 Bennett in 2014 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Michael Bennett (1985-05-16)May 16, 1985 (age 40)[1] Carver, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Michael Bennett[1] Mike Bennett[2] Mike Kanellis[3] |
| Billed height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)[4] |
| Billed weight | 224 lb (102 kg)[4] |
| Billed from | South Boston, Massachusetts[2] Boston, Massachusetts |
| Trained by | Bob Evans Steve Bradley |
| Debut | 2002[2] |
Michael Bennett[5] (born May 16, 1985) is an Americanprofessional wrestler. He is signed toAll Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its sister promotionRing of Honor (ROH), where he is one-half ofThe Kingdom withMatt Taven. Bennett previously competed forWWE under thering nameMike Kanellis, and forImpact Wrestling.
After beginning his career on theindependent circuit, Bennett made his ROH debut in 2008. With his then-girlfriendMaria Kanellis, he worked as part of "The Kingdom"stable, winning the ROH World Tag Team Championship with Matt Taven. ROH's talent-sharing agreement withNew Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) saw thetag team make appearances in Japan, where they won NJPW'sIWGP Tag Team Championship. Bennett left ROH in late-2015 to sign with promotionTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he won theTNA X Division Championship. In 2017, Bennett joined his wife Maria inWWE (whose maiden name was used as his character's surname), where he held theWWE 24/7 Championship twice. After leaving WWE in April 2020, Bennett briefly returned to ROH and to TNA (now known asImpact Wrestling) before joining AEW in October 2022.
In addition to wrestling, Bennett and Taven operate awrestling school inWest Warwick, Rhode Island.[6]
Michael Bennett was born on May 16, 1985, inCarver, Massachusetts. He has an older brother, an older sister, and a younger brother.[7] He graduated fromCarver High School in 2003 (presently, Carver Middle-High School).[8]
Bennett made hisprofessional wrestling debut in 2002.[2] The following year, Bennett made a single appearance for theEast Coast Wrestling Association, when he lost to Big Benny.[9] On October 3, 2004, at the New England Wrestling Association'sReturn to Exile show, Bennett was part of abattle royal in which the final two competitors would face each other for the vacant NEWA Heavyweight Championship. Bennett and Brian Rogers were the final men left, and later that night Bennett defeated Rogers to win the NEWA Heavyweight Championship.[10] Bennett also wrestled for Eastern Pro Wrestling (EPW). On April 27, 2007, Bennett lost to Derek Destiny.[11] On February 29, 2008, Bennett lost to Nick Westgate.[12] The following day, Bennett, who was accompanied by Gia Savitz, defeated Thom Kane.[13] On January 16, 2010, Bennett unsuccessfully challenged Nick Westagte for the EPW Television Championship. On March 5, Bennett won the 'Rhodes Island Rumble' battle royal to become the number one contender to the EPW Heavyweight Championship.[14]
Bennett and Bryce Andrews appeared on the April 9, 2007, episode ofWWE Heat, where they facedCryme Tyme.[15] On October 6, 2009, Bennett competed in dark match in losing effort againstKip James at theTNA Impact! taping.[16] In a match for theNortheast Wrestling (NEW) promotion in March 2010, Bennett was a participant in afive-way match for theNEW Heavyweight Championship, which was won byMatt Taven.[14] At NEW'sSpring Slam show on April 15, 2011, Bennett lost toMatt Hardy.[17] In 2010, Bennett debuted for Squared Circle Wrestling (2CW) by defeating Matt Taven on September 25. Three months later at 2CW'sNightmare Before Christmas show in December, Taven defeated Bennett in a rematch.[18]
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On September 14, 2012, Bennett made his debut for theChikara promotion, when he andThe Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) entered the2012 King of Trios tournament as TeamROH, defeating the Faces of Pain (The Barbarian,Meng andThe Warlord) in their first round match.[19][20] The following day, Team ROH advanced to the semifinals with a win over The Extreme Trio (Jerry Lynn,Tommy Dreamer andToo Cold Scorpio).[19][21] Team ROH opened the third and final day of the tournament by defeating the all-female TeamSendai Girls (Dash Chisako,Meiko Satomura andSendai Sachiko) in the semifinals.[19][22] In the finals of the tournament, Team ROH was defeated by the Spectral Envoy (Frightmare,Hallowicked andUltraMantis Black), when Bennett submitted to Hallowicked'sChikara Special.[19][22]
