Maria Kanellis' original personna was definitely not a rocket scientist but... she was real cute and great for a comedy touch whenever she was interviewing WWE Superstars. Maria was introduced to WWE fans when she entered the 2004 Divas Search Contest. She managed to last 6 weeks before being voted out of the search competition. Although she didn't win the Diva Search, she was hired by the WWE.

Maria was brought on to RAW as a backstage interviewer. She was given a "dumb blonde" / innocent teenager style gimmick, playing on mistakes she made in previous weeks. Her first scripted "ditziness" was during an interview of Shawn Michaels when she was to refer to wrestler Edge as "The Edge".

This dumb gimmick has seen her in many comic skits, most notably during interviews involving WWE Champion John Cena, Chris Jericho, The Big Show and Mick Foley. She has quickly earned a reputation as the oblivious RAW backstage reporter - Maria seems to ask the wrong questions, irritating and amusing WWE Superstars and Divas alike.

In 2005, Maria began to get very physical - in, and out, of the ring. She competed in her very first official match on the January 10, 2005 edition of Raw. She faced off against Christy Hemme in a Lingerie Pillow Fight, which she lost after being hit with a pillow by Lilian Garcia and then tripped by Christy Hemme followed by being pinned with a bridge.

On a December 2005 WWE holiday special called Tribute to the Troops, the RAW Superstars visited Afghanistan to perform for American soldiers there. She and Candice Michelle defeated Ashley Massaro and Trish Stratus in a Santa's Helper Diva Tag Team Match.

On the January 2, 2006 edition of Raw, Maria was placed in a match with Victoria. After Victoria missed a splash in the corner, Maria rolled her up for the upset victory. Afterwards, she was attacked by the Vince's Devils but saved by Ashley, who fought them off, until finally falling to them. During the commercial break that night, Vince McMahon announced a Gauntlet Bra & Panties Match for New Year's Revolution between all five girls that had previously been in the ring. At New Year's Revolution Maria was the first to enter the Gauntlet match and eliminated Candice Michelle and Torrie Wilson eventually being eliminated by Victoria. The match was won by Ashley Massaro.

On the February 6, 2006 edition of RAW, Maria teamed with John Cena (who earlier that evening kissed her to calm her down from getting nervous) to take on Edge and Lita in the main event. Maria would end up getting beat down by Lita, but ended up scoring the victory after a spear meant for Cena hit Lita.

Maria would get her first chance at the WWE Women's Championship in singles action on the April 10, 2006 edition of RAW, being the first person to challenge the newly crowned Mickie James. James defeated Kanellis with little effort. During May 2006 Maria would feud with Mickie James, even picking up a pinfall victory (in a cheerleader tag match) over the then-Women's Champion, after an interference from the newly injured Trish Stratus. On the October 16, 2006 edition of RAW, Maria competed in and won a Fatal Four Way Bra and Panties match against Victoria, Candice Michelle, and Torrie Wilson in the final first round match to advance to the semi-finals in the WWE Women's Championship Tournament. On the October 30, 2006 edition of RAW, Maria lost in the semi-finals of the WWE Women's Champion Tournament against Lita.

On the January 1, 2007 edition of RAW, Maria attempted to interview Kevin Federline, but was instead slapped by Melina and called a "bitch". This led to a match between the two later that night, with Maria on the losing end. At New Year's Revolution Maria and Candice Michelle went down to the ring during the Women's Championship match between Victoria and Mickie James, and stopped Melina from interfering for much longer.

Maria began an on-screen romance with Santino Marella in June 2007. She also resumed competing in the ring occasionally, often jobbing, or losing quickly, in short matches. After former Playboy cover-girl Ashley Massaro's return in early 2008, Kanellis engaged in backstage segments where Ashley suggested Maria should be on the cover of Playboy, to the disdain of Marella. As a part of the Playboy storyline, Maria defeated Beth Phoenix on ending her undefeated streak, to "earn the right" to be on the cover of the magazine. During her Playboy cover unveiling, Maria's cover was plastered over with images of Marella. After Marella offered an ultimatum of posing for the magazine or staying with him as a couple, she stated, "“No man and no one is going to make this decision for me" and broke up with her on-screen boyfriend.

As part of the 2008 WWE Supplemental Draft, Maria was drafted to the SmackDown brand.