By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

Maria Kanellis, a former WWE Diva released on February 26, criticized WWE's handling of the Divas and Women's divisions on Raw and Smackdown during an interview on the "One Sided Ring" podcast with Rob McNichol. Maria added that she believes she was held back in WWE and the Divas aren't given enough TV time.

"I wasn't allowed to do as much as I wanted to do. I had all these great, creative ideas and was constantly entering them into the WWE creative, but I couldn't use a lot of them," Maria said. "The Divas weren't given enough time, which I think is a horrible, horrible disadvantage that the girls have. I felt like I was held back - all the time."

Maria said she looks back at previous eras for women's wrestling in WWE and sees Divas like Trish Stratus, Lita, and Gail Kim in ten-minute TV matches.

"I wonder what would really happen if the Divas were given that much time," she said. "I don't know if it's that they think the Divas can't sell tickets, but I truly believe in the Divas division and always will. I think they are missing out on a lot of talent right there."

Maria also talked about her venture into being a backstage interviewer for MMA fight cards on HDNet. She joked she was given more TV time on her first appearance two weeks ago than her entire time in WWE.

"That's one reason I'm not sad they fired me. I got eight minutes of time on an MMA show to just talk to people and that was amazing," she said. "WWE never gave me eight minutes the entire time I was there."

Caldwell's Analysis: I believe it comes down to WWE's business approach to the women on the roster. If WWE features the Divas consistently and in a credible light, they have to pay them more money and the Divas will rightfully request more money. Does WWE want to pay them more money? No, even though they have potential to be strong contributors to the WWE brand. WWE also doesn't want situations like with Rena Mero (Sable) and Joanie Laurer (Chyna) when they became popular. That's a subtext to the situation as Maria branched out to more projects and WWE wanted more control over the projects, even though Maria is considered an independent contractor. (That's a whole 'nother issue.) It's an unfortunate situation where WWE has plenty of highly-talented women on the roster, but seems to be tentative to make one of them the next Sunny, Sable, Trish Stratus, or Lita.

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