Real Name: Maria Kanellis
Known as: Maria
Height: 5 feet 7 inches
Current Weight: 125lbs
Date of Birth: May 2nd, 1981
Hometown: Ottawa, Illinois
Resides: Chicago, Illinois
WWE Debut: November 1st, 2004
Biography
Maria Kanellis (born May 2, 1981 in Ottawa, Illinois) is working for World Wrestling Entertainment's RAW brand as a "Rookie Diva", after competing in the first ever $250,000 RAW Diva Search. She is currently the youngest Diva on the WWE Roster.
Career
Maria was a contestant on the reality tv show "Outback Jack" which aired on TBS. It showed her wanting to find love. Although she was one of the final three contestants Jack did not pick her and sent her home. At the end she started saying that she did things she would have never done and that she's glad she'd come this far.
World Wrestling Entertainment
Maria had been a multiple-time beauty pageant winner before competing in the 2004 $250,000 RAW Diva Search. Despite not winning the Diva Search, she was hired anyway as she had impressed the fans. She was brought on to RAW as a backstage interviewer. She was given a "dumb blonde" gimmick, playing on a mistake she made during one of her first interviews when she referred to wrestler Edge as "The Edge." This dumb blonde gimmick has seen her in many comic skits, during interviews involving John Cena and more recently Chris Jericho, Big Show and Mick Foley.
She has quickly earned a reputation as the oblivious RAW backstage reporter. Maria seems to ask the wrong questions, irritating and amusing WWE Superstars and Divas alike. Despite being in the WWE for such a short time, Maria has had numerous memorable moments, including interviewing Eugene and William Regal after they won the World Tag Team Championship from La Resistance, for it was in this situation that led to an overwhelmed Eugene dousing Maria in chocolate milk as part of a post-match celebration.
On the October 31st edition of RAW, Kanellis competed in a Halloween Costume Contest, dressing as an angel. She received a good pop for her contributions to the contest, but it ended in a no contest when Victoria and Mickie James got into a fight. Maria helped the other divas get rid of Victoria and Candice Michelle out of the ring.
Kanellis competed in a "Fulfill Your Fantasy" Diva battle royal at Taboo Tuesday 2005 for the Women's Championship but did not last long however, as she was the first to be eliminated.
On November 14th, 2005, Kanellis would compete in a non-title Diva Battle Royal against divas from both SmackDown! and RAW during the Eddie Guerrero tribute RAW show. Kanellis stood in the corner for most of the match, only getting involved when she saw the opportunity to eliminate a competitor, a strategy that proved rewarding as she would eliminate both Jillian and Victoria. After these eliminations Maria got cocky and decided to attack both Melina, and Trish Stratus. This backfired as they together eliminated Maria.
On the November 28th edition of Raw, Maria only wanted Eric Bischoff's thoughts on whether or not he thought he was going to be fired. However, Kanellis was booked into a match with WWE Superstar, Kurt Angle. Maria was laid out with the Angle Slam and almost received the ankle lock, but John Cena came down for the save.
On the December 5th, 2005 edition of RAW, Maria testified in the trial against Eric Bischoff as General Manager. She first asked Mick Foley to question her with Mr. Socko, before answering, unusually intelligently, "Last week Bischoff abused his power, and it’s this rash discourse that has led to a locker room of disdain and mutiny, and it should be grounds for his immediate dismissal."
On a December 2005 WWE holiday special called Tribute to the Troops, the RAW Superstars visited Afghanistan to perform for American soldiers there. She and Candice Michelle defeated Ashley Massaro and Trish Stratus in a Santa's Helper Diva Tag Team Match.
Maria takes part in a bikini contest on RAWOn the January 2nd, 2006 edition of Raw, Maria was placed in a match with Victoria. After Victoria missed a splash in the corner, Maria rolled her up for the upset victory. Afterwards, she was attacked by the Vince's Devils but saved by Ashley, who fought them off, until finally falling to them. During the commercial break that night, Vince McMahon announced a Gauntlet Bra & Panties Match for New Year's Revolution between all five girls that had previously been in the ring. At New Year's Revolution Maria was the first to enter the Gauntlet match and eliminated Candice Michelle and Torrie Wilson eventually being eliminated by Victoria. The match was won by Ashley Massaro.
On the February 6th, 2006 edition of RAW, Maria teamed with John Cena (who earlier that evening kissed her to calm her down from getting nervous) to take on Edge and Lita in the main event. Maria would end up getting beat down by Lita, but ended up scoring the victory after a spear meant for Cena hit Lita. On the February 20th, 2006 edition of RAW, Maria competed in a Number One Contender Battle Royal Match for the Women's title. Maria eliminated Victoria with Ashley, but was eventually eliminated by the more experienced Mickie James. On the March 6th, 2006 episode of RAW, Maria lost a singles match to Lita after missing a clothesline and falling prey to Lita's DDT. After the match, Edge was preparing to spear Maria, but Mick Foley ran in to make the save.
Maria also hosts the Kiss Cam segment on WWE.com Unlimited. Maria would get her first chance at the WWE Women's Championship in singles action on the April 10th, 2006 edition of RAW, being the first person to challenge the newly crowned Mickie James. James defeated Kanellis with little effort. During May 2006 Maria would feud with Mickie James, even picking up a pinfall victory (in a cheerleader tag match) over the then-Women's Champion. On the October 16th, 2006 edition of RAW, Maria competed in and won a Fatal Four Way Bra and Panties match against Victoria, Candice Michelle, and Torrie Wilson in the final first round match to advance to the semi-finals in the WWE Women's Championship Tournament.
Ohio Valley Wrestling
During her time in WWE Maria has made appearances in its training territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling. While in OVW Maria has gotten involved in some feuds; most notably being with Sosay, a match between the pair ended in a no contest when numerous superstars interfered. Maria has also been involved with Melina, who she brawled with after some rude comments.