NXT Reaction: The Hart Beat Evening Edition w/ Nattie Neidhart

Tommy Dreamer hosts Nattie Neidhart for an in-depth conversation about her career and current work in NXT. Dreamer opens by thanking Nattie for mentoring him when he debuted on the main roster in 2008, alongside other veterans like Chavo Guerrero and Chuck Palumbo. He credits her with being a life coach during his early career struggles.

Nattie discusses her current NXT program with Jada Parker, emphasizing that she specifically requested to work with Parker because she sees exceptional potential in her—comparing her edge and intensity to wrestlers like Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan. Nattie explains that she intentionally hit nerves with Parker by calling her soft, comfortable, and complacent, but did so to bring out her best work. She notes that Parker has since delivered her best performances, including a breakthrough promo that connected with fans.

Nattie emphasizes the collaborative environment at NXT under Shawn Michaels, contrasting it with her experience under Vince McMahon. She explains that Michaels allows talent to have creative input and feel heard, which has given her a sense of voice and agency she didn't experience for most of her 19+ years in WWE. She describes Michaels as a nurturing father figure behind the scenes, not just an iconic performer.

Regarding her philosophy on mentorship, Nattie explains she takes extra special care in every match to elevate her opponents, wanting each wrestler to feel they've had the performance of their life. She mentions asking Michaels to stay longer to continue working with Parker and references the dungeon training facility she runs with her husband TJ, where she trains wrestlers for free, seeking passion over payment.

The conversation pivots to unsigned talent. Nattie names several wrestlers she's impressed by: Marcus Mathers (who has an ID deal with WWE), Avery Styles, Riho (a UK wrestler with purple dreadlocks who trained at the dungeon), Hazuki, Dairis (a charismatic English wrestler), and Ringmaster Midas (who works for MLW). She explains her approach to supporting these wrestlers by believing in them and encouraging persistence when they don't initially get signed.

Nattie discusses her ability to work independent shows, Bloodsport, NWA, and other promotions outside WWE, crediting Nick Khan and Triple H with greenlit opportunities to pursue outside projects that cultivate her personal growth. She credits Josh Barnett and Bloodsport with being catalysts in developing her current character.

When asked about potentially playing a bitter veteran heel character, Nattie explains the challenge: her character requires everyone to be on board with the direction, as she has too much equity in the industry to work effectively as a traditional heel. She clarifies that her Natty character isn't an MMA-inspired gimmick but rather rooted in the dungeon's real submission wrestling tradition established by her grandfather Stu Hart, making it fundamentally different from other characters.

The conversation addresses nepotism in wrestling. Nattie and Dreamer agree that second-generation wrestlers aren't automatically successful—many with famous parents haven't made it. They discuss Zilla's rapid rise in NXT (25 million viewers watched his debut) and agree his success speaks to his magnetic presence and ability to draw interest, regardless of his family name. Nattie notes that Zilla, like herself, carries both blessings and curses from his family legacy, having endured personal trauma including losing a parent.

Dreamer closes by sharing a personal story about Nattie's mother persistently pitching him on Nattie and TJ when he was in a position to help sign talent, eventually leading to their WWE hiring. He emphasizes that everyone needs advocates and that dismissing second-generation wrestlers as undeserving "nepo babies" ignores both the actual hard work required and the many famous family members who failed to achieve success.