WWE and AEW fans continue to speculate on the future of a top star who is set to make a career-changing announcement soon. The rumor mill kicked into high gear today due to a bit of misinformation, but it was clear just how bad some want to see the veteran star jump ship.
Natalya has been with WWE since January 2007. Her future has been up in the air after sources revealed that her contract was expiring this month. A recent backstage report revealed internal shock at the handling of Natalya's situation and talk of Tyson Kidd's future. As of one week ago, there wasn't much movement towards a resolution, and the 42-year-old still had not re-signed.
The Queen of Harts is expected to have significant interest from AEW and other companies if she leaves WWE, and there was speculation on a potential spot in The Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. The brackets have been filled already, but fans increased the Natalya-to-AEW rhetoric today due to a false rumor.
One fan incorrectly stated that Natalya had removed all WWE references from her bio on X, but there were none to begin with. She does still have WWE in her Instagram bio.
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Natalya is WWE's longest-tenured female Superstar in the locker room. She is also one of the longest-signed members of the whole roster, and one narrative among fans is that she might want to venture out of WWE and see what other companies are like, such as AEW. Check out a few of the reactions below:
"Big get for AEW if it's happening," wrote one fan.
The only female graduate of Stu Hart's legendary Dungeon has worked close to 2,000 wrestling matches in her 24-year career. Some AEW fans want Natalya to sign with the company but to work other roles, such as a coach, and others have suggested she work ROH, Japan, or just retire. Below are a few more of the frequent reactions:
"Finally!!!! but she is great for the younger talent. Hang em up and go coach them," another fan chimed in.
"Natalya Neidhart vs Athena on ROH," wrote one fan.
AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door updated lineup
The third annual Forbidden Door PPV from All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling will take place on Sunday at the UBS Arena in Long Island, NY.
There are nine matches set for Forbidden Door going into tonight's go-home edition of Dynamite. Below is the current lineup:
- MJF vs. Hechicero
- Orange Cassidy vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
- Chris Jericho, Big Bill, Bryan Keith vs. Samoa Joe, Hook, Katsuyori Shibata
- Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinals: Bryan Danielson vs. Shingo Takagi
- Women's World Champion Toni Storm defends vs. Mina Shirakawa (Mariah May will be at ringside to support both)
- Winner Takes All: TBS Champion Mercedes Moné vs. NJPW Strong Women's Champion Stephanie Vaquer
- Ladder Match for the vacant TNT Championship: Jack Perry vs. Mark Briscoe vs. Konosuke Takeshita vs. Dante Martin vs. Lio Rush vs. 1 participant TBD
- IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jon Moxley defends vs. Tetsuya Naito
- AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland defends vs. International Champion Will Ospreay
It's still rumored that Forbidden Door will feature an Open Challenge with NJPW World Television Champion Jeff Cobb putting his title on the line.