Bennett debuted forNew England Championship Wrestling (NECW) on November 14, 2003, losing to Johnny Idol. The following March, Bennett earned his first win in NECW by defeatingBob Evans. In August 2004, Bennett began feuding with Ru Starr, trading victories with him, until Starr won the rubber match on February 12, 2005. In March, Bennett moved into a feud with Michael Sain, losing to him in two singles match that month, and again in aStretcher match on April 16. He earned his first victory over Sain in June. He spent the next several months wrestling against competitors including Frankie Arion, Pat Masters, andFergal Devitt, before taking a four-year hiatus from NECW.[23]
He returned atSpring Breakdown on April 18, 2009, teaming with Guy Alexander to defeat TJ Richter and Mr. Munroe. AtNECW Tag Team Classic in September, Bennett and Alexander defeated Richter and Munroe in the first round of a tournament, but their match against Scott Osborne and Brandon Locke ended in a doublecountout, eliminating both teams from the tournament. At the NECW television tapings on January 23, 2010, Bennett defeatedDavid Cash.[23]
Bennett debuted forTop Rope Promotions (TRP) on February 17, 2006, where he defeated Stryker. On March 24, Bennett, as part of NRG, defeated Freightrain. The following month Bennett defeated Billy Warhawk. Bennett continued on a winning streak, defeating Joe Chece,Spike Dudley,D. C. Drake, and on June 23, he competed in the 2006Kowalski Cup. He defeatedRomeo Roselli and Chece en route to the final, where he defeatedSlyck Wagner Brown to win the tournament. He suffered his first loss on July 1, when he was defeated byAntonio Thomas, and two weeks later he lost to Roselli. On September 1, Bennett defeated Dudley in astreet fight to win the NRG Heavyweight Championship. The following night, he lost to Dudley in asteel cage match, and lost aLoser Leaves Town steel cage match to Dudley on September 29.[24][25]
Despite this, Bennett returned to TRP on January 5, 2007, teaming with Bryce Andrews to defeat 'Chunky But Funky' to win theTRP Tag Team Championship. After losing to The Aldren Brothers in a non-title match in February, Bennett and Andrews won atwo out of three falls match to retain the championship on April 6. The following night, they lost toThe Heart Throbs (Antonio Thomas and Romeo Roselli) in a non-title match, and at the following show in May, Bennett lost to Roselli in a singles match. On June 9, Bennett and Andrews defeated Kristian Frost andBrutus Beefcake.[24] In July, Bennett aligned himself with Luscious Latasha, with the pair defeating Dudley and Leah Morrison in amixed tag team match on July 15.[26] In April 2008, Bennett lost to Dudley in a street fight.[27] On May 30, Bennett lost to Andrews in aFirst Blood match.[28] He continued competing in TRP for the remainder of the year, wrestling against Dudley, Brian Fury,Bushwhacker Luke, and Jason Blade.[29][30][31][32] He formed a semi-regular tag team with Ryan Waters in January 2009, and the pair lost to the reigning TRP Tag Team Championship, The Alden Brothers on January 9.[33]
On March 20, Bennett facedStevie Richards in a match for thevacantTRP Heavyweight Championship, but was unsuccessful.[34] On April 4, however, Bennett defeated Richards to win the TRP Heavyweight Championship for the first time.[35] He successfully defended the championship against Jimmy Preston on July 12, Isys Ephex on September 18, andKen Anderson on November 8.[36][37][38] On January 1, 2010, Bennett defeatedKenny Dykstra to retain his TRP Heavyweight Championship, and retained it again againstColin Delaney on February 5, and against J. Freddie in aNo Disqualification match on February 21. On April 9, atThe Anniversary, the TRP Heavyweight Championship wasvacated when a match between Bennett and Freddie ended in ano contest. The following month, Freddie defeated Bennett in aLast Man Standing match.[14]
At the 2010 Kowalski Cup Tournament, Bennett defeatedTRP Interstate Champion Guy Alexander in a non-title match, provoking a feud between the two. In November, Bennett defeated Alexander in astrap match, withOx Baker as theguest enforcer. AtSpindle City Rumble in December, Bennett defeated Alexander by count-out, and so did not win the championship.[14] On January 1, 2011, Bennett lost to Alexander in a steel cage match for the Interstate Championship. On February 19, Bennett debuted "Brutal" Bob Evans as hismanager in TRP, and went on to defeat Frankie Arion.[39]
