Santino Marella officially signs with Impact Wrestling

[Chris]

Santino Marella (Anthony Carelli) has signed with Impact Wrestling.

The promotion made the news official on Sunday after Marella was introduced as Impact's new Director of Authority at Hard To Kill. He replaces Scott D'Amore in the role, who in storyline was injured by Bully Ray on Thursday's show.

Impact filed to trademark the name "Santino Marella" last month.



Marella first appeared for Impact in 2017 when he hosted a Twitch show, Behind the Lights, for the promotion. He also cornered a student from his BattleArts Academy, Dustin Quicksilver, at an Impact television taping on July 23, 2018. Additionally, Marella has done commentary work for Impact, including during the main event of Sacrifice 2018 between Moose and Heath.

Marella was voted Best Gimmick for both 2007 and 2008 in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards.

Marella is a co-founder and Judo instructor for BattleArts Academy in Mississauga, ON, Canada. A second location for the academy was recently opened in Beaverton, ON, Canada as well. He was named an official ambassador for Judo Canada in 2019 and does commentary for the International Judo Association.

During his time in WWE, Marella was a two-time Intercontinental Champion, one-time US Champion, and once held the WWE Tag Team Championships along with Vladimir Kozlov.

Marella's daughter, Bianca Carelli, now performs as Arianna Grace in NXT. She hasn't wrestled since October 4, 2022, after suffering a torn ACL.

Santino Marella officially signs with Impact Wrestling

Marella is the new on-screen authority figure for the promotion.

www.f4wonline.com

 

[Barry Poppins]

Ew.

 

[OMB]

That segment was funny with him

 

[Sky]

Really not sure what to think about this anymore given what we know about his views

 

[Cwalker]

Did he still have the accent?

 

[Chris]

Did he still have the accent?

He was full Santino mode

 

[Cwalker]

He was full Santino mode

It’s 2010 all over again

 

[Lethal]

Gisele Shan’s thoughts ought to be interesting

 

[Butters]

I guess Impact is my favorite company now.

 

[Spitfire]

I might consider watching Impact now.

 

[Alexa]

Yeah, as much as I praise IMPACT this a mistake

 

[Rosie]

Gisele Shan’s thoughts ought to be interesting

And that is why I have been very mixed on him. On one hand, he was one of the better comedy characters WWE ever had and I did have some laughs with him (His Tea party segment with Sheamus and Kozlov as an example). On the other, he's been outspoken against trans people before, I believe it was Nyla in his case, and him signing with Impact when there is an openly trans woman on their roster is pretty hypocritical. But it was years ago, so I hope he's changed since then. But we can't say for sure until he comes out and says if things have changed or not.

 

[Lethal]

And that is why I have been very mixed on him. On one hand, he was one of the better comedy characters WWE ever had and I did have some laughs with him (His Tea party segment with Sheamus and Kozlov as an example). On the other, he's been outspoken against trans people before, I believe it was Nyla in his case, and him signing with Impact when there is an openly trans woman on their roster is pretty hypocritical. But it was years ago, so I hope he's changed since then. But we can't say for sure until he comes out and says if things have changed or not.

Years ago means nothing for other people. Nash Carter is one big example.

 

[Rosie]

Years ago means nothing for other people. Nash Carter is one big example.

The key is the response. Although there may be certain things which are inexcusable, if you face consequences for something wrong, admit the mistake, learn from it, then we can move on. Just for me, I haven't seen any indication of it from Santino yet. We'll see.

 

[O-Blaze]

Years ago means nothing for other people. Nash Carter is one big example.

I will say that the only difference is, Zach/Nash has come out since and admitted he was wrong, apologized, and has said he learned from it and everything.