Indi Hartwell Says She’s Still Getting Used To TNA Wrestling Creative Freedom: ‘At WWE, Things Are Very Micromanaged’

WWE

Indi Hartwell has revealed that she is still getting used to the creative freedom of TNA Wrestling, comparing it to the ‘micromanaged’ WWE.

On November 1, 2024, Indi Hartwell was released from her WWE contract, having signed with the company in 2019.

Debuting in TNA Wrestling back in April of last year, Hartwell has been a regular fixture in the company, although admitted that she is still getting used the creative process in her new home.

Speaking to Studio 1 Sports, Hartwell compared her current experience to that in WWE, describing the latter as “very micromanaged”.

Stating that she is still getting used to having creative freedom one year into her time with TNA Wrestling, she explained:

“I’d obviously heard how much creative freedom you have at TNA, but it’s something that I’m still trying to get used to.

“At WWE, things are very micromanaged, especially at NXT, because you’re kind of learning the ropes, so every step is intentional. It’s something that I’m not really used to, I feel like that kind of made my creativity go away, so I’m still trying to find it.

“It’s only been a year, you could look at a year and think that’s a long time, but in reality, I’ve been wrestling for 10 years, so the past year at TNA is only 10% of my career. There’s still more to come, still more to learn, more to grow.”

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During her time in WWE, Hartwell would hold the NXT Women’s Championship and is a former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion with Candice LeRae.

Her TNA Wrestling run to date has seen no title success, although the star has previously sought the Knockouts World Championship.

Indi Hartwell Found The Way

Arguably, Indi Hartwell was at her most entertaining as a member of The Way, with Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae and Austin Theory, on NXT.

An occasionally dysfunctional faction, The Way would seek all the glory in frequently comedic styles, with Gargano going on to become North American Champion, along with the aforementioned Women’s Tag Team Championship run for LeRae and Hartwell.

It was during this period that Hartwell would become infatuated, leading to their eventual ‘wedding’ in September 2021. Hartwell has shared her thoughts on why the InDex storyline connected with fans, noting that “they can relate to falling in love“.

Between the silent and intimidating Lumis, who had previously kidnapped Austin Theory, and the hopeful star that is Hartwell, it was a touching story that did hit home with many fans.  The pair have since reunited, with the former Lumis unveiling a new look thanks to his WWE wife.

While WWE may be described as creatively ‘micromanaged’, there’s no doubt that this works for the company.

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• tna wrestling
• Indi Hartwell
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