Total Divas recap: Natalya embraces the dark side

Natalya undergoes a major shift on this week’s Total Divas when she is informed that, for the first time in years, her on-screen persona will be switched to that of a villain. She’s a little hesitant that the audience won’t accept the new Nattie at first, a fear that’s proved correct when she blindsides Becky Lynch and is greeted with cheers — the kiss of death for any would-be scoundrel on TV. The crowd reaction doesn’t seem to be improving with time — another sneak attack is met with straight silence — so she starts exploring ways to lean full-tilt into the realm of villainy, be it a black wig (she hates it, but it looks pretty good on Dolph Ziggler) or a potential team-up with Eva Marie, which is soundly shot down by the powers that be. Ultimately, Nattie gets what she’s going after by simply staying the course, and after yet another attack on The Irish Lass Kicker, the WWE Universe finally comes around and gives her the boos she so richly craves.