Natalya and Charlotte Flair made magic in the ring previously during Flair’s time in NXT. Now the stakes are higher for both women at WWE Hell in a Cell 2017.
Overall, the last year has been good to the Queen of Harts. She has been a part of several history-making moments on SmackDown Live, including the first ever Women’s Money in the Bank match. Her feud with Nikki Bella lasted for some time before she set her eyes on the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Natalya won an elimination match at Battleground and subsequently was the victor against Naomi to win the Women’s Championship at SummerSlam.
And speaking of SummerSlam, it seemed like the perfect setting for Natalya. When it comes to the Hart Dynasty, SummerSlam has produced many moments both good and bad for the family. Bret Hart vs. The British Bulldog at SummerSlam ’92 comes to mind. Classic matches like that one give the Hart family the prestige that they are known for. Those moments make SummerSlam the event that it is, so for Natalya to win the Women’s Championship at that event was a nice nod to the history.
Over the years that Natalya has been with the company, it seems that she was always in the shadows. If it wasn’t that, then her presence was an afterthought due to booking. Natalya’s career path was revived when the brand split took place in 2016, and that continues to work in her favor. In addition, turning heel ended up being a great move for her.
Since then Natalya’s presence has grown each week continuously. It was almost as if a slow burn was taking place right before fans’ eyes. Until SummerSlam, Natalya was more of the underrated female Superstars that WWE has.
Now that Natalya reigns over the SmackDown Women’s Division, it was only right for Flair to return to action to challenge for the championship. They have had several matches against one another, fans can recall, when they wrestled for the vacant NXT Women’s Championship back in 2014. Their family history was spotlighted, and having Ric Flair and Bret Hart cheering the women on at ringside was a special touch that made the match more personal and so much better overall.
That match would propel Flair into the Superstar that she is. The match also reminded fans that Natalya is indeed that talented and could make other Superstars look fantastic when given the chance to do so. Again, since the brand split Natalya has grown into her character and has worked even harder to get to where she is at. Having Flair on SmackDown was a good move especially if this feud will continue after WWE Hell in a Cell 2017. Both already have prior history, and it can be revisited on the blue brand. It’s already started and hopefully will continue to build.
The question leading into Hell in a Cell is could it be Natalya’s time as Women’s Champion over? Perhaps she will hold on to the Championship a little longer. She is a heel after all, and will do whatever it takes to keep the gold. But sensibly, there is more to that for why she should win this Sunday at Hell in a Cell.
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1. Win Builds on to Hart Legacy
Seeing Natalya succeed over the last year has been a pleasant surprise for fans of her. After years of flop booking and embarrassing storylines, Natalya has been rewarded with good feuds and ample air time. Taking part in big events such as the Money in the Bank helped Natalya even more in terms of establishing her own legacy.
Winning the Women’s Championship at SummerSlam ended Natalya’s seven-year drought of failed Championship matches. Natalya’s first WWE Championship was the Divas Championship, which she won in 2010 at Survivor Series. She would hold that Championship for over two months before being dethroned at the Royal Rumble. Natalya was not even pinned in that match – it was a fatal four way, in which Eve Torres pinned Layla to win her second Divas Championship.
While Natalya is a great wrestler in her own right, being able to overcome Flair would be another highlight on her resume. If Natalya did win, it would be a surprise if the win was clean. Both Natalya and Flair are submission specialists with the Sharpshooter and Figure Eight as their finishing maneuvers. However, there are ways around submission victories in which Natalya could take advantage of to steal a victory from Charlotte. She is a Hart, after all.
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2. Establishes Dominance as a Veteran
It is pretty mind-blowing that Natalya has been with WWE almost ten years. In every sense of the word Natalya is a veteran in pro wrestling. As SmackDown Women’s Champion, it is important that Natalya is presented as a dominant veteran who deserved her due. Yes, she is a heel, but having a substantial reign gives Natalya that nod.
Whether she cheats to win or not the fact is that Natalya’s win could overall bring more attention towards her and the division. While Alexa Bliss is the dominating young woman over on Raw, SmackDown stands out by having the cunning veteran Natalya as their answer to Bliss’ success. Natalya hasn’t had the success Bliss has had, but a lengthy and dominant Championship reign only adds to her accomplishments.
Natalya had been overlooked for much of her career, so for her to lose at the first Smackdown PPV after SummerSlam wouldn’t do her any favors. Furthermore there is still the threat of Miss Money in the Bank in Carmella that she has to contend with. A cash-in on Natalya or Flair seems too soon and predictable considering the heavy tease that has been going on with the two women amidst Natalya’s feud with Flair.
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3. A Flair Win May be Overlooked
With a PPV such as Hell in a Cell, it stands out because many times long feuds end inside the cell. The brutality and execution of those who participate precedes the event which leaves fans anticipating what will be in store for them. Then there are rumors and predictions that heat up towards the event.
The hot rumor going into Hell in a Cell is that Shinsuke Nakamura will put an end to a lengthy WWE Championship reign of Jinder Mahal. This is supported by the advertisements put out for the Indian tour that is scheduled to happen in December. Whether it is a typo or careless advertising, fans have to wonder just what exactly will happen on Sunday.
Nakamura is beloved by the WWE Universe. Say if Flair won, many people wouldn’t be surprised not only because smart fans could see it coming given Flair’s past Championship reigns. A WWE Championship win for Nakamura overshadows Flair’s win overall because he is one of WWE’s most popular Superstars. Simply put, Flair’s win would be an afterthought.
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Sensibly, it wouldn’t be a good idea for both Championships to change hands considering Nakamura’s popularity (unless the finish was epic). With the Tag Team Championships also being contended in the Cell as well as Kevin Owens vs. Shane McMahon, already there are some classic moments that are bound to happen. The Women’s Championship match will be a challenge to stand out on its own much less having the Championship change hands. The pressure is on for the two women, but if there’s anything to go by, they are warriors and can steal the show once more.