Tag: Maria Kanellis

Maria Kanellis addresses the evolution in women’s wrestling: ‘You didn’t talk about your children’

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Former WWE and AEW talent Maria Kanellis recently opened up and discussed how far women have come in the pro-wrestling industry.

Beginning her career in the early 2000s, Kanellis recently revealed that women with children were not supposed to talk about them.

Speaking to Wrestling Life Online, Kanellis opened up and shared the major difference between today’s women’s wrestling and the time she started.

“When I first started, if you had a kid, you were quiet about it. You didn’t talk about it. You didn’t talk about your children and bless the women that did because that schedule way back when was so much harder than what I left wrestling and You used to be on the road four or five days a week, and at the time there was no FaceTime. So you were leaving your baby at home.“

Discussing the evolution in women’s wrestling, she further continued, “You didn’t have the opportunities that you do now, as far as FaceTime and being able to connect on the phone. A lot of times, if you went internationally, you didn’t talk to anybody back home. There was no way. So the women that were able to have children back then and kept it quiet, they had to be strong women.”

Married to Mike Bennett and a mother of three, Kanellis began her career with WWE before switching promotions and working all across the world in NJPW, ROH, TNA, and even AEW.

Maria Kanellis, Mike Bennett announce birth of third child

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Maria Kanellis and Mike Bennett are now parents to three after welcoming a new child into the world.

The couple revealed today that their new baby boy — named William Mercury Bennett — was born on January 19. Weighing seven pounds and seven ounces, the baby is named after Kanellis’ brother and grandfather.

“William Mercury Bennett was born yesterday afternoon at 7 pounds 7ounces and 18.8 inches,” Kanellis announced. “He is an absolute angel. William gets his name from his great-grandfather who is my godfather and was an immigrant from Greece. And my brother who is a veteran, husband, father, and wonderful brother. They are two of the toughest men I know. William Mercury’s name means strong willed warrior, messenger. We are so in love.”

The couple has been married for more than a decade now and also have a daughter named Freddie and son named Carver, who were born in 2018 and 2020.

Though his Kingdom tag team partner Matt Taven departed the promotion this month, Bennett remains part of the AEW roster. His most recent match for the company was a six-man tag that aired on ROH in November 2025.

Maria Kanellis, who has not been with AEW since January 2025, is currently a free agent.

Maria Kanellis & Mike Bennett expecting third child

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Maria Kanellis-Bennett and her husband Mike Bennett announced some big personal news this morning — they’re expecting another baby.

The couple posted an Instagram video on Monday revealing that they’re expecting baby number three. Maria and Mike have been married for more than a decade now. Their first two children, a daughter named Freddie and son named Carver, were born in 2018 and 2020.

Mike Bennett is signed to AEW and competes on the ROH roster as part of The Kingdom with his tag team partner Matt Taven.

Along with working for AEW/ROH, Bennett competes on the indies and has made recent appearances for Maple Leaf Pro and AAW.

Maria departed AEW earlier this year and is currently a free agent, though she’s not focused on a return to pro wrestling at the moment unless the right opportunity comes up. She’s previously worked for both WWE and TNA. Last year, Maria navigated a difficult health situation after a mass was found on her adrenal gland. The mass was ultimately determined not to be cancerous.

Daily Update: AEW-Minecraft, Adam Copeland, Maria Kanellis

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Wrestling Observer:

