10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Nov 13)

8. Natalya's Drive Convinced Unsure Trainer To Teach Her

The daughter of Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart, Natalya was perhaps guaranteed some first class pro wrestling training. Upon expressing an interest to enter the industry, the current WWE Diva was trained by her uncles, Ross and Bruce Hart inside the infamous Hart Family Dungeon. That wasn't the only training she'd receive on her way to becoming an in-ring performer. Katsuji Adachi was better known to wrestling fans as 'Mr. Hito'. He played a huge part in Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling territory, and even had a hand in helping Bret Hart hone his craft. As things turned out, he also had a pivotal role in Natalya's development, but initially wasn't interested in working with her. Adachi had one problem, Natalya was female, and he didn't teach girls. Also known as 'Tokyo Joe' throughout his career, the Japanese grappler was stunned when Natalya simply wouldn't take no for an answer. Her drive, ambition and natural affinity for the wrestling business prompted him to break his own personal rule. Taking Natalya under his wing, he agreed to help train her at the turn of the new millennium. She was the only female her had ever trained.