WWE veteran Natalya Neidhart has unveiled her new memoir, The Last Hart Beating: From the Dungeon to WWE, offering a candid look into her life as a member of the renowned Hart wrestling family. The book reflects on her nearly two-decade career in WWE, her personal struggles, and the legacy of the Hart dynasty.
In her memoir, the 43-year-old wrestler delves into her upbringing, sharing insights about the pressures of maintaining her family’s esteemed reputation. Natalya, a six-time Guinness World Records titleholder, confronts challenging moments, including her father Jim Neidhart’s struggles with addiction and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), as well as the devastating career-ending injury of her husband, TJ Wilson.
As the memoir is released, Natalya embraces her new identity as the “Low-Key Legend,” showcasing her determination to evolve within the wrestling industry. This period of reinvention is marked by her willingness to compete against rising talents, both within and outside WWE. “I feel like I have a lot left in the tank,” she stated, expressing renewed confidence in her abilities.
Natalya also operates The Dungeon 2.0, a unique training facility inspired by her grandfather, Stu Hart. At this venue, she collaborates with Wilson to mentor the next generation of wrestlers. Recently, WWE superstar Dwayne Johnson visited the facility, highlighting the strong networks within the wrestling community.
In an interview reflecting on her memoir, Natalya expressed a deep sense of relief now that her story is available to the public. “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” she noted. “People are resonating with my experiences, and many have shared they wish the book were longer.” This response reassures her that her vulnerability in sharing personal stories is meaningful to readers.
When discussing her father, Natalya acknowledged the complexity of their relationship. “He is a main character in my story,” she explained, indicating that many readers, including family members, connect with themes of father-daughter dynamics in her narrative.
The memoir features a poignant account of Wilson’s injury, which altered the course of both their lives. “It was one of the darkest times for me,” Natalya admitted. “However, it also led to new beginnings and hope, which I felt was crucial to share.” She emphasized the importance of revealing both triumphs and challenges, stating, “You can’t have stars without darkness.”
Another highlight of the memoir is the foreword written by Dwayne Johnson, who agreed to contribute without hesitation. Natalya described their relationship as one built on mutual respect, noting their shared history in wrestling. Johnson’s involvement added significant weight to her story, and she credited him with helping her shape the book’s conclusion through thoughtful discussions.
As she looks back on her reality television experience with Total Divas, Natalya suggests that a modernized approach could capture deeper narratives in the wrestling world. “I want to unlock more of what’s really going on behind the stories,” she said. “There’s so much potential for growth and exploration.”
The emergence of the “Low-Key Legend” persona has allowed Natalya to experiment with her identity within WWE. Inspired by a recent masterclass led by John Cena, she recognized the need for change. “I realized I had to take a chance on myself,” she stated, expressing pride in her evolution and the support she received from WWE.
Looking forward, Natalya hopes to incorporate the essence of her new persona into WWE programming. “It would be a dream come true,” she said. “I want to show the world who the ‘Low-Key Legend’ is.”
Fans can meet Natalya during her upcoming book tour in Orlando on November 23, 2023, from 15:00 to 17:00 at Dave & Buster’s. She continues to appear regularly on WWE programming, including WWE Raw, WWE SmackDown, and WWE NXT, showcasing her commitment to both wrestling and storytelling.
