reached another peak in 2017 when she defeated Naomi at the SummerSlam pay-per-view to win the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship. This victory made her the first woman in WWE history to have held both the Divas Championship and the SmackDown Women's Championship. In 2019, she teamed with Tamina to win the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. From 2013 to 2019, she was a central figure on the reality television series Total Divas, appearing as a main cast member across all nine seasons.

Recent Years and Transition to Nattie

In recent years, Neidhart has continued to perform for WWE while also making select appearances on the independent circuit, notably for promotions during their Bloodsport events under her real name, stylized as Nattie Neidhart. As of 2026, she performs on WWE's NXT brand under the ring name Nattie, a persona she has described as distinct from "Natalya." She entered the 2026 WWE Women's Royal Rumble match under this "Low-Key Legend" moniker. This transition marks a new chapter in her lengthy career, one that builds upon her legacy while embracing a fresh identity.

Neidhart's longevity and consistency have earned her a unique place in the record books. As recognized by Guinness World Records, she holds six records for female WWE wrestlers, including most pay-per-view appearances, most matches, most wins, most matches on Raw, most matches on SmackDown, and most WrestleMania matches. She is the longest-tenured female wrestler actively performing in WWE, having been with the company since 2007. Her career, spanning over two decades, represents a bridge between the legacy of the Hart family and the evolution of women's wrestling in the modern era.

Personal Life and Public Profile

Natalya Neidhart is married to fellow professional wrestler TJ Wilson, known in WWE as Tyson Kidd. The couple's relationship has been a part of WWE storylines at various points. She is an avid cat lover and has authored a book. Neidhart maintains a strong connection to her Canadian roots, often participating in fan events across the country, such as a scheduled meet-and-greet in Gatineau.

Her public persona blends her serious athletic dedication with a relatable, down-to-earth character. On social media and in interviews, she describes herself as an athlete, wrestler, entertainer, and author. Her training in multiple disciplines, including Jiu-Jitsu, amateur wrestling, and mixed martial arts, informs her reputation as one of the most technically sound performers in women's wrestling. Neidhart carries the responsibility of her family's legacy while also forging her own distinct identity as a pioneer for women in the sport.

Questions about Natalya Neidhart

Is Natalya Neidhart related to Bret Hart?

Yes, Natalya Neidhart is related to Bret Hart. Her mother, Elizabeth "Ellie" Hart, is a daughter of Stu Hart, making Bret Hart her uncle. She has frequently cited Bret as one of her biggest inspirations in professional wrestling. As a member of the Hart wrestling family, she is also a cousin to other wrestlers like Harry Smith, Teddy Hart, Matt Hart, and Mike Hart.

What championships has Natalya Neidhart won in WWE?

Natalya Neidhart is a three-time champion in WWE. She won the WWE Divas Championship once in 2010, defeating Lay-Cool at Survivor Series. She captured the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship in 2017 by defeating Naomi at SummerSlam. Additionally, she is a one-time WWE Women's Tag Team Champion, winning the titles with Tamina in 2019. She is the first woman to hold both the Divas and SmackDown Women's Championships.

Why is Natalya sometimes called Nattie?

Nattie is a ring name she uses, particularly in recent years on the NXT brand and on the independent circuit. She has stated she is "done with 'Natalya'" in favour of this persona, which she has referred to as "The Low-Key Legend. She entered the 2026 Women's Royal Rumble match under the name Nattie. On the independent scene, she wrestles under her real name stylized as Nattie Neidhart for various promotions.

Where was Natalya Neidhart born?

Natalya Neidhart was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Her birthdate is May 27, 1982. She is a third generation wrestler from the famous Hart wrestling family. Her mother is Elizabeth Hart, a daughter of Stu Hart.

What titles did Natalya Neidhart win in Stampede Wrestling?

Natalya Neidhart became the inaugural Stampede Women's Pacific Champion on June 17, 2005. She won the title in a four way match. She later vacated this championship. The following year, in 2006, she also won the SuperGirls Championship.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-22.