- Height: 6'0''
- Weight: 233 lbs.
- From: Calabria, Italy
- Career Highlights: Intercontinental Champion; WWE Tag Team Champion; United States Champion
Don’t believe in miracles? Try telling that to Santino Marella, the recipient of the divine intervention that transpired in Milan on April 16, 2007. During Raw’s first-ever broadcast in Italy, Marella was a young fan in the front row who not only accepted Mr. McMahon’s open challenge to face the nigh-unstoppable Umaga, but inexplicably defeated The Samoan Bulldozer for the Intercontinental Championship.
Initially, many believed this Italian braggadocio’s stay in WWE had the lasting power of an all-froth cappuccino – offering subtle hints of finely ground flavor, though ultimately providing a tasteless imbalance of foam and espresso. But Santino Marella is no stale cannoli. In fact, he has made a career out of improbable moments that have been savored to the delight of the WWE Universe.
He’s captured the attention of more than a few Divas (even before he shaved his unibrow), as well as his share of championships, both as an individual and a tag partner. He had the fastest elimination in 2009’s Royal Rumble (1.9 seconds in 2009) — a feat that only he could dare claim as a badge of honor. And if you think he’s the only successful Marella in his family, bear in mind that his “twin sister” Santina is a former “Miss WrestleMania.”
