WWE’s Natalya Channels Inner Undertaker, Wrestles With A Broken Ankle
In the wild world of professional wrestling, stories of superstars like the Undertaker toughing it out through injuries are as common as chair shots and dramatic betrayals. We’ve all heard the legends: Mick Foley flying off the Hell in a Cell, Triple H finishing a match with a torn quad, and Stone Cold Steve Austin somehow continuing after a broken neck.
These moments are stitched into the fabric of WWE lore, showcasing a level of grit that borders on insanity. But every now and then, a new story emerges that reminds us just how much these performers are willing to sacrifice for the show. This time, it’s Natalya, .A cornerstone of the women’s division, who adds her name to that list of absolute warriors.
During a recent, refreshingly candid chat on Cody Rhodes’ podcast, What Do You Wanna Talk About?, the former Women’s Champion dropped a bombshell. She recounted a 2016 WWE RAW match against Naomi where she wasn’t just dealing with a few bumps and bruises—she was wrestling on a completely broken ankle. Let that sink in. Most of us would be laid up on the couch, binge-watching Netflix and milking the injury for all it’s worth. Natalya? She taped it up and went to work.
The Queen of Harts Refuses to Forfeit Her Victory
The injury happened earlier in the day during a rehearsal, of all things. A simple baseball slide maneuver went wrong, and snap—broken ankle. According to Natalya, the backstage reaction was immediate and sensible. Everyone, from officials to producers, wanted to pull her from the match. “We can pull you from the match,” they told her, concerned about her well-being. But here’s where the wrestler’s mindset, a bizarre cocktail of pride, ambition, and stubbornness, kicks in.
“This is me being selfish,” Natalya admitted. “I was booked to win. And I was like, ‘I’m not giving up my win.’” It’s a fascinating, almost comical peek behind the curtain. In a world of predetermined outcomes, the win still meant everything. It was her moment, her spot on the card, and no shattered bone was going to take that away from her. So, she assured everyone she was fine, despite the very obvious limp giving her away. Her determination, or perhaps sheer stubbornness, won out.
Natalya Channels The Undertaker
So, how do you wrestle a match on a broken ankle? Very, very slowly. Natalya laughingly described her entrance that night, comparing her painstaking walk to the ring to that of the legendary Undertaker. The visual is just golden. Instead of her usual energetic stride, she was forced into a slow, deliberate march down the ramp. “I walked out like Undertaker. I walked out so slow, you would’ve thought I was Undertaker’s daughter for how slow I was walking,” she joked.
The comparison is perfect. For decades, The Undertaker’s methodical, almost supernatural entrance was an iconic part of the WWE experience. The slow walk, the dramatic music, the eerie silence from the crowd—it all built an unparalleled atmosphere. Natalya, hobbling on one good foot, unintentionally recreated a budget version of that legendary entrance.
The match itself was a brisk three minutes, a necessary precaution, but she got through it and, most importantly to her, got her win. It’s a testament to her professionalism and, frankly, her pain tolerance. She didn’t just perform; she embodied the old-school wrestling spirit of “the show must go on,” no matter what.
What Does This Say About Natalya’s WWE Career?
This story isn’t just a fun anecdote; it’s a perfect metaphor for Natalya’s entire career. She described her WWE persona, saying, “That’s Natalya, she’s rock solid. And I love that, but she’s also safe.” For years, she has been the reliable, consistent hand in the women’s division. Need someone to have a great match? Call Natalya. Need a veteran to help elevate a new star? Call Natalya. She’s the one who makes everyone happy and delivers without fail.
However, she’s also self-aware enough to recognize the double-edged sword of that reliability. “If you keep doing the same things you’ve always done, you’re gonna get the same result,” she mused. This single act of wrestling through extreme pain, driven by a selfish desire to not give up her spot, reveals the fire that still burns within her.
It shows she’s not just the “safe” choice; she’s a competitor who will, quite literally, break herself to stay on top. It’s that grit, that willingness to push past the pain, that has made her a multi-time champion and a future Hall of Famer. And now, we know she can do a pretty convincing Undertaker impression, too.
