How to Get Into Wrestling: Indi Hartwell Shares Her Must-Watch Matches

In a conversation with Josh Bernstein of The Stunner, current TNA star Indi Hartwell was asked to create a "mixtape" of two matches she would show a new fan to get them into professional wrestling.

After a moment of thought, she had her first pick ready. "First one has to be Sasha Banks vs. Bayley, NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 2015," Hartwell stated. The choice was personal, as she explained it was "the match that got me into wrestling."

Bernstein agreed with the pick, noting he was there live and calling it "probably the best match I've ever seen live." He then shared a personal story illustrating the power of women's wrestling.

"I have two young daughters, and during the pandemic I was like, 'We're just going to have to watch wrestling, we're all trapped here.' And I showed them WWE Evolution," Bernstein explained. The event made his daughters instant fans. The experience shaped their entire perception of the sport. "Maybe about six months later, I put on Monday Night Raw," he continued, "they said: 'Dad, men wrestle too?'"

"Usually it's the opposite!" Hartwell laughed in response.

For her second pick, Hartwell opted for something with a different flavor. "I think I'd throw in like a celebrity match, maybe Sami Zayn versus Johnny Knoxville from WrestleMania."

She explained the logic behind choosing the wildly entertaining spectacle. "I think that's a cool match 'cause it's easy for non-wrestling fans to understand," Hartwell said. "You know, there are matches for wrestling fans and there are matches to bring in new casual fans that tell a story."

Her choices highlighted two different but equally important sides of the wrestling world: the masterful in-ring storytelling that inspires future wrestlers and the pure, accessible fun that can capture a whole new audience.