Mike Bennett & Maria Kanellis Sign With ROH
Bennet re-appeared on ROH TV in November 2020
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Apr 16, 2021
Former Ring of Honor Tag Team Champion Mike Bennett, and wife Maria Kanellis have signed new deals with ROH.
Bennett confirmed the news in an interview with PWInsider, stating that both he and Maria will be moving forward with ROH full-time. Ring of Honor subsequently issued press releases confirming the deals:
“Ring of Honor is pleased to announce that Mike Bennett has re-signed with the company. Bennett returned to ROH last fall after a five-year absence and reunited with longtime best friend Matt Taven to form The OGK. Having overcome personal demons and professional frustration during his time away from ROH, Bennett has shown that he’s better than ever.
“Bennett’s roots in ROH run deep. He won ROH’s first Top Prospect Tournament in 2011 and went on to form The Kingdom, which would become one of ROH’s top factions, with his girlfriend (now wife) Maria Kanellis, Matt Hardy and Adam Cole. Taven later joined The Kingdom, and he and Bennett won the ROH World Tag Team Championship and New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship.”
ROH said the following about Kanellis' deal:
“Ring of Honor is pleased to announce that Maria Kanellis-Bennett has re-signed with the company. The First Lady of Professional Wrestling returned to ROH in December after a five-year absence to announce the launch of ROH The Experience and her involvement in the groundbreaking fan-engagement initiative. She will continue to play a vital role behind the scenes in ROH in addition to being an on-air talent.
“Kanellis-Bennett made her ROH debut in 2011 and went on to be a founding member of The Kingdom, which would become one of ROH’s top factions, with her boyfriend (now husband) Mike Bennett, Matt Hardy and Adam Cole. After Matt Taven joined The Kingdom, Kanellis-Bennett led him and Bennett to the ROH World Tag Team Championship and New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. She also wrestled on occasion.
“Outside of pro wrestling, the former WWE Diva of the Year has appeared in reality shows, including ‘The Celebrity Apprentice,’ and graced the cover of Playboy.”
