Brian Damage
When I first broke into the broadcasting business years ago, I was given a gimmick that I wasn’t all too comfortable with. After speaking with one of the seasoned on air talents, they told me, “It doesn’t matter what brought you to the dance…just embrace it and make it the best thing you’ve ever done in your life. In this business, opportunity doesn’t always knock…so when it does…you take it.” It was indeed sage advice and can easily be related to the career of Anthony Carelli AKA Santino Marella.
Recently at a WWE house show, Marella announced he was retiring from in ring competition. He had suffered a third neck injury and decided it was better for the long term to retire much like Adam “Edge” Copeland did. A seemingly abrupt end to a rather unique 7 year WWE career. After a couple of years wrestling in the Canadian independents, Carelli signed a WWE developmental deal and sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) for seasoning. Carelli first made headlines by getting slapped by OVW booker Jim Cornette when Carelli laughed during a segment he was supposed to be scared in with the Boogeyman. Cornette would be fired after the incident.
When Paul Heyman took over the booking, he transformed Carelli into a no nonsense Russian shoot fighter named “Boris Alexiev.” Aside from the Russian angle, it was a gimmick that played on Carelli’s strengths inside the ring. Anthony Carelli was/is well versed in mixed martial arts. He remained as the Alexiev character until his call up to the WWE in 2007.
Carelli would debut during the WWE’s European tour as a planted fan during a Raw in Milan, Italy. He was christened Santino Marella, a name which was a homage to the late Robert Marella. (Gorilla Monsoon) On his first night with the main roster, Marella defeated Umaga to become the Intercontinental champion which was deemed…”The Milan Miracle” by Jim Ross.
At first, Santino was used as a fish out of water in the WWE. He was still semi serious and fans just didn’t take to his character. It became somewhat of a flop and according to several reports, Vince McMahon wasn’t happy with the character. There were rumblings that he may be sent back to OVW for repackaging or flat out released. It wasn’t until he turned heel that the personality of Carelli shined through. Santino slowly but surely began to develop his character. His quick wit and comedic timing became a hit with fans and Santino became the WWE’s go to guy for comedic sketches.
For awhile, it seemed like Santino’s in ring talent was being wasted on endless comedy bits and promos. The guy who was once booked as a relentless wrestling machine in OVW was dressing up in drag, having tea parties, sporting a uni brow, power walking to the ring, playing an air trombone and winning matches with a finisher he called…the cobra. Regardless how some fans may have felt…it was working. Santino had a connection with fans…not by his ring skills…but through his comedy.
Despite the comedy act, Santino was awarded with 2 Intercontinental reigns, a U.S. title and a tag team title run. He was constantly being shown on TV and most fans fell in love with him. Don’t believe me? Just listen to the reaction he got after nearly winning the World title at the 2012 Elimination Chamber match…
Not too shabby for just a goofy, silly comedic wrestler. So the question remains…What’s next for Santino Marella? He opened his own wrestling/MMA school in Canada called Battle Arts Academy in 2013. His daughter Bianca is an aspiring model and will still appear on WWE TV from time to time.
This all leads back to my initial comments…Anthony Carelli was given a gimmick and ran with it. He made it his own and made a nice career albeit brief for himself. While early on the WWE and fans might not have liked Santino Marella…it was Santino who got the last laugh.
Ring the Damn Bell 