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INDI HARTWELL EMBRACING FREEDOM, CHASING GOLD IN TNA

As TNA Wrestling barrels toward Slammiversary in Boston on June 28th, few talents appear more motivated than Indi Hartwell.

The former WWE and NXT star has quickly become one of the central figures in TNA’s evolving Knockouts division, pursuing both Arianna Grace and reigning Knockouts World Champion Lei Ying Lee while adjusting to a completely different creative environment than the one she experienced during her five years under the WWE umbrella.

Speaking with PWInsiderElite.com, Hartwell reflected on the changing landscape of TNA’s women’s division and her determination to finally capture championship gold.

“When you compare the state of the Knockouts division last year compared to this year, it is very different,” Hartwell said. “There are a lot of different Knockouts in the mix for the title picture. We’ve seen the title change hands quite a few times since the last Slammiversary, and unfortunately, I haven’t been able to achieve my dream of becoming the Knockouts World Champion. But the goal remains the same.”

With TNA recently announcing the return of Ultimate X at Slammiversary, Hartwell also floated the possibility of the historic match stipulation being used for the Knockouts Championship.

“I think it would be amazing to see the Knockouts World Title up for grabs in Ultimate X,” Hartwell said. “It would be kind of game-changing.”

The Australian star acknowledged that TNA has given her an opportunity to showcase a different side of herself creatively after spending years in WWE’s tightly structured system.

“The creative freedom is something I’m still trying to get used to because I was in a place for five years where it’s very micromanaged,” Hartwell explained. “Every step matters. Every step you take is intentional.”

She contrasted the WWE developmental structure with TNA’s roster, noting that many talents in TNA come from wrestling-heavy backgrounds and are trusted with greater freedom.

“At TNA, everyone comes from wrestling, whether that’s the indies or WWE, so people kind of know what they’re doing when it comes to the wrestling part of it,” she said.

Hartwell also opened up about the challenges of relocating from Australia to the United States to pursue her wrestling dreams, revealing that the transition was far more difficult than many fans realize.

“If I could have moved to America earlier than I did, I would have, but unfortunately, without a visa, it’s quite impossible,” Hartwell said. “I had just turned 23 when I moved over. I was still living at home with my parents. My mom was still doing my laundry for me, so when I moved into my first apartment in America, I didn’t even know how to turn on the washing machine.”

Now 29 years old, Hartwell described spending much of her twenties away from family as both rewarding and emotionally difficult.

“It was always my dream to live in the US because I knew that was the hotbed for wrestling, and that’s where I knew I had to be,” she said.

Hartwell additionally detailed the mental and physical grind of international travel while building her career. Before signing with WWE, she balanced a full-time call center job, gym training, wrestling school, and regular trips to the United States.

“I’d work 7:00 to 3:00, then after that I’d go straight to the gym, and after that I’d go to wrestling training,” she recalled. “I wouldn’t be home until 11:00 PM or close to midnight, and then the next day I’d do it all again.”

Even now, Hartwell remains constantly on the move between TNA appearances and independent bookings, recently completing what she described as a grueling 17-day travel stretch spanning California, Australia, Sacramento, and New York.

As TNA continues expanding its touring schedule following its move to AMC, Hartwell said fan support has stood out everywhere the company has traveled.

“We’re on a new trajectory now on AMC,” Hartwell said. “We’ve got the new channel. We’re stepping it up. All the shows this year, the crowds have been amazing.”

With Slammiversary approaching and the Knockouts division heating up, Hartwell made it clear there is only one opponent she truly wants standing across the ring from her in Boston.

“The obvious answer is Lei Ying Lee,” Hartwell said. “She’s the champion. I grew up with the TNA toy belts. I want to turn the toy belt into the real thing.”

Indi Hartwell can be seen every Thursday on TNA Thursday Night Impact on AMC and TNA+.

Mike Johnson can be reached at MikeJohnsonPWInsider@gmail.com

 

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