Natalya Explains How Bully Ray Inspired Her To Wrestle at Events Outside of WWE

– During a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio, WWE Superstar Natalya credited former WWE Superstar and Hall of Famer, Bully Ray, for giving her the idea to wrestle at events outside of WWE. Below are some highlights (via WrestlingInc.com):

Natalya on wrestling events in promotions outside of WWE: “In a lot of ways, it drove me to go ‘This is what I want to do,’ and I’m screaming and shouting that I want to do it. Now I’m going to do it. I would love to do for others kind of what you did for me in the sense, where you were like ‘I want to see more of this.’ And then I’m like ‘Well s**t, I want to do more of this.’ And then it drove me. In a lot of ways, you drove me to want to do outside shows in WWE, because I was like ‘There is just so much more that Nattie wants to do.'”

On feeling safe within the industry: “And Natalya is very, very safe within the industry. I have great relationships. I have a great career in WWE. But…I thrive on…I love that kill or be killed mentality of like ‘I want to fight for my life.’ It turns me on, honestly. It just makes me…I want to wake up in the morning and feel that rush. And so…in a lot of ways Bubba, you pushed me to do that. So thank you. I appreciate that very much.”

As noted, Natalya recently competed at GCW’s Bloodsport event last month during WrestleMania Weekend. She also challenged NWA Women’s World Champion Kenzie Paige at the Crockett Cup event earlier this month.