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Line 1: {{short description\|American professional wrestler, manager, ~~actress~~singer and model}} {{Use mdy dates\|date=January 2023}} {{Infobox professional wrestler \|name = Maria Kanellis \|image = Maria Kanellis, ~~2016~~2012.jpg \|caption = Kanellis in ~~April 2016~~2012 \|birth_name = Mary Louis Kanellis \|birth_date = {{Birth date and age\|1982\|02\|25}}<ref name=OWOW/> Line 11: \|spouse = {{marriage\|[[Mike Bennett (wrestler)\|Mike Bennett]]\|October 10, 2014}} \|children = 2 \|names = '''Maria'''<ref name=WWEbio>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/maria\|title=Maria\|access-date=March 19, 2012\|publisher=[[WWE]]\|archive-date=November 12, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112191206/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/maria\|url-status=live}}</ref><br />'''Maria Kanellis'''<ref name="Kanellis">{{cite web\|title=Maria Kanellis returns to WWE with her husband Mike Kanellis\|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/moneyinthebank/2017/article/maria-kanellis-returns-to-wwe-with-her-husband-mike-kanellis\|work=WWE\|access-date=June 18, 2017\|archive-date=June 19, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619060459/http://www.wwe.com/shows/moneyinthebank/2017/article/maria-kanellis-returns-to-wwe-with-her-husband-mike-kanellis\|url-status=live}}</ref><br>'''Maria Kanellis-Bennett''' \|height = {{convert\|5\|ft\|7\|in\|m\|abbr=on}}<ref name="Love Note 6"/> \|weight = {{convert\|120\|lb\|kg\|abbr=on}}<ref name=OWOW/> Line 19: }} '''Mary Louis''' "'''Maria'''" '''Kanellis-Bennett'''<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BUZJsGaA-5J/\|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BUZJsGaA-5J\|archive-date=December 26, 2021\|url-access=registration\|title=Instagram post by Maria Kanellis-Bennett • May 22, 2017 at 11:29am UTC\|website=Instagram\|access-date=June 18, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.diva-dirt.com/77416/maria-kanellis-this-is-me/\|title=Maria Kanellis: "This is Me" – Diva Dirt\|date=August 6, 2013\|access-date=June 18, 2017\|archive-date=June 12, 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144625/http://www.diva-dirt.com/77416/maria-kanellis-this-is-me/\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.facebook.com/mary.kanellis.3\|title=Mary Kanellis-Bennett\|publisher=[[Facebook]]\|access-date=March 10, 2019\|archive-date=January 17, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117084808/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmary.kanellis.3\|url-status=live}}</ref> (born February 25, 1982)<ref name=OWOW>{{cite web\|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/maria-kanellis.html\|title=Maria Kanellis\|access-date=May 9, 2012\|publisher=Online World of Wrestling\|archive-date=May 30, 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530081308/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/maria-kanellis.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> is an American [[Professional wrestling\|professional wrestler]], [[Manager (professional wrestling)\| manager]], promoter, ~~actress~~singer and model. She is currently signed ~~with~~to [[All Elite Wrestling]] (AEW) and [[Ring of Honor]] (ROH) as the on-screen manager for the tag team of [[Cole Karter]] and [[Griff Garrison]], and is also the co-owner and founder of the [[Independent circuit\|independent promotion]] [[Women's Wrestling Army]] (WWA).<ref name="WWAFirstAnnouncement">{{cite web\|first=Ian\|last=Carey\|title=Maria Kanellis launching 'Women's Wrestling Army' project\|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/other-wrestling/maria-kanellis-launches-womens-wrestling-army-project\|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]\|date=April 14, 2022\|access-date=November 11, 2022\|archive-date=November 11, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111210039/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/other-wrestling/maria-kanellis-launches-womens-wrestling-army-project\|url-status=live}}</ref> She ~~Prior~~is tobest ~~signing~~known ~~with~~for ~~AEW,~~her ~~she~~tenures ~~wrestled for~~in [[~~Impact Wrestling~~WWE]], ~~[[Ring~~and ~~of Honor]] (ROH),<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.rohwrestling.com/wrestlers/maria-kanellis-bennett\|title=Maria Kanellis Bennett\|date=January 6, 2021\|publisher=~~[[~~Ring~~TNA ~~of Honor]]~~Impact!