Maria On Wrestling Future, ROH, NWA, More

Below are notes from Grapsody's interview with Maria Kanellis. If aggregating the interview, we encourage you to wait until its public release on Tuesday for full context.

- Maria is on a per-appearance deal with IMPACT until October 8. “It’s so hard to make decisions moving forward.” Says she’s talked to Tony Khan and Triple H. Recently talked to WOW.

- Jokes she never wanted to be a promoter, just wanted opportunities. Has always been fighting for more opportunities.

- WWA came about after ROH closed. Maria and Bobby Cruise wanted to give women an opportunity to work in the ring, interviews, and behind the scenes. “We want everybody to get jobs elsewhere and make money. We would like it to be a revolving door where the other side is more money and opportunities.” Plans to work with Joshi promotions. Says COVID still makes it a little difficult.

- She would go in early when she was at OVW to watch Paul Heyman write the shows. Says that was her introduction into what being behind the scenes meant. “Since then, I’ve wanted to do something.” Would always help in little moments and then started to create more in ROH the first time, specifically with The Kingdom. Recalls giving Allie (The Bunny) advice leading to the wedding segment. “That entire process made me want to be in this moment.”

- Thought ROH and running the women’s division would be the next 10-15 years of her life.

- Says there is a part of Mike Bennett who thinks there is unfinished business in WWE. “The idea of Matt Taven and Mike Bennett walking out at WrestleMania, and me managing them, of course that’s in my mind.”

- Says The Kingdom’s deal with IMPACT is coming up.

- Praises Queen Aminata and believes she’ll be signed soon. Says “Willow already works at AEW.” Is excited to do “cool stuff” with Max The Impaler. Names Missa Kate, Jordyne Blade, Brooke Valentine. Is surprised Trish Adora hasn’t gotten signed.

- Think Roxanne Perez has a hard job now because she has to keep up with what she’s already done and people want to see her top it. Praises her match against Meiko Satomura. “I do not envy having such great matches at the beginning of her career.” Says the advice she would give to Roxanne is, “When you feel people aren’t appreciating you anymore, let them know.”

- Says her “ditz” character in WWE was inspired by Paul Heyman and blames herself for singing My Little Teapot in her first promo. “A very sexual version.” Hated the character at first because she was trying to get out of the opinion that women belong in the kitchen. “I used to hate it, now I love it because I got to work with everyone.” Says she learned everyone’s business because everyone thought she was non-threatening. “It was probably one of the best things that ever happened.”

- Thinks there is still a place for “Divas” and being glamorous and doing girly moves. “Talent comes in all forms.” Tries to represent all styles and wrestling with WWA. Thinks WWE should bring back the Butterfly belt. 

- Would have liked more time in the ring early in her career. Says she had incredible moments working with Cena, Edge, and Angle in the ring, but didn’t have the training. Notes how early she was in her career.

- Comments on Billy Corgan saying there aren’t enough women to do EmPowerrr 2 by saying, “For his promotion, he has a certain view of what type of women he wants in his promotion and what kind of stories he wants to tell with those women.” Points out WWA will be using 25-30 women at their next tapings. Notes that EmPowerrr is a PPV and says, “Is there enough women to sell PPVs? Maybe he’s looking at it in that way.”

- Says she won’t be in the ring for WWA. For her, it doesn’t work when someone in a position of power is also in competition. “I can’t give me entire focus for the company if I’m trying to get my shit over.” If she is going to be in the ring, something major has to happen like a TV platform or sponsorship specifically wants a match from her. “I was done at WrestleMania.”

There's a ton more in this hour-long interview. Early access is up now for tier 2 subscribers, and the full interview is up tomorrow publicly.