Background: Nattie “Natalya” Neidhart debuted in SHIMMER during the fall of 2006, ready to take on the best. And the best at that time was none other than the undefeated Sara Del Rey.
“SHIMMER Volume 7”
Berwyn, IL
October 22, 2006
Sara Del Rey vs. Nattie Neidhart
The early going saw both women looking for submissions and pinning combinations that were unsuccessful. When Nattie decided to fake a test of strength for a kick, Del Rey unleashed a forearm that dropped Nattie immediately. The future Natalya was reeling early as Del Rey plowed through the second-generation grappler. The pace quickened, only for Del Rey to run into a knee to her abdomen.
Nattie worked “Death Rey” from top to bottom before honing in on Del Rey’s left leg in preparation for the Sharpshooter. Nattie did a great job grounding Sara with stiff forearms every time Sara got up before dragging Del Rey to the ring’s middle for some leg wrenches and leg snaps. Smartly, Del Rey tried to turn this thing into a brawl so Nattie would forget her game plan, but Nattie’s striking prowess hurt Del Rey’s strategy.
In an amazing show of toughness and her submission defense, Del Rey blocked the Sharpshooter before sweeping Nattie into a submission of her own. Nattie was close enough to the ropes, but the momentum shift allowed Sara to gain her second wind. A pair of big boots from Del Rey put Nattie in position for a suplex, but couldn’t get a three count. Del Rey going for another big boot cost her as she took a discus clothesline.
Neidhart’s attempts at the Sharpshooter were failures, but not the German suplex that almost gained her that precious victory. To the shock of everyone, Sara Del Rey swept Nattie into a Sharpshooter of her own. Nattie knew the escape of her patented maneuver, but not the Royal Butterfly following a clothesline exchange. Tossing Nattie over her head when the submission portion of her finisher didn’t work, Sara Del Rey was able to pin Nattie Neidhart.
Winner: Sara Del Rey (18:47)
Is It A Classic: This is definitely an early classic in the history of this seven-year-old, all-women’s wrestling company. Every move felt important and constituted to the end result. You don’t have to be just a women’s wrestling fan to enjoy this piece of beautiful work.
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