TNA Reportedly Pursuing Mike Bennett and Maria Kanellis

[Papa Pillman]

Multiple credible sources are starting to report that TNA has been in talks and possibly preliminary negotiations to attempt to bring Mike Bennett and Maria Kanellis to Impact Wrestling.

Kanellis, a former WWE diva, is the wife and valet of Bennett, ROH's inaugural top prospect winner from 2011, and currently a member of "The Kingdom", the promotion's top heel stable.

The reports state that the two are currently working with expired contracts on a per date basis with ROH. Sources indicate that Maria and Bennett are possibly seeking more money than ROH is offering, hoping to secure a lucrative exclusive deal similar to the ones signed in 2014 by other ROH stars like Micheal Elgin, reDRagon, and fellow Kingdom member Adam Cole. The prevailing narrative indicates that ROH isn't offering the type of compensation the couple feels that they warrant, which has lead them into talks with both TNA and Lucha Underground.

What are your feelings on the potential acquisition of Bennett and Kanellis?


I really feel like TNA could be a more fitting home for their talents. Bennett works a style that has never been completely suited to ROH but would fit in fine with TNA and require little to no adjustment on his part. He is young(only 29 years old), has a great look, and is strong on the mic.

His more recognizable spouse or "better half" is already a known commodity in the national wrestling scene and would instantly add a credible personality to TNA's flagship program. Maria isn't quite suited to be a player in the KO division, and should be kept to the minimum possible amount of in-ring work if acquired, but she too is a very good talker and valuable as a valet, as well as providing a top flight degree of "eye candy".

Bennett and Maria are natural heels who know how to get themselves over in the role, as well as being the best looking couple in the business. If TNA can bring them in without breaking the bank(perhaps using a chunk of the cash that was earmarked for Alberto El Patron) they would be making a serious mistake by letting them stay put or choose Lucha Underground(where Bennett would fit in even less between the ropes than he does with ROH).

With the move to Destination America, now is the time for TNA to pick up some new blood that have established names on the indy scene, and talent that provide the kind of midcard and potential future main event boost that Bennett and Maria could represent don't come up on the free agency heap very often.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Like I said in the Impact Support thread, I have no real understanding of Mike Bennett. I've been to a handful of ROH shows in the past, none he wrestled at, and in not actually watching ROH, my knowledge on him as a performer is about as deep as a puddle.

But a quick Google search shows me he's got a great look, and while Maria could never be confused with a great wrestler, neither could Velvet Sky, and adding some new blood to the Knockouts would make a lot of sense.

On the surface, I'm all for this. TNA could use a fresh face or two.

 

[rbv13]

Realizing TNA is stable crazy right now but the first thought that comes to mind is an alliance with ECIII and eventual feud.

 

[MINISTRYrising]

I think there is room for a couple of fresh new faces on the TNA roster and with the extra shows now that they are on Destination America, I'm sure Bennett and Maria will get a fare bit of TV time. Bennett has all the Tools to one day be a world Champion and at only 29 could be a main event player for a very long time to come and is just the sort of wrestler TNA should be looking to sign.

 

[Lowdown]

I do watch ROH, and though they haven't been featured much on TV recently, Mike Bennett has truly come into his own over the last year and a half. I view him as the standout in the Kingdom, kinda like Arn Anderson was to the Horsemen. And Maria has been nothing short of phenomenal in her valet/manger role. That said, I'd love to see them in TNA, perhaps to form a stable with EC3, but at the same time you never know how they would be used if they were to cross over. But if they're currently free agents, and the opportunity is there, then it would behoove TNA to reach out to them.

 

[Messiah]

It would be great to see Mike Bennett in Lucha Underground or TNA. He would be a great asset to either company.. I don't care much for Maria Kanellis, but you know she'll tag along wherever Bennett goes.. I wouldn't mind seeing Maria in Lucha underground, it would give Ivelisse someone to slap around.

 

[Rayne]

Like I said in the Impact Support thread, I have no real understanding of Mike Bennett. I've been to a handful of ROH shows in the past, none he wrestled at, and in not actually watching ROH, my knowledge on him as a performer is about as deep as a puddle.

But a quick Google search shows me he's got a great look, and while Maria could never be confused with a great wrestler, neither could Velvet Sky, and adding some new blood to the Knockouts would make a lot of sense.

On the surface, I'm all for this. TNA could use a fresh face or two.

Trust me on this, you want this. Michael Bennett is the real deal- if we're going to do ROH, he's Adam Cole if Adam Cole didn't exist. (Which, on the topic- why is Adam Cole only niche famous still? Another "Real Deal".)

Career wise, I'm not sure if TNA would be the best move for Bennett looking long-term- but neither am I sure that ROH is the best place for him long-term. At this point, without having a title run, he's just about out of relevant stuff he can do in ROH- and I don't think the Powers That Be in ROH have any desire to put the belt on him. He'll make the best deal for himself that he can; you really do want to hope that best deal comes from TNA.

If Michael Bennett does leave ROH, dear God do I hope it's for TNA instead of the WWE. He's not a gimmick character; I don't know how well Michael Bennett the actor could portray the character that he would be eventually given in the WWE. That's not a knock on him- he does a fantastic job of portraying Michael Bennett, but it's the exception rather than the rule when a WWE character gets to portray a version of himself, as opposed to a character written by a committee of 22 year-olds.

 

[jpickens]

Plus the last time I read Maria had a problem with the Bella's supposedly blocking her and several other former divas from returning to the WWE a couple of years ago so right there that would've ruled against Mike Bennett big time if such a case was true.

 

[Fabulous Freebirds]

I would find it hilarious if Maria actually signed with TNA. She pretty much spent the past 3 years telling everyone in every wrestling interview that she will never work for TNA, TNA is not for her and she's a WWE girl.

So, I doubt this would happen. And quite frankly neither would add anything to the roster.

Sounds like the wrestling writers are trying to find something to connect TNA to.

One week ADR will join TNA.
Last week Maria and Mike Bennett will join TNA.
Today, Edge was being pursued.

I mean, sounds like the reports are throwing things to the wall and seeing what sticks.

 

[mlp420]

The Mike Bennett-Maria act is hands down my favorite, and one of the few things that I like in ROH. To me he was a no brainer as a heel champion but for some reason they just won't give him anything, not even the TV title. Likely because they're handcuffed by their purist fanbase. He'll have much better luck in TNA. Plus they actually have a women's division for Maria to compete in, if she so chooses.

 

[The Dragon Saga]

One week ADR will join TNA.
Last week Maria and Mike Bennett will join TNA.
Today, Edge was being pursued.

They're called "negotiations", the sometimes and often lengthy process especially when TNA are in an unfamiliar situation where money is crucial, where they speak to various wrestlers in an attempt to bring them in. No report has stated that Alberto was joining and no report has said that Bennett and Maria are joining. Bennett has stated publicly his contracted has expired and he will consider his options.

If Bennett and Maria leave ROH I'm not too sad about that. Both add to the product but neither adds a lot or are crucial to it. The Kingdom is probably their best work to date actually. Maria adds a recognizable face and has been a great advocate for everything ROH since virtually the moment she debuted but that was four years ago and she hasn't brought a ton of attention to the company. They're both smart people, they'll make the smart decision for the, whether that's Lucha Underground, TNA or re-signing with ROH, I'm not too fussed.

 

[New Hot Fed]

Would be ideal to re-instate the TV title just for him.

 

[jpickens]

It will be interesting to see how Maria would interact with the other knockouts since for the past four years she's except for Scarlett, Veda, and Salezia and those either are no longer with ROH or never had a program with her has practically been the only the only girl in town.