  • Updating the John Cena/Cody Rhodes interview, what was and wasn’t said, update on the plans for WrestleMania as well as the current ticket demand and interest level.
  • WBD expresses interest in UFC and evaluating the value of the UFC PPV business, the methods of distribution, how many buyers or subscribers will it take to cover what UFC wants and that value, how a deal with WBD would affect AEW (it would, perhaps significantly).
  • Full coverage of the final week of the New Japan Cup, including a look at one of the best shows of the year and New Japan’s next major show.
  • 2024 Gaspard/Huber award winners, the most important award we give each year
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for the various shows, including competition, men vs. women and things to note from the different shows over the past week.
  • Build to CMLL’s second biggest event of the year
  • How the foreign talent is doing in Mexico
  • AAA champion suspended in key market and why
  • Difference between commission suspensions in U.S. and Mexico
  • What WWE superstar was suspended for a drug test failure by athletic commissions nationwide and a commission didn’t  honor it and why several years back
  • Angle for a non-wrestling booker to face a woman star in a match
  • Homicide retirement notes
  • A look back at the most famous NCAA wrestling tournament match of all-time
  • The state of  El Hijo del Santo’s retirement tour
  • Updates on Border City Wrestling
  • Queen of the Ring updates
  • More on the early days of women’s pro wrestling history
  • Mandy Rose talks business after wrestling
  • AEW Dynasty updates including business
  • AEW and the Ryan Nemeth lawsuit against the company, Tony Khan and CM Punk
  • International TV and streaming numbers
  • WWE countering AEW PPV shows
  • Lex Luger Hall of Fame questions
  • How much is Dwayne Johhnson’s ownership of TKO worth
  • How much is Vince McMahon’s current ownership worth
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Developmental updates

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Wednesday Update

WWE

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • “A Minecraft Movie” is the presenting sponsor for tonight’s AEW Dynamite. Based on the Minecraft video game, the movie stars Jason Momoa and Jack Black and is being released in theaters on April 4.
  • AEW produced a video with The Outrunners to promote the Minecraft movie as well.
  • Adam Copeland told TV Insider that he has no regrets about his decision to join AEW:
    • I’ve not regretted it for a single second. I’ve had fun. I’ve been able to get in with a completely different mixed bag of talent. Running the gamut all over the place. That’s a really fun place to navigate from because it’s entirely different types of matches. I had a street fight with Brody King in Edmonton and two days later had a technical match in Vancouver against Kyle O’Reilly, and I was in heaven. That juxtaposition. It’s like going from the Emmys to suplexing Moxley on a spike. That was five days apart. It’s strange on the surface, but so much fun. To wear a suit and be all dolled up for the Emmys and then be suplexing a man on to nails during a blizzard in Omaha. That’s a fun life.
  • Copeland said Sting’s retirement last year and John Cena’s impending retirement have not made him think about how he plans to end his career:
    • Not really, That will be more of, ‘Where do you need me?’ I’d then sit down with Tony Khan and think about what he wants and what the company needs and what the show ends. That always supersedes to me what you have in mind for this retirement. I know I want to work the Swerve Strickland’s, Hangman Page’s, Jay White’s and the Kyle Fletcher’s and the Will Ospreay’s, Kenny Omega’s and the Samoa Joe’s. I haven’t worked with any of those people and would really like to do that before I hang them up. 
  • Saraya appeared on Busted Open Radio today, discussing her AEW departure.
  • Matt Hardy told Sports Illustrated that The Hardy Boyz want to help young talent learn from the successes and failures they’ve had:
    • When we first started, the guys who were the top guys who had been around, they didn’t necessarily give back to the industry as they probably should have. For us, that’s really important.
    • Helping a team like Private Party, that was a big deal. In TNA, someone we’ve taken under our wing and we’re trying to see them elevated to the next level is Leon Slater. He’s an amazing young man. When we see these young talents and can work with them and help them – The Rascalz, Chris Bey, Ace Austin – all these guys have so much potential and can learn from our experiences, both our positives and our negatives, from our successes and our failures.
  • Maria Kanellis-Bennett announced yesterday that she underwent a procedure to have a polyp removed from her uterus: “Yesterday I had a polyp removed from my uterus. Hopefully, the biopsy comes back clear Then we can move forward with IVF. They took such good care of me at @fertilitycentersofillinois thank you to the entire staff!!”
  • Tom Pestock (former WWE wrestler Baron Corbin) has joined Busted Open Radio as a regular host.
  • Cedric Alexander is the guest on tomorrow’s episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet.
  • Ultimo Guerrero will be an entrant in MLW Battle Riot VII in Long Beach, California on Saturday, April 5.
  • House of Glory is expanding its wrestling academy by launching a new training school in Orlando, Florida this May.

