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 participating
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 hands
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 era began as their onscreen romance
began to shape in various segments. As their romance
took center stage, with Santino playing a jealous boyfriend
the majority of the time. 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. Tension between Maria and Santino Marella escalated
to an all time high, as he opposed her choice to want
to do Playboy. This all led to a Playboy "BunnyMania"
match being booked for Wrestlingmania 24.
On March 30, 2008 at WrestleMania 24, Beth Phoenix &
Melina Perez defeated Maria & Ashley Massaro in the
BunnyMania Lumberjill Match. The MC of the match was
rapper
Snoop Dogg, who clotheslined Santino Marella
and gave french kissed Maria. The conclusion of her
storyline with Santino came the next day on March 31,
2008 during RAW, as Maria defeated Santino Marella in
a No-DQ match with help from all of the WWE Divas who
attacked Santino. Earlier in the show, he made disparaging
remarks towards the WWE Women, which was the motivation
for their attack.
