In honour of Father’s Day, Natalya and other WWE Superstars spoke to WWE.com about their famous dads. Read what Natalya had to say below:

Smith’s third-generation SmackDown Diva cousin, Natalya, daughter of Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, made her debut just three months ago and she is already in the running for the newly-created Divas Championship. Though dominant and fierce in the ring, the Diva has many light-hearted childhood memories of her father.

“The Jim Neidhart that people saw on TV was the Jim Neidhart we had at home,” she recalled. “When he spoke to us, like if we were lying to him, he would pull his beard.”

“The funny thing is, is that my dad has always loved spandex as long as I can remember,” Natalya added. “The one and only PTA meeting my dad ever came to, he came on his Ninja motorcycle, no shirt on, a helmet that said ‘Fat Chicks Rule,’ and spandex and knee pads.”

Natalya is once again featured in this week’s Diva Dish, read all about it below:

Divas Down Under
The SmackDown/ECW tour of Australia and New Zealand is in full swing, but before Natalya and Victoria took the long plane ride to the land Down Under, Diva Dish caught up with the best buds.

“The best part of our jobs is that we get to wrestle and entertain in front of our fans from all over the world. So I’m very curious to see what the Australian fans will be like, and feel their energy,” Natalya said.

The Diva planned to spend some of her limited free time sightseeing and doing a charity appearance.

“I’m really excited to go a hospital there – it’s the first time I’m going to one with WWE and visiting kids. So I’m looking forward to that because my family did a lot of charity work, and this is my first time,” the SmackDown Diva said.

Natalya’s BFF, Victoria, has been to Australia and New Zealand three times on WWE tours, but she’s never gone sightseeing. Natalya’s interested in seeing a wombat and a kangaroo, and Victoria, well, she’s interested in catching some other wildlife.

“I actually want to enjoy myself there, you know? I always enjoy myself, but I want to be able to relax and see some blokes 
 Isn’t that how you say boys?” Victoria said.

Check out photo coverage of the Australia and New Zealand tour now. Also read ECW Superstar Kofi Kingston’s tour blog.

Honoring Dad
With Father’s Day quickly approaching, we talked to the Divas about what makes their dads special. Who better to begin with than third-generation Diva Natalya, daughter of Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart.

“My dad has always been very much himself. My dad is very wild, he’s very crazy, he’s very charismatic, he’s very unorthodox, but he’s been very, very consistent in his character. He really is himself, whether people like or hate it,” the Diva said.

Natalya described her dad as loyal, private and a firm believer in relationships. While he was often traveling with WWE when the young Natalya was growing up, she said he always managed to find plenty of time to spend with his children. And although at first he wasn’t in favor of Natalya’s sports-entertainment dreams, he backs her 100 percent today.

“My dad has totally embraced it. He’s so excited for me because he sees how much I love it. He sees I’ve done my homework, which he taught me to do,” she said. “I’ve been disciplined, I’ve been true to myself and I have confidence in the ring, which was given to me, by him. He instilled a lot of his morals in me. Now he’s totally embraced it. He’s one of my biggest fans. I’m very, very grateful to have my dad in my life.”

It’s a big day for Natalya (you’ll see why when we post SmackDown! media) and it’s just been made a little more special! Natalya and Victoria’s friendship is once again featured in Diva Dish at WWE.com… this time with pictures!

Victoria + Natalya = BBF 4-Ever
Two of SmackDown’s most devious Divas seem to be joined at the hip lately. Whether it’s in the ring, in the Divas’ locker room or out on the town, Victoria and Natalya are inseparable. They’ve even been spotted sporting custom-made, matching “Best Friends” T-shirts and necklaces. Diva Dish recently sat down for a chat (or should we say ego-fest?) with the BFFs.

“I went shopping today. I got us matching necklaces. We had special custom T-shirts made that say ‘Best Friends’ and they’re a split heart, just like the necklace,” Victoria told Diva Dish.

“You went all out and it was such a surprise because May 27 was my birthday,” Natalya chimed in. “I came into the building and this little one over here had a package waiting for me. She went out and got the shirts, and had them custom made for me. I thought I was going to cry, but you know, being third-generation, we don’t cry.”

“We don’t cry! There’s no crying in wrestling!” Victoria replied.

“You can give me a high-five on that one, girlfriend!” Natalya said, as the duo erupted in laughter.

Victoria said she’s grown so close to Natalya since she became a Diva, they act like sisters. And the Divas aren’t joking when they say they finish each other’s sentences.

“One thing I have to say, and I believe this in my heart of hearts, is that what you have that I was most attracted to, is that you’re violent and original,” Natalya said to Victoria. “And for me it’s like, there is not another woman who I can find who can get on my level to be violent and original. She brings it. Every single night there’s just this energy and I feed off it.”

“We’re very lucky because I feed off her, because she’s very talented. You’re very original, too. I’ve learned wrestling skills from you. Your confidence level is amazing out there,” Victoria told her best bud.

“You are amazing,” Natalya said.

“You are amazing,” Victoria responded.

“We are — ” Natalya started.

“Amazing!” Victoria finished.

When Diva Dish informed the pals they were two of the most downloaded Divas on WWE.com in recent weeks, Victoria admitted she was a little bit surprised.

