On the same day it was reported that The Revival had asked for a release from the WWE, another report came out that Maria Kanellis and her husband, Mike Bennett (aka WWE Superstar Mike Kanellis), had both asked for their release from the WWE as well. With both reports, it escalated to rumors that many more disgruntled WWE Superstars were lining up with their own similar requests. After days of online banter from fans regarding Maria and Mike’s alleged behavior, Maria Kanellis finally took to her Social Media today to address the controversy.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsyjI8fBaQI/
Kanellis wrote:
I was not going to address this but I am getting phone calls and emails about it. I DID NOT ask for my release. Speculation and rumors are running rampant. Someone is playing all the wrestling news sites. It’s a game. I’ve been in professional wrestling for 15 years and what I do in front of the camera will only be a small part of the full story. I have relationships with fans, talent, producers, and their families. I have been in the hospital when people have been injured and backstage to hug someone that just had a great match. I don’t need to stir up shit. I don’t need to put others down. I am an imperfect human that has learned from past mistakes. Whoever is leaking rumors I pity you. And your desperate attempt for attention while disparaging my husband and I. I’m gonna take the weekend off of social media to hang out with my beautiful family and I suggest whoever it is does the same. Social media is not fact. It is fantasy, a nightmare, or a place for bullies. I want to use this for motivation to be positive everyday. I am still learning how to be a mom. I still fight postpartum depression. And I still try and become a better person everyday. I don’t need this made up extra stress. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and thank you for your support!
Prior to her full statement, Kanellis and Bennett both vaguely addressed some of the issues that people were mentioning.
Everyone thinks they know everything. Hahahahaha…. it’s social media not an autobiography. https://t.co/5wlyJgzfF1
— MariaKanellisBennett (@MariaLKanellis) January 17, 2019
On some fans outrage that Mike Bennett used the WWE to pay for his rehab as he got clean from pain killers:
Social Media Fact Check: Mike NEVER went to rehap ANYWHERE. He was on the road with me rehabbing. We were on house shows. He never took time off to rehab. He worked through it.
— MariaKanellisBennett (@MariaLKanellis) January 17, 2019
On Maria using the WWE for her maternity leave or that WWE was unhappy with Maria getting pregnant early into the couples’ run with the company:
Social Media Fact Check: WWE has been SUPER supportive of me being a mother and a superstar!
— MariaKanellisBennett (@MariaLKanellis) January 17, 2019
Mike Bennett and Maria returned to WWE television late last year, with Bennett joining the roster for 205 Live, where he began pairing with former Cruiserweight Champion TJP.
And hey, would you want to leave the company after getting such a sweet 80’s rock song as your theme?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpS9oFx-OT4
