Maria was first seen in the
2004
Raw Diva Search contest and was
later signed by the WWE despite not winning. On November 1st, 2004 on RAW,
Maria made her debut as a RAW backstage
announcer. Throughout 2005 she continued
to be an announcer, as well as participate
in numerous match-ups and contests. These
included, a Lingerie Pillow fight against
Christy Hemme on January 10th 2005's edition
of Raw, and a Diva Fashion show on February
7th's edition.
Throughout the year, Maria also continue to train in the WWE's Development camp; OVW, and participated on November 1st, 2005, on the Taboo Tuesday Pay Per View event in a Fulfill Your Fantasy Divas Battle Royal.
In 2006, Maria kicked of the year at the New Years Revolution Pay per View on January 8, 2006, participating in a Bra & Panties Gauntlet Match. She then continue to get physical, participating in tag matches, and even being defeated in a Women's Title match by WWE Women's Champion;
Mickie James and participating in a Women's Title Tournament after
Trish Stratus retired, losing to Lita on October 30, 2006. She later participated in a #1 Contenders Diva Battle Royal for the WWE Women's Championship (November 27, 2006 - Raw). The next week she suffered at the ends of Victoria in a one on one match up (December 4, 2006 - RAW ).
The Highlight of the year for Maria was going to Iraq participating in the WWE Tribute to the Troops however the highlight for fans that year took place on October 10, 2006 in an ECW "Extreme Strip Poker" segment where she had a naked catfight with
Candice Michelle.
In June of 2007, the
Santino Marella
& Maria Kanellis ear began and their onscreen
romance began to shape in various segments.
As their romance took center stage, she continued
to Wrestle in the Women's Division, which
included August 26, 2007 at SummerSlam where
she participated in a #1 Contenders Battle
Royal and November 18, 2007 at Survivor Series
where she, Mickie, Torrie Wilson, Michelle
McCool and Kelly beat Beth, Melina Perez,
Jillian Hall, Victoria and Layla. In late
2007 Playboy rumors began and in January of
2008 the WWE began to promote her Playboy
spread.