Daily Update: MJF, Maria Kanellis, Dakota Kai

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Observer is up on the site today:

  • All-time records for WWE business that will be broken at the Royal Rumble
  • What 38 years old company attendance mark goes down this week
  • Rumble favorites and news on the show
  • Things AEW should look to do regarding the creative on Dynamite to avoid things like redundancy, not getting key people over, and examining what the actual purposes of angles are and making them work
  • Full coverage of Saturday Night’s Main Event from this past week, business numbers and what they  mean, Dory Funk Jr., Jesse Ventura and match-by-match coverage.
  • Paul Levesque goes into the Paul Levesque picked WWE Hall of Fame
  • One of the most notable pro wrestling arenas in the world closes this year after nearly 50 years of running major shows. A look at some of the biggest matches held there including Inoki, Jack Brisco, Hogan, Andre, Monsoon, Hansen, Dusty Rhodes, Backlund, Volk Han, Nobuhiko Takada and even the Crush Gals.
  • The life and times of Ed Wiskoski aka Col DeBeers. A look at a 25 year career that went all over the world with a variety of gimmicks, including rises and falls of major territories, the making of his most famous gimmick and its controversial nature.
  • The GFL draft is basically admitted to be a fraud as to how it was presented and all the major names from the past part of the new team-based promotion.
  • Bryce Mitchell says some of the dumbest things possible and Dana White counters. But should the company cut ties with him.
  • The life and times of 50s and 60s star Bill Melby, including the angle that put the Cow Palace on the map as a regular wrestling building, and the most accomplished wrestler/bodybuilders.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the television shows, as well as WWE shows on Netflix.  Quarters, year-to-year comparisons and more. Plus competition and demo numbers
  • CMLL’s second biggest show of the year coming
  • Hot Arena Mexico main event
  • Announcer leaves promotion after 30 years
  • TripleMania news for 2025
  • Stardom awards
  • Dark Side of the Ring 2025 notes
  • How the major TV cable stations are doing
  • Former WCW star in jail
  • AEW international TV notes
  • Lots of notes on AEW Grand Slam Australia
  • International TV numbers
  • Christopher Daniels talks the end of his career
  • AEW star wants to box and do MMA
  • Giant fight talked about is for sure not happening
  • Death of legendary sportswriter Michael Katz
  • WWE star in one of the top box office movies of all-time
  • Jordynne Grace talks leaving TNA
  • WWE injury notes and thoughts about the policy of not stopping matches
  • Top YouTube numbers for the week

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Thursday Update

WWE

  • No-Contest Wrestling asked Roman Reigns what motivates him to keep going after all that he’s accomplished:
    • I got that thing, that drive. I want more. Always want more. Goal posts go back. ‘Oh, we’re in the endzone.’ Move them back again. ‘Man, we got pretty high.’ There’s another level. So I’m always trying to get better. And I just believe this is what I’m supposed to do. [Paul Heyman] picks me up in the morning, ‘How you doing?’ I woke up. Everybody else is f*cked because I woke up. That’s how I look at it. You all had a chance until I woke up. Today is mine. That’s just what it is.
  • In a post to her Instagram stories, Dakota Kai – who suffered a concussion on the January 20 episode of Raw – thanked her fans for the support they always give her. Kai said she is feeling good:
    • I just want to also say, I really appreciate all the love and support you guys constantly show me. And it really helps get through these dips and harder times, you know what I’m saying? But I feel good.
  • Seth Rollins was a guest on Super Bowl Radio Row today, making appearances on Good Morning Football, The Rich Eisen Show, and The Pat McAfee Show.
  • Logan Paul posted a vlog with backstage footage from the Royal Rumble.
  • WWE uploaded a Playlist video of Jacob Fatu being a badass for 30 minutes.

