Natalya is, without a shadow of a doubt, the most technically gifted worker on the Divas roster. She is also one of the best female wrestlers in the entire business. No matter how many times she impresses inside the squared circle, or how many fans she garners while doing so, she is never really allowed to enjoy the fruits of her labor. Oftentimes overshadowed by the more marketable AJ Lee or Bella Twins, Natalya has repeatedly found her pushes cut off at the knees, stopped before she was ever allowed to achieve greatness. Now filling the role of modern day Sable, the subject of husband Tyson Kidd's berating and wearer of skin-tight leather (author's note: YES!), her television exposure is consistent, and she has appeared regularly between the ropes. But wrestling El Torito in "mixed species" matches isn't exactly how Natalya saw her wrestling career playing out. The third-generation Diva, daughter of Jim Neidheart and granddaughter of the late Stu Hart, she deserves the opportunity to showcase her considerable talents between the ropes. At NXT Takeover, Natalya proved her abilities when she battled Charlotte in a legitimate NXT Match of the Year contender. Until WWE opens up opportunities for more of its female talent to shine inside the squared circle, she will continue to be one of the brightest stars lost in the company's midcard.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
