Another AEW Star "Not Happy" With Lack Of TV Time

This AEW star reveals frustrations with how they've been used (or not) in recent months.

by Andrew Pollard
Maria Kanellis-Bennett
AEW

Having been used in a limited way on both AEW and ROH TV in recent weeks and months, Maria Kanellis-Bennett has taken to X to detail her frustration at how she's been used lately.

Initially replying to a fan who suggested she was happy with a "minor role" and two minutes of TV time, Maria said she's "not happy about it" and that she's "tried to fight it", adding she can only do her job and "look for opportunities".

Maria also replied with "yeah me too" when someone pointed out how they were surprised she hasn't been used as part of the Undisputed Kingdom, with her having previously managed the tandem of Matt Taven and her husband Mike Bennett. Last year saw Maria quietly removed from that role and instead put as the manager for Griff Garrison and Cole Karter in ROH.

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The Chicagoan did note how she appreciates that AEW gives her time off to spend with her family, but reiterated that she loves "to work when it's worth while".

Having previously been involved in the creative process for the ROH women's division in the days prior to Tony Khan's purchase of the company, this is something that Maria also referenced on X as she shot down speculation that she was nowadays working as a backstage agent for ROH. As Maria put it, she is not an agent but does mentor the ROH ladies on her own time when she can, explaining how she "tried to get my old job back in ROH booking the women's division but it didn't work out".

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This all comes hot on the heels of the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, which detailed how many AEW talent are currently frustrated with their roles in the company.

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Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main day job, his role as the lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Adrienne Barbeau, Rob Zombie, Katharine Isabelle, Leigh Whannell, Bruce Campbell, and Tony Todd, to Kevin Smith, Ron Perlman, Elijah Wood, Giancarlo Esposito, Simon Pegg, Charlie Cox, the Russo Brothers, and Brian Blessed, to Kevin Conroy, Paul Dini, Tara Strong, Will Friedle, Burt Ward, Andrea Romano, Frank Miller, and Rob Liefeld, to Bret Hart, Sting, Mick Foley, Ricky Starks, Jamie Hayer, Britt Baker, Eric Bischoff, and William Regal, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, Brian Flynn, Denis Smith, Gary Bennett, Karl Connolly, and Bryan Robson - and that's just the tip of an ever-expanding iceberg. Where his beloved Wrexham AFC is concerned, Andrew is co-host of the Fearless in Devotion podcast, which won the Club Podcast of the Year gong at the 2024 FSA Awards.