\|~~access-date=January 8, 2021}}{{Dead link\|date=March 2023 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and [[WWE~~TNA]]. Outside of wrestling, she is known for her 2008 ''[[Playboy]]'' magazine pictorial and 2010 appearances on the ''[[The Apprentice (U.S. season 9)\|Celebrity Apprentice]]'' television series. Kanellis' career began as a contestant on the reality show ''[[Outback Jack]]'' in 2004. In the same year, she placed fifth in the [[WWE Diva Search#2004\|Diva Search]], and was later hired by WWE as a backstage interviewer. Kanellis began competing in the ring as a professional wrestler in 2005 and received the [[Slammy Award]] for Diva of the Year in 2009. She released her debut album ''[[Sevin Sins]]'' in 2010 and departed WWE later that year. After departing WWE, she worked for [[Ring of Honor]] (ROH) and [[Impact Wrestling]] - then Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) - often appearing with her husband [[Mike Bennett (wrestler)\|Mike Bennett]]. In TNA, she is a former [[Impact Knockouts Championship\|TNA Knockouts Champion]]. Along with Bennett, she returned to WWE from 2017 to 2020 and held the [[WWE 24/7 Championship]] once, and as it was during her pregnancy, that made her the first ever pregnant champion in [[WWE]] history. == Early life == Kanellis was born in [[Ottawa, Illinois]].<ref name=philly/> She has [[Greek Americans\|Greek origins]]. She has two younger siblings; a brother and sister named Bill and Janny, respectively.<ref name="Love Note 6">{{cite web\|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/maria/lovenotes/041007?cid=WWEADP-39\|title=Love Notes from Maria, No. 6\|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]\|last=Kanellis\|first=Maria\|access-date=April 12, 2007\|date=April 10, 2007\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070415051030/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/maria/lovenotes/041007?cid=WWEADP-39\|archive-date=April 15, 2007}}</ref><ref name=aspires>{{cite web\|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/11/03/2220419.html\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115174054/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/11/03/2220419.html\|url-status=~~dead~~usurped\|archive-date=January 15, 2013\|title=Maria aspires for a lot more\|access-date=January 15, 2007\|author=Lawson, Amy\|date=November 3, 2006\|work=Slam! Sports\|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref name="Maria's Love Notes (July 24, 2008)">{{cite web\|url=http://fans.wwe.com/maria/blog/2008/07/24/marias_love_notes_july_24_2008\|title=Maria's Love Notes\|date=July 24, 2008\|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728023323/http://fans.wwe.com/maria/blog/2008/07/24/marias_love_notes_july_24_2008\|archive-date=July 28, 2008}}</ref> Kanellis grew up with an interest in playing sports, particularly [[volleyball]], [[basketball]], and [[softball]]. She graduated from [[Ottawa Township High School]] in 2000, and then went on to study at [[Northern Illinois University]].<ref name=times>{{cite web\|url=http://mywebtimes.com/ottnews/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=353368\|title=Ottawa native makes cover of Playboy, Kanellis also pictorial subject in April issue\|last=Murphy\|first=Mike\|work=The Times\|access-date=February 14, 2008\|date=February 13, 2008\|archive-date=February 16, 2008\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216174317/http://mywebtimes.com/ottnews/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=353368\|url-status=live}}</ref> Before her career in wrestling began, Kanellis regularly competed in [[beauty contest\|beauty pageants]].<ref name=aspires/> == Professional wrestling career == Line 49: On the January 1, 2007, episode of ''Raw'', Maria attempted to interview [[Kevin Federline]], but was instead slapped by [[Melina Perez\|Melina]]. This led to a match between the two later that night, which Melina won. At [[New Year's Revolution (2007)\|New Year's Revolution]], Maria and Candice ran to the ring during the Women's Championship match between Victoria and Mickie James to stop Melina from interfering, helping James retain the title.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/newyearsrevolution07.html\|title=New Year's Revolution 2007 Results\|publisher=Online World of Wrestling\|access-date=June 14, 2008\|archive-date=June 4, 2008\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604164824/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/newyearsrevolution07.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> In the following weeks she faced Melina in two tag team matches, where she won one.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/070108.html\|title=RAW – January 8, 2007 Results\|publisher=Online World of Wrestling\|access-date=June 14, 2008\|archive-date=April 21, 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421113028/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/070108.html\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/070115.html\|title=RAW – January 15, 2007 Results\|publisher=Online World of Wrestling\|access-date=June 14, 2008\|archive-date=April 22, 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422110954/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/070115.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> Maria began an [[Kayfabe\|on-screen]] romance with [[Santino Marella]] in June. On the November 5 episode of ''Raw'', Marella was confronted by the returning [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] for criticizing his movie, ''[[The Condemned]]''. As a part of the storyline, the argument ended as Marella received a [[Stunner (professional wrestling)\|Stone Cold Stunner]] from Austin. [[File:BunnyMania.