Ex-WWE Wrestler Would NOT Return Under Current Management

Something would have to change at the top of WWE for this wrestler to ever return.

by Andy H Murray
Maria Kanellis Vince McMahon
WWE

Maria Kanellis-Bennett has no interest in returning to WWE under the current regime.

The IMPACT Wrestling star claimed as much on Twitter on Sunday. When a user suggested she go back to the market leaders, Kanellis-Bennett responded:-

Maria's last WWE run commenced in June 2017, when she and husband Mike Bennett (who became Mike Kanellis on television) appeared at Money in the Bank. A three-year run ensued, though the duo were rarely featured outside the odd short-lived program here and there, before they were let go as part of WWE's first round of COVID-19 era "budget cuts" in April 2020.

Though Kanellis-Bennett returned to Ring of Honor in December 2020, she and a host of others were let go by the promotion ahead of its intended hiatus the following December. Now, she and Mike can mostly be found back in IMPACT.

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WWE management is currently in a state flux, with Stephanie McMahon ascending to the role of acting CEO and Chairwoman in the wake of her father Vince's "hush money" scandal. The 76-year-old is alleged to have paid over $12 million to suppress various claims against him, including $7.5 million to “a former wrestler who alleged that Mr. McMahon coerced her into giving him oral sex and then demoted her and, ultimately, declined to renew her contract in 2005 after she resisted further sexual encounters, according to people familiar with the matter”.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.