What Is WWE's Problem With The Way?
The Way made its way to the WWE main roster in May 2023. And since then "nothing happened" is an understatement.
We knew we had to be patient. Indi Hartwell was injured, Gargano was not at 100% and his best friend Tommaso Ciampa, who was never part of The Way but seemingly - and also Gargano's best friend - factored into plans for the group, was still out injured.
Two months later and all we got was the rare backstage segment that led to nothing and the terrible return of Indi Hartwell to the ring on this Monday's episode of Raw.
Indi Hartwell, who unfortunately injured her foot during her final NXT run, was finally ready to come back and all they had was going out in the first round alongside Candice LeRae in a Tag Team Turmoil match. They did not even get an entrance. Who did The Way hurt? Nikki Cross, who is still running after Candice for whatever reason, probably should be more concerned about Candice's creative future than her physical well-being.
Ciampa is also back. But instead, he is feuding with The Miz.
The Way is a group of highly talented people but in a 3 hour show seemingly has no room for them.
But first things first: Who are "The Way"?
Johnny Gargano
Leader and "father" of the highly entertaining stable. Husband of Candice LeRae and one of the great NXT Champions in history.
Candice LeRae
Former NXT Women's Tag Team Champion alongside Indi Hartwell, "mother" of the team and wife to Johnny Gargano.
Indi Hartwell
The "daughter" of the group. A beloved member of the NXT Women's division.
"Married" to Dexter Lumis as a part of "Index" and former NXT Women's Champion.
Dexter Lumis
Extremely underrated performer on the WWE roster. Can get over hard once giving enough TV time.
"Married" to Indi Hartwell and first foe now a friend of Johnny Gargano.
As previously mentioned Ciampa is Gargano's best friend and they used to be long-running rivals as well. In addition, they also formed the highly decorated Tag Team "DIY".
Another name we should mention is Austin Theory. Somehow still the United States Champion over on SmackDown. He used to play the role of "the son" and the group was previously designed to get him over and ready for the main roster.
The Way was a constant entertaining highlight on NXT every week and served for many memorable moments on NXT - for example the beautiful "Index" wedding on the first NXT 2.0 episode.
Fast forward and WWE showed us they have not forgotten. Index and ultimately The Way was brought back in the crowing moment of Indi Hartwell's NXT run as she won the NXT Women's Championship.
And then? Well, that was really it. WWE currently is struggling to deliver more moments with the beloved group.
Those four could easily be inserted into a comedic storyline, a tag team run (with both Gargano/Lumis and Indi/Candice), a singles title program, and a stable war. There are plenty of options to choose from and all of them have shown how hot they can get with the crowd. Gargano was the king of wrestling tv at one point in his career and Dexter Lumis single handily pushed WWE Raw interest after Triple H took over creative.
I think the group has done their waiting and it is time to make them what they are born to be: The backbone of WWE program. It is the only way!
