Maria Kanellis
Statistics
Ring name(s)	Maria
Billed height	5 ft 7 in (1.7 m)
Billed weight	120 lb (55 kg)
Born	February 25, 1982 (1982-02-25) (age 25) Chicago, Illinois
Resides	Louisville, Kentucky
Trained by	Ohio Valley Wrestling
Debut	November 4, 2004

Maria Kanellis (Born February 25, 1982)^[1][2] better known simply as Maria, is an American professional wrestler, working for World Wrestling Entertainment's RAW brand. She also makes regular appearances in WWE's training territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling. Image File history File links Maria Kanellis This is a copyrighted promotional photo with a known source. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... The or meter (see spelling differences) is a measure of length. ... The pound (abbreviations: lb or, sometimes in the United States, #) is a unit of mass in a number of different systems, including various systems of units of mass that formed part of English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... The U.S. National Prototype Kilogram, which currently serves as the primary standard for measuring mass in the U.S. It was assigned to the United States in 1889 and is periodically recertified and traceable to the primary international standard, The Kilogram, held at the Bureau International des Poids et... February 25 is the 56th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Flag Seal Nickname: The Windy City Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location Location in Chicagoland and northern Illinois Coordinates , Government Country State Counties United States Illinois Cook, DuPage Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 606. ... “Louisville” redirects here. ... OVW logo Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky. ... November 4 is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... February 25 is the 56th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... OVW logo Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky. ...

Before wrestling

Maria was a contestant on the 2004 reality show, Outback Jack. She was shown looking for love and made it to the final three before being sent home. Maria had also won several beauty pageants before joining WWE. Outback Jack was a 2004 reality TV show filmed in Australia. ... A beauty contest, or beauty pageant, is a competition between people, based largely, though not always entirely, on the beauty of their physical appearance. ...

World Wrestling Entertainment

2004-2005

She competed in the RAW Diva Search 2004. Despite not winning the Diva Search,^[3] she was hired anyway. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Maria was brought on to RAW as a backstage interviewer.^[4] She was given a "dumb blonde" / innocent teenager style gimmick (despite being a brunette), playing on mistakes she made in previous weeks. Her first scripted "ditziness" was during an interview of Shawn Michaels when she referred to wrestler Edge as "The Edge." This "dumb" gimmick saw her in many comic skits, most notably during interviews involving WWE Champion John Cena, The Big Show, and Mick Foley. She quickly earned a reputation as the oblivious RAW backstage reporter - Maria seemed to ask the wrong questions, irritating and amusing WWE Superstars and Divas alike. For example, she asked Chris Masters about his nickname, "the Masterpiece" and erroneously called him "the Masturbate." Despite being in WWE for such a short time, Maria had numerous memorable moments, including interviewing Eugene and William Regal after they won the World Tag Team Championships from La Résistance, where an overwhelmed Eugene doused Maria in chocolate milk as part of a post-match celebration. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ... In professional wrestling, a gimmick is a wrestlers personality, behavior, attire and/or other distinguishing traits while performing. ... Michael Shawn Hickenbottom (born July 22, 1965) is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Shawn Michaels. ... Adam Joseph Copeland(born October 30, 1973), is a Canadian professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment, under the ring name Edge, wrestling on its SmackDown! brand where he is the current World Heavyweight Champion. ... John Cena after winning the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 21 The World Wrestling Entertainment Championship or WWE Championship or WWE Heavyweight Championship, is the top prize in the WWE, though exclusive to its Smackdown! brand since August 26, 2002 while the World Heavyweight Championship is exclusive to WWE RAW. History... John Felix Anthony Cena, Jr. ... Paul Randall Wight, Jr. ... Mick Foley Sr. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Christopher Chris Mordetsky (born January 8, 1983) is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name The Masterpiece Chris Masters, who is currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment wrestling on its RAW brand. ... Eugene and Regal wrestle Rob Conway Eugene & William Regal were a tag team in World Wrestling Entertainment during 2004 & early-2005. ... The World Tag Team Championship belt (2002 to present) The World Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship. ... La Résistance is a professional wrestling tag team (formerly a stable) currently peforming for World Wrestling Entertainment. ... Nicholas David Dinsmore (born December 17, 1975), also known by his ring name Eugene, is an American professional wrestler who is currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment wrestling on its RAW brand. ...

In 2005, Maria began to get very physical - in, and out, of the ring. She competed in her first official match on the January 10, 2005 edition of RAW. She faced off against Christy Hemme in a Lingerie Pillow Fight, but lost after being hit with a pillow by Lilian Garcia and then tripped by Hemme, who followed by pinning Maria with a bridge.^[5] January 10 is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Christina Lee (Christy) Hemme (born October 28, 1980) is an American actress, model and professional wrestler. ... Many types of matches can be found in professional wrestling. ... Lilian Garcia (born August 19, 1973) is an American singer and ring announcer. ...