Other Wrestling

  • Tony Khan and The Hurt Syndicate made media appearances on Super Bowl Radio Row today.
  • AEW uploaded post-Dynamite promos from Ricochet and the Don Callis Family.
  • After former WWE referee Jimmy Korderas criticized him for referencing Cody Rhodes on Dynamite last night (in a promo segment with Dustin Rhodes), MJF responded:
    • His brother. My mentor. A guy who helped shape me early on in my career. Your old boss brainwashed you into believing we need to treat the fans like morons and pretend other Wrestling companies don’t exist  You dumb ignorant bald grifting f*ck…respectfully.
  • The angle with MJF and Dustin Rhodes included MJF insulting Dustin by saying that — after it took 37 years for him to get out from under his father’s shadow — Dustin now lives in the shadow of his little baby brother.
  • Daniel Garcia is featured on a new episode of AEW Stories.
  • Referees Bryce Remsburg and Mike Posey appeared on the latest edition of AEW Unrestricted.
  • In response to a fan who asked if we could see her return to WWE or TNA, Maria Kanellis tweeted:
    • I am focused on my family. I’m happy doing a few signings, photo shoots, building @thewildstems [florist], writing my book, and going back to school. That’s enough unless the right opportunity comes up. I’m not forcing anything nor do I want it. I could have died last year. This year is about reflection and spiritual growth. Not proving to people I don’t know that ‘I’ve still got it.’
  • TNA wrestler Jody Threat helped Trish Stratus train for Stratus’ surprise appearance in the WWE women’s Royal Rumble match last weekend.
  • Indi Hartwell reunited with Dexter Lumis while training at his Hatchet Pro Wrestling school.
  • Saraya and The Hardys have been announced as guests for WrestleCon’s convention in Las Vegas during WrestleMania week.
  • Okumura vs. Ariel Dominguez will take place on the TV taping portion of MLW’s SuperFight event in Atlanta this Saturday.
  • Jade Chung will be part of the broadcast team for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s Mayhem events in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15.

Maria Kanellis announces AEW departure

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Maria Kanellis is departing AEW with her contract expiring at the end of January.

Kanellis sent out a message on her social media accounts revealing that today (January 31) is her last day with AEW. Her husband Mike Bennett is still with the promotion despite Maria’s departure.

“This is my last day with AEW,” Kanellis wrote. “Mike still works there. We have kids.”

In 2024, Kanellis dealt with a months-long health scare after a mass was found on her adrenal gland. She underwent surgery to remove the mass in October and then shared a positive update in December, announcing that testing determined the tumor was not cancerous.

Kanellis’ AEW contract was originally set to expire at the end of October 2024.

Today and tomorrow, Kanellis is appearing at WrestleCon’s convention in Indianapolis. She has other appearances lined up as well.

“I have several other appearances coming up,” she wrote. “You can contact me for bookings at [email protected]”

Kanellis added that, in March, she will be starting a master’s degree program at the University of Illinois.

After debuting for AEW in 2022, Kanellis was mostly featured as a manager in ROH.

Kanellis responded to a fan who asked if there is any chance of her remaining with AEW on a new contract: “No thank you.”

WOR: RAW report, injury updates, Wrestler of the Year

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including injury updates on Juice Robinson, Kevin Nash, Bronson Reed and Maria Kanellis, the next Saturday Night’s Main Event, Wrestler of the Year, AEW Dynamite ratings, CMLL notes, plus the RAW report, Dynamite and NXT previews and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: Injury updates on Juice Robinson, Maria Kanellis, Bronson Reed, Kevin Nash, Sheamus
6:18: WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event January date, lineup for December SNME
8:43: Ratings,
22:47: Mistico vs Hechicero in CMLL
28:04: Wrestler of the Year discussion, Coloso Colosetti for WON Hall of Fame
32:31: Dave’s Queen of Villains thoughts
36:38: WWE Raw recap
54:56: AEW Dynamite & NXT lineups, Eric Bischoff on Ariel Helwani

Right Click Save As

Maria Kanellis shares positive health update: ‘The tumor was not cancerous’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

After a months-long health scare, Maria Kanellis is breathing a sigh of relief.

