Natalya, the former WWE Divas Champion and SmackDown Women’s Champion, is set to receive the Lou Thesz Award from the Cauliflower Alley Club at the 2025 CAC Reunion in August. Natalya has been signed to WWE for 18 years, signing a developmental deal in 2007 and making her main roster debut in 2008. She recently appeared in Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport, NWA, and Evolve.
The Cauliflower Alley Club issued the following statement:
The Cauliflower Alley Club is proud to welcome “The Queen of Harts” Natalya Neidhart into the CAC Hall of Fame as the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Lou Thesz Award.
A trailblazer in every sense of the word, Natalya has carved out a legacy defined by excellence, resilience, and historic firsts. From her deep amateur wrestling roots to her world-renowned technical prowess and mastery of submission wrestling, she has carried the Hart family legacy with unmatched pride—while building a powerhouse legacy of her own.
Throughout her storied career, Natalya has broken records, shattered barriers, and helped redefine what it means to be a woman in professional wrestling. As a competitor, mentor, and role model, she has elevated the business both inside and outside the ring, and her contributions continue to influence generations to come.
We are honored beyond words to announce that Natalya Neidhart is the first female professional wrestler to ever receive the Lou Thesz Award—a recognition reserved for those who exemplify technical brilliance, leadership, and multi-faceted contributions to the industry.
Natalya Neidhart will receive the Lou Thesz Award at this year’s reunion—making her the first female pro wrestler ever to earn this prestigious honor.
Aug 18–20, 2025 at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Get your tickets👇 https://t.co/gStNEjtrDJ @NatbyNature pic.twitter.com/h8JVPNB89u— Cauliflower Alley Club (@CACReunion) June 8, 2025
Natalya Neidhart To Receive Lou Thesz Award
Although Natalya Neidhart is the first female to receive the Lou Thesz Award, she is not the first woman to be honored by the Cauliflower Alley Club. The CAC has a Women’s Wrestling Award category and also honored Wendi Richter with the Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
Natalya holds six Guinness World Records for her work within WWE. This list includes most matches wrestled by a female wrestler in WWE, most pay-per-view appearances for a woman in WWE, most wins, and most WrestleMania appearances.
Over the years, the Lou Thesz Award has honored wrestling legends like Kurt Angle, Ron Simmons, Shawn Michaels, and Arn Anderson, among others. Natalya’s uncle and grandfather, Bret and Stu Hart, both received the CAC Iron Mike Mazurki Award, respectively in 2008 and 2001 (it honors people immediately recognizable both to those in wrestling and many people outside wrestling).
I’m coming to NWA to beat the shit out of Kenzie and anyone else who gets in my way, Billy. You can put who you like in there with us, result is going to be the same. Your girl is going to get mauled under your banner. -Nattie https://t.co/PnfHSJ11EN pic.twitter.com/ligYSy7s4d
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) May 13, 2025
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