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Maria (right) along with her tag team partner [[Ashley Massaro\|Ashley]] and Master of Ceremonies [[Snoop Dogg]] at [[WrestleMania XXIV]] in March 2008]] After former ''Playboy'' cover-girl [[Ashley Massaro]]'s return in early 2008, Kanellis engaged in backstage segments where Massaro suggested Maria should be on the cover of ''Playboy''.<ref name=philly/><ref name=minute>{{cite web\|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2008/02/11/maria-loving-every-minute-of-it/\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814040157/https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2008/02/11/maria-loving-every-minute-of-it/\|archive-date=August 14, 2022\|title=Maria loving every minute of it\|work=Slam Wrestling\|last=Kapur\|first=Bob\|date=February 11, 2008\|access-date=June 16, 2008}}</ref> As a part of the storyline, Maria defeated [[Beth Phoenix]] on February 18, to "earn the right" to be on the cover of the magazine.<ref name=philly/> During her ''Playboy'' cover unveiling, Maria's cover was plastered over with images of Marella.<ref name=philly/><ref name=won/> After Marella offered an ultimatum of posing for the magazine or staying with him as a couple,<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/custom/wrestling/orl-wrestlemania1608feb16,0,802903.story\|title=JBL swaps microphone for another run in ring\|date=February 16, 2008\|last=Fritz\|first=Brian\|access-date=June 16, 2008\|work=[[Orlando Sentinel]]\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416114603/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/custom/wrestling/orl-wrestlemania1608feb16%2C0%2C802903.story\|archive-date=April 16, 2008\|url-status=dead}}</ref> she then broke up with him.<ref name=philly/> Maria, along with Ashley were defeated by Phoenix and [[Melina Perez\|Melina]] at [[WrestleMania XXIV]] in a ''Playboy BunnyMania'' [[Professional wrestling match types#Lumberjack match\|Lumberjill match]].<ref name="mh1">{{cite news\|title=Good times for diva Maria\|first=Scott\|last=Fishman\|publisher=[[The Miami Herald]]\|date=April 17, 2008}}</ref><ref name=philly/><ref name=getraw>{{cite web\|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/865/865967p1.html\|title=WWE's Candice and Maria Get RAW\|first=Matt\|last=Fowler\|publisher=IGN\|date=April 11, 2008\|access-date=June 14, 2008\|archive-date=March 29, 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329012631/http://tv.ign.com/articles/865/865967p1.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> After the match, Maria passionately kissed the [[Master of Ceremonies]], [[Snoop Dogg]].<ref name=ign2/><ref name=getraw/> The next night on Raw, Maria wrestled Marella, but the match ended with Maria as the winner. This ended their feud. ==== Championship pursuits and various alliances (2008–2009) ==== [[File:Maria Kanellis 1.jpg\|thumb\|upright\|left\|Maria at Tribute to the Troops event]] As part of the [[2008 WWE Draft#Supplemental draft\|2008 WWE supplemental draft]], Maria was drafted to the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)\|SmackDown]] brand. She made her debut on the August 1 episode of ''SmackDown'' by defeating [[Lisa Marie Varon\|Victoria]].<ref name=SmackDownTrade>{{cite web\|last1=Tedesco\|first1=Mike\|title=Smackdown Results – 8/1/08 – Hershey, PA (Edge/Mick Foley, more)\|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2008/1217661970.shtml\|publisher=Wrestleview\|access-date=July 5, 2014\|archive-date=July 14, 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714205853/http://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2008/1217661970.shtml\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/08012008/\|title=Tables, ladders and uncharitable acts\|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]\|access-date=August 18, 2008\|archive-date=November 2, 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102093619/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/08012008/\|url-status=live}}</ref> On the October 17 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Maria won a "[[Las Vegas]] [[Professional wrestling match types#Object on a Pole match\|Dice on a Pole]]" match to become the number one contender for the [[WWE Divas Championship]],<ref>{{cite web\|last1=Tedesco\|first1=Mike\|title=Smackdown Results – 10/17/08 – Las Vegas, NV\|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2008/1224324703.shtml\|publisher=Wrestleview\|access-date=July 5, 2014\|archive-date=July 14, 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714205043/http://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2008/1224324703.shtml\|url-status=live}}</ref> but lost for the title against then-champion [[Michelle McCool]].