Image: WWE
Though she and Johnny Gargano are expecting their first child, Candice LeRae wants to stay on NXT television as long as possible while pregnant.
LeRae and Gargano announced on Thursday that their first child is expected to arrive in February 2022. In an Instagram post today, LeRae wrote that she doesn’t plan on being away from NXT until she absolutely has to be. LeRae joked that Indi Hartwell clearly needs her, and LeRae said she wants to be there for the women in the NXT locker room as long as she possibly can.
LeRae wrote that she’ll have to take a step back from the physical side of pro wrestling for a while, but she knows it will be worth it.
“This road for me and Johnny has been long and I’ve had days where I thought this would never happen for us,” LeRae wrote. “It’s hard as a woman to choose between your career you’ve wanted since childhood and growing a life inside you. There never seems to be a right time. I have been a wrestler for 19 years and it’s been my constant since I was a little girl. It’s my first love. It’s given me irreplaceable friends, a brother, experiences I’d have never had otherwise, the blessing of traveling the world, the ability to make an impact on people’s lives, and (last but not least) a husband.”
LeRae & Hartwell were formerly NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions together. They’re part of The Way with Gargano in NXT. This week’s NXT episode featured an angle where Hartwell went on her first date with Dexter Lumis.
LeRae’s full Instagram post is available below:
Just when I didn’t think I could possibly be happier, you all proved me wrong. My heart is so full of love and support I never expected.
This road for me and Johnny has been long and I’ve had days where I thought this would never happen for us. It’s hard as a woman to choose between your career you’ve wanted since childhood and growing a life inside you. There never seems to be a right time. I have been a wrestler for 19 years and it’s been my constant since I was a little girl. It’s my first love. It’s given me irreplaceable friends, a brother, experiences I’d have never had otherwise, the blessing of traveling the world, the ability to make an impact on people’s lives, and (last but not least) a husband.
I don’t plan on being ‘away’ until I absolutely have to. Indi clearly needs me! And I want to be there for my locker room of girls as long as I possibly can! However, I do have to take a step back from my favorite part of this business for a while- physically wrestling. But I know this little one is going to be soooo very worth every second away from the ring.
I’m incredibly thankful for the love and support from everyone! It’s helped me feel at peace and whole and I’m sure this little one growing inside me feels every bit of it too!
I’m incredibly lucky. Thank you all. I love you 3000!