Bennett made hisRing of Honor (ROH) debut in 2008.[2] In his first match he lost toDaniel Puder atProving Ground inBoston,Massachusetts on January 11. His next appearance came three months later atBedlam In Beantown in March, when he lost to Jason Blade.[40] After attending a tryout camp in March 2010, which he heard about through announcerKevin Kelly, Bennett appeared at theRing of Honor Wrestling television tapings in July and August.[8] Bennett signed a one-year contract with ROH in August 2010.[8][7] In his next appearance he lost toRoderick Strong on September 10, but earned his first ROH victory atTag Title Classic II on December 17, when he defeatedColt Cabana.[40]
Video packages about Bennett began airing on ROH's television program,Ring of Honor Wrestling in November 2010, promoting his television debut.[41][42] On the December 6 episode ofRing of Honor Wrestling, Bennett and his manager "Brutal" Bob Evans appeared in the crowd to watch a match between theROH World Television ChampionEddie Edwards andChristopher Daniels.[43] Bennett made his in-ring television debut when he defeatedNick Dinsmore on the January 10, 2010, episode.[44] During the February and March episodes ofRing of Honor Wrestling, Bennett took part in the "Top Prospect Tournament".[45] He defeatedAdam Cole in the first round, Andy Ridge in the semi-finals, andKyle O'Reilly in the final.[46][47][48] Following each match in the tournament, Bennett was congratulated and given advice bySteve Corino, but Bennett rejected it and mocked Corino, provoking afeud between the two men.[46][47] At the9th Anniversary Showpay-per-view, Bennettpinned Corino to win afour-corner survival match, also involving Kyle O'Reilly and Grizzly Redwood.[49] As a result of his victory in the 'Top Prospect Tournament', Bennett earned a match for the ROH World Television Championship against Christopher Daniels atDefy or Deny on March 18.[50] Bennett and Evans had a verbal confrontation with Corino at the start of the show, and Corino prevented Evans from helping Bennett during his ROH World Television Championship match, which Bennett went on to lose.[40][49] In a singles match between the two atManhattan Mayhem IV, Bennett defeated Corino and attacked him following the match with the aid of Evans.[49] In a rematch atRevolution: Canada in early May, Bennett again prevailed with Evans' help.[49][51]
Bennett received another shot at the ROH World Television Championship on October 1, but the title match withJay Lethal ended in a fifteen-minute time limit draw.[52] Shortly after this, he began an angle where he proclaimed that he had already won the match and proclaimed himself to be the true champion. Bennett challenged for the World Television Championship again atFinal Battle 2011 in athree-way elimination match against Lethal andEl Generico. Bennett was accompanied by his real-life girlfriendMaria Kanellis for the match, in which he was the final man eliminated, allowing Lethal to retain the championship.[53] At the January 7, 2012, tapings ofRing of Honor Wrestling, Bennett unsuccessfully challenged Lethal for the World Television Championship in a No Time Limit match.[54] Bennett then started feuding withLance Storm, with Bennett winning their initial singles match atShowdown in the Sun, and Storm winning the rematch atBorder Wars.[55][56] At the June 29 tapings ofRing of Honor Wrestling, Bennett defeated Storm in the final match of their trilogy.[57]
At the June 21 tapings ofRing of Honor Wrestling, Bennett teamed up with Brutal Bob in a tag team match, where they were defeated by Adam Cole and Eddie Edwards. Afterwards Bennett, Bob, and Kanellis attacked Cole and Edwards, before being chased away by the returningSara Del Rey.[58] At the following internet pay-per-view,Boiling Point on August 11, Bennett and Kanellis were defeated in an intergender tag team match by Edwards and Del Rey, when Bennett submitted to Edwards.[59] On December 16 atFinal Battle 2012: Doomsday, Bennett defeated Jerry Lynn in his final ROH match before retirement.[60]