<ref name=08SmackDown>{{cite web\|last1=Tedesco\|first1=Mike\|title=Smackdown Results – 11/14/08 – Manchester, England\|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2008/1226735612.shtml\|publisher=Wrestleview\|access-date=July 5, 2014\|archive-date=July 14, 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714164911/http://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2008/1226735612.shtml\|url-status=live}}</ref> Maria participated in the [[WWE Raw\|Raw]] vs. Smackdown Divas match at [[Survivor Series (2008)\|Survivor Series]], where she eliminated [[Jillian Hall]] before her team lost the match.<ref name=SurivorSeries08>{{cite web\|last1=Martin\|first1=Adam\|title=WWE Survivor Series PPV Results – 11/23/08\|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news08/1227498690.shtml\|publisher=Wrestleview\|access-date=July 5, 2014\|archive-date=July 14, 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714145014/http://www.wrestleview.com/news08/1227498690.shtml\|url-status=live}}</ref> On the December 5 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Maria pinned Divas Champion Michelle McCool, but she was defeated by [[Maryse Ouellet\|Maryse]] in a number one contender's match for the title two weeks later.<ref name=Nontitle>{{cite web\|last1=Tedesco\|first1=Mike\|title=Smackdown Results – 12/5/08 – Albany, NY\|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2008/1228580892.shtml\|publisher=Wrestleview\|access-date=July 5, 2014\|archive-date=July 14, 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714230414/http://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2008/1228580892.shtml\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|last1=Tedesco\|first1=Mike\|title=SmackDown: December 19, 2008\|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news08/1229755062.shtml\|publisher=Wrestleview\|access-date=July 5, 2014\|archive-date=November 27, 2011\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127231147/http://www.wrestleview.com/news08/1229755062.shtml\|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[Armageddon (2008)\|Armageddon]] on December 14, Maria was part of the winning team of a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types#Multiple man teamed matches\|Santa's Little Helper tag team match]].<ref name="Santasmatch">{{cite web\|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news08/1229313534.shtml\|title=Armageddon PPV results – 12/14/08 – Buffalo, NY\|last=Martin\|first=Adam\|date=December 14, 2008\|publisher=Wrestleview\|access-date=December 14, 2008\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216161902/http://www.wrestleview.com/news08/1229313534.shtml\|archive-date=December 16, 2008\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/matches/8793508/results/\|title=Results:Michelle and mistletoe\|last=Rote\|first=Andrew\|date=December 14, 2008\|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]\|access-date=December 14, 2008\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217044714/http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/matches/8793508/results/\|archive-date=December 17, 2008\|url-status=live}}</ref> On the December 26 episode of ''SmackDown!'', she served as a [[referee (professional wrestling)#Special guest referees\|special guest referee]] in the Divas Championship match between Maryse and McCool, where Maryse became the new champion. After the match, McCool turned [[heel (professional wrestling)\|heel]] and attacked Maria. On the January 23, 2009, episode of ''SmackDown'', Maria returned and attacked McCool during a match. On the February 13 episode of ''SmackDown'', she defeated McCool following interference from [[Eve Torres]].<ref name=mariagetsanupsetvictory>{{cite web\|last=Tedesco\|first=Mike\|title=Smackdown Results – 2/13/09\|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1234641838\|publisher=Wrestleview\|access-date=February 14, 2009\|archive-date=January 17, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117084753/https://www.wrestleview.com/\|url-status=live}}</ref> Over the next several weeks, Maria competed in various tag-team matches against McCool, with Maria winning three out of four matches.<ref name=Moneyflip>{{cite web\|last1=Tedesco\|first1=Mike\|title=Smackdown Results – 2/20/09\|date=February 21, 2009\|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-wrestling-results/wwe-smackdown-results/11878-smackdown-results-22009\|publisher=Wrestleview\|access-date=July 5, 2014\|archive-date=July 14, 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714205850/http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-wrestling-results/wwe-smackdown-results/11878-smackdown-results-22009\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Smackdown31309>{{cite web\|last1=Tedesco\|first1=Mike\|title=Smackdown Results – 3/13/09\|date=March 14, 2009\|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-wrestling-results/wwe-smackdown-results/11318-smackdown-results-31309\|publisher=Wrestleview\|access-date=July 5, 2014\|archive-date=October 25, 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025025853/http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-wrestling-results/wwe-smackdown-results/11318-smackdown-results-31309\|url-status=live}}</ref> She also competed at [[WrestleMania XXV]] for the "Miss WrestleMania" crown, but was eliminated by Victoria. Throughout June, Maria served as the special guest referee in Diva matches. Maria made her in-ring return on the July 3 episode of ''SmackDown'', teaming with Melina to defeat [[LayCool]] (Michelle McCool and [[Layla El\|Layla]]).