Maryse Mizanin (née Ouellet) (January 21, 1983) is a French-Canadian glamour model and retired professional wrestler and valet, better known simply as Maryse. She is best known for her time with WWE between 2006 and 2011.
After spending years modelling, including winning Miss Hawaiian Tropic Canada in 2003, Maryse was hired by WWE in 2006, after she participated in the WWE Diva Search competition. Despite her elimination, she was sent to WWE's developmental facility, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) in Louisville, Kentucky. She signed a deal with WWE in August 2006 and was assigned to OVW for wrestling training, where she made her ring debut in December 2006. She appeared in vignettes on WWE television. During this time, she continued working at OVW, but was later transferred to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), another WWE developmental facility, to further her training.
In March 2008, Maryse appeared on SmackDown, competing in a swim suit competition. Three months later she made her television in-ring debut. In December 2008, Maryse captured her first title with the company, the WWE Divas Championship, and would hold onto it for seven months. In April 2009 she was drafted to Raw, during the 2009 WWE Draft. She won the Divas Championship for the second time in February 2010, making her the first wrestler to have held the championship on more than one occasion. She is currently the third-longest reigning WWE Divas Champion in history behind Nikki Bella and AJ Lee , having held the title for 216 days. On October 28, 2011, Maryse was released from her WWE contract.
Modelling career
Ouellet began her career as a beauty pageant contestant, winning Miss Hawaiian Tropic Canada 2003 and finishing second at the International Finals of Miss Hawaiian Tropic 2004. She was also on the cover of Playboy's 2007 Girls of Canada calendar.
World Wrestling Entertainment
Diva Search and developmental territories (2006–2008)
In the summer of 2006, Maryse tried out for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)'s Diva Search. She made the final cut and was one of the top eight featured on WWE, but on the July 24 episode of WWE Raw she became the second person to be eliminated. Despite her elimination, she was invited to observe workouts and the training facility at WWE's developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). Ouellet later said that she was "very, very excited", as it was her "dream to become a WWE Diva".
Ouellet was officially signed to a WWE developmental contract on August 24, 2006 and was assigned to OVW for training. She made her in-ring debut at a live event in December 2006. In March 2007, she began wrestling in dark matches prior to the OVW television tapings. In mid-2007, Ouellet began managing Sylvain Grenier both in OVW and at the Raw/SmackDown/ECW house shows. When Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) opened in the summer of 2007, Maryse was transferred to the developmental facility for training, and on September 25, she made her FCW debut as the valet of Ryan O'Reilly along with Lacey Von Erich. She then started competing in singles and tag team competition, before managing Ted DiBiase, Jr. in December 2007. She accompanied him to the ring when he captured the FCW Southern Heavyweight Championship. She continued making sporadic appearances in FCW until January 2008.
SmackDown (2006–2009)
On the September 22, 2006 episode of SmackDown!, Ouellet, known as simply Maryse, was shown on the TitanTron welcoming the Montreal viewers (in French) to the season premiere of SmackDown! on the CW Network. Maryse made her first actual television appearance with her entrance theme on the May 21, 2007 episode of Raw to present American rapper Timbaland's new music video for the single "Throw It on Me" (2007), in which she had appeared.
By the time she began appearing regularly on SmackDown at the beginning of 2008, she had adopted a snobby attitude and transformed into a villainess. On the March 7, 2008 episode of SmackDown, Maryse competed in a swimsuit contest, against Victoria, Michelle McCool, Cherry, and Eve Torres. In the end, Maryse and Eve got into a fight. On March 14, Maryse was the first eliminated from the swimsuit competition. On March 28, Maryse competed in a "Wet and Wild" match where she teamed with Victoria against Cherry and McCool in a losing effort. On a "SmackDown after the bell video" on WWE.com, the tag team, Deuce 'n Domino dumped Cherry (who had been their manager) and replaced her with Maryse. Maryse then insulted Cherry, only for Cherry to slap her. On the May 16 episode of SmackDown, she made her television in-ring debut in a losing effort to Cherry, though defeated her in a rematch with a roundhouse kick weeks later. For weeks, Maryse teamed with Victoria and Natalya against Cherry, Michelle McCool and Maria. Maryse then suffered a minor broken nose after receiving a bulldog from Maria.