At the June 23, 2013, tapings ofRing of Honor Wrestling, Bennett teased leaving ROH, before turning on Evans and announcing that "The Prodigy is dead".[61] On July 11, Bennett, now working as "Michael Bennett", was announced as a participant in the upcomingROH World Championship tournament.[62] On August 3, it was reported that Bennett that re-signed a long-term deal with ROH, after failing to come to terms withWWE.[63] That same night, Bennett's first round ROH World Championship tournament match ended without a winner, when his opponentB. J. Whitmer was legitimately injured after apiledriver on the ring apron.[64] ROH later awarded the win to Bennett, giving him a spot in the quarterfinals of the tournament.[65] On August 17, Bennett was eliminated from the tournament byTommaso Ciampa.[66] The following month, Bennett started a feud withKevin Steen over who had the more dangerous piledriver.[67] The two faced off on October 26 atGlory By Honor XII, where Bennett was victorious, following a distraction from Kanellis.[68] On December 14 atFinal Battle 2013, Bennett was defeated by Steen in aStretcher match and, as a result, could no longer use the piledriver in ROH.[69]
Bennett and Maria aligned themselves with the ROH World Champion Adam Cole, and Matt Hardy, asThe Kingdom. Throughout the summer, Maria and Bennett would get involved inMatt Hardy's feud withThe Briscoes (Mark and Jay, the former ROH World Champion Jay Briscoe, who was stripped from the title and used a custom belt as the Real World Championship), which would result a tag team match at theBest in the World pay-per-view on June 22, which Hardy and Bennett would lose despite Maria's interference.[70] On September 18, 2015, atAll Star Extravaganza VII, Bennett and Taven won theROH World Tag Team Championship by defeatingThe Addiction (Christopher Daniels andFrankie Kazarian) andThe Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) in a three-way match.[71] They lost the title toWar Machine (Hanson andRay Rowe) on December 18 atFinal Battle.[72] Bennett and Kanellis left ROH after the following day'sRing of Honor Wrestling taping, after failing to come to terms on a new contract with the promotion.[73]
In May 2014, Bennett took part in a tour co-produced by ROH andNew Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). On May 17 atWar of the Worlds, Bennett was defeated by one of NJPW's top wrestlers,Hiroshi Tanahashi, in an interpromotional match.[74] Through ROH's relationship with NJPW, Bennett made an appearance for the Japanese promotion on August 10 inTokorozawa, Saitama, teaming with Adam Cole to defeatCaptain New Japan andJyushin Thunder Liger in a tag team match.[75]
From November 23 to December 5, Bennett andMatt Taven represented ROH and The Kingdom in NJPW's2014 World Tag League.[76] The team finished their round-robin block with a record of four wins and three losses, failing to advance to the finals.[77]
Bennett and Taven returned to NJPW on April 5, 2015, atInvasion Attack 2015, where they defeatedBullet Club (Doc Gallows andKarl Anderson) to win theIWGP Tag Team Championship.[78][79] On July 5 atDominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall, The Kingdom lost the IWGP Tag Team Championship back to Bullet Club in their first defense.[80] Bennett and Taven returned to NJPW in November to take part in the2015 World Tag League, where they finished with a record of two wins and four losses, failing to advance from their block.[81]
On the January 5, 2016 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Bennett made hisTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) debut with his wifeMaria.[82] He stated that he is "professional wrestling'sJesus". Three days later, atOne Night Only: Live, Bennett made his in-ring debut, defeatingRobbie E.[83] Bennett challengedKurt Angle on the Maximum Impact Tour; however, Angle said he does not wrestle anyone he does not respect, this caused Bennett to have a short feud withDrew Galloway, who Angle had respect for. His feud against Galloway culminated on the March 1 episode ofImpact Wrestling, where Bennett defeated Galloway. The feud ended on the March 15 episode ofImpact Wrestling, when Bennett and Maria defeated Galloway andGail Kim. He started a feud againstEthan Carter III, during the April 12 episode ofImpact Wrestling, he had a match against him, which ended in a disqualification, when Carter attacked Bennett with a chair. On the April 26 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Bennett defeated Carter, ended his unpinned streak. On June 12, atSlammiversary, Bennett was defeated by Carter in their rematch. On the June 21 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Bennett defeatedEddie Edwards to win theTNA X Division Championship.[84] The following week, Bennett successfully retained his title againstBraxton Sutter after he won a battle royal to earn his title shot. On the July 5 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Bennettdropped the X Division Championship back to Eddie Edwards in anUltimate X match.
