Maria Kanellis

Maria Kanellis is an American professional wrestler and model, currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment performing on its SmackDown brand. On SmackDown and previously on Raw, Kanellis is known simply as Maria, and she acts as a wrestler, manager/valet, and backstage interviewer.

Kanellis was a contestant on the reality show, Outback Jack in 2004. In the same year, she placed fifth in the Raw Diva Search, but was later hired by WWE as a backstage interviewer. Kanellis began competing in the ring as a wrestler in 2005. It was not until 2007, however, that she received her greatest push in the company, as the on-screen love interest of Santino Marella. As a result, she received more air time and began winning more matches than she had previously. She also posed for the April 2008 cover of Playboy magazine, which was incorporated into a storyline on Raw.