In April 2002, Psaltis began negotiating with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), eventually agreeing to a deal. She made her World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) television debut on the May 30 episode of "SmackDown!" as Vince McMahon's legal assistant. She debuted with the name "Dawn Marie Rinaldi" although it was quickly shortened to the original "Dawn Marie". In her initial storyline, she briefly feuded with Stacy Keibler over McMahon's affections until McMahon turned over the General Manager position to his daughter, Stephanie McMahon, which was followed shortly by Keibler's departure for the RAW brand.