<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/07/04/10020026.html\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721021454/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/07/04/10020026.html\|url-status=~~dead~~usurped\|archive-date=July 21, 2012\|title=Smackdown: Eye for an eye\|date=July 4, 2009\|last=Waldman\|first=Jon\|access-date=September 2, 2013\|work=Slam! Sports\|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Soon after, she entered into an on-screen relationship with [[Dolph Ziggler]], despite her being a [[Face (professional wrestling)\|fan favorite]] and him being a [[Heel (professional wrestling)\|villainous character]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/07/10/10095841.html\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130902172638/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/07/10/10095841.html\|url-status=~~dead~~usurped\|archive-date=September 2, 2013\|title=Smackdown: Mysterio and Jericho put on another classic\|date=July 10, 2009\|last=McNamara\|first=Andy\|access-date=September 2, 2013\|work=Slam! Sports\|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/07/25/10255616.html\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717110534/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/07/25/10255616.html\|url-status=usurped\|archive-date=July 17, 2012\|title=Smackdown: Hardy gets Punk'd\|date=July 25, 2009\|last=Waldman\|first=Jon\|access-date=September 2, 2013\|work=Slam! Sports\|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]~~\|archive-date=August 22, 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822053802/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/07/25/10255616.html\|url-status=dead~~}}</ref> At [[Night of Champions (2009)\|Night of Champions]], Maria accompanied Ziggler to his match with [[Rey Mysterio]] for [[WWE Intercontinental Championship\|Intercontinental Championship]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/07/26/10289241.html\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130902172628/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/07/26/10289241.html\|url-status=~~dead~~usurped\|archive-date=September 2, 2013\|title=Night of Champions: Punk loses title, but keeps star performer tag\|date=July 26, 2009\|last=Elliott\|first=Brian\|access-date=September 2, 2013\|work=Slam! Sports\|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> In the following weeks, Melina implied that Ziggler was cheating on Maria, which Maria did not believe.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/08/28/10660216.html\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718225945/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/08/28/10660216.html\|url-status=usurped\|archive-date=July 18, 2012\|title=Smackdown: Punk, Hardy risk careers in steel cage rematch for World Title\|date=August 28, 2009\|last=Bishop\|first=Matt\|access-date=September 2, 2013\|work=Slam! Sports\|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]~~\|archive-date=October 6, 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006100538/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/08/28/10660216.html\|url-status=dead~~}}</ref> Maria and Ziggler later broke up on the October 6 episode of ''SmackDown'' in a backstage segment, after she cost him his match with [[John Morrison (wrestler)\|John Morrison]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/10/10/11362606.html\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714035832/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/10/10/11362606.html\|url-status=usurped\|archive-date=July 14, 2012\|title=Smackdown: Building to Bragging Rights\|date=October 10, 2009\|last=Waldman\|first=Jon\|access-date=September 2, 2013\|work=Slam! Sports\|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]~~\|archive-date=November 29, 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129104240/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/10/10/11362606.html\|url-status=dead~~}}</ref> Maria then took a brief hiatus from the ring to film the ''Celebrity Apprentice'', but returned on the December 4 episode of ''SmackDown'' by helping [[Mickie James]] fend off an attack by LayCool. She made her in-ring return the following week, teaming up with James to defeat LayCool, in which would be her final match in WWE until October 2018. On December 14, Maria won the [[Slammy Award]] for [[Slammy Award#2009 Slammy Awards\|Diva of the Year]], which was voted for by WWE fans.