Maria Kanellis has officially wrapped up her time with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). The longtime wrestling personality announced on X (formerly Twitter) that January 31 marked her final day with the company. However, her husband, Mike Bennett, will continue competing for AEW as part of The Kingdom alongside Matt Taven.

Kanellis, who has worked in WWE, TNA Wrestling (now TNA Wrestling again), and Ring of Honor (ROH), signed with AEW in 2022. Though she made appearances on AEW programming, her primary role was in Tony Khan’s version of ROH, where she served as a manager for talents like Cole Karter and Griff Garrison.

Contract Expiration and Free Agency

Earlier this month, reports surfaced that Kanellis’ AEW contract was initially set to run through late 2024, but the two sides instead agreed to a short-term extension through the end of January. Now, with her contract officially expired, Kanellis is a free agent and free to appear wherever she chooses.

Creative Ambitions and Departure

Throughout her tenure in AEW and ROH, Kanellis was outspoken about wanting a larger role behind the scenes, possibly in a creative or administrative capacity. However, it seems that she and Tony Khan weren’t able to align on a vision for her position in the company, leading to her exit.

Overcoming Health Challenges

Beyond her wrestling career, Kanellis has also faced personal challenges. In 2023, she revealed that doctors had found an unusual growth on her adrenal gland, which required surgery. Thankfully, in an update later that year, she shared that the procedure was successful and that the mass was non-cancerous.

What’s Next for Maria Kanellis?

With her experience as a wrestler, manager, and promoter, Kanellis has plenty of options ahead. Whether she returns to WWE, finds a new home in TNA Wrestling, or takes on a backstage role in another promotion, it will be interesting to see what’s next for her. One thing is for sure—wherever she goes, she’ll bring her signature mix of intelligence, presence, and industry knowledge.

Stay tuned to Wrestling News Blog for more updates on Maria Kanellis

Maria Kanellis, a beloved figure in AEW and ROH, has shared an uplifting health update after months of concern surrounding a rare medical diagnosis. Back in July, Kanellis revealed that doctors had discovered a mass on her adrenal gland, later identified as a pheochromocytoma—a rare tumor affecting only 8 out of every 1,000,000 people.

This type of tumor can cause dangerous spikes in adrenaline, impacting vital functions like blood pressure and heart rate. In October, Kanellis underwent surgery to remove the tumor but experienced complications during her recovery. Despite the challenges, she remained positive and determined, supported by fans and the wrestling community.

Yesterday, Kanellis took to her X account (formerly Twitter) to deliver the news everyone was hoping for:

“Hello. I wanted to give you guys an update. I know it’s been a little bit. It took a little bit for the pathology to get back, but I wanted to let you guys know that I am cancer-free. 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.”

Update about my health. pic.twitter.com/DejMmNoPVI

— MariaKanellisBennett (@MariaLKanellis) December 2, 2024

A Journey of Strength and Gratitude

The diagnosis and treatment were undoubtedly daunting, but Kanellis’ announcement brings hope and relief not only to her family and fans but also to those who may be battling similar health challenges. Her journey serves as a testament to resilience and the power of a supportive community.

As she celebrates this milestone, Kanellis can now look forward to focusing on her family and career without the shadow of this rare condition hanging over her. With the holiday season upon us, her news is a reminder of what truly matters—health, gratitude, and the strength to overcome life’s obstacles.

AEW and ROH star Maria Kanellis has provided a health update via her social media accounts after experiencing some problems in recent weeks. Kanellis was last seen managing the trio of Anthony Henry, Cole Karter, and Griff Garrison on the June 20 edition of “ROH on HonorClub,” which was originally taped on June 8, and has been absent from tapings as of late.

“So fun story,” Kanellis wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Six months ago I asked to get my adrenal glands checked and blood work done to check hormone levels because of symptoms I had been having. Insurance would not approve the tests. Fast forward today, I had a CT with contrast to check a mass that was found accidentally during another test, that is either on my kidney or adrenal gland. Moral of the story… listen to your body.”

https://twitter.com/MariaLKanellis/status/1810340969478340841

In a second post, Kanellis revealed more details.

“So here is the update,” she wrote.” Yes it is a mass on my adrenal gland. Next step is meeting with an endocrinologist surgeon. It’s inconclusive at this point, if it is cancer. In other news, I ate French fries and a concrete mixer and I feel a little better.”

https://twitter.com/MariaLKanellis/status/1810401494027456752

The adrenal glands, located just above the kidneys, produce hormones which are then released into the bloodstream. Masses on these glands can lead to increased hormone levels that can lead to things like high blood pressure and diabetes, and are often non-cancerous, with around one in ten cases being cancerous.

Source: Wrestling Inc.