Originally published on ProWrestlingSheet.

Despite signing a new multi-year contract in June, Mike Kanellis says he's requested his release from WWE due to frustration over lack of being used. 

"Today I asked for my release from WWE," Kanellis said in a statement shared via social media on Monday.  "I want to thank everyone in the company who has helped me out and who I have shared a locker room with. I love you all."

Adding, "I've been with the company for almost 3 years and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity. However it is time for me to move on. I am only 34 years old and feel I have way too much left in the tank. Working 1 day a week is just not going to cut it for me. I came to WWE to work and that opportunity does not exist right now."

As you may recall, Mike had asked for his release in January of 2019 but ultimately decided to re-sign with the company 6 months later. After re-signing, he was placed into a program involving his pregnant wife demeaning him into believing he's not the father of the baby. 

"I re-signed with the company back in June because I thought it was what was best for my family, and maybe from a financial standpoint it was," Kanellis' statement continues. "But I quickly realized that bringing my work frustrations and misery home with me, is not good for my family and I no longer want my daughter to constantly see me come home defeated, sad and angry. It's not fair to her or my wife."

Kanellis debuted in WWE alongside his wife Maria Kanellis, who became pregnant shortly after. Mike was rarely used on television in the time that followed and eventually made his way to 205 Live before the degradation storyline began earlier this year on Raw.

The rest of Mike's statement can be found below:

"Being a pro wrestler was and is my lifelong dream and I'm just not ready to give that up yet. I wasted 4 years of my life addicted to drugs and not caring, when I should have been having the best matches of my life. Now that I am clean, sober and motivated, I want to have those 30 minute matches. I want to travel the world and wrestle in front of UK crowds, German crowds, Japanese Crowds. I want to feel the love and excitement wrestling once gave me. I also want my daughter to be able to see me wrestle. I want her to see her daddy work for his money. I've never been ok with just collecting a paycheck and I can't in good conscience tell my daughter she has to work her ass off to get ahead in life, then not do it myself. I don't know what the future holds, but for the first time in a long time, I'm hopeful and excited. Thank you to everyone who has ever supported me and had my back. I love you."