AtDestination X, he interrupted the main event by attacking Eddie Edwards andLashley, with the help of debutingMoose. On the July 21 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Bennett enter theBound for Glory Playoff to challenge for theTNA World Heavyweight Championship atBound for Glory, defeatingJeff Hardy in the first round and Drew Galloway in the semi-final, but lost the final round against Ethan Carter III. On the August 25 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Bennett won abattle royal by eliminating Eddie Edwards and Moose to earn a title match against Lashley for the World Heavyweight Championship. The following week onImpact Wrestling, he lost the match, when Moose refused to help him. After the match, Bennett yelled at Moose, calling him "a failed football player", just before Moose attacked him. On October 2, atBound for Glory, Bennett was defeated by Moose. Later that night, Bennett and Maria had a confrontation against the debutingCody and his wifeBrandi Rhodes. On the October 27 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Bennett and Maria were defeated by Cody and Brandi Rhodes, thus ending the feud. On the November 10 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Bennett defeated Moose to participate in a four-way match against Ethan Carter III, Lashley andTrevor Lee to determine the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship, which was won by Carter the following week. On the January 5, 2017 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Bennett was defeated by Moose and failed to win theImpact Grand Championship. After the match, Bennett challenged Moose for a rematch atOne Night Only: Live, which was won again by Moose. AtJoker's Wild 2017, Bennett andBraxton Sutter defeatedTyrus andCrazzy Steve later that night Bennett competed in the 14-person intergender Joker's Wild gauntlet battle royal which was won by Moose. After being convinced byKevin Owens, the couple didn't re-sign with TNA and, on March 1, they left the promotion.[85][86]
On April 18, 2017, Bennett was reported to have signed withWWE.[87] On June 18, at theMoney in the Bank, now billed as Mike Kanellis, he made his debut alongside his wife, Maria Kanellis.[88] Over the following weeks, the Kanellis couple would be unintentionally interrupted bySami Zayn, leading the Kanellis couple to demand an apology on the July 11 episode, but Zayn refused. This prompted Maria to slap Zayn, and Mike to attack Zayn with a vase, establishing both asvillains and beginning a feud with Zayn.[89] On the July 18 episode ofSmackDown, Kanellis defeated Zayn in his WWE debut match, after interference from Maria.[90] A rematch was subsequently scheduled forBattleground,[91] which Zayn won.[92] In total, he only wrestled four times onSmackDown due to going to rehab shortly after joining WWE and Maria getting pregnant around the same time.[93]
On April 16, 2018, Kanellis was moved to theRawbrand as part of theSuperstar Shake-up.[94][95] At theGreatest Royal Rumble on April 28, Kanellis competed in the 50-manRoyal Rumble match, but was quickly eliminated byMark Henry after only three seconds.[96] During his time on Raw, he did not win a match on their weekly show.[97]
On the October 10 episode of205 Live, Kanellis, alongside Maria, made his debut for thebrand, attackingLince Dorado.[98][99] On the October 24 episode of205 Live, he defeated Dorado in his debut match on the brand.[100] Bennett would then join forces withTJP against Lucha House Party (Lince Dorado,Kalisto andGran Metalik), with the feud ended on the December 4 episode of205 Live, Bennett and TJP were defeated by Lucha House Party in a tornado tag team match.[101] On the January 9, 2019 episode of205 Live, Kanellis and Maria complained to the general managerDrake Maverick about how they had not been on the show for five weeks and that the new roster members that came to the brand would have to go through Kanellis first.[102]
On January 16,Ryan Satin ofPro Wrestling Sheet reported that the Kanellis couple had asked WWE to release them from their contracts, and sources mentioned that the two have "been unhappy with the way they've been used in WWE for awhile."[93] Maria would go on to deny that she asked for her release.[103] Mike Johnson of Pro Wrestling Insider reported that they were not backstage at the following episode of205 Live.[104] They would not appear until the January 29 episode of205 Live, where Kanellis would lose to Kalisto.[105] On the March 19 episode of205 Live, Kanellis defeatedAkira Tozawa after a distraction from Maria, ending his losing streak.[106] Kanellis went on to feud with Tozawa over the following weeks, culminating in a no disqualification match, won by Tozawa.[107][108] In June, it was reported that the Kanellis couple signed multi-year extensions with WWE.[109] A few weeks later, the Kanellis couple started appearing onRaw, with a storyline began where Maria announced her pregnancy, but she would start berating Kanellis, saying he was not the father, always insulting him, and accusing of not being a man.[110] During the storyline, Kanellis won theWWE 24/7 Championship, his first-ever title in the company, but Maria ordered him later in the show to lay on his back and let the referee count to three as she became the 24/7 Champion.[111] Kanellis won the title for a second time, after hugging and pinning Maria on herOB-GYN's bed, but lost the title toR-Truth moments later, as he pinned Kanellis in the OB-GYN's waiting room, disguised as a woman.[112]
On October 14, four months after he signed a multi-year contract with WWE, he requested his release from WWE.[113] Kanellis returned from hiatus on the February 14, 2020 episode of205 Live, teaming withTony Nese to defeatAriya Daivari andThe Brian Kendrick, turningface in the process.[114]
On April 15, 2020, both Mike and Maria Kanellis were released by WWE along with several other superstars because of measures implemented by WWE due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[115]
After leaving WWE, Bennett used his real name in the independent circuit. On September 15, 2020, he facedNick Aldis for theNWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipUnited Wrestling Network Prime Time LIVE! pay-per-view, which he lost.
