Fans often criticize comedy gimmicks but the truth is that everything can’t be serious all of the time. Not everyone can be Roman Reigns or Randy Orton. You need the Hurricanes, the dancing Brodus Clays, and the 3MB’s to break things up a bit and bring some levity to the show. In recent years, one of the most prominent comedic wrestlers has been Anthony Carelli, better known to most as Santino Marella.
On July 6, 2014 at a live event at Toronto’s Ricoh Coliseum, Marella announced that his in-ring career may be over. After three serious neck surgeries, he may be forced to retire from in-ring action. It was a sad day not just for the wrestler himself, but for many long time fans of the Milan Miracle. However, I choose not to be disappointed. After all, while he may not wrestle again, his presence will be felt either in a behind the scenes role like that of a road agent, or in an on-screen capacity like a GM or possibly a manager.
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I could be disappointed that a wrestler who has entertained me and many others for the past seven years is being forced out of the ring, but instead I am choosing to celebrate his career and relive some of my favourite Marella Moments.
Santino wins the Intercontinental title in his debut
Prior to his comedy, Santino was a “random fan in the crowd” in Italy. Hand picked by Mr. McMahon to face then Intercontinental champion Umaga. If one suspends their disbelief, Santino lived the dream. Going to a show as a fan and getting the chance to win a championship. He was the everyman, but more importantly, Santino played the underdog, something that he was very good at (more on that later). Watching this match, there is a lot of offense by Umaga and a fair bit by Bobby Lashley, but Marella proved in this initial match that when the moment called for it, he could go in that ring.
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Santino finds love, again, and again, and again
Santino has been involved in his share of relationship storylines throughout his career. In fact you could say that these relationships were big contributors to his on-screen comedy antics. First there was Maria, which sparked his initial heel turn as he became increasingly more jealous and possessive of her popularity. On the flip side of that however, his relationship with “The Glamazon” Beth Phoenix, my personal favourite, is what helped propel him back from being a heel to being in the fans good graces. Although, possibly his most fitting on-screen romance is with the clumsy Australian Emma. It’s unfortunate that, between Emma’s recent arrest issues, and Marella’s leaving the ring, that we didn’t get to see more from these two as a couple.
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Santino introduces the Honk-A-Meter
The Milan Miracle began comparing his second Intercontinental title reign to that of the Honky Tonk Man, one of the greatest Intercontinental Champions of all time, holding the title for a record 64 weeks. To further prove his point he introduced a meter that showcased his progress, at one point even bringing Mr. Perfect and The Mounties reigns into it, making it the Honk-A-Perfect-Mountie-Meter. I loved this bit and while I didn’t expect him to eclipse Honky’s record, being the underdog that Santino was, it was fun to see him try. I just would have liked to see him come closer than the 12 weeks he held the title.
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Santino loses the Royal Rumble in spectacular fashion
When looking at the in-ring legacy that Santino is leaving behind, his elimination from the 2009 Royal Rumble certainly can’t be overlooked. When it comes to professional wrestling, it isn’t always the win column that gets you recognized. His shortest elimination record will be a tough one to ever be broken, which means as for long as the Royal Rumble is around, and as long as WWE keeps spouting their statistics, we will hear the legendary name of Santino Marella.
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Santino loses the Royal Rumble in spectacular fashion….again
From the inception of the ‘winner of the Rumble gets a WrestleMania title shot’ rule, it has made the Royal Rumble match somewhat predictable. That didn’t stop many fans from second guessing the winner in 2011. Alberto Del Rio had just eliminated Randy Orton and thought he had won, as most fans did. His music even began playing. But, Santino, who had been knocked out earlier in the match and had not been eliminated, rolled back in the ring hitting Del Rio with his patented Cobra strike. Despite the predictability of the match, I found myself wondering if Santino might actually do this. Despite the fact that the winner was fairly obvious at this point, I found myself rooting for the eternal underdog. He didn’t win, but there is just something about him, maybe it’s how he makes you laugh, but you can’t help but cheer, even in the most ridiculous of situations.
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These are only a few moments that Santino has entertained fans and put smiles on faces. There are so many more from his trombone victory dance, to his “twin sister” Santina, to his youtube show The Foreign Exchange, to his over-the-top finisher The Cobra, which is almost as ridiculous as The People’s Elbow. What are some of your favourite moments from Santino’s career? Let us know with the hashtags #MarellaMoments and #LWOSwrestling
Santino said in his retirement announcement in Toronto that his only regret was that he was never announced “properly” from Toronto, as he was born in the greater Toronto area (Mississauga). As a fellow Canadian I feel it is only fair to help make this dream come true. Howard Finkel I am not, but here goes.
On his way to the ring, weighing in at 233 lbs.
From Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Santinoooooooooooo Maaaaarella!!!!
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