On the October 31 edition of RAW, Maria competed in a Halloween Costume Contest, dressing as an angel. She received a good pop for her contributions to the contest, but it ended as a no-contest when Victoria and Mickie James got into a fight, and Maria helped the other divas get Vince's Devils out of the ring.^[6] She also competed in a Fulfill Your Fantasy Diva Battle Royal at Taboo Tuesday 2005 for the WWE Women's Championship but was the first to be eliminated.^[7] October 31 is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 61 days remaining. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Mickie James (born August 31, 1979) is an American professional wrestler. ... It is proposed that this article be deleted, because of the following concern: minor tag team in WWE, not notable, never officially known as Vinces Devils on screen If you can address this concern by improving, copyediting, sourcing, renaming or merging the page, please edit this page and do... Cyber Sunday is an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment. ... WWE Womens Championship belt. ...

On November 14, Maria competed in a non-title Diva Battle Royal at the Eddie Guerrero tribute RAW show. Maria stood by herself for most of the match, only getting involved when she saw the opportunity to eliminate a competitor, a strategy that proved effective as she eliminated both Jillian Hall and Victoria.^[8] On the November 28 edition of RAW, Maria interviewed then-RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff and asked him whether or not he thought he was going to be fired. He then booked her a match with Kurt Angle out of spite. Maria was laid out with the Angle Slam, but John Cena came down for the save.^[9] On the December 5 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 in a way that was both malicious and capricious, 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."^[10][11] November 14 is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 47 days remaining. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Jillian Faith Fletcher (born September 6, 1980) is an American professional wrestler who currently performs for World Wrestling Entertainment on the SmackDown! brand under the ring name Jillian Hall. ... November 28 is the 332nd day (333rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Eric Bischoff (born May 27, 1955[1]), is a former professional wrestling promoter and on-screen personality, most known for serving as President of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and later on-air General Manager of World Wrestling Entertainments RAW brand. ... Kurt Steven Angle (born December 9, 1968) is an American professional wrestler and former Olympic gold medalist amateur wrestler, who is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. ... December 5 is the 339th day (340th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

On the December 2005 Tribute to the Troops, the RAW Superstars visited Afghanistan to perform for American soldiers. Maria and Candice Michelle defeated Ashley Massaro and Trish Stratus in a Santa's Helper Diva Tag Team Match.^[12] December 2005 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December- → 31 December 2005 (Saturday) 25-year-old Scottish human rights worker Kate Burton and her parents are freed unharmed in the Gaza Strip by the Palestinian gunmen who kidnapped them two days earlier. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Ashley Marie Massaro (born May 26, 1979) is an American model and professional wrestler, currently working for World Wrestling Entertainments on its SmackDown! brand. ... Trish Stratus (born Patricia Anne Stratigias[1] (IPA: ) on December 18, 1975 in Richmond Hill, Ontario), is a former Canadian fitness model and semi-retired professional wrestler. ... A professional wrestling tag-team consists of two or occasionally three wrestlers who are working together as a team. ...

2006-2007

On the January 2, 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 Vince's Devils, but she was saved by Ashley Massaro, who fought them off until they got the upperhand. During the commercial break that night, Vince McMahon announced a Bra & Panties Gauntlet Match for New Year's Revolution 2006 between all five girls that had previously been in the ring.^[13] At New Year's Revolution Maria was the first to enter the Gauntlet match and eliminated Candice Michelle and Torrie Wilson before being eliminated by Victoria. The match was ultimately won by Ashley Massaro.^[14] January 2 is the 2nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... It is proposed that this article be deleted, because of the following concern: minor tag team in WWE, not notable, never officially known as Vinces Devils on screen If you can address this concern by improving, copyediting, sourcing, renaming or merging the page, please edit this page and do... Ashley Marie Massaro (born May 26, 1979) is an American model and professional wrestler, currently working for World Wrestling Entertainments on its SmackDown! brand. ... Vincent Kennedy McMahon (born August 25, 1945) is an American wrestling promoter, occasional professional wrestler, on-screen personality, former play-by-play announcer, and film producer. ... Many types of matches can be found in professional wrestling. ... New Years Revolution is an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

On the February 6 edition of RAW, Maria teamed with John Cena (who earlier that evening kissed her to calm her nerves) to take on Edge and Lita in the main event. Maria ended up getting beat down by Lita, but scored the victory after a Spear meant for Cena hit Lita.^[15] On the February 20 edition of RAW, Maria competed in a Number One Contender Battle Royal Match for the WWE Women's Championship. Maria, along with Ashley, eliminated Victoria, but she was eventually eliminated by the more experienced Mickie James.^[16] On March 6, 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.^[17] February 6 is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... John Felix Anthony Cena, Jr. ... Adam Joseph Copeland(born October 30, 1973), is a Canadian professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment, under the ring name Edge, wrestling on its SmackDown! brand where he is the current World Heavyweight Champion. ... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... Attacking maneuvers in the kayfabe of professional wrestling are mainly used to wear down an opponent for a submission hold, or set up for a throw. ... February 20 is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... In professional wrestling, a battle royal (sometimes battle royale; plural battles royal) is a multi-competitor match in which wrestlers are eliminated from the match upon being thrown over the top rope and out of the ring, with both feet touching the floor of the venue. ... WWE Womens Championship belt. ... Mickie James (born August 31, 1979) is an American professional wrestler. ... March 6 is the 65th day of the year (66th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... In professional wrestling, a run-in occurs when one or more individuals who are not actively participating in a match run into the ring. ...

