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{{short description|American professional wrestler, manager,
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name = Maria Kanellis
|image = Maria Kanellis,
|caption = Kanellis in
|birth_name = Mary Louis Kanellis
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1982|02|25}}<ref name=OWOW/>
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}}
'''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)|
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.
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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.
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=== Return to WWE (2017–2020) ===
'''
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>
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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
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.
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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 ==
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[[Category:WWE 24/7 Champions]]
[[Category:WWE Diva Search contestants]]
[[Category:The Apprentice
[[Category:21st-century female professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:TNA/Impact Knockouts World Champions]]
[[Category:All Elite Wrestling personnel]]
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