WWE legend Natalya has opened up about her deep personal bond with Vince McMahon — revealing that the former WWE chairman was like a father to her during some of the hardest moments of her life.
During her appearance on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet, the two-time WWE Women’s Champion spoke candidly about how Vince supported her through tragedy — especially after the passing of her real father, wrestling great Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart.
“Vince was like a father to so many of us,” Natalya shared. “When my own dad couldn’t be there for me, Vince was. The day my sister called to tell me my dad had died, the first person I called was Vince. He picked up on the first ring and was there for me right away.”
She went on to reveal how McMahon’s compassion went far beyond business. Vince immediately offered his help, asking if she needed anything and even requesting every photo she had of her late father to create a touching tribute video.
Vince McMahon’s Wild Idea That Made Fans Cringe
Natalya also reflected on one of the most bizarre gimmicks of her WWE career — the infamous “Nattie Neidfart” storyline from 2012.
According to her, a writer approached her backstage to pitch the strange idea, explaining that it came directly from Vince McMahon himself. The gimmick involved Natalya’s character passing gas at the most awkward times — something fans immediately rejected.
“I wanted to be a team player and prove myself,” she admitted. “But it definitely wasn’t my proudest moment.”
The embarrassing storyline didn’t last long. After the poor fan reaction, it was quietly dropped, and Natalya soon pitched a new direction for her character that better showcased her in-ring talent and personality.
Despite the missteps, Natalya remains grateful for Vince McMahon’s influence on her life — not just as a boss, but as someone who showed genuine care when she needed it most.
“He was there for me like family,” she said. “That’s something I’ll never forget.”
