Nattie has weighed in on the controversy involving Avery Styles, son of AJ Styles, and indie veteran Arik Cannon, admitting she feels bad that her praise helped spark the entire public dispute.
The situation started after Nattie watched Avery face Marcus Mathers at GCW Rude Awakening on January 8 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Avery took the loss, and Nattie praised him for it, saying it showed his willingness to “pay your dues” in pro wrestling without being protected because of his father’s name.
Cannon pushed back on the notion that the young wrestler was humble. According to the veteran, Avery was asked twice to help set up chairs for the event but stayed in the locker room until the work was done, showing a very different side than what Nattie had described.
AJ Styles jumped into the discussion, responding that his son was booked to wrestle, not to work as part of the setup and teardown crew.
Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Nattie said the issue should have been handled directly and kept off social media.
“Everybody is allowed to feel how they want to feel, but I’m just really big on communication… I think the most mature way for everyone to handle stuff, especially if you have a problem with someone directly, is just talk to them and say, ‘Hey, this is what I feel, and I just want to pass this message along to you.’
I do feel bad because I didn’t mean to cause this big controversy. All I was trying to do is send out a positive message because that went to the GCW show and the match that impressed the hell out of me was Marcus [Mathers] vs. Avery.”
GCW also responded, making it clear that Cannon does not speak for the company. Promotion owner Brett Lauderdale went further in defending Avery, pointing out that he’s only 19 and still early in his career. Lauderdale said the young wrestler earned his spot on the show based on talent, not because of who his father is.