Maria Kanellis-Bennett, a former WWE and AEW star, has had a remarkable journey in professional wrestling. From her early days as a valet to becoming the WWE 24/7 Champion, Kanellis has seen it all. In a recent interview with Wrestling Life Online, she discussed the evolution of manager roles in modern wrestling, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by female managers.
Kanellis began her career in 2004 as a valet, a role that primarily involved physical appearance and limited interaction with the ring. She explains, "I walked out there, I had a pair of legs, I could move my legs down there and then I smiled pretty and then I moved my legs on back. That was a lot of what my job was for those first few years." This early phase of her career was characterized by a damsel-in-distress persona, which, while effective at the time, was limited in terms of character development and engagement with the audience.
As time progressed, Kanellis observed a transition in the wrestling business. She notes, "Women were finally able to do the things they were always capable of doing." This shift marked a new era where female managers could take on more complex and dynamic roles, moving beyond the damsel-in-distress trope. Kanellis believes that this transition is still ongoing, with the industry figuring out the modern-day purpose of a valet.
Despite this progress, Kanellis acknowledges that the role of a manager in wrestling is often misunderstood. She states, "I think it's a difficult character to do, because it's not like..." She pauses, reflecting on the challenge of portraying a manager who is both strong and engaging. "I think that the strong, Chyna-type manager is still very viable in 2026. I think that the Jim Cornette, but maybe censored a bit, is still okay. Paul Heyman is doing it now, so it shows it's still wanted, it's just a matter of being able to do it."
Kanellis' perspective highlights the importance of character development and the need for managers to be more than just physical presence in the ring. She believes that the strong, Chyna-type manager, who can be both charismatic and powerful, is still relevant and desired in the modern wrestling landscape. However, she also acknowledges the challenges of portraying such a character, particularly in an era where censorship and content restrictions may limit the scope of certain roles.
In my opinion, Kanellis' insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of wrestling roles, particularly for female managers. Her reflection on the transition from damsel-in-distress to strong, charismatic manager is a testament to the industry's growth and its ability to adapt to changing audience expectations. However, it also raises questions about the limitations imposed by censorship and content restrictions, which can hinder the development of certain characters.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how the wrestling industry continues to evolve the role of managers, particularly in light of Kanellis' insights. Will we see more diverse and dynamic manager characters in the future? How will the industry navigate the challenges of portraying strong, engaging managers while adhering to content restrictions? These questions remain to be answered, but one thing is certain: the role of managers in wrestling is far from static, and its evolution will continue to shape the sport in exciting and unpredictable ways.
