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What’s the Story?
Natalya was unsuccessful in regaining the SmackDown Women’s Championship at Clash of Champions and the promo she cut after the match could be foreshadowing a possible retirement.
In Case You Didn’t Know
Natalya won the SmackDown Women’s Championship earlier this year at SummerSlam and held the title for 86 days before losing the championship to Charlotte Flair on the last SmackDown before Survivor Series.
Natalya challenged Flair to a rematch but was interrupted and attacked by The Riott Squad, leading to Natalya receiving another rematch at Clash of Champions.
The Heart of the Matter
After tapping out to Flair’s Figure 8 Leglock submission, Natalya was interviewed about her loss tonight and told the fans that Flair used her family name to cut corners.
Natalya would go on to say that she carried women’s wrestling in the WWE by putting on great matches over the past 10 years, but declared that the fans were unappreciative and turned their backs on her.
Natalya’s last words before exiting the ring and tearfully walking up the ramp were the following:
“The WWE Universe wants to turn their back on me? Well now I'm turning my back on all of you.”
WWE shared that quote in a tweet and followed it by questioning what the future holds for Natalya.
If this insinuation is accurate, then the former SmackDown Women’s Champion may have suggested that a retirement announcement could be looming, but that is pure speculation.
WWE has teased many retirements over the years with a variety of superstars, but there was no direct mention of retirement, so this could be for storyline purposes.
What’s Next?
The Riott Squad was favouring Natalya in tonight’s Lumberjack match, so Natalya could be referencing joining the Riott Squad as “turning her back” on the fans, but that is pure speculation.
If Natalya’s career is coming to an end, then she could be ending a near-20 year career in professional wrestling that began in 2003 during her days wrestling for her family’s promotion, Stampede Wrestling.
Author’s Take
Natalya’s retirement was clearly insinuated by the promo and the WWE discussing her future on Twitter, but there’s no way of knowing until she actually says it.
