3-time WWE champion details reason behind months of absence from TV

WWE's weekly shows are getting shuffled across networks before the end of the year. Meanwhile, former SmackDown Women's Champion Natalya opened up on her absence from the Stamford-based promotion.

Earlier this year, talks regarding the end of Natalya's contract caught wind and many wondered about her next move in professional wrestling. After months of silence, a report stated that she signed a new deal with WWE.

During an appearance on Growing Up Von Erichs, the former SmackDown, Divas, and Women's Tag Team Champion addressed her absence. She said she was busy with other projects outside of the Stamford-based promotion over the past three months.

"Yesterday, Monday Night Raw, I made my return back to the ring. I took the summer off, I was working on a couple of projects. We were back in Calgary, and that's where my family started. It was so cool to make my re-debut in WWE back in Calgary. My whole family was there, Bret (Hart) was on Raw. I was able to win my match for my team. It was cool. It's always nice to be back home," Natalya said. [H/T: Fightful]

Check out the video below:

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Natalya returned on WWE RAW this week

Earlier this year, Natalya spent a while on WWE's developmental brand and worked with the superstars of tomorrow. She quickly formed an alliance with Karmen Petrovic on the brand as the two were feuding with Shayna Baszler and Lola Vice.

Later, she moved into the title scene as she faced Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women's Championship in a losing effort. After losing to The Prodigy, she returned to the main roster and had a few matches across brands before going on a hiatus from the Stamford-based company for the next three months.

On the recent edition of Monday Night RAW, Natalya returned and teamed up with Zelina Vega and Lyra Valkyria in Canada. The trio defeated Pure Fusion Collective when they individually put every member in a submission move for the win.