Maryse lost in her first title match for the WWE Divas Championship against Michelle McCool at Unforgiven in September, resulting in a feud between the two Divas. She then came up short once again in title rematch on SmackDown. On the September 23 episode of ECW, Maryse defeated McCool in a non-title match. After being off television for a month, Maryse returned at November's pay-per-view event Survivor Series to participate in the five-on-five SmackDown vs. Raw Divas Elimination match. Maryse was the sole survivor of the SmackDown team, but ultimately was eliminated by Beth Phoenix. On December 19, Maryse pinned Maria to become the number one contender for Michelle McCool's Divas Championship. The next week on SmackDown, Maryse beat McCool to become the new Divas Champion in a match with Maria as the special guest referee. On December 28, 2008 at a house show in Raleigh, North Carolina, Maryse dislocated her knee in a tag team match against The Bella Twins, when one of the twins initiated a dropkick that landed on her kneecap, it was later announced that the injury was not too serious and that she would be able to return in a few weeks. On the January 23, 2009 episode of SmackDown, Maryse returned in a non-wrestling role and sat at ringside commentating, during a Divas' tag team match. Maryse returned to wrestling on February 20 in a tag team match with Michelle McCool and defeating Maria and Eve Torres. On April 5, Maryse competed in a Divas battle royal at WrestleMania XXV, but the match was won by Santino Marella.
Divas Champion and NXT; Injury & Departure (2009–2011)
On the April 13 episode of Raw, Maryse was drafted to the Raw brand as part of the 2009 WWE Draft, in the process making the Divas Championship exclusive to the Raw brand. She made her Raw in-ring debut on April 27, teaming with Beth Phoenix, Rosa Mendes, and Jillian Hall in a loss to Mickie James, Santina Marella (Santino Marella dressed in drag), Brie Bella and Kelly Kelly. Maryse began feuding with Mickie James, after she cost James a battle royal, won by Kelly Kelly, after sprayed hair spray at her eyes. The following week, Maryse lost against Kelly by disqualification, meaning the championship did not change hands and won a subsequent rematch by pinfall two weeks later on June 8. At the Night of Champions pay-per-view on July 26, Maryse lost the Divas Championship to Mickie James. She then took a hiatus from WWE to recover after having knee surgery. Maryse made her return on the November 23 episode of Raw, disguised as The Gobbledy Gooker, as the guest timekeeper for a divas tag team match. After the match, she revealed herself by attacking Melina. The following week, Maryse made her in-ring return on the November 30 episode, pinning Melina in a tag team match.
In early 2010, a tournament was held for the newly vacated Divas Championship. On the February 22 episode of Raw, Maryse defeated Gail Kim in the final round of a tournament for the vacated Divas Championship. The finals were originally to be held on February 21, 2010 at WWE's Elimination Chamber PPV event, but the match was changed to the team of Maryse and Gail Kim against team LayCool (McCool and Layla), which was won by the latter. At WrestleMania XXVI she was on the winning team in a 10-Diva tag team match. Maryse lost the Divas Championship two months later to Eve Torres on the April 12 episode of Raw, and was unsuccessful in an attempt to regain it at the Over the Limit pay-per-view the following month. At the Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view on June 20, Maryse competed in a fatal four-way match for the WWE Divas Championship, which involved Gail Kim, Eve Torres and Alicia Fox, however, Fox won the contest. On the June 21 episode of Raw, after Ted DiBiase fired Virgil, Maryse became DiBiase's new personal assistant. In late September, a mysterious stalker was sending messages to Maryse and Ted DiBiase, but it was unsure who they were aimed at. On the October 4 episode of Raw, Goldust was revealed as the mystery stalker, but the messages were not directed to Maryse, but at DiBiase's Million Dollar Championship, which he then took.
