Natalya reportedly missed RAW amid speculation over her WWE future.
This year, due to multiple expiring contracts, many stars have had to sit down with WWE to discuss their future. Recently, we’ve seen Chad Gable extend his stay with the company, while Ricochet and Dijak have chosen to enter the wider wrestling world. Now, amid contract rumours of her own, a former SmackDown Women’s Champion was reportedly absent from this week’s RAW.
Per Fightful Select, it’s believed that Natalya was not backstage at the July 1 edition of Monday Night RAW, with her deal believed to be expiring this summer.
“Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp has learned that longtime WWE talent Natalya is not backstage at tonight’s WWE Raw, and is not planned for the show this evening. Natalya’s WWE deal has been set to expire this summer, and at least internally, the company is very quiet about any developments.”
-Fightful Select
Natalya is a veteran of the industry, and it would certainly be a loss for WWE should she depart the company this summer, not least as it may also affect the future of TJ Wilson (formerly Tyson Kidd) who has been working as a producer since his retirement from the ring. As of yet, there is no indication that a new agreement has been reached, although it’s said that the two sides have been in talks as of late.
Interestingly, the report also touches on interest in her elsewhere, saying that some talent and staff in AEW have been pushing for the company to bring Natalya in. However, for now, her next move is unknown.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on Natalya’s WWE status as soon as we hear more.
