WWE star Natalya recently reached a significant milestone by becoming the first female wrestler to earn the prestigious Lou Thesz Award. This honor recognizes her long-standing contributions to professional wrestling, a career spanning many years within WWE where she has set numerous records and earned widespread respect. Natalya shared the news on Instagram, highlighting the personal meaning behind the award and her ongoing dedication to the sport.
“To be the first woman to be awarded the prestigious Lou Thesz award means so much to me as Lou Thesz is held as a standard bearer in wrestling. Like everything worth spending a life chasing, the wrestling business has never been easy. It’s not easy today. It never gets easy, and if it ever does, I’ll know that’s when it’s time to hang them up. Thank you so much @caulifloweralleyclub for thinking of me. ❤️,” Natalya wrote.
AEW Stars Express Admiration for Natalya’s Achievement
Following Natalya’s announcement, several All Elite Wrestling (AEW) personalities including Chris Jericho, Britt Baker, and Renee Paquette publicly acknowledged her accomplishment. Their responses emphasized respect for Natalya’s career and the historic importance of her receiving the Lou Thesz Award, bridging recognition between WWE and AEW fans and talent alike.
Criticism Emerges Over WWE’s Handling of Natalya’s Recent Storyline
Despite her pioneering achievement, Natalya’s recent WWE storyline drew mixed reactions, particularly after her match against Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship on WWE RAW. Natalya fought hard but fell short of winning the title. Commentary on the broadcast suggested she felt frustrated by the loss, yet this aspect was not fully explored within the show’s presentation.
On Busted Open Radio, wrestling veteran Bully Ray voiced criticism of WWE’s creative choices surrounding Natalya’s character development. He argued that the company missed an opportunity to highlight her frustration and transform her persona in a compelling way that could have energized her role in the ongoing narrative.
“When the match was over, did you ever see that frustration by Nattie? What finish did we get last night in the match? Why have her tap? Why tap out? Show me the frustration that they talked about at the announce table. Have Becky roll her up. Have Nattie looking really good at the end of the match, then roll her up. Hook her tights. Get the 1-2-3. Be a frickin’ heel. And then show me the frustration on Nattie’s face, that Corey Graves is talking about. Show the doubt. Show me Nattie’s face as she starts to realize, ‘I have to get rid of Natalya, and I have to summon Nattie, because they’re not doing it for me,'” he said. [From 12:47 to 14:08]
Looking Ahead: Natalya’s Next Steps in WWE
As fans digest both Natalya’s groundbreaking Lou Thesz Award victory and her latest match results, questions remain about her future direction in WWE storylines. The critiques regarding her recent booking suggest a potential shift in how WWE might portray her character moving forward. With endorsements from prominent AEW wrestlers like Chris Jericho adding to her momentum, Natalya’s path remains closely watched by wrestling followers across promotions.
