Despite speculation that he was unhappy with his character's direction, Mike Kanellis revealed the real reason he requested his release from WWE.
Most people think that the embarrassing storyline that saw Kanellis’ name dragged through the mud each week on Monday Night Raw was the reason he went public and asked for his release from WWE. Surprisingly, that wasn’t the reason.
During an appearance on Swings & Mrs, Kanellis said, "The angle itself didn't bother me". He added that his character being nothing like his real persona, “It's not real. My name isn't really Mike Kanellis and yes, I really am married to Maria Kanellis, but at the end of the day I am playing a role on a TV show.”
Kanellis said he had no issue with the actual idea for the storyline, only that it didn’t go anywhere. “If I'm going to do a storyline like that, I want it to go somewhere, I think the fans would like that too.” Any idea should have a payoff and Kanellis agrees. It was frustrating that WWE simply dropped the angle. Even worse, it appears they’ve replaced it with the current Lana, Rusev and Bobby Lashley drama.
“I don't mind thinking outside the box. I don't mind embarrassing myself, I mean, I wrestle in underwear for a living,” Kanellis explained. He doesn’t get offended when he’s emasculated by his wife, only that he gets “offended when it doesn't go anywhere."
Asking "what's the point?" it was the frustration that WWE wasn't committed that he realized there was probably a better option for him.
What’s Next For Kanellis?
Despite having the right attitude, it doesn’t look like there is much on the docket for Kanellis. Not a lot of performers are willing to do almost anything but he is as long as the writers follow through.
Maybe WWE should add him to the live triangle that is the current Lana and Rusev story. After all, not much about that angle makes much sense anyways.