Conspiracy Theories: Why Did the WWE Fire Maria Kanellis?

"You're Fired!"

Those are the famed parting words growled by business mogul Donald Trump on his popular reality series, The Celebrity Apprentice .

They were also the words uttered to now former WWE Diva Maria Kanellis just days before The Celebrity Apprentice , a show which she is featured on, was set to debut on NBC.

I've been watching this season of The Celebrity Apprentice from the first episode.  My interest was sparked by the above mentioned Maria Kanellis' appearance on the show. along with former world champion Bill Goldberg.  

The entire season had already been filmed prior to Maria's firing, so being a conspiracy theorist, I went into it thinking "she must've said or done something really dumb! "  

But she didn't.

In fact, ten weeks later, Maria is still standing as a member of the final five contestants.

Throughout this season of The Celebrity Apprentice , Maria has been a great ambassador for the WWE.  As project manager, her Kodak Moment Expo featured WWE paraphernalia (with special guest Mark Henry), and earned her an easy victory for her team.  

Maria has basically been free press for the WWE now that she's been cut.  But with no mishaps on her part, and none in sight, why did the WWE release Maria if she's been so prominent on a highly rated network show in prime time?  Isn't mainstream appeal one of Vince's long-term goals for his company? 

There's got to be more to this story.  There's got to be some sort of conspiracy. 

Conspiracy Theory No. 1:  The Stacy Keibler Theory

In 2006, Stacy Keibler appeared on ABC's hit new show Dancing with the Stars.  Keibler was brilliant during her stint on the prime time juggernaut, and she would eventually place third. 

With her new found fame as a star on a hit network series, a star than never shined so bright during her professional wrestling career, Stacy Keibler made the call to future endeavor the WWE.  Keibler left the company in 2006, without so much as a goodbye address.  

Ouch. 

It's no secret that Keibler's move to go on to bigger and better things made the WWE look minor league.  Chad Ochocinco is making some headway in the current season of DWTS.  But even if he wins, you won't see him ditch the Bengals for greener pastures.

Which brings me to my next point.  Maybe Maria won.  

I'd be remiss if I didn't interject my opinion as a follower of this installment of The Celebrity Apprentice .  And for what it's worth, I don't think she's done enough to this point to win the competition. 

However Maria has already made it far enough, and received enough national exposure, to where the WWE is vulnerable to being made to look minor league. 

Again. 

Perhaps, after being informed how well she did this season, McMahon took preemptive measures and beat Maria Kanellis to the punch.  Perhaps McMahon fired Maria before she could make him look minor league like that witch Stacy Keibler. 

But then again, maybe not. 

Conspiracy Theory No. 2:  The 24/7 Theory

It's no secret that, unless you're Chris Jericho or a star who has carved their niche balls deep in the WWE, Vince McMahon wants you to be committed to the WWE 24 hours a day 7 days a week. 

Any violators of this unwritten rule are subject to termination.

Mickie James can vouch for that.  After announcing that she would be launching a Country Music career, the countdown to Mickie's unceremonious release was almost imminent.  And while it's worth noting that there were other prevailing issues that lead to her involuntary departure from the company, Mickie's outside aspirations definitely did not do her any favors. 

Maria Kanellis enjoyed similar outside aspirations.  With an album on the horizon, and some valuable exposure on NBC, Maria Kanellis would be opened up to new and exciting opportunities. 

Opportunities which the WWE was sure to frown upon.

Perhaps Vince McMahon looked into the future.  Upon learning of how long Maria would be featured on The Celebrity Apprentice, coupled with Maria's budding music career, maybe Vince McMahon felt that Maria would now be distracted. 

Ashley Massaro appeared on Survivor in 2007 and fizzled out in less than a week .  Yet the WWE kept her around for longer than was necessary following that fiasco.  Possibly because they weren't worried about having to deal with an inflated ego?

Maybe Vince McMahon just didn't want to deal with this new Diva.  With so much exposure, she would now be routinely making all kinds of 'outlandish' requests to participate in projects not produced by the WWE.  The nerve.

Maybe that was enough to get Maria canned.  Maybe.  

Conspiracy Theory No. 3:  The Business Model Theory

It's probably the worst kept secret in mainstream wrestling today.  Boys first, girls second.  Even in TNA, where the women draw the bigger ratings for the most part, the Knockouts are still stiffed when it comes to receiving reasonable pay. 

The WWE was once known for featuring renowned female stars such as Alundra Blaze, The Fabulous Moolah, Chyna, Sable, Sunny, and Trish Stratus.  

Now they're just pretty girls with shiny gear.  Even Beth Phoenix, who is widely regarded as the best WWE Diva on the roster, is supremely underutilized.  

With the economy in a rut, even a machine such as the WWE may have felt the need to be more economical at all turns.  

Coming off of Wrestlemania 26, where 10 Divas were 'featured' in an uninspired, clustered mess, it has become obvious that the WWE is not interested in creating a new female megastar anytime soon.

Perhaps a new, economical business model is to blame.  Creating a new female star, a la the recently fired Mickie James, would tip the pay scale.  The WWE would have to worry about paying the top Diva more money along with its financial commitments to the John Cenas and Batistas of the world. 

It would only be a matter of time before the next Diva in line would have to be compensated more handsomely when her contract comes up.  And with Maria now a network star, there would be no room for her fiscal demands under said business model.  

Whether it's about money, ego, or discrimination, something is going on here.  The timing behind Maria Kanellis' release was just too suspicious for it to be a routine spring cleaning move.  This wasn't a Mike Knox situation where there seemed to be no place for her.  After a great run on The Celebrity Apprentice , Maria now possesses that crossover appeal.  Crossover appeal that has become so coveted in WWE front offices, that James Brown Meatloaf is hocking his new album midway through a Randy Orton promo. 

Something's going on here.  There has to be more to this story than a conspiracy theory.