<ref name="Slammy09"/> '''Final appearance and departure (2010)''' After Mickie James defeated Michelle Mccool to become WWE Women's Champion, Maria appeared post-match at the [[Royal Rumble (2010)\|Royal Rumble]] with other Divas, to cake [[LayCool\|Laycool]] for revenge. This was her only appearance in 2010, as Maria was released from her WWE contract on February 26.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/02/26/13040061.html\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713185840/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/02/26/13040061.html\|url-status=~~dead~~usurped\|archive-date=July 13, 2012\|title=WWE releases two wrestlers, a diva and a ref\|date=February 26, 2010\|last1=Oliver\|first1=Greg\|last2=Waldman\|first2=Jon\|access-date=April 15, 2012\|work=Slam! Sports\|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> === Ring of Honor (2011–2015) === Line 86 ⟶ 87: === Return to WWE (2017–2020) === '''~~Sporadic~~Return ~~appearances~~and managing Mike Kanellis (2017–2019)''' On June 18, 2017, Kanellis returned to WWE alongside her husband Mike Kanellis in his WWE debut at [[Money in the Bank (2017)\|Money in the Bank]], establishing the Kanellis couple as [[heel (professional wrestling)\|heels]] for the first time in Maria's WWE career.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2017-07-18/article/mike-kanellis-def-sami-zayn\|title=Mike Kanellis def. Sami Zayn\|first=Ryan\|last=Pappolla\|work=WWE.com\|publisher=[[WWE]]\|location=[[Stamford, Connecticut]]\|date=July 18, 2017\|access-date=July 19, 2017\|archive-date=July 20, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720190916/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2017-07-18/article/mike-kanellis-def-sami-zayn\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Kanellis"/><ref name="MITB2017">{{cite web\|last1=Powell\|first1=Jason\|title=6/18 Powell's WWE Money in the Bank Live Review: Men's and Women's MITB ladder matches, Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship, Naomi vs. Lana for the Smackdown Women's Championship, The Usos vs. New Day for the Smackdown Tag Titles\|url=http://prowrestling.net/site/2017/06/18/618-powells-wwe-money-bank-live-review-mens-womens-mitb-ladder-matches-jinder-mahal-vs-randy-orton-wwe-championship-naomi-vs-lana-smackdown-womens-championship-th/\|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net\|date=June 18, 2017\|access-date=June 18, 2017\|archive-date=June 27, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627150925/http://prowrestling.net/site/2017/06/18/618-powells-wwe-money-bank-live-review-mens-womens-mitb-ladder-matches-jinder-mahal-vs-randy-orton-wwe-championship-naomi-vs-lana-smackdown-womens-championship-th/\|url-status=live}}</ref> On the July 18 episode of ''[[WWE SmackDown\|SmackDown]]'', Maria helped Mike defeat [[Sami Zayn]] in his WWE debut match.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Powell's WWE Smackdown Live Hit List: AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin and Kevin Owens, Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch, Jinder Mahal shows off the Punjabi Prison\|url=http://prowrestling.net/site/2017/07/19/powells-wwe-smackdown-live-hit-list-aj-styles-shinsuke-nakamura-vs-baron-corbin-kevin-owens-charlotte-vs-becky-lynch-jinder-mahal-shows-off-punjabi-prison/\|last=Powell\|first=Jason\|date=July 19, 2017\|work=ProWrestling.net\|access-date=July 19, 2017\|archive-date=July 19, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719215016/http://prowrestling.net/site/2017/07/19/powells-wwe-smackdown-live-hit-list-aj-styles-shinsuke-nakamura-vs-baron-corbin-kevin-owens-charlotte-vs-becky-lynch-jinder-mahal-shows-off-punjabi-prison/\|url-status=live}}</ref> In September, Kanellis went on a leave of absence from WWE, following her pregnancy announcement.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/mike-maria-kanellis-wwe-pregnancy/\|title=WWE Couple Announces Pregnancy\|date=September 25, 2017\|access-date=June 19, 2018\|archive-date=June 19, 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619063142/https://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/mike-maria-kanellis-wwe-pregnancy/\|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 22, 2018, at the ''[[WWE Raw 25 Years\|25th Anniversary of Raw]]'', a visibly pregnant Maria was honored as part of a segment involving women considered legends that contributed to the company's success, including [[The Bella Twins]] ([[Brie Bella\|Brie]] and [[Nikki Bella\|Nikki]]), [[Maryse Ouellet\|Maryse]], [[Kelly Kelly]], [[Lilian Garcia]], [[Torrie Wilson]], [[Michelle McCool]], [[Terri Runnels]], and [[WWE Hall of Fame]]rs [[Jacqueline Moore\|Jacqueline]] and [[Trish Stratus]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=114976&p=2\|title=WWE RAW 25 REPORT: MEMORIES, IC TITLE MATCH, LEGENDS, AND MORE\|last=Trionfo\|first=Richard\|date=January 22, 2018\|work=PWInsider\|access-date=October 29, 2018\|archive-date=October 16, 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016203312/https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=114976&p=2\|url-status=live}}</ref> Line 