Maria does not micromanage in Ring of Honor.
Maria Kanellis-Bennett is part of the restructuring of the women's division in Ring of Honor both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. For her, the growth of the women's division is very vital to the growth of Ring of Honor as a whole, and part of that growth is allowing the authenticity of the performers to shine through.
Speaking on The Battleground Podcast, Maria opened up about the differences between the way she handles things in Ring of Honor and the way that other promotions handle things with the main focus being the lack of micromanagement.
“One of the most interesting things right now about Ring of Honor is the fact that because we don't have a crowd, we are trying to figure out what comes next. You know, what's going to be good, what's not. You're also trying to play to an audience that doesn't give any feedback, though, here we are, and we have to make sure we hit those cameras because that's all we got right now. Our production team is fantastic, they are amazing, and they capture everything with the quick-moving style of Ring of Honor, like the fact that they capture what they do is incredible, but you must remember that that's who you're playing to right now.”
In further production notes, Maria, the on-screen authority for the Ring of Honor women's division, says that she would never script anyone's promos but they do give direction and allow freedom for that direction to change.
“So as far as my part and what I'm doing right now, I am not micromanaging. I don't do that. Is there an idea? Yes. Is there a concept? Is there a direction? Sure. Can that direction change? Of course, it can. Yeah, but I do not micromanage. I do not give people a script. There are a few women that want more structured scripts. Sure. But for the most part, we do not micromanage and everyone is collaborative. So we will sit down, we will discuss it, if it's not working, let's fix it. If someone's suggestion is better, let's do that.”
She continued, “I don't want to be the focus. I've spent 17 years in this industry, I can take a step back, I'm totally fine with that. If my idea sucks, and if the segment sucked, I will own it and say, I'm sorry, I will fix it. Like, I am okay with that.
“Because at the end of the day, everything stops with me. That's just how I work. But at the same time, we will try things, and whatever it is, we'll figure it out. There are many things over the course of this tournament that did change and there are many -- even the guys have thoughts and ideas about it. Especially, you know, veterans, like, The Briscoes or Lethal, or if they ever have a suggestion, I want to hear it, show them these brilliant minds and wrestling. I want to hear them. I have no ego. I just don't.”
Recently, the new Ring of Honor Women's Champion, Rok-C, spoke about her championship victory being the hopeful end of people underestimating her due to her age. Learn more here.
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