In a plot twist that rivals a steel cage match ending in a surprise heel turn, Maria Kanellis’ AEW status has taken an interesting swerve. The former WWE and ROH star, alongside her Undisputed Kingdom comrades Mike Bennett and Matt Taven, originally entered AEW in 2022 with dreams of conquering the wrestling world. But much like a poorly-timed moonsault, things didn’t quite hit the mark.
Fast forward to October 2024: Kanellis dropped the bombshell that her contract was up and hinted at parting ways due to her health struggles. Cue the collective “Oh no!” from her fans. But in true wrestling fashion, just when you thought the story was over, here comes Fightful Select off the top rope with the scoop!
Turns out, Kanellis and AEW went the “let’s see other people, but not yet” route, signing a short-term extension that benefits both sides. This new deal, which wraps up by the end of January, was apparently supposed to get the grand announcement treatment, but—surprise, surprise—plans fell through. Maybe Tony Khan got too busy booking the latest dream match extravaganza to check his emails?
Behind the scenes, Kanellis isn’t just your average talent. She’s been pulling double duty, working backstage and offering creative input for AEW’s women’s division. (Translation: She’s multitasking harder than a wrestler in a ladder match.)
On the philosophical side, Kanellis has taken a reflective approach to her career. Once a vocal critic of WWE’s Divas Era, she’s now embraced it as an essential chapter in wrestling history. She’s even had AEW talents credit her for paving the way during that time, though we can only hope no one thanked her for the evening gown matches.
As Kanellis’ story unfolds, one thing’s for sure: Whether she’s stepping into the ring, working backstage, or reshaping her legacy, Maria Kanellis knows how to keep us all guessing.