DEXTER LUMIS

Following the tournament, Lumis was not seen on NXT for several months until he made his return on the April 1 2020 episode of NXT where he defeated Jake Atlas. Throughout 2020, Lumis has allied with Velveteen Dream and frequently interfered in Dream’s matches. At NXT: Greatest American Bash, Lumis defeated Roderick Strong in a strap match and then beat Timothy Thatcher and Finn Bálor to qualify for a NXT North American Championship opportunity at NXT TakeOver: XXX.

On August 5, William Regal, NXT’s general manager, announced Lumis would not be participating at NXT TakeOver: XXX due to an ankle injury.

Dexter Lumis Returns From Injury

Lumis returned to NXT television on the September 30th episode of NXT, appearing in a backstage segment with Cameron Grimes. The following week, he defeated Austin Theory but was attacked by Grimes after the match. On the October 14th episode of NXT, Lumis challenged Damian Priest for the NXT North American Championship but lost after Grimes came out and stomped him on the apron while the referee was checking on Priest.

Lumis defeated Grimes in a Haunted House of Terror match at NXT: Halloween Havoc. On the November 11th episode of NXT, Lumis faced Timothy Thatcher in a match after the latter threw August Grey into a caricature that was painted by Lumis backstage. Lumis lost that match after Grimes interfered again with a distraction. Grimes subsequently wrapped Lumis’s head in a burlap sack and attacked him. The following week, they faced off in a blindfold match which ended in an apparent no contest after Grimes unknowingly knocked the referee unconscious and eventually ran off. Lumis then defeated Grimes in a strap match on at NXT TakeOver: WarGames.

Lumis Feuds with The Way

On January 6, 2021, Lumis hosted NXT TakeOver: New Year’s Evil. On the January 13th episode of NXT, Lumis lost to Johnny Gargano in a non-title match after interference by Theory.

During NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day, Lumis abducted Austin Theory from The Way before Gargano’s North American title match. On the February 24th episode of NXT, Lumis defeated Gargano in a non-title bout. During the match, Theory hesitated to hit Lumis with a chair and Indi Hartwell started to develop an attraction towards him.

On April 7, during Night 1 of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, Dexter Lumis took part in a six-man Gauntlet Eliminator match. The winner of the match would get to challenge for the North American Championship on Night 2. Lumis was eliminated second by LA Knight.

Dexter Lumis & Indi Hartwell Marry

On the following week’s NXT, Lumis teamed with Bronson Reed and the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon in an eight-person mixed tag team match against The Way.

On August 17, 2021, Indi Hartwell proposed to Lumis after the pair won a match on NXT, and Lumis accepted. Lumis and Hartwell had their wedding on the September 14 edition of NXT. During the ceremony Lumis choked out the priest allowing a recently ordained Beth Phoenix to take over. Lumis also spoke his very first words in WWE by saying “I do.”

On the December 7th episode on NXT, The Way disbanded after Johnny Gargano opted to leave when his contract expired.  On April 29, 2022, Shaw was initially released from his WWE contract.

Return to the Independent Circuit

Shaw made his first appearance since leaving WWE on June 11, 2022, at the National Wrestling Alliance pay-per-view Alwayz Ready. He competed in a fatal four-way match for the vacant NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship against Trevor Murdoch, Nick Aldis, and Thom Latimer. The match was won by Trevor Murdoch. Two days later he defeated Mercurio on an episode of NWA USA.

On June 26, 2022, Shaw appeared with USA Pro Wrestling, defeating Ryzin at the “USA Pro Wrestle War 2022” event. Shaw appeared with MCW Pro Wrestling at the 21st Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup on July 23rd. He substituted for Pat Brink and teamed with Alec Odin to unsuccessfully challenge the Trade (Eric Martin and Robert Locke) for the MCW Tag Team Championship.

Dexter Lumis Returns to WWE

Shaw made his unannounced return to WWE on the August 8th episode of RAW as Dexter Lumis. His return was preceded by subtle references such as a car wreck during a backstage segment as well as cops running to the source of trouble. Lumis was also seen in the crowd at the end of the main event between AJ Styles and The Miz in a No Disqualification match, where he was arrested.

On the August 22nd episode of RAW, Lumis kidnapped The Miz during a tag team match. The following night, on the August 23rd edition of NXT, Lumis reunited with his kayfabe wife Indi Hartwell to briefly reform InDex before being arrested by police.

On the September 5th episode of RAW, Lumis distracted Miz during a steel cage match against Bobby Lashley for the United States Championship. Lumis’ distraction cost The Miz the match and the title. He then came out and put The Miz to sleep after the show went off the air. Lumis then showed up at Miz’s residence the following week when he conducted an interview about the previous week’s incident. On the November 29 episode of RAW, Lumis defeated Miz in an Anything Goes match, earning himself a WWE contract and the money Miz owed him. On the December 19th episode of RAW, Lumis put his money on the line against Miz in a ladder match, which he lost after interference from the returning Bronson Reed, ending their feud.

Dexter Lumis Drafted to RAW

Dexter Lumis returned to NXT briefly on April 1, 2023 with an appearance at NXT Stand & Deliver. He helped on-screen “wife” Indi Hartwell climb up the ladder in a Ladder Match to win the NXT Women’s Championship. A month later he appeared on NXT again on the May 2nd episode to help Hartwell. As part of the WWE 2023 Draft, Dexter Lumis was officially drafted to Monday Night RAW.

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