Natalya to challenge for NWA Women’s title at Crockett Cup

WWE star Natalya could become the new NWA World Women’s Champion next month.

It’s been confirmed that Natalya will challenge Kenzie Paige for the belt at the NWA’s Crockett Cup 2025 event in Philadelphia on Saturday, May 17. The show is taking place at the 2300 Arena and is being filmed to air on future episodes of NWA Power.

“It’s always our distinct honor to host this modern version of the Crockett Cup, but holding the event in this great and historic building in Philadelphia, with the addition of a WWE Superstar such as Natalya, in an NWA title match no less, shows how far we have come,” NWA President Billy Corgan said while announcing the match.

With it already known that Natalya would be competing at the Crockett Cup, an angle took place at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII over WrestleMania week setting up Paige as her opponent. The two got into a brawl after Natalya defeated Miyu Yamashita.

Natalya said Bloodsport was one of the most fun experiences she’s had in her career, and she viewed it as an important opportunity to keep proving herself. Natalya signed a new multi-year WWE contract in 2024 but isn’t content with just cashing a paycheck.

“I just loved every second of [Bloodsport], and I felt like it was a side that was like I had to show everyone what I can do,” she told the Toronto Sun’s No Holds Barred podcast. “Because I’m so hungry, I just love what I do so much, but I’m also not comfortable just taking a paycheck in WWE and being like, ‘Well, I’m here.’ I know there’s something to being patient, but I’m also to the point in my career where I’m like — I just need more, I want more, and I’m creating more opportunities. I’m not waiting for them to happen, I’m creating them. And that’s why it was so important to me. So that was like really the highlight of my week.”

WWE granted Natalya permission to compete at both Bloodsport and in this NWA match.

Paige is approaching two years as champion after dethroning Kamille for the NWA Women’s title in August 2023.

An NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship match with Thom Latimer defending against Rhino is also set for the May 17 event, and the show will feature the annual Crockett Cup tag team tournament.