“I’m so used to people downloading those little skinny girls, like Kelly Kelly and Michelle – the cookie-cutter blonds. Now it shows we’re being appreciated as athletes with wrestling abilities – that we can back up what we do,” Victoria said.

But Natalya wasn’t shocked she and her best friend are making waves online.

“Naturally, being the first third-generation Diva in WWE, it just felt right when I heard I was one of the most downloaded Divas,” Natalya said.

“People want to know what I’m up to, what I’m wearing, what I’m talking about, what we’re doing, what we’ve been doing – they just want to see Natalya and Victoria. She doesn’t give herself enough credit, but this woman is amazing. I know it’s not Valentine’s Day, but I wouldn’t be able to do it without you,” Natalya said, looking at her friend.

“Awwww. You give me a hug. Come here, BFF!” Victoria said, embracing her friend and then continuing: “We have good chemistry in the ring and outside the ring. I think it shows in our performance. We put our hearts and souls into every single match. We try to be the best, because you know what?”

“When you mess with the best, you go down with the rest. Yeah, baby!” the two said in unison.

Gallery Links:
» Photoshoots > WWE.com > Session #05

WWE.com has posted a new photoshoot of Natalya, wearing a really gorgeous top if you ask me! Check out the full set at the link below and let us know what you think!

Gallery Links:
» Photoshoots > WWE.com > Session #03

Natalya retains her spot at #24 on this week’s Power 25, despite a loss on ECW this week for her team. Also, in a weird and unfortunate twist, Natalya was no where to be seen on SmackDown! this week =( Let’s hope things are looking more bright next week!

WWE.com is celebrating National Women’s Health Week with fitness tips from the Divas! Today, Natalya offers advice on nutrition:

Being a WWE Diva, we always have to be on our game. We always have to be in the gym watching what we eat and taking care of our bodies. A lot of the Divas here do yoga, Pilates and weight training — whatever it is that works for them. However, I’m a firm believer that not everything works for everyone. Find what works for you. Find what you like and then it won’t feel like work.

I am an avid runner, I love running. When I go back home to Canada, I go running a lot with my sister. We go on a beautiful bike trail and can run for 10 miles. It’s so beautiful because we’re right by the mountains and the Bow River, and it doesn’t feel like a work out. For me, running is almost an addiction. I just get that “runner’s high.” It makes me feel good for the rest of the day. It’s great.

Find a partner that you’ll stay committed to, because sometimes it’s easy to wake up in the morning and be like, “I don’t want to do it.” But if you have a partner, you don’t want to let them down.

Also, I think to take care of yourself is not to deprive yourself. 
 I think everything is OK in moderation. If you work hard and you want something, have it. That’s motivation to work out even harder. I just find that if you get too obsessive about anything, it will drive you nuts. So I think everything in moderation, do what you enjoy and it will never feel like work. And hopefully you’ll have a healthier lifestyle.

Two weeks ago, Natalya debuted on the Power 25 at WWE.com at the 25 position, last week she moved up a notch after her win over Kelly Kelly. Natalya currently sits at 24, other Divas on the chart are Mickie James (23) and Beth Phoenix (16).

WWE.com has posted a new photoshoot featuring Natalya entitled “Bringin’ It”. And to make a terrible pun, she certainly “brings it” - in more ways than one. It’s nice to see Natalya show her friendlier side, isn’t it?

Gallery Links:
» Photoshoots > WWE.com > Studios

In this week’s Diva Dish, Victoria talks about her new best friend, our very own Natalya! Check it out:

Victoria has been impressed by the in-ring skills of her new BFF, Natalya. The duo was part of the winning team at the 12-Diva Tag Team Match at Backlash. Diva Dish caught up with Victoria to talk about her new partner in crime on SmackDown.

“Well, I’ve been in WWE a little bit longer than her, so I can teach her the do’s and don’ts, maybe just like some locker room etiquette. I think I know a little bit about the repertoire of the girls, maybe she has been studying it, but I physically have been in the ring with most of the girls, so I can kind of tell her what to expect,” Victoria explained. “But her wrestling ability and her power, her aggressiveness, I’m impressed by it, so I think both of us together are going to be fierce!”

Victoria said she knew immediately it would be in her best interest to befriend WWE’s newest Diva to become a dominant duo.

“Because I was impressed with her, I figured why not make her my friend opposed to my competitor? We’re stronger as a unit. As she says, ‘If you mess with best, you go down with the rest.’ ”

Read the rest of Diva Dish here.

Natalya added her two cents to a WWE.com article yesterday, about Maria’s ranking in FHM’s 100 Sexiest list:

WWE’s newest Diva, Natalya, explained that it’s only a matter of time before she meets Maria in the ring, and after that, FHM might think twice about bestowing the honor on the Diva.

“The moment she steps foot in the ring with Natalya, she’s going to need a damn good plastic surgeon. She’s going to need all the help she can get – and all the best makeup products and moisturizers and skin care,” Natalya scoffed.

The SmackDown Diva said she learned her keen survival skills in the Dungeon – a place Maria wouldn’t dare venture.

“Maria, in my opinion, is only in FHM for one reason: she sold out. But when she steps foot in the ring with me, it’s going to be more than just two pretty faces. I plan on finishing her off and we’ll see what magazine she’s in next year then, after I get done,” Natalya continued. “
But I will refer her to a very good facial reconstruction surgeon.”

Read the rest by clicking here.

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