On November 30, Maryse was announced as a mentor to Brodus Clay for the fourth season of NXT along with DiBiase. On the December 13 episode of Raw Maryse was involved in a battle royal to determine the winner of the Diva of the Year Slammy Award but was eliminated by Natalya.On the January 25, 2011, episode of NXT, Brodus Clay traded his Pros, Maryse and Ted DiBiase, for Alberto Del Rio. On the March 8 episode of NXT, Maryse became the co-host of the show alongside Matt Striker. She retuned to the ring on the May 2nd episode of Raw to face Kelly Kelly, and the match ended in a no contest when Kharma made her Raw debut by attacking Maryse. On the May 17 edition of NXT, Tatsu ended his relationship with her when he noted that she liked things over people. Maryse broke up with Cannon on the June 14 edition of NXT when she discovered he was buying her cheap and fake gifts, and Cannon was eliminated from the show that same night. Maryse then spurned the affections of Hornswoggle on the June 21 edition of NXT. On August 24, Maryse underwent surgery for an abdominal hernia and took time off WWE programming. On October 28, 2011, Maryse was released from her WWE contract.
Independent circuit and retirement (2012 - 2013)
On October 5, 2012, Maryse appeared at the Family Wrestling Entertainment event, Back 2 Brooklyn, performing live commentary. She appeared regularly for the promotion, performing live commentary during women's matches,and began appearing on commentary throughout the show.
Maryse retired from professional wrestling in late 2013.
Other media
In April 2007, Maryse appeared in Timbaland's music video "Throw It On Me" featuring The Hives. Ouellet also appeared in the January 2009 issue of Muscle & Fitness along with Eve Torres and Michelle McCool. She also made a special appearance on Redemption Song, which was hosted by WWE wrestler Chris Jericho, along with Candice Michelle, Mickie James, and Eve Torres.
Personal life
Ouellet was born in Montreal, but grew up in New Brunswick. In high school, Ouellet was the only girl in her class, and ran the school's fashion show. She also began developing a range of makeup products. Ouellet has a tattoo of her father's name, Guy, on her left wrist. She has a degree in Business Administration and holds a black belt in martial arts. Ouellet is a native speaker of French, and also speaks English, becoming fluent in English after two years. She is also able to read Spanish, although she cannot speak it. She is married to WWE superstar, The Miz.
In wrestling
- Signature moves
- Wrestlers managed
- Nicknames
- The French Canadian Beauty
- The Sexiest of the Sexy
- The Sultry Diva
- Entrance themes
- "All Summer Long" - Production theme
- "Gimme More" - Britney Spears (OVW)
- "Lounge Lizard" - Production theme
- "Pourquoi? by Jim Johnston
Championships and accomplishments
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI ranked her #9 in the 2009 PWI Top 50 Females
- PWI ranked her #10 in the 2010 PWI Top 50 Females
- PWI ranked her #28 in the 2011 PWI Top 50 Females
- World Wrestling Entertainment
See also
- Maryse Ouellet’s event history
External links
- Maryse Ouellet profile at CAGEMATCH.net
- Maryse on Twitter
| WWE Diva Search contestants |
|---|
| 2003 |
| Jaime Koeppe |
| 2004 |
| Amy Weber • Camille Anderson • Carmella DeCesare • Chandra Costello • Christy Hemme • Joy Giovanni • Julia Costello • Maria Kanellis • Michelle McCool • Tracie Wright |
| 2005 |
| Alexis Ondrade • Ashley Massaro • Cameron Haven • Elisabeth Rouffaer • Kristal Marshall • Leyla Milani • Simona Fusco • Summer DeLin |
| 2006 |
| Amy Zidian • Erica Chevillar • Jen England • J.T. Tinney • Layla El • Maryse Ouellet • Milena Roucka • Rebecca DiPietro |
| 2007 |
| Brooke Gilbertson • Eve Torres • J. Kim • Jessica Hatch • Lena Yada • Lyndy Frieson • Naomi Kirk • Taryn Terrell |