Natalya: Vince McMahon Was ‘So Supportive’ After Jim Neidhart’s Death
Vince McMahon has his critics and detractors, but Natalya isn’t one of them. The current WWE star had high praise for McMahon’s support after Natalya’s father, Jim Neidhart, died last month.
Natalya discussed the response from McMahon during an appearance with her husband Tyson Kidd on a recent episode of Chris Jericho’s Talk Is Jericho podcast.
“He just was so supportive,” Natalya said, comparing McMahon to her grandfather, renowned wrestling trainer and patriarch of the Hart Dynasty, Stu Hart. “I know Vince has always loved my dad. Just like Stu. I talk affectionately about my grandfather Stu but I kind of feel the same way about Vince. Vince is really fatherly to a lot of us. I think Vince really cared about my dad and gave my dad so many opportunities and so many opportunities to shine. Vince was just so supportive and so understanding and he just wanted me to be with my mom and my sisters and pretty much open to whatever I needed.“
Neidhart’s funeral was the same weekend as Summerslam and Natalya was not sure she would be able to make the event. She did, wearing her father’s jacket and seconding Ronda Rousey for her Raw Women’s Title victory.
“What was so sweet was just being included in Summerslam, because I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to make the show. And Vince really wanted me there,” she said. “I think, for as long as I live, I will remember thinking to myself, ‘Know what? I needed that.’ I actually really needed to go to Summerslam and get my mind off of things. Vince wanted me to have that. He just wanted me to get my mind off things. I just felt so proud walking out there.“
