WWE veteran Nattie Neidhart has made clear that she is not a fan of enhancement matches when they are used simply to give an established act a quick and predictable victory.
Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Neidhart addressed the central issue she sees with that type of booking: a win does not automatically create momentum. In her view, the person being defeated must have enough importance for the outcome to register with the audience. If there is no perceived significance to the opponent, then there is little reason for viewers to invest in the winner’s raised hand.
“If you're going to win the match, you need to beat someone that means something. Otherwise, who cares if you won,” Neidhart said.
It is a straightforward philosophy from one of WWE’s most experienced performers. Neidhart, a third-generation wrestler and former SmackDown Women’s Champion, has occupied many different roles during her long run in the company. She has worked as a featured star, a veteran presence, a tag team competitor, and an opponent positioned to help others gain traction. That experience has informed her belief that matches should have a clear purpose beyond merely filling time or reinforcing that a favored wrestler is capable of winning.
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Enhancement matches have long been part of pro wrestling television. The format generally places a promoted wrestler against a local or extra talent, with the established name expected to win decisively. Such bouts can introduce a character, showcase a new move set, provide a pause between larger story developments, or remind viewers of a wrestler’s strengths. But Neidhart’s point is that the structure can become limiting when the result is obvious and the person taking the loss has not been given any standing in the eyes of the audience.
A dominant performance can show that a wrestler is dangerous. It can also make a comeback feel less intimidating if the opponent has no meaningful connection to the audience, no history, and no established level of credibility. The featured wrestler may collect the victory, but the win itself may not add much to their place on the card.
“That's why I really don't like enhancement matches, and it's my own personal flavor of ice cream,” Neidhart said. “I just don't like them, because enhancement matches, like, you know, sometimes you see a local/extra talent having a match with somebody, and you know, okay, we all know how this is going to go. So-and-so is going to beat them really fast, and get their hand raised. But if the person that you're wrestling doesn't mean something, your win doesn't mean something.”
Neidhart did not present the stance as a universal rule for every show or every wrestler. Her “flavor of ice cream” comparison acknowledged that it is a personal preference. Still, her argument speaks to a broader television issue: how promotions make wins feel consequential in an era when viewers are highly aware of booking patterns.
When a wrestler defeats a recognizable opponent, the audience has a frame of reference. Fans can judge the accomplishment against what they know about both competitors. A victory over someone portrayed as capable, established, or difficult to beat can change perceptions. It can move a wrestler upward in the eyes of viewers even if no title is involved. Conversely, a fast victory over an opponent expected to lose before the bell rings may produce a highlight, but it does not necessarily produce advancement.
That distinction was at the center of Neidhart’s discussion with host Dave LaGreca. The conversation turned to Roman Reigns’ upcoming World Heavyweight Title defense against LA Knight at Money in the Bank on Saturday. The match has prompted discussion not only about the championship result, but about what a high-profile encounter with Reigns could mean for Knight’s standing on the WWE main roster.
There may be anticipation around the title match, but there is also a natural concern whenever a wrestler faces one of WWE’s biggest names in a bout where many observers believe they can predict the finish. If Knight loses, the question becomes whether the defeat is presented as a setback or as a significant performance against a top champion. Neidhart sees the latter possibility as especially important in the case of Reigns.
“Roman's magic is that he helps elevate the person that he's working with. No matter what the outcome is, everybody is elevated. Everybody wins,” Neidhart proclaimed.
The remark establishes an important contrast with Neidhart’s thoughts on enhancement matches. A match does not need to end with a wrestler’s victory to help them. The key is whether the contest feels meaningful and whether the opponent brings enough stature for a strong showing to matter. Reigns, as Neidhart described him, can provide that stature. The champion’s presence turns the match into an opportunity for the challenger to be seen at a higher level, provided the presentation supports that idea.
For Knight, the Money in the Bank title match represents a visible test of main-event perception. A championship challenge against Reigns is inherently different from a short match against an unnamed or unfamiliar opponent. The challenger is given a larger stage, a major opponent, and an opportunity to show how he performs under the highest possible pressure. Even in defeat, a competitive showing can give fans a reason to view him differently going forward.
That is ultimately why Neidhart’s larger point is less about declaring that short matches should never exist and more about emphasizing the value of context. Wrestling is built on results, but results only gain power through presentation. The identity of the opponent, the story surrounding the match, the length and intensity of the contest, and what happens after the bell can all determine whether a win or loss leaves a lasting impression.
A wrestler who repeatedly defeats lower-level opposition may be positioned as dominant, yet dominance alone does not always create emotional investment. Fans often respond more strongly when someone must overcome a credible obstacle. The struggle creates stakes. The opponent’s reputation gives the result weight. And when the winner has earned something difficult, the audience has a reason to treat the victory as a development rather than a formality.
Neidhart’s comments also underline the role veteran performers can play in evaluating what makes a match work. A bout can be technically sound and still fail to advance a character. It can include a decisive finish and still leave no sense that the winner has gained anything. From Neidhart’s perspective, the goal should be to ensure that victories contribute to a wrestler’s momentum, rather than simply adding another result to the record.
The Reigns-Knight match offers the kind of scenario she believes can accomplish that. Regardless of the expected outcome, Knight is sharing a major title match with a performer Neidhart says has a unique ability to raise the profile of his opponents. If the match makes viewers believe Knight belongs in that environment, then its value extends beyond who leaves Money in the Bank with the World Heavyweight Title.
In that sense, Neidhart’s position is rooted in significance. A wrestler should beat someone who matters. And when a wrestler faces a star at Reigns’ level, even a loss can matter if the match convinces the audience that the challenger belongs among WWE’s leading names.
Neidhart’s comments were made on Busted Open Radio.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.