98 ⟶ 99: Kanellis hasn't appeared in WWE since 2019 and on April 15, 2020, Kanellis, her husband and many other employees were released from their WWE contracts due to budget cuts amidst the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-talent-releases-kurt-angle-drake-maverick-karl-anderson\|title=Rusev, Kurt Angle and Other Superstars Released\|author=WWE.com Staff\|work=[[WWE]].com\|date=April 15, 2020\|access-date=June 10, 2020\|archive-date=June 11, 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611053857/https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-talent-releases-kurt-angle-drake-maverick-karl-anderson\|url-status=live}}</ref> === Return to ~~Ring of Honor~~ROH (2020–2021) === On December 20, 2020, ROH announced the return of Maria through their social media platforms, as Maria introduced "The Experience", where fans can discuss and influence about ROH online.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Rose\|first=Bryan\|title=Maria Kanellis-Bennett returns to ROH, announces The Experience\|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/ring-honor/maria-kanellis-bennett-returns-roh-announces-experience-328086\|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]\|date=December 20, 2020\|access-date=January 8, 2021\|archive-date=January 17, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117084754/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/ring-of-honor/maria-kanellis-bennett-returns-roh-announces-experience-328086\|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 27, 2021, she was released by ROH among other wrestlers due to the company closing down. Line 106 ⟶ 107: On October 8, 2022, it was announced that Bennett, Kanellis, Taven and Vincent had left ''[[Impact Wrestling]]''.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more-sports/four-honor-no-more-members-appear-to-be-done-with-impact-wrestling/ar-AA12M22L\|title=Four 'Honor No More' Members Appear To Be Done With IMPACT Wrestling\|website=[[MSN]]\|access-date=October 10, 2022\|archive-date=October 10, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010093615/https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more-sports/four-honor-no-more-members-appear-to-be-done-with-impact-wrestling/ar-AA12M22L\|url-status=live}}</ref> ===All Elite Wrestling / Second return to ROH (2022–present)=== Maria made her [[All Elite Wrestling]] (AEW) debut on the October 14, 2022, episode of ''[[AEW Rampage\|Rampage]]'', alongside Mike Bennett and Matt Taven, interrupting [[FTR (professional wrestling)\|FTR]] and [[Shawn Spears]]' victory celebration. In 2023, Maria quietly left The Kingdom and began managing the team of [[Cole Karter]] and [[Griff Garrison]] in ROH, now the sister promotion of AEW. == Other media == Line 114 ⟶ 115: During the week of November 5, 2007, she appeared on five episodes of ''[[Family Feud]]'' with several other WWE superstars.<ref name="family feud">{{cite web\|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/overtheropes/news/familyfeudpreview\|first=Kara A.\|last=Medalis\|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]\|title=Tune in to WWE week on 'Family Feud'\|access-date=November 4, 2007\|date=October 30, 2007\|archive-date=October 19, 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019204033/http://www.wwe.com/inside/overtheropes/news/familyfeudpreview\|url-status=live}}</ref> She also appeared on the February 6, 2008, episode of ''[[Project Runway]]'' with some of the other [[women in WWE\|WWE Divas]].<ref name=times/> On August 17, 2008, Maria, [[Candice Michelle]], and [[Eve Torres]] were on an episode of ''[[Sunset Tan]]''. Kanellis later appeared on [[VH1]]'s ''Top 20 Video Countdown'', along with [[John Cena]]. On December 17, 2009, she was a guest host on G4's ''[[Attack of the Show]]''.<ref name="Attack of the show">{{cite news\|first=Ahmad T.\|last=Childress\|url=http://www.craveonline.com/sports/article/wwe-diva-maria-kanellis-on-g4-92865\|title=WWE Diva Maria Kanellis on G4\|date=December 18, 2009\|access-date=January 6, 2010\|publisher=[[CraveOnline]]\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106072435/http://www.craveonline.com/sports/article/wwe-diva-maria-kanellis-on-g4-92865\|archive-date=January 6, 2010}}</ref> Kanellis began a new career as a [[mixed martial arts]] announcer for [[HDNet]] on March 26, 2010, at the [[King of the Cage]] event in Reno, Nevada.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1268457433.php?style=dark\|title=Former WWE diva gets a new gig lineup\|work=WrestleView.com\|access-date=March 13, 2010\|archive-date=March 16, 2010\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316203315/http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1268457433.php?style=dark\|url-status=live}}</ref> Kanellis was also a contestant on the ''[[The Apprentice (U.S. season 9)\|Celebrity Apprentice]]'', which premiered in March 2010. She was eliminated on the May 16 episode. She placed fifth out of fourteen contestants.