Maria Kanellis-Bennett, the former WWE and AEW star known for her impactful wrestling career and charismatic presence, has shared a candid and heartfelt update regarding her recent health battle. On Friday, the veteran women’s wrestling personality took to social media to reveal that she underwent surgery to remove early stage skin cancer, urging her fans to get their moles checked regularly. This news comes amidst a challenging few years marked by several health issues, but Maria remains optimistic and grateful for early detection[1][3][4].

In a personal post on her official social media channels, Maria detailed the experience: “PSA: get your moles checked!!! I had type 0 skin cancer removed today after a previous biopsy came back cancerous. Feeling very blessed they caught it so early but definitely exhausted. I will have a beautiful 3 inch scar on my leg. It’s been an interesting few years. They marked it with an eye before surgery to apparently to keep away bad spirits.” The unique ritual of marking with an eye before surgery brought a touch of cultural symbolism intended to ward off bad spirits, highlighting the emotional weight of her health journey[1][2][3][4].

Health Challenges and Resilience

Maria, 43, has faced multiple health scares in recent years. In 2023, she underwent surgery to remove part of her thyroid and in 2024 had a non-cancerous tumor removed from her adrenal gland. These medical battles have been shared publicly at times, showing her transparency and resilience in managing her health while maintaining an active role in wrestling and entertainment[1].

Adding to these personal challenges, Maria and her husband Mike Bennett are expecting their third child. The couple announced the pregnancy earlier in June, with their family already blessed with two children: daughter Freddie, born in 2018, and son Carver, born in 2020[1][4].

Maria confirmed that she is currently no longer under contract with AEW as of January 31, 2025; she marked that day as the end of her AEW tenure, emphasizing family priorities by noting her husband Mike continues to work there. Since then, she has continued to engage with fans through social media and wrestling-related projects, even expressing interest in revisiting her iconic “ditzy persona” in AEW during an earlier 2025 update[1][4][5].

Context in Wrestling Community’s Health Awareness

Maria’s skin cancer diagnosis adds to a growing list of high-profile wrestling figures bringing awareness to cancer within the wrestling community. Earlier in 2025, two-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair confirmed his second cancer diagnosis in three years. Likewise, AEW announcer Jim Ross has publicly shared his own ongoing battles with skin cancer, using his platform to encourage preventive care and early detection among fans and peers[2].

Maria’s public announcement serves as a critical reminder to fans and wrestling professionals alike about the importance of monitoring skin health, especially given the physically demanding and outdoor-heavy nature of wrestling careers where sun exposure can be common.

A Message of Caution and Hope

Sources close to Maria have praised her courage and mindfulness in sharing her health battle openly. A WWE insider remarked, “Maria has always shown great strength and authenticity on and off screen. Her update not only highlights her resilient spirit but gives a crucial health message to everyone in the wrestling world and beyond.” Fans and colleagues continue to send well wishes for a swift recovery and hope that Maria’s story will inspire proactive health check-ups across the wrestling community and her wide audience[2][4].

For those unfamiliar, “stage 0” skin cancer refers to the earliest and most treatable stage, often associated with carcinoma in situ, where the cancerous cells have not yet invaded deeper tissues—hence Maria’s note about feeling “very blessed” by early detection. Early intervention drastically improves outcomes, explaining the optimism in her message despite the physically taxing nature of surgery and recovery[1].

Continuing Career and Personal Life

While focusing on her health and family, Maria remains a beloved figure in wrestling. Her tenure in WWE, AEW, Ring of Honor (ROH), Total Nonstop Action (TNA), and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) showcases a dynamic career spanning decades, marked by championships, storylines, and fan engagement. With her health update, she also subtly reminds the wrestling world of the humanity behind the stars often admired solely for their in-ring prowess[4][5].

As Maria embarks on recovery, fans and industry insiders alike hope to see her return not only to wrestling-related projects but as a strong advocate for health awareness. Wrestling journalism outlets like Fightful and Wrestling Headlines continue to track her progress, sharing updates that keep the community informed and connected[3][4].

In Summary

• Maria Kanellis-Bennett revealed she had early stage—likely “stage 0”—skin cancer surgically removed from her leg this week[1][4].

• She urges fans to monitor their moles closely, emphasizing the importance of early detection[1][2].

• This update comes after several recent health challenges including thyroid and adrenal gland surgeries in 2023 and 2024 respectively[1].

• Maria is currently pregnant with her third child alongside husband Mike Bennett, whose AEW contract remains active[1].

• Her public awareness aligns with other wrestling figures advocating for cancer detection, including Ric Flair and Jim Ross[2].

• Fans and sources praise Maria’s transparency and strength amid her ongoing health journey[2][4].

Maria Kanellis-Bennett’s story continues to inspire both inside and outside the squared circle, reminding the wrestling world that vigilance and early care can make a life-saving difference. Wrestling media and fan communities are united in support and anticipation for her full recovery.

Sources: WWE.com, Fightful, Wrestling Headlines, Wrestling News, F4WOnline