A former WWE Women’s Champion turned heel on last night’s episode of WWE Raw.
Former WWE Women’s Champion Natalya may finally be moving toward the long-discussed character shift she has openly pushed for in recent years. Monday’s episode of WWE Raw featured a dramatic turn when Natalya betrayed her protégé Maxxine Dupri during Dupri’s Women’s Intercontinental Championship challenge against Becky Lynch.
Dupri appeared seconds away from scoring the biggest win of her career when Natalya reached in and placed Lynch’s foot on the bottom rope, breaking the referee’s count. A stunned Dupri turned to her mentor in disbelief, only for Lynch to capitalise moments later with a Manhandle Slam to retain the title.
The betrayal did not end there. After the bell, Natalya launched a sustained attack on Dupri, dropping her with strikes before locking in the Sharpshooter and refusing to release the hold. Officials eventually intervened, but Natalya continued to lash out before being pulled away, leaving Dupri laid out in the ring.
The aggression marked a sharp shift in presentation for Natalya and echoed the darker, more serious persona she has displayed outside WWE, including her work in promotions such as GCW Bloodsport. Natalya has repeatedly spoken about wanting to bring that version of herself to WWE, moving away from the veteran mentor role she has largely occupied.
No official explanation was offered on Raw, but the angle appears rooted in jealousy and resentment. Dupri has received increasing opportunities over the past year, with Natalya playing a key role in her development both on screen and behind the scenes through training sessions at the Dungeon. Those sessions helped Dupri emerge as one of 2025’s most improved performers.
Whether this marks a full heel turn remains to be seen, but Raw suggested Natalya’s long-awaited reinvention may finally be underway.
How Long Has Natalya Been With The WWE?
Natalya has been part of WWE for nearly two decades. She signed with the company in 2007 and made her television debut on SmackDown in 2008, quickly establishing herself as one of the most technically sound performers on the roster.
During her time in WWE, Natalya has become a cornerstone of the women’s division, winning the Divas Championship, SmackDown Women’s Championship and multiple Women’s Tag Team titles. Beyond her in-ring accolades, she has also taken on a mentor role behind the scenes, helping train and guide younger talent through sessions at the Dungeon while remaining a consistent presence on WWE programming.
