Indi Hartwell addressed her WWE release in a video uploaded to her YouTube channel on Saturday.
Hartwell was one of three roster cuts the company made on November 1, along with Tegan Nox and Baron Corbin. Hartwell and Nox were both released and will be free to sign with other companies after 90 days. Corbin was informed his contract would not be renewed and he will be a free agent whenever it expires.
Hartwell says she was not expecting to be released but “took it like a champ.”
She says in the video:
“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.”
“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.”
Bayley commented on the video, writing, “ON POINT! When it matters most… Love you dude. You made me laugh in this video even in your most troubled times…respect.”
Hartwell continued to say that her positive experiences in WWE outweigh any negative feelings she may have.
“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.”
Hartwell wrote on Instagram last week that she’s got to live out a “childhood dream” over the last five years and is feeling grateful. Several wrestlers responded to the post, including CM Punk, who wrote, “Love you, Indiana. It isn’t over.”
“Legend,” wrote Candice LeRae.
“I love you!! I can’t wait to see ALL that you do,” wrote Katana Chance.
“You are a badass,” wrote Tay Melo.
“I love you so much 🤍 this is just the beginning and I am SEATED to watch what you do next 🥹,” wrote Maxxine Dupri.
Hartwell says it’s been touching to receive so many nice messages from those who have reached out.
“I’ve just really, truly appreciated every single person that’s reached out to me to check on me and send love. I’ve loved reading through all the comments, people saying nice things. And for those of you who didn’t reach out to me, you are on my naughty list—I’ve got all your names written down here. But it honestly has been really nice to be reminded of how loved I am.”