Whatever Happened To WWE Diva Dawn Marie?

Despite not being treated like fierce in-ring competitors like the women of WWE today following the Women's Revolution of 2015, the Divas of the early 2000s were glamorous women who acted in oft-scandalous storylines and competed in infamous bra and panties matches. One of these women was Dawn Marie, whose real name is Dawn Marie Psaltis, a brunette beauty who got her start in ECW back in 1998 alongside Lance Storm, all thanks to Bubba Ray Dudley, who recommended her to Paul Heyman.

When ECW went under, Dawn Marie managed her then-fiancé, fellow ECW talent Simon Diamond, on the independent circuit. That's where she also began to train as an in-ring competitor. In April 2002, she agreed to a deal with the then-WWF. She debuted the following month as Vince McMahon's legal assistant. WWE is where she had her most memorable feud, against fellow Diva Torrie Wilson, which involved Dawn Marie seducing and marrying Wilson's father, Al, all in the name of blackmailing Torrie. Their feud culminated in a "Stepmother versus Stepdaughter" match at the 2003 Royal Rumble, where Wilson defeated her "evil stepmother."

Throughout her time in WWE, she would compete in various matches that were popular at the time, including catfights and bra and panties matches, which often included another Diva as the special guest referee. Dawn Marie never earned any titles during her time with WWE, when the Women's Championship was still being used before the introduction of the Divas butterfly belt championship.

Dawn Marie left WWE in July 2005. She was released from her contract while on maternity leave, which led to her suing the company. She had reportedly been told her job was safe while out following the birth of her son. In November 2007, Powerslam Magazine in the UK revealed that Dawn Marie and WWE settled the lawsuit out of court, though the details were not disclosed.

Having seemingly mended things with WWE following the departure of McMahon, Dawn Marie most recently appeared for the company in 2024. It was revealed at "WWE NXT" Halloween Havoc by general manager Ava that the former Diva would be returning. The following month, Dawn Marie served as the special guest referee for a hardcore match that pitted Jaida Parker and Lola Vice against each other when the developmental brand broadcast from the iconic 2300 Arena, the former home of ECW. The appearance was her first in WWE since her departure in 2005 and subsequent lawsuit.

When she initially left WWE, she worked on the independent scene following the birth of her first child. In 2008, she debuted for Women Superstars Uncensored and was managed by the former Sunny, then going by her real name of Tammy Lynn Sytch. She signed with Dragon Gate USA in July 2009 and served as "Live Event Hostess," similar to the role of ring announcer. She worked as a valet for the promotion, as well, for Kevin Murphy and Richie Nightmare. Her final wrestling match came in 2008 when she and Trixie Lynn battled to a no contest in Women Superstars Uncensored.

She also fought to accomplish another dream in her post-professional wrestling life and now works as a nurse in her home state of New Jersey. Dawn Marie worked throughout the coronavirus pandemic and even contracted the illness herself at one point in August 2021 after over a year on the frontlines. 

In addition to her nursing career, she remains active at signings and conventions, most recently appearing at WrestleCon ahead of WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas. She runs a Facebook page where fans can still follow her adventures and see videos and photos of her time in Sin City.