Kanellis shared an update with fans on Monday announcing that she does not have cancer. The mass on her adrenal gland was determined to be a rare tumor called a pheochromocytoma, but it was not cancerous. Kanellis said she is incredibly grateful for this good news and is looking forward to the future.

“I wanted to give you guys an update. I know it’s been a little bit, it took a while for the pathology to get back. But I wanted to let you guys know that I am cancer-free,” she said. “The tumor was not cancerous. We are so incredibly grateful and thankful to be moving into this holiday season cancer-free and to not have that worry.

“Thank you so much for all of the well-wishes and the prayers. It did turn out to be a pheochromocytoma, which is an incredibly rare tumor. Only 3 to 8 people get it out of a million. It’s just a weird thing that happened. It affects your mood, it affects your metabolism, it affects your blood pressure, your heart rate. So we are very, very blessed to have found it as early as we did, because it really can start causing problems in your body. So thank you so much. And I am looking forward and I’m really, really hopeful about the future.”

Kanellis, 42, has documented her health journey since the adrenal gland mass was found over the summer. Surgery to remove the mass was performed in October and a biopsy was done to determine whether it was cancerous.

Amid her health struggles, Kanellis revealed that her contract with AEW was scheduled to expire at the end of October. Kanellis has not given an update on if she will be remaining with the promotion or not. She debuted for AEW in 2022 and has been featured as a manager in ROH. Her husband Mike Bennett is a member of the Undisputed Kingdom in AEW.

Maria Kanellis back home following hospital readmission, shares health update

Posted on by Ian Carey

Maria Kanellis is back home after having been re-admitted to hospital recently.

Kanellis had surgery to remove a mass found on her adrenal gland last week. She was able to leave the hospital on Saturday but returned on Sunday due to experiencing pain and nausea.

Kanellis posted to Instagram on Wednesday, revealing she’s home once again:

“I made it HOME!!! What a crazy week.
Thank GOD for my family!! Thank GOD for my church @crossbridge.church!!! Thank you for the amazing team at @rushuniversity!!! Thank you for my children’s school for giving the kiddos extra care!!! Thank you @tonyrkhan for the amazing flowers and the @aew staff for the support during this time!!! Thank you to The Undisputed Kingdom!! Thank you to everyone that reached out!!! Feeling very blessed and grateful to be alive!!!
Biopsy and Genetic Testing should be back in a few more days…

She would later post to X, “The Rush medical team’s working theory is I had 3 different types of headaches/migraines. Sinus, tension/nerve, and withdrawal from the loss of my adrenal gland. I am currently taking muscle relaxers, Advil, Tylenol, caffeine, tramadol, anti-nausea, and nerve pain medication. At one point yesterday they thought I was leaking spinal fluid which was not the case. My MRI with contrast showed I have one vertebrae pushing backward. Which is part of the problem but not the whole problem. I will start physical therapy soon, be on allergy medication, and will be monitoring my blood work for my hormone levels. Hopefully the genetics and biopsy come back with good news. It’s going to be a bit of a long road but I’m used to traveling.”

Doctors were unable to perform a biopsy on the mass found on Kanellis’ adrenal gland until after it was removed. She wrote in her post that she should get the results back in a few days to learn if the mass was cancerous or not.

Today is also the last day of Kanellis’ contract with AEW. Earlier this month, she revealed that her deal expires at the end of October.

