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Mike Bennett and Maria Kanellis-Bennett should be on AEW's radar right now, and vice-versa. Together, the real-life couple can create magic and add value to the company, both on TV and behind the scenes.
The duo has performed together all over the world; they have starred in the independent scene, IMPACT Wrestling, New Japan Pro-Wrestling and WWE. They clearly have plenty of experience, and AEW could certainly make good use of that.
That being said, let's take a look at five reasons why Mike Bennett and Maria Kanellis-Bennett should sign with AEW.
#5 AEW has a light schedule that would suit their family life
Mike and Maria got married in October 2014 after they met a few years before that. Maria gave birth to their first child, Fredrica "Freddie" Moon Bennett, in April 2018, and their second child, Carver Mars Bennett, was born in February 2020.
Since their departure from WWE in April 2020, they have been able to plot their own schedules. At the same time, this freedom has allowed them to plan around their children in order to to make sure they spend time together as a family.
With this in mind, AEW can offer them a light schedule, so the duo would only have to spend a couple of days on the road every week. The company could also potentially allow them to pursue independent bookings, if they wished. Overall, working with AEW would give the couple the ability to strike a good work/life balance.
Maria has previously hinted that a move to AEW may be possible thanks to her relationship with AEW commentator Jim Ross:
"The last time WWE fired me, I traveled and went to every single wrestling company out there," said Maria. "Now there’s another new wrestling company out there that I haven’t quite been to. But I know that JR’s pulling for me so, you know, there’s a thousand possibilities out there." (h/t Inside The Ropes)
Of course, the couple is well-connected, so this move would surely be easy to negotiate. Right now, at this stage in their lives, it might be the right move for them to reap the rewards of AEW's advantageous schedule. Time will tell whether the couple winds up signing with Tony Khan's promotion.
#4 Joining AEW would provide Mike Bennett with several dream matches
Looking at AEW's roster, it's easy to see the abundance of talent that Mike Bennett could potentially to work with. He could compete with the likes of Cody Rhodes and Matt Hardy, stars he's faced in the past. On the other hand, he could have first-time matches with names like MJF, Orange Cassidy and CM Punk.
Either way, Bennett would have the opportunity to grapple with some excellent opponents. Whereas he once said WWE "wasn't fun" for him, Bennett could have a blast in AEW.
In theory, as a renowned veteran wrestler, he'd bring his experience to the AEW roster, which would also help the development of the company's younger stars.
#3 Maria Kanellis-Bennett could improve AEW's women's division
Maria Kanellis-Bennett has been an inspiration for many women, not just in professional wrestling, but in various industries around the world. She's a strong advocate of women's wrestling, as she has worked hard to build up female competitors on the independent scene.
In AEW, Maria could thrive by working with the women's division. Many competitors on the women's roster haven't reached their full potential, and having guidance from a veteran like Maria could be invaluable. With her abilities to coach and produce, among other skills, she could be a major asset for the company.
#2 Signing with AEW would allow the couple to add to the list of promotions they have worked for
Mike Bennett and Maria Kanellis-Bennett have yet to appear for AEW in any capacity. Of course, Maris is well-known for her time with WWE, and the couple has enjoyed memorable runs in IMPACT, NJPW and other companies on the independent scene.
In AEW, the duo would fit right in, and signing with the promotion would give Mike and Marie both an fresh opportunity to showcase their skills. With their respective success elsewhere, it wouldn't seem right if they wind up having worked at every major promotion other than AEW. It just needs to happen.
#1 Working for AEW would let Mike and Maria join a growing company
AEW's ongoing growth is the number one reason why the couple should sign with the company. What better motivation than to join a promotion during its rise and directly participate in its incredible rise?
By working with Tony Khan's promotion, Mike and Maria could be a part of something truly special. Seeing stars like CM Punk and Bryan Danielson join the ranks is a clear indication of where the company is heading. Hopefully, it's just a matter of time before we see Mike and Maria in AEW.
