10 Wrestlers Who Revived Their Careers On The Indies

7. Maria Kanellis

Loaded Drew Galloway
Instagram/@mariakanellis

WWE decided Maria Kanellis had outlived her use in 2010. The former Diva Of The Year was released from her contract on the same day as Shane Helms and Paul Burchill, and went on an immediate hiatus from wrestling, which wound up lasting 20 months.

Maria didn’t reappear until December 2011, when she joined her boyfriend Mike Bennett in Ring Of Honor. She was soon branded the 'First Lady Of ROH,' and played a prominent role as Bennett’s valet. A massively important part of her partner’s heel act, Maria regularly aided him to victory through distractions and interference, helping to establish him as one of the promotion’s top heels.

Though Bennett is a talented wrestler in his own right, it’s hard to imagine him reaching his current level of success without Maria by his side. Their strength as a double act eventually won them both TNA contracts in 2016, and after leaving Impact earlier this year, they’re reportedly on their way to WWE. It would’ve been easy for Maria to forget about the business entirely following her WWE release, but Bennett pulled her back into it, and her continued progress as a manageress is about to take her back to the top of it.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.