Mike Kanellis Publicly Asks For His WWE Release
Mike Kanellis is ready to go elsewhere.
In a post on social media, Mike Kanellis revealed that he asked for his release from WWE on Monday, Oct. 14.
Kanellis wrote, “Today I asked for my release from WWE. I want to thank everyone in the company who has helped me out and who I have shared a locker room with. I love you all. I’ve been with the company for almost three years, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity. However, it is time for me to move on. I am only 34 years old and feel I have way too much left in the tank. Working one day a week is just not going to cut it for me. I came to WWE to work, and that opportunity does not exist right now. I re-signed with the company back in June because I thought it was what was best for my family, and maybe from a financial standpoint, it was. But I quickly realized that bringing my work frustrations and misery home with me, is not good for my family, and I no longer want my daughter to constantly see me come home defeated, sad and angry. It’s not fair to her or my wife. Being a pro wrestler was and is my lifelong dream, and I’m just not ready to give that up yet. I wasted four years of my life addicted to drugs and not caring when I should have been having the best matches of my life. Now that I am clean, sober, and motivated, I want to have those 30-minute matches. I want to travel the world and wrestle in front of UK crowds, German crowds, Japanese crowds. I want to feel the love and excitement wrestling once gave me. I also want my daughter to be able to see me wrestling. I want her to see her daddy work for his money. I’ve never been ok with just collecting a paycheck, and I can’t in good conscience tell my daughter she has to work her ass off to get ahead in life, then not do it myself. I don’t know what the future holds, but for the first time in a long time, I’m hopeful and excited. Thank you to everyone who has ever supported me and had my back. I love you.”
— Miracle (@RealMikeBennett) October 14, 2019
It is unknown if Mike’s wife, Maria Kanellis, has also requested her release.
As Mike stated in his post, he and Maria signed new five-year deals in June, keeping them with the company through spring 2024. It was reported in January that the two had requested their releases, which were not granted at the time. Instead of leaving when their contracts expired a few months later, the couple decided to re-sign.
Mike was involved in a “who is the father?” angle with the currently pregnant Maria. The angle led to the return of Rusev, but has not reached a conclusion on television. Kanellis last wrestled on the Sept. 24 episode of SmackDown, losing to Chad Gable in 19 seconds.
It remains to be seen if WWE grants Kanellis his release.
