CANDICE LERAE

In January 2020, Candice competed in the Royal Rumble and entered the match at number 9. She was eliminated by Bianca Belair. At the end of April, she debuted a new look and entrance theme as she defeated Kacy Catanzaro on NXT. At NXT TakeOver: In Your House, she teamed with Dakota Kai and Raquel González and defeated Mia Yim, Tegan Nox and Shotzi Blackheart.

Candice LeRae & Johnny Gargano Band Together

On the May 6th episode of NXT, LeRae accompanied Johnny Gargano to the ring where he defeated Dominik Dijakovic. The real life couple began appearing as a “power couple” on NXT. They started feuding with Mia Yim and Keith Lee. At NXT TakeOver: In Your House, LeRae teamed with Dakota Kai and Raquel González. They were defeated by Mia Yim, Tegan Nox and Shotzi Blackheart.

On July 8th at NXT: The Great American Bash, LeRae defeated Yim in a street fight. Candice competed in a battle royal in September to determine the number one contender for Io Shirai’s NXT Women’s Championship. LeRae won by eliminating Blackheart. She then teamed up with Gargano the following week in a “Champions vs. Challengers” tag team match against Shirai and Damian Priest. At NXT TakeOver 31, LeRae was unsuccessful in capturing the title. Candice LeRae was successful in obtaining another NXT Women’s Championship match at NXT: Halloween Havoc. At the event, she won her match against Shotzi Blackheart.

Facing off against champion Io Shirai in a renamed Tables, Ladders and Chairs match, LeRae was unsuccessful in capturing the title. Candice declared revenge against Shotzi after Blackheart cost her the Women’s Championship. Candice stole and destroyed Blackheart’s toy tank in front of her. Shotzi was an emotional wreck as a result and began a few between the two superstars.

Candice LeRae Joins Faction The Way

In November, it was announced that LeRae would lead one of the two women’s teams (Team Candice) against Team Shotzi in the second-ever women’s WarGames match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames. LeRae’s team was victorious. The following week, Candice LeRae, Johnny Gargano, Indi Hartwell and Austin Theory appeared in a segment together. They began referring to themselves as “The Way.”

At the Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Tournament in January 2021, LeRae and Indi Hartwell defeated Cora Jade and Gigi Dolin in the quarterfinals. In the next round, LeRae and Hartwell lost to Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon. A few months later, on the May 4th episode of NXT, LeRae and Hartwell defeated Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart in a street fight to win the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles.

Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell lost the titles at NXT’s Great American Bash 2021 Io Shirai and Zoey Stark. Candice LeRae announced on her Instagram on August 13, 2021, that she and husband Johnny Gargano were expecting their first child. LeRae remained under contract with WWE while on maternity leave until May 6, 2022, when her contract expired after deciding not to renew.

Candice LeRae Returns to WWE

On the September 26th episode of Monday Night RAW, Candice LeRae returned to WWE and defeated Nikki A.S.H. Candice competed in the 2023 Royal Rumble, LeRae competed in the women’s Royal Rumble match at #12, but was eliminated by Iyo Sky. The following year, she competed in the 2024 Royal Rumble at #4, but was eliminated by Damage CTRL. At Elimination Chamber: Perth, LeRae and Hartwell challenged the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors for the titles in a losing effort.

Candice LeRae turned heel in March 2024 by showing a more aggressive side and in particular, taunted Maxxine Dupri over the death of her real-life brother. Following LeRae’s heel turn, she was winning more of her matches in both singles and tag team competition with Indi Hartwell.

On the night 2 of the WWE Draft, occurred on April 29, 2024, was drafted to SmackDown, with Indi Hartwell, together.

SHOW LESS