Wrestling Observer Radio: Tons of medical updates, RAW, NXT PLE

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including medical updates on Phantasmo, Chris Bey, Vikingo, Maria and Steve Austin, ratings, the RAW report, NXT Halloween Havoc, upcoming lineups and more. A packed show, so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: Health updates on Chris Bey, El Hijo del Vikingo, El Phantasmo, Maria Kanellis, Steve Austin
8:51: Wendy Barlow’s son/Ric Flair’s stepson Sebastian Kidder passes away
10:45: Big Boom AJ vs. QT Marshall set for AEW Full Gear
13:32: Mick Foley on CNN, Hulk Hogan and Dana White at Donald Trump Madison Square Garden rally
16:28: WWE MSG house show set for December 26
18:30: Ratings
25:31: Lineups for the week
29:56: WWE NXT Halloween Havoc thoughts
41:58: WWE Raw report, new Crown Jewel match

Right Click Save As

Maria Kanellis readmitted to hospital following adrenal gland surgery

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Maria Kanellis is back in the hospital just a few days after having surgery.

Last Thursday, Kanellis underwent surgery for a mass on her adrenal gland. She was able to go home on Saturday but was back in the emergency room on Sunday due to pain and nausea she was experiencing. Kanellis had pain in her neck, spine, and head and could not stand up straight without getting nauseous.

“Spent the night in the emergency room receiving different cocktails of drugs including anti-nausea, morphine, caffeine/ibuprofen, magnesium, etc trying to make me comfortable,” she shared this morning. “Then, they re-admitted me this morning because they could not control the pain, at 4:00am. I’m having trouble walking and standing because of the pain. I miss my kids and I am ready to be home but here I am.”

The mass on Kanellis’ adrenal gland was found this July. With surgery done last week, a biopsy was performed to determine what the mass is and whether it is cancerous or not. She’s expected to get results 7-10 days after the biopsy.

Kanellis debuted for AEW in 2022 and has been featured as a manager in ROH. Her AEW contract is scheduled to expire at the end of this month.

Maria Kanellis undergoes surgery for adrenal gland mass

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Update —

Maria Kanellis posted the following after surgery:

https://twitter.com/MariaLKanellis/status/1849862451694883161

**********

Maria Kanellis is recovering after undergoing surgery for a mass on her adrenal gland.

Kanellis had surgery done on Thursday morning, and the next step is for a biopsy to be performed to determine what the mass is. Her husband Mike Bennett shared an update with fans last night informing everyone that surgery went well.

“Maria’s surgery went well. She is staying overnight at the hospital for observation and should be released tomorrow,” Bennett wrote. “My wife is a badass. Thank you to everyone who’s reached out. We love y’all so very much.”

Kanellis announced this July that the mass had been found “accidentally” during a test, and it was inconclusive as to whether the mass was cancerous or not. She had asked for her adrenal glands to be checked six months before that due to symptoms she was having, but insurance would not cover it at the time.

Earlier this month, Kanellis stated that her AEW contract is set to expire at the end of October. She reached out to AEW about whether the promotion is going to re-sign her but had not heard anything back yet. Kanellis said she would be available to accept interviews about her “time and treatment” in AEW after October 31.

During her time with AEW, Kanellis has been featured as a manager in Ring of Honor.

