Maria Louis Kanellis-Bennetts is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling manager, actress, model, and singer best known for her work with WWE, NJPW, ROH, and Impact Wrestling. She is a former Knockouts Champion.
In 2004, Kanellis entered the Divas Search contest. She came fifth but got hired by the company. After signing with the company, she began working for OVW and hosted WWE Kiss Cam. In 2005, she made her in-ring debut. In her early years, Kanellis was used as a host, anchor and entered various types of matches such as Bikini contests, Bra and Panties matches, Pillow fights and inter-gender tag team matches.
In 2007, she began competing regularly and had several championship matches. At WrestleMania XXIV, Kanellis and Ashley Massaro defeated Melina and Beth Phoenix. In June, she was drafted to SmackDown. She received several opportunities at the Divas Championship, but she failed. At WrestleMania XXV, she entered the Divas Battle Royale and lost. After Mania, she was involved in an on-screen relationship with Dolph Ziggler. In 2010, they released her from the company.
In 2011, she made her ROH debut and began assisting her real-life boyfriend, Mike Bennett. The couple spent most of their time working for various independent promotions, such as Chikara and NJPW. During her time with ROH, Kanellis and Bennett spent most of their time in inter-gender tag team matches.
In 2016, they made their Impact debut. In April, Kanellis became the new Impact Knockouts Division Commissioner. After her injury, she returned and became the Impact Knockouts Championship. At Bound for Glory, she lost the title to Gail Kaim.
In 2017, the couple signed with WWE. At Money in the Bank, the couple made their WWE debut. Kanellis spent the first few months managing Mike Kanellis. In 2018, she returned from pregnancy and took part in a Battle Royale at Evolution. In 2019, she entered the Women's Royal Rumble match and lost.
Later, they were drafted to RAW and began working for the 24/7 division. In June, she began feuding with Mike Kanellis and won the 24/7 Championship. She is the first pregnant 24/7 champion in the company's history. After being off-screen for several months, they released the couple in 2020.
In 2020, she signed with ROH. A year later, she was released from the company. In 2021, she made her return to Impact with the Honor No More.
