Speaking to Renee Paquette on her podcast Oral Sessions, Maria Kanellis, opened up about trying to get more opportunities in WWE during her first stint with the company. In the midst of the scandal, rumors spread that hackers had targeted other wrestling stars and more material was forthcoming.

The X-rated images show Kanellis, who posed nude for the April 2008 issue of Playboy, in a series of naked selfies taken in a bathroom and on a bed. There have been claims that others will follow,” Dave Meltzer said in his report on the scandal in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.After various photos and videos depicting WWE Superstar Paige in sexual situations leaked online due to hackers, rumors spread that this scandal involved other women in wrestling, including Maria Kanellis.

Kanellis became the final WWE superstar to pose for Playboy in 2008, following the like of Sable, Torrie Wilson, Christy Hemme and Chyna in appearing for the magazine.

A few days earlier, private photos of actresses Amanda Seyfried and Emma Watson began circulating on the dark corners of the internet.

Kanellis revealed that she had to “fight” WWE over her Playboy shoot as she wanted to go in more of a fashion orientated direction while WWE wanted it to be “more sexy. The photo has a serial numbered sticker and the COA has the same matching serial number to ensure authenticity. And because of my time in Ring of Honor and other promotions, I was really able to spread my wings, so that next time I came back into WWE, I came with a lot more confidence.So for me, that was the biggest difference, is being able to have so much say, even in the guys matches that I wasn't involved in. Maria Kanellis was the final star to pose for the magazine in 2008, with WWE going on to present a more family-friendly product. Much like Trish Stratus, she entered WWE as eye candy, but through hard work, perseverance and a healthy dose of pride in one's performances, Maria has worked her ass off trying to be a good wrestler. I was a big Cindy Crawford (fan), I loved her style and I wanted to bring more of that vibe to wrestling and make it more fashion forward and make it more pop culture.

Between 1999 and 2008 a total of seven female WWE Superstars posed for Playboy Magazine, with Torrie Wilson and Chyna appearing twice, (Chyna’s second appearance came after leaving WWE) and Sable appearing three times. Personalised advertising may be considered a “sale” or “sharing” of information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have a right to opt out. At least four naked photos of Kanellis — real name Maria Louise Kanellis-Bennett — are circulating online.Maria has a bright future ahead of her, especially considering the fact that she has an awe-inspiring flair for fashion design, and that she has musical talents WWE has not exploited yet.