AEW Talent Announces Exit from the Company

Maria Kanellis has officially wrapped up her time with AEW.

After months of speculation regarding her contract status, the former ROH Women’s Division creative lead took to Twitter on January 31 to confirm the news.

“This is my last day with AEW. Mike still works there. We have kids.”

That short but direct message put an end to the lingering questions about her future with the company. Maria’s AEW contract originally expired at the end of October, but she and AEW reached a short-term extension through January. Now, it’s clear that no further agreement was made, and she’s moving on.

Maria joined AEW alongside her husband Mike Bennett and longtime tag partner Matt Taven as part of The Kingdom in 2022. While she primarily worked as a manager, Maria had also been open about her desire to contribute behind the scenes, especially in the women’s division. She previously played a major role in shaping ROH’s women’s division during the Sinclair Broadcast Group era, helping elevate the brand before it was acquired by Tony Khan.

While Maria’s future plans remain unknown, she has been a staple in the wrestling industry for nearly two decades, working for WWE, Impact Wrestling, ROH, and AEW. Whether she steps into a new role in another promotion or focuses on projects outside wrestling, her influence on the business is undeniable.

With Maria Kanellis officially done with AEW, what do you think her next move will be? Should she return to WWE, focus on managing talent elsewhere, or step into a more prominent creative role behind the scenes? Let us know in the comments!