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. in December 2007, and was at ringside when he captured the FCW Southern Heavyweight Championship. Ouellet then started competing in singles and tag team competition, before managing Ted DiBiase, Jr. When Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) opened in mid-2007, Ouellet was transferred to the new developmental facility, and on September 25, she made her FCW debut as the valet of Ryan O'Reilly along with Lacey Von Erich. In mid-2007, Ouellet began managing Sylvain Grenier. In March 2007, she began wrestling in dark matches prior to the OVW television tapings. She made her in-ring debut at an OVW live event in December 2006. Ouellet was officially signed to a WWE developmental contract on August 24, 2007, and was assigned to OVW for training. Ouellet later said that she was "very, very excited", as it was her "dream to become a WWE Diva". Despite her elimination, she was invited to observe workouts and the training facility at WWE's developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), along with Brooke Adams. She made the final cut and was one of the top eight contestants, but was the second person eliminated on July 24. In mid-2006, Ouellet tried out for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)'s Diva Search. Professional wrestling career World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE Diva Search and developmental territories (2006–2007) She was also on the cover of Playboy's 2007 Girls of Canada calendar. Ouellet began her modeling 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 also began developing a range of makeup products. In high school, Ouellet was the only girl in her class, and ran the school's fashion show. Ouellet was born in Montreal, Quebec, but grew up in Edmundston, New Brunswick.