One of the most intriguing parts of WWE storylines and television programming has been the formation of onscreen couples. Over the years, the company has witnessed an exciting bunch of romantic pairs in the company. While many have translated into real-life romances or reigned as some of the top reel-life couples in the history of WWE, there are other couples that many fans have forgotten about. Two popular names included in this list include The Showoff Dolph Ziggler and the First Lady of Wrestling, Maria Kanellis.
Dolph Ziggler has had a successful career in professional wrestling and has most likely developed to the point where he will one day be inducted into the Hall Of Fame. Over his career, he has held countless titles and accolades, put on some incredible matches, and delighted the WWE fan base on multiple occasions. Maria Kanellis on the other hand began her professional wrestling career in WWE and has been competing for more than 15 years. One of the few female athletes to have sustained careers with the WWE, TNA, Ring of Honor, and New Japan throughout pivotal periods in each organization's history is Maria.
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While both superstars have been highly accomplished in-ring personalities, it is unknown to many fans that they were a popular onscreen couple for a short while back in the late 2000s. Their onscreen chemistry and romance were highly regarded and loved by the fans. So let's dive deep and explore this forgotten relationship between the former World Heavyweight champion and founder of the Women of Wrestling promotion.
Dolph Ziggler Was A Heel Character Who Was Paired With A Face In Maria Kanellis
Dolph Ziggler and Maria Kanellis were both in the early stages of their singles careers when they were paired as a couple for WWE television programming. Ziggler was coming off a long stint as a part of the cheerleader faction 'The Spirit Squad' and was repacked as The Showoff with an entirely new look and personality. Meanwhile, Maria had left her duties as a backstage WWE interviewer and had matured from a bubbly and shy female into a more confident woman ready to be a part of the women's division.
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Maria Kanellis and Dolph Ziggler became a reel-life couple somewhere around 2009 and were a regular fixture on Friday Night SmackDown. Kanellis accompanied Ziggler for her first major bout against the legendary luchador Rey Mysterio for the WWE Intercontinental championship and despite coming up short in his quest to capture the prestigious title, it signaled the start of a strong and romantic bond between the two.
Over the next few weeks, Dolph Ziggler and Maria Kanellis became appearing together in backstage segments and during the Showoff's matches displaying all signs of love and affection that had the WWE Universe totally invested in them as a couple.
Maria Kanellis' One Mistake Ended Her Onscreen Relationship With Dolph Ziggler
The relationship between Dolph Ziggler and Maria Kanellis was going strong as ever, and it looked to be a big part of WWE's long-term storytelling. However, a single mistake was all it took for this bond of love to perish in the hardcore world of professional wrestling where being a champion and rising to the top of the food chain is all that matters.
Dolph Ziggler had received a high opportunity to win the WWE Intercontinental championship once again against the Prince of Parkour, John Morrison. Moreover, Ziggler's better half Maria Kanellis was present ringside to watch her man potentially become the next champion.
The match was going remarkably well between two of the brightest talents of WWE with action fast and furious inside the squared circle. However, a spot in the match saw Dolph Ziggler pulling out a steel chair that he planned to use to advance his chances of winning the match and title. However, right when Ziggler was about to make a move, he saw that the chair was missing. Furthermore, the next sight the Showoff saw Maria sitting on the chair that Dolph was supposed to hit John Morrison with. This confusion was long enough for Morrison to capitalize and score the victory to retain his title.
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Dolph Ziggler blamed Maria Kanellis for the loss and a backstage segment later saw Ziggler putting an end to their relationship, despite Maria's apologies and leaving her in tears. This angle saw the end of their onscreen relationship with Maria leaving to film Celebrity Apprentice and Ziggler moving ahead to achieve greater heights in his career.
