10 Things You Didn't Know About Maria Kanellis
From Diva Search to international star...
With news breaking on Wednesday that Maria Kanellis and Mike Bennett could be one their way to Smackdown, the blue brand looks to be getting a brand-new power couple to replace the recently-departed Miz and Maryse. For Bennett, this marks a longtime independent wrestling standout finally getting a much-deserved shot at the big time. For Kanellis, however, it's a return to a company that she called home for six years.
Kanellis first joined WWE as part of the 2004 Raw Diva Search, and while that entire contest was a bit of a mess, it let to a full-fledged career for the star. She started as a backstage interviewer, but eventually became a regular competitor and participated in storylines with dozens of other stars over the years. When she was released, she joined Ring of Honor, allowing her to continue to keep a high profile in the wrestling world.
Since 2011, she's mostly worked with Bennett, her real-life boyfriend turned husband. While she's accompanied him to the ring for matches, it hasn't stopped her from competing in her own bouts, and in all likelihood, that's what that fans can continue to expect from the pair in WWE.
Before her return, here are 10 things you didn't know about Maria Kanellis:
10. She Was On The Reality Show Outback Jack
Kanellis was a member of the Diva Search on Raw in 2004, and while she came in fifth place overall, she ultimately was signed to a contract with WWE. However, that wasn't the only reality competition in which she took place that year - she was also a part of the show Outback Jack, which aired on TBS.
Not to be confused with the '80s wrestler, Outback Jack the TV show was a contest that saw a dozen women compete for the hand of a bachelor. The twist, in this case, was that they were all taken to a mansion in the U.S., and then told that their would-be beau was actually in the Australian Outback. The women were then flown there and forced to skydive out of a plane before competing in all sorts of other trials.
Kanellis ultimately came in third place, so she actually did a little better than in the Diva Search. Still, wrestling would end up making more of an impact in her life.