Dawn Marie

Dawn Marie Psaltis, known professionally as Dawn Marie, is an American retired professional wrestler, valet, and actress. Born on November 3, 1970, she gained widespread recognition for her appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on its SmackDown! brand. Beyond her work in major wrestling promotions, she appeared on the independent circuit, acted in independent film, and later transitioned into a career as a nurse.

Raised in Rahway, New Jersey, Psaltis spent her youth camping and hunting with her father, a zoologist, and developed an interest in professional wrestling. After earning a degree from the New York University Stern School of Business at age 22, she worked for a Manhattan real estate consultancy firm, eventually becoming Director of International Real Estate. Inspired to enter the entertainment industry after an ex-boyfriend signed with the Chicago Bears, she resigned from her real estate position to pursue modeling and acting.

Psaltis entered professional wrestling in January 1995 after promoter Jonathan Gold booked her to manage Tony Atlas. She spent four years on the northeastern independent circuit before joining ECW in 1998. Initially hired for a three-week stint managing Lance Storm, her chemistry with Storm secured her a full contract. She went on to manage the Impact Players, aiding them in winning the ECW Tag Team Championship twice, and later managed Simon Diamond and Swinger. She also served as a color commentator for ECW pay-per-views and television until the company declared bankruptcy in April 2001.

After working on the independent circuit and as a stock trader, Psaltis signed with the World Wrestling Federation in 2002. Debuting on SmackDown! as Vince McMahon's legal assistant, she participated in high-profile storylines, including a prominent feud with Torrie Wilson that involved an onscreen marriage to Wilson's real-life father, Al Wilson. She later feuded with Miss Jackie and Michelle McCool, and made her final 2000s WWE appearance at ECW One Night Stand in June 2005. She was released from her contract while on maternity leave in July 2005.

Following her WWE departure, Psaltis returned to the independent circuit. She appeared at events such as Hardcore Homecoming, managed wrestlers for National Wrestling Superstars, and competed in Women Superstars Uncensored (WSU), where she was inducted into the WSU Hall of Fame in 2010. She also served as a live event hostess for Dragon Gate USA and participated in the World Wrestling Fan Xperience in 2012. In October and November 2024, she made a guest return to WWE on the NXT brand as a special guest referee.

Outside of wrestling, Psaltis starred in the 1999 independent film The Vampire Carmilla and appeared as a playable character in several video games. Personal life pursuits included continuing college courses and taking acting classes during her wrestling career. She married Matthew DaMatta in 2005, and the couple has two children. In 2006, she filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint against WWE regarding her termination during pregnancy, which was settled in 2007. Following her wrestling career, she pursued a career in nursing.