NWA Revives Crockett Cup With WWE’s Natalya Set For Historic Appearance

One Big Thing

WWE superstar Natalya will compete at the NWA Crockett Cup on May 17 at Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena, marking her first non-WWE match since 2007.

Why It Matters

This appearance signals WWE’s growing openness to working with outside promotions, following recent partnerships with TNA and Pro Wrestling NOAH.

Key Details

• Event takes place at the historic 2300 Arena (former ECW Arena)
• Natalya’s opponent remains unannounced
• This follows her announced appearance at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport during WrestleMania weekend

By The Numbers

• 16+ years since Natalya’s last non-WWE match
• 25 years since WWE and NWA’s last collaboration (1998)

Historical Context

WWE’s relationship with NWA has a rich history:

• WWE was an NWA member during wrestling’s territorial era
• Split from NWA under Vince McMahon’s leadership
• Brief collaboration during the 1998 Attitude Era

What’s Next

The wrestling community watches to see if this appearance leads to broader collaboration between WWE and NWA, or remains a one-time event.

The Bottom Line

This booking represents another step in WWE’s evolving approach to inter-promotional relationships, potentially opening doors for future collaborations.

What do you think about WWE allowing its talent to appear in other promotions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.