Daily Update: WWE NXT notes, Taz, Maria Kanellis

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • The new issue of the Observer is on the site today. Our lead story is the most detailed coverage of the new AEW TV deal, an analysis of what it means for business, profits losses, what the deal does and doesn’t cover, FOX rumors and analysis and much more. We also have a major history piece looking at the 2024 Hall of Fame and the candidates and their credentials.
  • Value of the deal for each specific year
  • What the deal does and doesn’t cover
  • Update on the PPV business
  • What AEW is losing in the deal
  • How PPV will be distributed
  • Quotes from Tony Khan and WBD
  • MAX and cable distribution
  • Breaking down expenses, revenue, profits and losses and the financial future of AEW
  • Analysis of the potential FOX deal
  • A look at the first NXT show on CW, business, ratings and how the segments did
  • Update on Bad Blood and WrestleDream, including interest levels for both shows
  • A look at the 2024 Hall of Fame voting, candidates and favorites in each category
  • A rundown of the leading candidates, some of who you would know and wouldn’t.
  • New Japan building King of Pro Wrestling–What business lesson was reinforced by CMLL Noche de Campeones this past week
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the major television shows, competition, comparisons with a year ago, placings and segment-by-segment
  • Woman wrestling star retiring to become a referee
  • CMLL head gives stats on how many fans come to Arena Mexico from other countries
  • What major celebrity was at Shinjuku Face for a pro wrestling show
  • Hall of Famer having 40th anniversary show
  • Major Japanese celebrity does two matches this week
  • Notes on the deaths of Pete Rose and Kris Kristofferson and both men’s connections to pro wrestling
  • Jimmy Hart prior to wrestling
  • AEW and WWE current injury rates
  • What percentage of fans watch shows live vs DVR
  • AEW video game notes
  • Major star opening up a gym for post-wrestling business
  • International TV ratings
  • Injury stats regarding PowerSlap
  • What famous boxer turned down a two fight series with Conor Mcregor
  • How many people watched the Mr. McMahon documentary and an approximation of how it would compare to a regular WWE TV show
  • Martha Hart reacts to the documentary

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Randy Orton vs. Je’Von Evans main event from last night’s NXT.
  • Orton and Evans shared a moment after the match with Orton appearing to tell Evans, “It’s okay. You’re the f*cking man” when Evans apologized for botching their planned RKO spot.
  • WWE has a post-show interview with Orton, who called Evans “incredibly humble” and said Evans has nothing but respect for the business.
  • PWInsider reports that CM Punk was backstage at NXT in Missouri last night and was giving advice to talent.
  • For the second straight week, a vignette aired on NXT hyping the arrival of Australian wrestler Delta.
  • Max Burger in Longmeadow, Massachusetts thanked Paul “Triple H” Levesque & Stephanie McMahon for eating at their restaurant recently:
    • You never know who will stop in to clothesline a few burgers
    • Thank you Triple H and his lovely wife Stephanie for dining at our establishment and be so kind to take a quick photo with us! We hope you enjoyed our little town and dining experience!
  • Set to “It’s Supposed To Hurt” by House of Protection, WWE uploaded a music video recapping the CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre Hell in a Cell match from Bad Blood.
  • The Manchester Evening News spoke with Cody Rhodes.
  • WWE remembered Eddie Guerrero on what would have been his 57th birthday.
  • William Regal tweeted that he believes Guerrero is the greatest all-around pro wrestler of all time:
    • Without a doubt in my mind Eddie was the best all round Pro Wrestler ever. An exceptional in ring command and ability to wrestle anyone in the world without ever meeting them until the bell went, entertaining skills and presence and exceptional (once he figured it out) talking ability. And a very close friend. The greatest.
  • The Cheap Heat podcast interviewed NXT announcer Vic Joseph.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • After undergoing total knee replacement surgery, Taz thanked all of the fans who have wished him well: “I really appreciate all of the get well soon & supportive tweets from so many of you. Thank you very much!!”
  • Maria Kanellis responded to someone on social media who asked if she wants to stay with AEW or go elsewhere when her contract expires at the end of October: “I want to work. I want to help. I want to take care of my family.”
  • Chris Jericho was a guest on Busted Open Radio today.
  • AEW wished Jay White a happy 32nd birthday.
  • AEW has a Timeline video documenting the history between The Young Bucks and Private Party ahead of their Tag Team title match at WrestleDream this Saturday.
  • Josh Barnett praised Oleg Boltin after working with him at NJPW’s dojo:
    • He’s amazing. I knew how strong he was, and he had taken a seminar of mine once before. I was checking up on him as much as I could, but the best way to get to know someone is to wrestle them in the ring. I could feel the way he was thinking, using the ropes and the corners to try and gain leverage, and I could feel he was very smart. I was surprised with some of what he tried, and I just want more. Give me someone like that, and I can make him a champion for sure.
  • Here’s the announced lineup for this Thursday’s episode of TNA Impact:
    • We’ll hear from TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth
    • X-Division title number one contender’s match: Leon Slater vs. Laredo Kid vs. Jason Hotch (winner challenges Mike Bailey next week)
    • The Hardys (Matt & Jeff Hardy) vs. ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey)
    • Jordynne Grace, Masha Slamovich & Sol Ruca vs. Wendy Choo, Rosemary & Tasha Steelz
    • Josh Alexander vs. Eric Young
    • We’ll hear from Mike Santana
  • During a virtual signing for K&S WrestleFest, Gail Kim said that Xia Zhao (former WWE wrestler Xia Li) is signed with TNA.
  • MLW announced a new multi-year action figure deal with PowerTown Wrestling for their Galoob Brand. The figures will be available in 2025.
  • Johnny Swinger and Harley Cameron have been confirmed for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s debut events in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20. Cameron will accompany QT Marshall for his match against Bhupinder Gujjar on night one.

