So Apparently Santino Retired

[Nowhere Man]

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/the-squared-circle/WWE-superstar-Santino-Marella-announces-retirement-during-live-event.html

A sad day for fans of reptilian sock puppets everywhere.

[JimmyMess]

although just as a wrestler. I imagine the WWE has a role for him other than for rasslin.

[Maluco]

A third neck injury apparently, and only 35. Not nice that he has been forced into it. I was never a fan, but hope he can find some sort of role in the company

[Sepholio]

Man it seems like just yesterday that he pulled off that upset of Umaga out of nowhere. Wasn't a huge fan of his by any means, but he has always been pretty decent at what he does and had a great work ethic. Hope he still has some role with the company going forward. He has definitely earned it.

Congrats on a great career Santino. You put smiles on a lot of kids faces and that should be commended. You will be missed.

[Sepholio]

Also hope his neck injury isn't too serious and wish him a speedy recovery so he can get to enjoying a normal life.

[Lock Jaw]

Really enjoyed Santino. If they took him a bit more seriously, he could have been the next goofy Kurt Angle.

[James Steele]

Gonna miss him. He was constantly given dogshit and made it look like entertaining poodles.

[#1-norm-fan]

He might be the most natural, effortless comedy character in wrestling history. The guy is insanely likable, charismatic and naturally funny. He could appeal to all different demographics, too. It's a shame that he never got the chance to take parts of his OVW "MMA badass" character into the Santino character to try out a serious Kurt Angle-style run like Lock Jaw suggested.

[#1-norm-fan]

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Wanted this to happen SO BAD.

[James Steele]

He could easily be made a commentator/interviewer and have him drop the whole Italian accent in a comedy segment like spending a week with JR and comes back with a hillbilly accent, a week with Lawler and only speaking in sexual innuendos, a week with Mean Gene where he acts like a drunk prick, etc. until he finally has a normal accent.

[James Steele]

FFS, The man made the whole Santina angle work. It sucked, but he made it watchable and occasionally fucking hilarious.

[#1-norm-fan]

My favorite moment of the whole Santina angle was when Santino was interviewing her "via satellite" and Beth Phoenix came out and interrupted. Meanwhile, the Santina tape kept rolling and she was just there on the tron smiling, reacting and answering questions that weren't being asked.

[Lock Jaw]

He might be the most natural, effortless comedy character in wrestling history. The guy is insanely likable, charismatic and naturally funny. He could appeal to all different demographics, too. It's a shame that he never got the chance to take parts of his OVW "MMA badass" character into the Santino character to try out a serious Kurt Angle-style run like Lock Jaw suggested.

I suggested no such thing. I suggested a goofy Kurt Angle-style run, not a serious Kurt Angle-style run. However, even the goofy Kurt Angle became a respected ring warrior. Who just happened to be goofy. Santino could have done the same, I feel.

[GD]

Stupid kids talking in the background

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[#1-norm-fan]

I suggested no such thing. I suggested a goofy Kurt Angle-style run, not a serious Kurt Angle-style run. However, even the goofy Kurt Angle became a respected ring warrior. Who just happened to be goofy. Santino could have done the same, I feel.

That's what I meant. Same goofy Santino but with the ability to kick ass. Much like goofy Kurt Angle. I meant "serious" as in not just a comedy act but a legit competitor.

[GD]

Santino has his Academy to look forward to

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[GD]

Santino's character in OVW

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[el bobbo]

Santino has his Academy to look forward to

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tV0-cdmofLE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That is weird hearing his actual voice.

[Asmo]

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[Disturbed316]

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Wanted this to happen SO BAD.

Same. I loved the reaction he was getting when everyone started to realise he was in the final two at the Rumble as well, kinda wished he won that one.

[hb2k]

A great comedy heel douchebag, and had his moments as a babyface too. I won't lie, the Santino act grew a little thick by 2012.

[Hanso Amore]

I'm not afraid to admit I still watch his tea party with sheamus every few months on YouTube

[Cool King]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/pE4oIr1PJ1k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[voncouch]

I'm not afraid to admit I still watch his tea party with sheamus every few months on YouTube

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/u_UDgp4Xtxw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I actually haven't seen this in a long time. I remember it being pretty stupid. But actually, Santino makes it very enjoyable and the crowd really loved it.

For every 10 dumb things they gave him to do, he was able to turn around at least 2 or 3 of those segments into something entertaining.

[Bad News Gertner]

Santino stealinf Lawler's Subway sandwich is still one of the funniest things I've seen in wrestling.

[Hanso Amore]

"Rapper Acorn is here....I Notice you, noticing me"

[Theo Dious]

Santino should become the next Ron Simmons by randomly hitting the Cobra backstage to abruptly end segments.

[Sepholio]

Santino should become the next Ron Simmons by randomly hitting the Cobra backstage to abruptly end segments.

INDEED /Funaki

[Emperor Smeat]

Really amazing at how good he was as a comedic wrestler.


Santino should become the next Ron Simmons by randomly hitting the Cobra backstage to abruptly end segments.

Agree with this

[Black Widow]

I feel bad for him though i never cared for him.

Hopefully he sticks around in some other way.

[Shisen Kopf]

Santino was stupid as hell 2/10.

[KIRA]

He might be the most natural, effortless comedy character in wrestling history. The guy is insanely likable, charismatic and naturally funny. He could appeal to all different demographics, too. It's a shame that he never got the chance to take parts of his OVW "MMA badass" character into the Santino character to try out a serious Kurt Angle-style run like Lock Jaw suggested.

I'd have killed to see his goofy -hidden total badass character.

Good luck Santino your turn in the Chamber is one of my fondest memories

[Impact!]

Someone needs to find (and post) the Superstars match between Zack Ryder and Santino from a few years ago, where Santino hits the double cobra to Ryders legs. Best comedy match in years.

[Jura]

Santino has his Academy to look forward to

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tV0-cdmofLE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Let's all join.