WWE Raw Star ‘Excited’ For Upcoming Indie Return

WWE

WWE’s Natalya is heading to GCW Bloodsport and NWA later in 2025 to undertake two independent wrestling bookings.

The WWE star is set to debut at GCW Bloodsport XIII on Thursday, April 17 during WrestleMania 41 week in Las Vegas.

Later in the year, Natalya heads to NWA for the Crockett Cup on May 17 at 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

Natalya shared her thoughts on the upcoming GCW Bloodsport match in her Toronto Sun column recently.

Saying that she was excited to see what she could do at the Josh Barnett-led GCW show, Natalya explained:

“In personal news, I was able to make two incredible announcements this week — an invitation to Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport and The NWA.

“Upon the announcement of me competing in Bloodsport, Josh Barnett said “The Queen of Harts. A member of the legacy filled Hart family. She spent time in the Hart Dungeon learning how to crank, rip, and tear wrestlers apart. You could say that she was BORN for this. What will Bloodsport bring out of this veteran wrestler?”

“Bloodsport is in Las Vegas, two days before WrestleMania 41. This will be my first match outside of WWE in 18 years, which is so special for me.

“I am so excited to see what I can do in this space! Bloodsport is everything training in my grandfather Stu Hart’s Dungeon has prepared me for. It’s an amazing new challenge for me and I’m looking forward to proving myself once again on the mat and in an environment outside of WWE. Now the question remains, who will my opponent be? Stay tuned!”

Her attention would then turn to the NWA announcement from Billy Corgan, with Natalya spoke of her relationship with The Smashing Pumpkins lead singer, saying:

“After the Bloodsport announcement on Monday, another huge surprise followed when Billy Corgan, lead singer of The Smashing Pumpkins and owner of NWA Wrestling tweeted “It’s real, people. WWE working with NWA. Thank you to WWE and Nattie for this tremendous opportunity.”

“I’ve known Corgan since 2006 when I met him at my uncle Bret Hart’s WWE Hall of Fame induction. This was one year before I got signed by WWE.

“I was overcoming an ACL injury I had sustained wrestling in Japan. Corgan, a massive rockstar and a lifelong wrestling fan, was someone who at the start of my career, pushed for me to reach for my biggest dreams and to not give up.

“I’ve always remembered his support and encouragement and I’ve cherished his friendship through the years.“

Natalya went on to note that the May 2025 show will be the first time that NWA and WWE have worked together in nearly fifty years.

Looking at the partnership between the two companies, Natalya also hoped that there would be more coming in the future.

It was recently reported that WWE pitched the idea of independent bookings to Natalya, with the star being a team player when it comes to representing the company.