Santino Marella
Titles Won:
- WWE United States Championship
- WWE Intercontinental Championship (2 times)
- WWE Tag Team Championship – with Vladimir Kozlov
- Miss WrestleMania (2 times)
Carelli was signed by World Wrestling Entertainment in 2005, being assigned to Ohio Valley Wrestling, WWE’s farm territory. He made his debut on Raw during a live episode from Milan, Italy.
Under the character of Santino Marella, a fan selected from the audience, he defeated the Intercontinental Champion Umaga, winning the title in his debut match. During the following years, he would win the Intercontinental title one more time, the United States Championship and the WWE Tag Team Championship. He was also involved in a storyline where he worked as Santina Marella, Santino’s twin sister. Carelli retired in 2014 and left WWE the following year. After his release, he opened Battle Arts Academy and worked for Impact Wrestling. In 2017, he made sporadic matches on the independent circuit, as well as occasional appearances in WWE.
Anthony Carelli is known for his humorous gimmick as Santino Marella, an Italian stereotype, often being involved in comedic segments, having several on-screen relationships with fellow wrestlers, as well as being crowned “Miss WrestleMania” at WrestleMania XXV disguised as “Santina Marella”. His character won Carelli Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s award for Best Gimmick in 2007 and 2008.
Notable Feuds: vs. Roddy Piper, vs. Chris Masters, vs. Jerry Lawler, w/ Emma vs. Fandango & Summer Rae
Other Notable Achievements: OVW Television Championship (2 times), Wrestling Observer Newsletter award: Best Gimmick (2007, 2008)
