"I didn't expect it," says 2-time champion on sudden WWE release
A popular two-time WWE champion recently discussed their sudden release from the Stamford-based promotion. The champion being referred to is Indi Hartwell.
Hartwell signed a contract with WWE in 2019 and started performing on the company's developmental brand, NXT. She went on to make a huge name for herself by winning the NXT Women's Championship and the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship alongside Candice LeRae. The 28-year-old was drafted to RAW in 2023 and many believed she would thrive under Triple H's leadership. However, the star was recently released from her contract on November 1, 2024.
Indi Hartwell recently uploaded a video on her YouTube channel, in which she talked about her sudden release from the Stamford-based promotion. Hartwell said that despite the setback, she was feeling good, but also mentioned that she never expected to get released from WWE.
"A week ago today, I was released from my WWE contract, and it’s been a weird week of different feelings and emotions. It’s still pretty fresh, but honestly, I can say that I’m doing well, and I’m feeling good. Now, I’m sure a lot of people can say, ‘How didn’t you see this coming? You should have seen this coming.’ But honestly, the past few weeks, like maybe 2 or 3 weeks of being back on TV, I didn’t have that feeling at all, and I didn’t expect it. But, I took it like a champ," she said.
The former WWE Women's NXT Champion added that she saw her time with the Stamford-based promotion in a positive light and appreciated everyone who reached out to her in this difficult moment of her career.
"Honestly, the positive experiences that I had there and all my positive feelings, they outweigh any negative feelings. I am very much looking on the bright side of things. I love to keep perspective. So, that's why I feel like I've been so positive about this and I hope that's evident in the message that I put out on Instagram. (...) But it honestly has been really nice to be reminded of how loved I am. So, I do really, truly appreciate anyone who's given me a positive message. I'm sure I'll talk about it all more, you know, as the weeks go on, as I upload more. But I think for now I'll leave it at that," she added. [6:24 - 8:16]
Check out her YouTube video below:
Johnny Gargano is excited to see what Indi Hartwell has in store following her release from WWE
During an interview with Metro, WWE star Johnny Gargano said that he and his wife, Candice LeRae, believed a lot in Indi Hartwell and they thought she had a lot to offer in the pro wrestling world.
Gargano also mentioned that he was excited to see what Hartwell could go on to achieve in the wrestling business.
"Obviously, everybody knows what Indi means to me and Candice, we absolutely love and we absolutely believe in her. We still do believe that she’s so incredibly young, I think she’s got a lot to offer the wrestling world, and I am very excited to see what she shows the wrestling world," said Gargano.
It remains to be seen what Indi Hartwell has planned for her future in professional wrestling.
Please credit Indi Hartwell's YouTube channel and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling if you use quotes from the first half of this article.