Nattie Neidhart Interview: Talks about her famous family, career, more

?Reported by Adam Martin of WrestleView.com

On Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at 4:09 PM EST

Steve Gerweck of Gerweck.net sent in the following report...

Key:

SG> Steve Gerweck
NN> Nattie Neidhart

SG> Having been born into the Hart family, did you always know you would become a professional wrestler?

NN> No. I get asked that a lot, but I never even a wrestling fan as a kid. I just liked to watch my dad and uncles on tv. It has been over the last few years that I sort of fell into wrestling to try something fun and exciting, and I have grown to really love it. The more I wrestle, the more I want to continue to grow and learn and get better and better. I have been lucky enough to be raised in a wrestling family where my eyes are wide open to so many things...but all in all, wrestling has been one of the best things to happen for me in my life.

SG> What is the hardest part about being Stu Hart's granddaughter and Jim Neidhart's daughter? What is the most rewarding?

NN> The hardest is that so much more is expected from me because of my heritage. I always feel like there is no room to make mistakes as I have to be the best or else people will be dissapointed. I don't want to let anyone down, including myself, my grandfather, or my family. The most rewarding has been the way wrestling has changed me so much for the better. I am such a different person since I started wrestling. I am more relaxed, confident, patient and tougher. It feels so good to get in the ring and to just be myself. I love the release that wrestling gives me and in so many ways it sets me free.

SG> How would you describe your formal in-ring training?

NN> I did a lot of my training with my uncles Bruce and Ross, in the Dungeon. As well as doing a bulk of my training with TJ Wilson. As well, I work in the ring with Tokyo Joe, who is a world famous Japanese trainer. Just recently, I have expanded my training to Japan, where I trained with A to Z girls and NEO girls in their dojo. I also work with an amateur coach to improve my mat wrestling. My training varies on who I work with. I do a lot of excercises that help my cardio, strength and overall mobility in the ring. It is great to be surrounded by talented workers who really know what they are doing and can help you grow, like Harry Smith and TJ Wilson.

SG> Do you come from an athletic background?

NN> Yes. My father is a world class athlete. He played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Oakland Raiders without ever playing college ball. He also was one of the best Shotputters in the world when he was only 18 years old. His record has not been broken yet in the state of California. He then moved on to become one half of one of wrestling's most beloved tag teams with my uncle Bret. My grandfather, on my mom's side, was amateur wrestling champion of Canada and was a real shooter. He also played football with the Edmonton Eskimos. He was one of the strongest people I have ever met, mentally and physically.

SG> At this point in your career, what do you consider your strengths? What do you consider your weaknesses?

NN> I am strong like my dad in the way that my body has a lot of power. I can lift a lot and I really feel that my training is helping to define my wrestliing style so that it is different from other girls. I also feel that I am driven and mentally foused which keeps me disciplined and gets me through the tough times. My weaknesses are that I apologize too much! I love to over analyze everything and dwell on it for days because something wasn't perfect on my part. I worry way too much about the small stuff and what people think. I just need to let it all go and simply do the very best I can for that moment.

SG> For those that have never seen you wrestle, how would you describe your in-ring style?

NN> My wrestling style is aggressive, solid and real. I am a very physical person and I really like to get in the ring and just give it all I have no matter who I am with. I wuold like to say after going to Japan and training with them for two months, I have a blended style of Japanese and American. I like to incorporate my amateur wrestling with power movesa and strong strikes.

SG> What is your opinion of the current state of wrestling?

NN> I think it varies on where you are. Wrestling is always changing and evolving and it always will. Each place I have been to (Japan, England and US) have different styles. I think that wrestling is cyclical and it forever will have its ups and downs. For me, I just try to find the good in all the wrestling I watch. There are so many talented wrestlers and it is inspiring to turn on my tv on Monday and watch a good match with Kurt Angle or Shawn Michaels and Eddie Guerrero. They are so seasoned and exciting to watch. In Japan, I am blown away by the talent of Kanemoto, Nakajima, Tanahashi and Heat. The women were in a world all their own and I don't even know where to start with how cool it was to see Manami Toyota, Kyoko Inoue and Lioness Aska work. What more could I ask for? Even in the states and Canada you have up and comers like my cousins Harry and Ted, as well as TJ Wilson who make you believe in wrestling when you watch them work. AJ Styles and Paul London are also fun to watch as they are so fresh and hungry to try new things.

SG> What is your opinion of the current WWE product?

NN> I think that WWE is obviously doing something right, or else they wouldn't be where they are today. It is refreshing to watch WWE and see some great matches with Benoit and Eddie or Shawn and Kurt Angle. You have to appreciate how hard these guys have worked, for so long, and they are still able to deliver as only true professionals can. I would like to see more women's wrestling, as I really enjoy watching Trish and Victoria.

SG> Growing up around the Hart family, what do you think is the most valuable lesson you have learned from them?

NN> To perservere. My grandfather instilled in us that no matter how hard life may get, the only choice you have is to move forward and do the best you can with what you have. My grandfather believed that life always unfolds as it should, and that what doesn't kill you will only make you a stronger person. It is like wrestling, it is hard mountain to climb, but in time, you can only get stronger.

To read the entire interview, please visit www.gerweck.net.