Nattie has shared the ring with a long list of elite WWE performers over the course of her career, but Rhea Ripley holds a particularly high place on that list. The veteran WWE star recently spoke warmly about Ripley’s ability as an opponent, her selflessness between the ropes, and the personal connection they have developed away from WWE programming.
The two women have a substantial history together. Counting televised bouts, Nattie and Ripley have wrestled one another nearly 20 times since 2019. Their most prominent stretch came during the latter half of 2021, when they engaged in an extended rivalry that gave them repeated opportunities to test their chemistry in singles and multi-person competition.
That familiarity has clearly left a lasting impression on Nattie. While discussing Ripley’s ongoing absence from in-ring action, Nattie expressed confidence that the former champion will return in outstanding condition, both physically and mentally.
“I feel like when Rhea comes back, she’s going to show everybody that she’s not only physically in the best shape of her life but she’s also mentally feeling rested, rejuvenated.”
For more background on this topic, read Will Ospreay Says Wrestling Has Evolved Beyond Full Kayfabe Protection.
Ripley has been out of action since June, and WWE has not confirmed a date for her full in-ring return. Her status remains a major point of interest because of the position she has occupied within WWE over the last several years. Ripley has consistently been presented as one of the company’s defining stars, capable of anchoring title pictures, leading factions, and working with opponents across different divisions.
Her eventual comeback will naturally create questions about where she fits into WWE’s immediate plans. Nattie would welcome a chance to be part of that conversation, particularly if it meant reviving one of the more physical and well-established rivalries from Ripley’s earlier main-roster run.
Nattie Calls Ripley One of Her Best Opponents
Nattie did not limit her praise to Ripley’s anticipated return. She emphasized how much she enjoys working with Ripley and described an in-ring dynamic that has remained strong through their numerous matches. For Nattie, the key quality is Ripley’s willingness to give back to her opponent rather than approach a match as a one-sided showcase.
“She’s really one of my favorite people to wrestle because she’s so giving. People don’t realize that about her. When you’re in the ring with her, she’s very very very unselfish. We just had this really magical chemistry, I think she’s one of my top three in the world that I’ve ever wrestled. I just love locking up with her. I’d love a big juicy feud with her when she’s back.”
That is notable praise from Nattie, whose WWE tenure has placed her in the ring with multiple generations of wrestlers. She has faced foundational names from the Divas era, the stars who helped transform WWE’s women’s division in the 2010s, and the current wave of talent that has raised the athletic expectations of televised women’s wrestling.
Calling Ripley one of the top three wrestlers she has ever worked with underscores the degree of trust between the two. In wrestling, chemistry is not simply about producing a memorable sequence or having a strong finish. It involves timing, communication, physical confidence, and an understanding of how to make an opponent look dangerous while maintaining the structure of the match. Nattie’s comments indicate that she sees Ripley as an exceptionally reliable partner in all of those areas.
Ripley’s rise has been built partly on that versatility. Her presentation as The Eradicator relies on power and intimidation, but her matches often show a willingness to sell, react, and let an opponent’s offense carry emotional weight. That balance can be especially important against an experienced wrestler such as Nattie, whose technical style and veteran instincts create a different challenge from Ripley’s more recent high-profile rivalries.
A Rivalry With Plenty of History
Nattie and Ripley’s 2021 rivalry arrived during a pivotal stage of Ripley’s WWE career. Ripley had already established herself as a major force through NXT and had moved onto the main roster with considerable momentum. Nattie, meanwhile, served as one of WWE’s most experienced and credible competitors, making her a natural opponent for a wrestler being positioned as a physical threat.
Their repeated meetings made the rivalry feel increasingly personal and competitive. Nattie’s technical approach and experience contrasted with Ripley’s combination of strength, aggression, and speed. The result was a pairing that could deliver a different type of match from many of the more familiar women’s division matchups.
A renewed program would not need to rely entirely on their past. Ripley’s standing in WWE has grown significantly since that 2021 series, while Nattie’s role has continued to evolve as she brings veteran credibility to every program she enters. Their history would provide an immediate foundation, but the passage of time would also allow the story to be presented as a fresh examination of two wrestlers who know exactly what the other can do.
Nattie’s use of the phrase “big juicy feud” also makes clear that she is not merely interested in a one-off television match. She sees enough in their past interactions, and in their respective positions, to support a more substantial story once Ripley is cleared to resume regular competition.
Respect Extends Beyond WWE Rings
The respect between the two is not confined to their work in the ring. Nattie also shared a personal story about visiting Ripley at home and meeting Ripley’s dogs. A self-described cat person, Nattie said the experience changed her perspective because of the affection Ripley and her husband show their pets.
“I went to her house and her dogs — I said to Rhea, ‘I’m a big cat person’ but then after seeing her dogs, all of the sudden I was just like a dog person. Her dogs are like her babies with her husband. They love their dogs but their dogs, you could tell they were so loved. These dogs were the sweetest animals and I was like, that’s because they have parents that love them. You know when you meet good kids, you know that they have good parents. Rhea is turning me into a dog person and I told her when I was at her birthday.”
The anecdote adds another layer to Nattie’s assessment of Ripley. WWE audiences are accustomed to seeing Ripley as an imposing, confrontational presence, whether in championship situations or faction-related storylines. Nattie’s comments instead highlight a more private side of Ripley’s personality and reinforce the affection that exists between the two colleagues.
It also helps explain why Nattie’s praise for Ripley is so emphatic. She is not only evaluating Ripley as a performer with whom she has had successful matches; she is speaking about someone she considers a favorite person to work with and spend time around.
What Is Known About Ripley’s Return
Ripley’s exact in-ring return date has not been announced. She has, however, recently been advertised for the Wrestlepalooza Perth Pre-Show event. That appearance is significant in that it places her on the event’s schedule, though it does not by itself confirm when she will wrestle again or what WWE’s creative direction will be once she is medically ready for a full return.
Until more is confirmed, any potential match with Nattie remains a possibility rather than an announced plan. Still, Nattie has made her preference clear. With extensive shared history, mutual trust, and a genuine desire to revisit their rivalry, Ripley and Nattie have an established matchup waiting should WWE decide to return to it.
For now, Nattie is expecting Ripley to come back rested and rejuvenated. And if The Eradicator does return looking to reassert herself in WWE, Nattie appears more than ready to lock up with one of her all-time favorite opponents again.
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.