Former WWE star reveals her AEW contract is expiring soon; doubtful about future

A former WWE star has revealed that her contract with AEW is set to expire soon. The star in question is none other than Maria Kanellis. The former WWE 24/7 Champion had two stints with the Stamford-based promotion between 2004 and 2020.

The 42-year-old signed with AEW in October 2022 alongside Mike Bennett and Matt Taven. She began managing Cole Karter and Griff Garrison in Ring of Honor last year. The former WWE Superstar recently expressed her frustration with her position in AEW's sister promotion. Maria Kanellis also revealed that she was set to undergo surgery for an adrenal gland mass in September.

During a recent interaction on the Gabby AF podcast, Maria revealed that her contract with the Tony Khan-led All Elite Wrestling would be expiring in November 2024. The Chicago native also opened up about being away from her husband, Mike Bennett on screen, and how it initially impacted their marriage.

"When we [Maria Kanellis and Mike Bennett] got split up, it was difficult on our marriage. This was probably the hardest year of our marriage. We’re good now, but at first, it was really difficult. It’s a blessing now. When we were first going through it, I was pi**ed. It’s being competitive and wanting to be successful and wanting to be on the main show and wanting to show what you got and do what you were made to do, and so that makes it tough then, plus on top of that, he’s my best friend, so I wasn’t seeing my best friend,'' she said.

The former WWE star also expressed doubts about her future with AEW following the expiration of her current deal.

''So yeah, we’ll see what happens. I don’t know what’s gonna happen. I know that things are coming up at the beginning of November. There’s an option, but we’ll see what happens," she added. [H/T:PostWrestling]

---

WWE veteran Maria Kanellis opens up about her future plans

During the same conversation, Maria Kanellis expressed her desire to contribute and make an impact irrespective of where she ends up working.

The veteran asserted that she has always strived to make an impact and has never chased the paycheck.

"For me, it’s about still being able to have a purpose and feel like you’re contributing, and wherever I can do that, that’s where I wanna do it. I want to work for my money. I don’t wanna not work for a paycheck. Even when I was on maternity leave, I was like, ‘I gotta get back to work. I gotta get back to work,’ because I just want to contribute, and that’s who I’ve always been; that’s how I was raised,'' she added. [H/T: PostWrestling]

We will have to wait and see what the future holds for Maria Kanellis after November 2024.