<ref name="Celebrity Apprentice">{{cite news\|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/01/trump-announces-new-celebrity-apprentice-lineup/1\|title=NBC announces new 'Celebrity Apprentice' lineup\|access-date=January 6, 2010\|date=January 4, 2010\|work=[[USA Today]]\|archive-date=October 3, 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003040149/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/01/trump-announces-new-celebrity-apprentice-lineup/1\|url-status=live}}</ref> Kanellis was first asked to pose for ''[[Playboy]]'' when she was nineteen years old, but she turned down the offer in fear of embarrassing her sister.<ref name=philly/><ref name=dreams>{{cite web\|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/11/05/2242292.html\|url-status=~~dead~~usurped\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101002726/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/11/05/2242292.html\|archive-date=January 1, 2013\|title=Maria's a red-hot Diva with dreams\|author=Tim Baines\|work=[[Ottawa Sun]]\|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling\|access-date=May 23, 2007\|date=November 5, 2006}}</ref><ref name=minute/> She eventually posed for the cover of the April 2008 issue, with an accompanying nude pictorial.<ref name=times/> For the pictorial, she chose her own wardrobe and made the black hooded jacket she wore in one of the photos.<ref name=won/><ref name=getraw/> That same year, ''[[FHM]]'' named her 53rd of 100 on their "The Sexiest Women 2008" list.<ref name=fhm>{{cite web\|url=http://www.fhmonline.com/site/100sexiest/topten/default.aspx?CID=22&Pos=84\|title=#84: Maria Kanellis\|publisher=FHM Online\|access-date=June 14, 2008\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415052910/http://www.fhm.com/girls/100-sexiest-women\|archive-date=April 15, 2012}}</ref> With WWE [[PG Era\|transitioning to PG content]] a few months after Kanellis's pictorial and WWE dropping its use of the term WWE Diva in 2016 in favor of referring to the [[Women in WWE\|female talent]] as WWE Superstars along with the men, Kanellis was ultimately the last active WWE Diva to pose nude for the magazine. Kanellis is also a singer and released her debut album ''Sevin Sins'' on April 13, 2010, with "Fantasy" as the first single. Line 134 ⟶ 135: In 2013, Kanellis was announced as one of the recipients of WWE's Talent Scholarship, which she utilized to obtain a degree in Sports, Entertainment, and Event Management from [[Johnson & Wales University]], graduating in May 2017.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/wherearetheynow/where-are-they-now-maria\|title=Where Are They Now?: Maria\|access-date=June 18, 2017\|archive-date=September 21, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921225959/http://www.wwe.com/classics/wherearetheynow/where-are-they-now-maria\|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.ewrestlingnews.com/news/maria-kanellis-set-graduate-college-degree-sports-entertainment-event-management\|title=Maria Kanellis Set To Graduate College With A Degree In Sports Entertainment & Event Management - eWrestlingNews.com\|first=Ryan\|last=Clark\|date=May 10, 2017\|access-date=June 18, 2017\|archive-date=July 19, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719184904/http://www.ewrestlingnews.com/news/maria-kanellis-set-graduate-college-degree-sports-entertainment-event-management\|url-status=live}}</ref> ~~Kanellis is a devout Christian, and often works with Christian rock band Disciple.~~ == Filmography == Line 234 ⟶ 233: [[WWE 24/7 Championship]] ([[List of WWE 24/7 Champions\|1 time]])<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/24-7-championship\|title=24/7 Champion\|website=WWE.com\|access-date=November 7, 2021\|archive-date=June 23, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623164827/https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/24-7-championship\|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Slammy Award]] (1 time) *** Diva of the Year ([[Slammy Award#2009 Slammy Awards\|2009]])<ref name="Slammy09">{{cite web\|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/12/14/12156476.html\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714003816/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/12/14/12156476.html\|url-status=usurped\|archive-date=July 14, 2012\|title=RAW: Dennis Miller, Slammys can't save three-hour show\|date=December 14, 2009\|last=Plummer\|first=Dale\|access-date=April 15, 2012\|work=Slam! Sports\|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]~~\|archive-date=April 12, 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412130503/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/12/14/12156476.html\|url-status=dead~~}}</ref> == References == Line 277 ⟶ 276: [[Category:WWE 24/7 Champions]] [[Category:WWE Diva Search contestants]] [[Category:The Apprentice ~~(franchise)~~ contestants]] [[Category:21st-century female professional wrestlers]] [[Category:TNA/Impact Knockouts World Champions]] [[Category:All Elite Wrestling personnel]]