On November 21, 2020, Bennett made an appearance on Ring of Honor Wrestling television helping his former Kingdom partner Matt Taven fight off Vinny Marseglia and Bateman.[116] On October 27, 2021, he was released by ROH among other wrestlers due to the company going on hiatus.
AtHard To Kill, on January 8, 2022, Bennett made his return to TNA, now known asImpact Wrestling, appeared along with Maria, Matt Taven,PCO, andVincent, attackingEddie Edwards,Rich Swann,Willie Mack,Heath and Rhino.[117][118][119] On the September 1, 2022 episode ofImpact!, they defeatedThe Good Brothers (Doc Gallows andKarl Anderson) to capture the Impact World Tag Team Championship for a first time. They would lose the titles on the October 20, 2022 edition ofImpact! toHeath and Rhino. On October 8, 2022, it was announced that Bennett, Kanellis, Taven and Vincent had leftImpact Wrestling.[120]
Bennett made hisAll Elite Wrestling debut on the October 14, 2022, episode ofRampage, alongside Matt Taven and Maria Kanellis.
Bennett made his return to Ring of Honor – now AEW's sister promotion – atFinal Battle in December 2022, where he and Bennett lost toTop Flight. AtSupercard of Honor in March 2023, The Kingdom completed in a"Reach for the Sky" ladder match for the vacantROH World Tag Team Championship, which was won by theLucha Brothers.[121] In April 2023, The Kingdom began a feud withDarius Martin andAction Andretti.[122] In the same month The Kingdom defeated the duo.[123] On May 18, The Kingdom faced Andretti and Martin in aFight without Honor rematch, where they were defeated, ending their feud.[124] In December 2023, Bennett and Matt Taven (wearingmasks and billed as "The Devil's Masked Men") defeatedMJF in ahandicap match to win the ROH World Tag Team Championship for a third time. AtWorlds End later that month, they revealed their identities, forming a new stable, the "Undisputed Kingdom", alongsideAdam Cole,Roderick Strong, andWardlow.[125]
On April 5, 2024 atSupercard of Honor, the duo successfully defended their titles against The Infantry (Carlie Bravo andShawn Dean).[126] On August 17 episode of Collision, Bennett and Taven lost their ROH World Tag Team Championships toDustin Rhodes andSammy Guevara.[127] On the October 23 episode ofDynamite, Bennett and the rest of the Undisputed Kingdom turned babyface and reignited their feud with MJF, who was now a heel.[128]
After a brief absence from television, Bennett and Taven made their return as "The Kingdom" on the May 24 episode ofRing of Honor Wrestling, teaming with Spanish Announce Project (Angélico andSerpentico) in a losing effort against The Premier Athletes (Ariya Daivari andTony Nese) andThe Righteous (Dutch andVincent).[129]
Bennett and Taven, as the Undisputed Kingdom, made their return to NJPW for the first time since 2015 on November 8, 2024 atFighting Spirit Unleashed, where they were defeated byShingo Takagi andYota Tsuji.[130]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Penance | Guy | |
| 2015 | Almost Mercy | Officer Rudolph | |
| 2017 | Saving Christmas | Max Miracle |
Kanellis made hisvideo game debut as part of the Rising Stars Pack ofdownloadable content created forWWE 2K19 and also appeared inWWE 2K20.[131]
In an interview in December 2011,Maria Kanellis confirmed she was dating Bennett, and they later got engaged.[132][133] Bennett and Kanellis married on October 10, 2014. They have two children together.[134][135][136][137]
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