Maria Kanellis revealed that AEW extended her contract by three months while she was still hospitalized recovering from surgery to remove a rare tumor, allowing her extra time to heal before her agreement expired. She shared this during an interview on Wrestling Life with Ben Veal, where she was honored with an induction into the show’s Hall of Fame. When asked if her contract expired during her recovery period, she explained that after having the tumor removed in October, AEW called her while she was still in the hospital to offer the extension. This extension gave her a crucial three-month window to recuperate while still under contract, especially since her husband Mike Bennett’s contract was active at the time.
Kanellis described the tumor—a pheochromocytoma—as an incredibly rare condition, affecting her personality, heart, and blood pressure, causing constant anger and hormone imbalances which led to weight gain. She called it a very dark period in her life that also affected her drive backstage. Alongside these health struggles, Kanellis faced changes in her wrestling career. After being separated from The Kingdom stable, which included Mike Bennett and Matt Taven, and stepping away from active involvement in Ring of Honor’s women’s division, she felt ready for a new chapter. She expressed that grappling with a life-threatening illness, losing her Kingdom affiliation, and a limited role in ROH made her realize she was prepared to move on.
Reflecting on her career, Kanellis said the experience put wrestling in perspective for her. She acknowledged that despite not having the ideal ending, she enjoyed a successful career, met her husband through wrestling, and had her older children while working with WWE.
Regarding Ring of Honor and its sale to Tony Khan, Kanellis expressed a deep connection with ROH, where she felt truly valued, especially through her work helping run the women’s division. She valued her partnership with Bobby Cruise in building a respected brand for women’s wrestling and nurturing new stars. The sale of ROH to Khan, in her words, felt like a part of her passion for the industry died, as she had been proud of the work they accomplished. Before the sale closed, she spoke with Khan, recommending female wrestlers for positions in the new system; many of her recommendations were hired, which she appreciated. Although a role assisting the women’s division under AEW was discussed, it ultimately did not come to fruition, something she prefers not to dwell on.
Outside of wrestling, Kanellis now runs a florist business and has ventured into event management within her community. She is also working on a book and raising three children, with her youngest being eight months old. While she has independent wrestling appearances planned—including events with Rhino’s promotion, shows in Tennessee, and WrestleCade during Thanksgiving weekend—she said her current life is largely separate from wrestling. She acknowledged that her departure from wrestling was abrupt and not how she envisioned it, and although it took time to accept, she now is grateful for the chance to explore new opportunities.
Kanellis also shared a personal anecdote about the “ditzy interviewer” character she developed in WWE, which originated from a promo where she sang “I’m a Little Teapot” for Paul Heyman. Initially frustrated by the persona, she has grown to appreciate it over time. Additionally, she revealed having undergone thyroid surgery, which significantly lowered her voice compared to her WWE days, and expressed a desire to see the Divas Championship revived.
We wish Maria Kanellis continued health and success in her endeavors.
Fan Take: This update on Maria Kanellis highlights the resilience and challenges many wrestlers face behind the scenes, reminding fans that the physical and emotional toll of the sport often extends far beyond the ring. Her story underscores the importance of supporting wrestlers through health crises and career transitions, which could inspire the industry to prioritize wellness and provide better security for its talent.
Source: wrestlingnews.co
