Indi Hartwell has made it clear that she would welcome another chapter with Samuel Shaw in TNA, reopening the possibility that one of WWE NXT’s most unconventional and beloved on-screen relationships could eventually find new life on a different stage.
Hartwell and Shaw previously worked together in WWE NXT when Shaw performed as Dexter Lumis. Their characters became closely linked through The Way, the faction led by Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae that also included Austin Theory. What began as Lumis quietly and intensely pursuing Hartwell developed into the InDex storyline, a romance that blended the unusual personality of Lumis with Hartwell’s growing willingness to embrace the connection.
The angle became a memorable part of that NXT era, particularly because it unfolded over an extended period and gave its central characters a distinct emotional hook within a group frequently known for comedy, dysfunction and family-style dynamics. The storyline ultimately led to an on-screen wedding, with Hartwell and Lumis getting married during an episode of NXT.
Now, with Hartwell and Shaw both under the TNA banner, fans have naturally wondered whether the promotion could revisit that history. Hartwell addressed the prospect in a recent interview and indicated that the interest is mutual.
For more background on this topic, read Royce Keys Blames Jacob Fatu for Unlocking the Dark Side of 946.
“I honestly, I think it’s something that a lot of people want to see with like, anytime I’m at a signing or a convention or a show, someone will bring up how they loved index. It’s even years later, it’s something that is always brought up and like, honestly, for me, it’s probably the most fun I’ve had in my career, and I’m so proud of that storyline. We’re both open to doing something again because I feel like we never really got closure on it. It’s still open. So yeah, I’m interested in doing more with that.”
Hartwell reflects on a storyline that has endured with fans
Hartwell’s comments underline the lasting appeal of InDex. Wrestling stories do not always remain part of the audience conversation once the performers involved move to new feuds, new brands or new promotions. In this case, however, Hartwell said fans continue to bring up the pairing at personal appearances, conventions and shows.
That reaction helps explain why a reunion continues to generate curiosity. The InDex story was not built solely around matches or a title chase. It was a character-driven angle that allowed viewers to follow a gradual progression: Lumis’ odd but unwavering affection, Hartwell’s initial hesitation, the responses of those around them, and the eventual commitment between the two. Those elements created an investment that went beyond a short-term television segment.
Hartwell also called it the most fun she has had in her career and said she is proud of the work. That is significant because the story represented a prominent showcase for her personality. While Hartwell’s career has included major matches and championship moments, InDex allowed her to occupy a different kind of role: not simply a competitor pursuing victory, but a character involved in a serialized relationship that fans followed week after week.
The story also benefited from the contrast between its two leads. Shaw’s Lumis persona was famously quiet, unsettling and difficult to read. Hartwell brought a more openly expressive energy, making the changing dynamic accessible even when Lumis communicated very little. The unusual match created room for humor, sincerity and awkwardness without abandoning the eccentric tone that had defined Lumis.
A shared history now exists in TNA
The possibility is more tangible because Hartwell and Shaw are no longer separated by different companies or brands. Their shared past is now available as potential material for TNA programming, should the promotion decide there is a creative role for it.
Hartwell did not say that an InDex reunion has been planned, announced or discussed for television. Her comments instead establish that she and Shaw would be receptive to exploring it. That distinction matters. Interest from performers and nostalgia from audiences can create momentum, but a return would still depend on creative direction and how TNA chooses to use both wrestlers.
Even so, Hartwell’s belief that the original storyline never received full closure presents an obvious narrative foundation. Wrestling often revisits prior alliances, rivalries and relationships when performers reunite in a new environment. A TNA continuation would not necessarily need to repeat the exact structure of the WWE NXT angle. The passage of time, each performer’s individual evolution and the setting of a different promotion could give the concept a new context.
There are several broad storytelling directions available if TNA elects to acknowledge the history. The company could present a direct continuation and address the unfinished relationship. It could use their past as a one-off recognition for longtime viewers. Or it could allow the association to become a more serious element of either wrestler’s character. Hartwell’s remarks do not point to a specific option, but they make clear that she sees the prior story as unresolved rather than closed.
That unresolved quality is especially notable given how much professional wrestling relies on continuity. Fans who followed NXT during the original run remember the wedding and the connection between the characters, and Hartwell’s comments suggest she recognizes that viewers still carry those memories. Bringing that history into TNA would reward an audience that followed both wrestlers across promotions while also offering newer viewers a ready-made emotional backstory.
Why InDex connected during the NXT era
InDex emerged from an era in which The Way served as one of NXT’s most character-rich acts. Gargano and LeRae were positioned as the core of an exaggerated, often chaotic household, while Theory and Hartwell added different shades to the group. Lumis, who was not a conventional member in the same mold, became entwined with the group through his fascination with Hartwell.
The romance worked because the performers committed to its unusual premise. It could have remained a brief comedic aside, but it developed into a story with escalation and payoff. Hartwell’s reactions gave the angle its heart, while Shaw’s controlled, unconventional portrayal made it unlike a standard wrestling romance. Their wedding became a major marker in the story and remains one of the images fans associate with the pairing.
For Hartwell, the program also showed a willingness to lean into character work in addition to in-ring competition. Her statement that it was among the most enjoyable experiences of her career reflects the distinctive creative space the angle provided. In wrestling, a storyline can become defining not only because of the final destination, but because the performers find a connection with the crowd along the way. Hartwell’s description of fan reactions years later indicates that happened here.
Shaw’s presence in TNA adds another layer to the discussion. His identity and presentation are separate from the Dexter Lumis name used in WWE NXT, but the shared history with Hartwell remains central to why fans are interested in seeing the two interact again. The audience’s interest is tied to the people involved and the story they created together, not merely to a label.
Hartwell’s TNA future remains full of possibilities
Any potential InDex material would be one possible part of Hartwell’s TNA path, rather than the only direction available to her. Hartwell has a history of singles competition and championship ambition, and a renewed association with Shaw could function in numerous ways without defining everything she does in the promotion.
That flexibility may be the greatest strength of revisiting the concept. A relationship-driven angle could add depth to Hartwell’s presentation, create an immediate talking point for viewers familiar with her NXT work and potentially open interactions with other members of the roster. At the same time, it could coexist with her individual goals in the ring.
Hartwell also discussed her recent WWE NXT return elsewhere in the same interview, another reminder that her career has already taken her through several important stages. Her comments about Shaw, however, stand out because they address a connection that audiences have continued to remember long after its initial run.
For now, there is no confirmed on-screen reunion, no announced segment and no indication of when TNA might choose to acknowledge the InDex history. What is clear is that Hartwell sees value in the story, recognizes the continuing fan response and believes there is more that could be done. With Shaw now on the same roster, the circumstances exist for TNA to explore a sequel if it decides the time is right.
And for supporters who have continued to ask about InDex at conventions, signings and live events, Hartwell’s answer offers a straightforward takeaway: the door is open.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.