WWE superstar Natalya says she wants to face Ronda Rousey – the woman she helped train and make the transition from UFC to WWE.

If Ronda beats Nia Jax for the Raw Women’s Championship this Sunday at Money in the Bank – and Natalya wins the MITB match for a guaranteed title shot – the match could happen.

11 Nayalya has revealed her desire to fight pal Ronda Rousey Credit: Instagram @natbynature/WWE

11 The pair have developed quite the friendship over recent weeks Credit: WWE

Speaking exclusively to Sun Sport, Natalya talked about the women’s division, the subject of new DVD doc Then, Now, Forever: The Evolution of WWE’s Women’s Division (out June 25).

As a 10-year WWE veteran, Natalya has experienced major changes in women’s competition and says Ronda Rousey will be a “huge part of the future of the women’s division.”

On a potential match with the former UFC champ – which would be a ready-made mentor vs student feud – Natalya said: “I would love to face Ronda.

“I know we could have an incredible match and it would bring out the best in her and myself. But I think Ronda brings out the best in everyone she works with.”

11 Natalya has enjoyed a ten-year stint in WWE Credit: WWE

11 She is one of the stars in the new DVD doc Then, Now, Forever: The Evolution of WWE’s Women’s Division Credit: WWE

11 Natalya is hoping to claim the Money in the Bank briefcase this weekend Credit: WWE

There’s a reason that Natalya was picked to train Ronda. As part of the famous Hart family, she has wrestling in her blood. She’s also an incredible performer in her own right.

But Natalya – the daughter of WWE legend Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart – thinks Ronda Rousey is a naturally gifted grappler too.

Natalya said: “The second we locked up I knew she was special. Not just because she’s a world class athlete and incredible mixed martial artist. We just clicked. It was like magic.

“But one of the great things about her is that she doesn’t think she has all the answers.

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“WWE is new to her. The more I know about Ronda the more I’m blown away by her work ethic and humble nature.

“She’s causing a lot of intrigue. People who maybe never watched WWE before are tuning in because Ronda’s a superstar outside of WWE.

“She’s bringing so much equity from her past life. She’s going to be – and already is – a major player in the women’s division.”

(This is real-world talk, of course – don’t be surprised if Natalya turns heel on her good friend Ronda this Sunday at Money in the Bank.)

As seen in Then, Now, Forever – which spotlights various female superstars alongside a selection of top matches – women’s wrestling in WWE is better than it’s ever been.

11 Natalya says she has been hugely impressed by Ronda Rousey since her arrival in WWE Credit: WWE

11 Natalya has endured a rollercoaster ride since her debut in 2008 Credit: WWE

But Natalya has been flying the flag for quality women’s wrestling since long before the current push and much-touted “women’s evolution”.

When Natalya debuted in 2008, women were wrestling Playboy Bunny contests, doing comedy skits, and usually dumped with three-minute popcorn break matches.

At once stage Natalya had a farting gimmick – at another time she managed the Great Khali.

Natalya said: “I debuted in 2008. I don’t want to say it was an awkward time to debut, but it was transitional – we were going from the aftermath of the Attitude Era into the Divas era.”

Natalya also spent time managing the tag team of Cesaro and her real-life husband Tyson Kidd, before the women’s evolution exploded and she was back to wrestling full-time.

She said: “I’ve been with the company through a lot of different changes and a lot of growth. But the last two years I’ve seen this real surge.

“On Raw this Monday I was in a 26-minute Fatal 4-Way with Sasha Banks, Alexa Bliss, and Ember Moon. We were so excited to have the opportunity to get out there and do what we love.

“It’s not about first ever women’s ladder matches or first tables matches or first Hell in a Cell anymore. We’re breaking down barriers and it’s becoming normal for women to main event.”

Ask any hardcore fan and they’re sure to agree that Natalya has long been one of the most underrated wrestlers on the roster.

Taking a role much like her legendary uncle Owen Hart, Natalya has often been relied on to have great matches with any opponent – especially during the Divas era, when the roster wasn’t as strong as it is now – and elevate new talents.

11 Natalya is one of the most trusted performers on the female roster Credit: WWE

11 The veteran recently enjoyed a run as WWE SmackDown Women's champion Credit: WWE

Her recent run as SmackDown Women’s Champion felt like a reward for years of hard work in this role – and it’s something that Natalya takes a huge amount of pride in.

She said: “I like it when people say that about me – we all want to be in great matches.

“It’s a great aspiration to have. You want to be that girl or guy who can have that great match with anyone.

“I’ve been working with Sasha Banks a lot on Raw and I see that in her too. I was so impressed with her in that Fatal 4-Way.

“Whether it’s Sasha against Charlotte, Sasha against Bayley… it’s just every girl I see in there with Sasha. She brings out the best in her opponents.”

It was Natalya’s all-round ability that led Triple H to handpick her as an opponent for Charlotte Flair at the original NXT TakeOver back in May 2014 – a match featured on Then, Now, Forever.

Though Paige v Emma from several months earlier is often credited as kick-starting the women’s evolution, the Natalya v Charlotte match raised the bar considerably.

With Bret Hart and Ric Flair in their respective corners, the women put on a blistering battle for the vacant NXT Women’s Championship.

Natalya said: “I never knew how much Triple H believed in me until that moment. He knew I was the right person to elevate Charlotte and give her this moment.

“I think Triple H saw similarities in me and Charlotte. We both come from wrestling backgrounds. Charlotte had those same shoes to fill and family expectations. We didn’t even have a time limit. Triple said, ‘Just go in there and tear the house down.’

“It was my first time in my WWE career that I was just allowed to be me – to go in there and just do my thing and have complete control. It was such a special moment for me.

“That match sparked this surge of more incredible women’s matches in NXT. Then the girls on the main roster wanted those matches too. It was this crazy collaboration of the universe coming together – the fans, WWE management, and the girls all being on board and saying, ‘We need this.’”

11 Charllotte puts Natalya in her own move at NXT TakeOver Credit: WWE

11 Charlotte hits a moonsault at NXT Credit: WWE

And after winning the Fatal 4-Way this past Monday, Natalya could be a contender for MITB.

All she needs to do is get past Sasha Banks, Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Naomi, Lana, Alexa Bliss, and Ember Moon and grab the briefcase

Natalya said: “There are so may valuable players in that match. I would love to win and face the Raw Women’s Champion. I haven’t conquered that yet.

“I feel like I have the advantage because I have some momentum – I feel like I could win it. All the stars have been aligning for me.”

But with such a rich history in WWE, what does Natalya see for the future of WWE’s women’s division?

She said: “It would be awesome to have Serena Williams to come and be part of the division. Simone Biles is another one I’d love to have.

“She’s one of the best gymnasts in the world but she’s bubbly and has this amazing energy about her. She’d be amazing to have in the women’s division.”

Then, Now, Forever: The Evolution of WWE’s Women’s Division is out DVD June 25. Pre-order at WWEDVD.co.uk