Maria Kanellis says AEW contract expires at end of month

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Update —

Maria Kanellis posted today that, after October 31, she will be accepting interviews about her “time and treatment” in AEW. She will be able to start appearing at bookings six weeks after her October 24 surgery for the mass on her adrenal gland.

https://twitter.com/MariaLKanellis/status/1843655574745166102

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Maria Kanellis’ AEW future is uncertain with her contract coming up at the end of the month.

While sharing a health update with fans on Monday, Kanellis said her contract with AEW is scheduled to expire on October 31. She’s reached out to AEW but doesn’t know if she is going to be re-signed.

“My contract with AEW is coming up October 31,” Kanellis said. “I’ve reached out to them to find out whether or not they are going to be signing me, but I haven’t really heard anything yet — so of course that is weighing on me as well.”

Kanellis is set to undergo surgery on October 24 after a mass was found on her adrenal gland. She does not know if the mass is cancerous or genetic. This week, she has an ultrasound and genetic testing scheduled and will be meeting with her surgeon to discuss a plan for surgery day.

“Today I’m going to work on some outdoor Halloween decorations, because the rest of it I can’t control right now,” she said. “I can’t control AEW. I can’t control this surgery. But what I can do is make some wonderful memories for my kids.”

Kanellis and her husband Mike Bennett debuted for AEW in October 2022. Maria has been a manager on ROH, working with Griff Garrison & Cole Karter.

With help from AEW’s tuition reimbursement program, Kanellis is pursuing a masters degree in business administration at the University of Illinois.

Maria Kanellis shares health update, is ‘starting to get some answers’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Maria Kanellis-Bennett says she is closer to getting some answers regarding the health issues she has dealt with this year.

Kanellis is scheduled to meet with an endocrine surgeon next week regarding a mass discovered on her adrenal gland. She recently underwent a series of blood tests as well as a 24-hour urine test and posted about her results on Wednesday, writing:

“Just got some test results back… from what I can tell my adrenal mass is hormone producing. I’ll get a more clear picture on September 3rd. But, one of the symptoms of the over production of a particular hormone was hands and feet tingling which has been something I have been trying to figure out for months!!! I’m hopeful that this surgery will take care of some or all of my symptoms. Anyways I’m having this drink because Mike is back and I’m starting to get some answers.”

https://twitter.com/MariaLKanellis/status/1828859590630617403

Kanellis also revealed this week that she plans on returning to school and obtaining a Masters degree in Business Administration at the University of Illinois. She’ll be receiving financial help through AEW’s tuition reimbursement program.

https://twitter.com/MariaLKanellis/status/1828062750020411506