Natalya sends congratulations to family member following major title win

Natalya and The Hart Family are celebrating another major championship achievement by one of their relatives. The legendary clan has chased pro wrestling gold since patriarch Stu Hart made his NYC debut in 1946. They have more than 120 championship reigns combined, more than 30 individual Hall of Fame inductions and more than one dozen group inductions.

Davey Boy Smith Jr. is the new AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion. On Monday, the 39-year-old dethroned Yuma Aoyagi at All Japan Pro Wrestling's Giant Series 2024 event in Sapporo, Japan. The 22-match served as the main event of the show. Bulldog Junior is in his first reign as Triple Crown Champion. Aoyagi's second reign ended in 79 days. With the win, Bulldog becomes the seventh foreigner to hold All Japan's premier title, joining a list that includes Stan Hansen, Joe Doering, Vader, Steve Williams, Taiyō Kea, and Terry Gordy.

The Queen of Harts took to X today to congratulate the new All Japan champion, revealing how he's always wanted to be the face of the legendary promotion. Natalya included a few photos from the event.

"I’m so proud of you @DBSmithjr!!!! Ever since you were a kid, you wanted this. I’m so happy for you and you’ve worked so hard for this. AND NEW ALL JAPAN TRIPLE CROWN WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP!!!!!!," Natalya wrote with the photos below.

Smith quickly replied to thank Natalya like only a cousin can. He included emojis representing wrestling royalty and the countries of Japan, Canada, and the UK.

"Thanks snooker!!! [crown emoji x 3] [Japanese flag emoji] [Canadian flag emoji] [British flag emoji]," Davey Boy Smith Jr. wrote.

Smith debuted in 2000 at 15, then worked indies, NJPW, and Stampede Wrestling, before inking a WWE developmental deal on April 4, 2006. He was released on August 5, 2011, but later re-hired in mid-2021. Harry worked one SmackDown dark match, teaming with Austin Theory to defeat Xyon Quinn and Odyssey Jones in July 2021, but he was released on November 4 after being out with COVID-19 for weeks and without ever appearing on TV.

Natalya celebrates milestone of making WWE history

The sixth WWE Crown Jewel PLE took place in Saudi Arabia this past weekend. The 2019 Crown Jewel event featured the first-ever women's match in the Kingdom. Natalya defeated Lacey Evans by submission in a seven-minute match.

The Anvilette took to Instagram this week to mark the milestone match. She touted how they opened this important door and expressed gratitude over the opportunity.

"I can’t believe five years have passed since I got to be a part of the first ever women’s match in Saudi Arabia. This was such a transcending moment for not only women in sports, but for women around the world to have more opportunities and visibility. We opened a door that had never been opened before in the most amazing way! It’s even more cool that I get to spend this anniversary in Saudi Arabia, ahead of Crown Jewel Saturday. Truly grateful. Let’s keep making history. [Saudi flag emoji] [heart emoji] [Saudi flag emoji] @limitlessmacey @wwe," Natalya wrote with the image below.

Natalya and Evans wore full-body in-ring attire, which female superstars have used at Saudi events ever since. Female talents could not perform in Saudi Arabia between 2014 and 2019 due to local laws on women's rights.