Maria Kanellis credits the Smashing Pumpkins frontman with the idea for her and her husband, Mike Bennett, to have a power ballad as their WWE entrance theme upon returning in 2017.
When Maria Kanellis returned to WWE alongside her husband, Mike Bennett (Mike Kanellis) there was not much about that run that was critically acclaimed. The one thing they did receive a lot of praise was their entrance music which was reminiscent of a 1980s power ballad.
Speaking on Renee Paquette’s podcast, Oral Sessions, Maria Kanellis revealed that the suggestion actually came from Smashing Pumpkins lead singer and NWA owner, Billy Corgan. Corgan worked with Maria Kanellis and Mike Bennett during their tenure in IMPACT Wrestling while Billy Corgan was also briefly with the promotion.
"I loved it. When we were getting started to make plans to come back, I had called William Corgan and said, 'What do you think our entrance music should be?' He, right off the bat was like, 'It has to be a love ballad.' I was like kind of iffy about it, but he called it. He totally called it, what it should be. I love that song and wish I could take it with me."
Mike and Maria were released by WWE on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. Mike Bennett is currently traveling the independent circuit while Maria Kanellis is focused on the Ring of Honor women's division.
Recently, she stated that she would put Ring of Honor Women's Champion, Rok-C, against any other Women's Champion in wrestling. Learn more here.
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