| |
 Imagine for one minute waking up one morning and not only being a television superstar seen by millions of people every week, but also on the cover of Playboy magazine. WWE Diva Maria Kanellis is not only going to wrestle in her first WrestleMania in a few weeks, but she is on the cover of April's Playboy magazine. Can life get any better for this shy, bubbly, sweetheart from Ottawa, Illinois?
The story of Maria is a fantastic story in achieving the American dream. The odds of a small-town girl watching pro wrestling on television going to the WWE and conquering the world were against her. Yet, this is not a surprise to the WWE’s most popular Diva. This is something that she has been working towards her entire life.
Maria had dreams of being in the WWE long before she stood up for herself to Santino Marella on Monday Night Raw. Maria’s first attempt at becoming a WWE Diva ended at number five. Maria first stepped into a WWE ring as a contestant in the first-televised WWE Diva competition. Maria left her mark by showing her opponent Carmella DeCesare what she thought of her with one finger. Maria made it to the top-five but was eliminated from the contest. Like fellow Diva Melina, Maria used this as motivation to work harder at becoming a WWE Diva.
Maria worked her way into the WWE the old-fashioned way. Maria studied for the big-time at the WWE’s developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling. Under the tutelage of the genius Paul Heyman, Maria quickly stood out from the pack and earned a spot on the main-roster. Maria was so dedicated to learning, that Heyman recently said that Maria contributed booking ideas while in OVW.
Maria first became known to WWE fans as the ditzy interview girl. Maria would ask dumb questions as wrestlers would do a double-take in the interviews. Fans would laugh, wrestlers were shocked, and the adoration from the fans and the WWE for this star in the making was just beginning.
Maria soon found herself inside of the wrestling ring, most of the time as an unwilling participant. Ironically enough, her first match was a pillow-fight against the winner of the Diva contest Christy Hemme. This was the start of what is turning out to be one of the most fun wrestling careers inside of the ring on WWE television.
Maria’s role varied for the next few years between manager, occasional wrestler, and interviewer. The only constant in Maria’s role was the fun. There wasn’t a moment when Maria appeared on television when you didn’t laugh or smile. It was obvious to even the most casual wrestling fan that the person with the biggest smile was Maria herself.
Maria is no longer the butt of the joke on Monday Night Raw. Maria has turned the page from innocence to confidence. Maria’s skills in the wrestling ring are no longer anything to be laughed at. The gorgeous Diva ended the undefeated streak of WWE Diva Beth Phoenix. The win not only earned her the respect inside of the ring of her colleagues and fans all over the world. The win over Beth Phoenix “earned” Maria the cover of Playboy magazine. Maria unveiled her Playboy cover the following week on Monday Night Raw. Maria also finally stood up for herself to Santino Marella. This was a huge moment in the career of Maria as she would not be pushed around anymore. Maria will also wrestle on WrestleMania for the first-time in a Playboy Bunny Match.
Maria was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule and speak to phillyBurbs.com. I can’t remember interviewing anyone in pro wrestling in the last ten years that has laughed more than Maria did during the interview. It is inspiring to hear someone have so much fun in a business that has broken down even the strongest of wills. Maria talks dating, being a Playboy cover girl, wrestling at WrestleMania, getting smacked from Trish Stratus, kissing Ric Flair, and more in this exclusive interview. (Continue Reading...) or View Here Profile and Pictures...
[Back to News Headlines]
|
Posted by Arron Carlton @ 01:56 PM CST
|
|