During this time, Maria also began hosting the Kiss Cam segment on WWE.com Unlimited.

Maria would get her first chance at the Women's Championship in singles action on the April 10, 2006 edition of RAW, being the first person to challenge the newly crowned Mickie James, but Maria was defeated with little effort.^[18] Maria competed in the first ever Extreme Strip Poker segment on ECW on Sci-Fi on October 10 representing RAW. During the competition, she had a fight with Candice Michelle, who claimed she was cheating, and they both stripped each other.^[19] On October 16, Maria competed in and won a Fatal Four Way Bra and Panties match against Victoria, Candice Michelle, and Torrie Wilson to advance to the semi-finals in the Women's Championship Tournament.^[20] However, on the October 30 edition of RAW, Maria lost in the semi-finals of the Tournament against Lita.^[21] April 10 is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... October 10 is the 283rd day of the year (284th in leap years). ... October 16 is the 289th day of the year (290th in leap years). ... October 30 is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 62 days remaining. ...

On the January 1, 2007 edition of RAW, Maria attempted to interview Kevin Federline, but was instead slapped by Melina and called a "bitch." This led to a match between the two later that night, with Melina winning with a roll up following a failed attempt at a dropkick. At New Year's Revolution 2007 Maria and Candice Michelle went down to the ring during the Women's Championship match between Victoria and Mickie James to stop Melina from interfering.^[22] For two consecutive weeks afterwards, Maria would have two tag team partners - Mickie James and Jeff Hardy, respectively - to take on Melina and a partner. She lost one tag match,^[23] but won the other.^[24] Her feud with Melina would culminate in a No. 1 Contender's Match for the Women's Championship, which she again lost via submission.^[25] January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Kevin Earl Federline (born March 21, 1978), is a back-up stage dancer, model, actor, and rapper. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... New Years Revolution is an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment. ... Jeffrey (Jeff) Nero Hardy (born August 31, 1977) is an American professional wrestler currently performing on the RAW brand of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where he is one half of the World Tag Team Champions along with his brother Matt Hardy. ...

In wrestling

• Signature moves

• Running Bulldog
• Headscissors takedown
• Rolling neck snap
• Bronco Buster

• Theme Music

• Kanellis originally used a generic, techno-like theme with the only words being "party."
• In May of 2006, Kanellis was given the theme "With Legs like that" by Zebrahead. The theme was originally meant for Stacy Keibler, however Keibler departed the WWE before she could use the theme.

This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Attacking maneuvers in the kayfabe of professional wrestling are mainly used to wear down an opponent for a submission hold, or set up for a throw. ... For the comic book character previously known as Techno, see Fixer (comics). ... Zebrahead is an Orange County, CA-based punk/pop punk/rap band which was formed in 1996 by vocalist/guitarist Justin Mauriello (formerly of Once There), guitarist Greg Bergdorf (formerly of 409), bassist Ben Osmundson (formerly of 3-Ply), and drummer Ed Udhus (formerly of 409). ... Stacy Ann-Marie Keibler (born October 14, 1979) is an American actress, former professional wrestler and manager for World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment. ...

Personal life

She has a 17-year old sister, Janny,^[26] and a 22-year old brother, Bill, who served in the National Guard.^{[citation needed]}

She enjoyed watching The Hardy Boyz and Lita when she was growing up and has high respect for them.^[27] The Hardys (also known as the Hardy Boyz and Team Xtreme) are a professional wrestling tag team in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) that consists of real life brothers Matt and Jeff Hardy. ... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ...

She is currently dating fellow wrestler CM Punk.^[28] Phillip Phil Brooks[1] (born October 26, 1978), better known by his ring name CM Punk, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment on its ECW brand. ...

Maria has been asked to follow in the footsteps of other WWE Divas and pose for Playboy, but she refused because she does not wish to embarass her sister, who is still in high school.^[29] The first issue of Playboy. ... Main article: Secondary education High school is a name used in some parts of the world, and particularly in North America, to describe the last segment of compulsory education. ...

References

2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... May 23 is the 143rd day of the year (144th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Maria Kanellis

• WWE Profile
• Maria Kanellis at the Internet Movie Database