Indi Hartwell Reflects On Making WWE NXT Return Ahead Of TNA Knockouts World Title Win

TNA's Indi Hartwell has discussed her return to WWE at a recent "WWE NXT" show and how it felt to return to her old stomping grounds.

The current TNA Knockouts Champion competed in a WWE #1 contenders match to determine the next challenger for the NXT Women's Championship just days before winning the Knockouts title at Bound for Glory. In an edition of "Unseen with Joey Karni," Hartwell detailed her emotions ahead of her NXT appearance and how she felt after competing in the match.

"Yeah, I think I was so happy and smiley because I was kind of worried that the audience wouldn't remember me or, not that they wouldn't remember me, but that they wouldn't care anymore because the business moves fast and a lot has happened in NXT since I was there. So, that's why I was so happy, and yeah, I guess it did give me a sense of closure," she said. "I was able to, you know, talk with old coaches, producers, and people that I worked with there because when you get released, you don't get to say bye to some people." 

Aside from giving her closure on her WWE run, the appearance also provided much-needed momentum ahead of her Knockouts title match at Bound for Glory, where she defeated Xia Brookside. It also gave her the opportunity to face her compatriot Zaria, with whom she had never previously shared the ring.

"So, yeah, I feel like it was a bit of closure, also a lot of momentum going into Bound for Glory. I got to have a moment with Zaria in the ring, which was cool. Her and I have never ever crossed paths before. So, yeah, two Aussies facing off in the NXT ring on TV. I think it's pretty special," she added. 

The #1 Contenders Battle Royal was eventually won by Wren Sinclair, who went on to challenge NXT Women's Champion Kelani Jordan at NXT Halloween Havoc but came up short.