Does Santino Marella have main event potential?
 

Yes, Santino Marella is a comedic character. At the moment, it is hard to take him seriously when he steps into a ring. Given how over and entertaining the character is, and given how capable the performer behind it is, could and should amendments be made over time to slowly build Marella up to a higher level of credibility?

Anything can happen in the WWE.













:shifty:

I wish, but I'm thinking not at all.

He's too far gone at this point. Santino is what Eugene has become. They can TRY to repackage him but it won't work. He'll always be the goofy Italian who nobody takes seriously.

You don't think it's possible at all?

That'd be a first from you, James.

It has as much chance of happening as Val Venis, Doug Basham and Eugene debuting and going over bigger than the nWo in TNA.

No chance in hell.

Yes I understand the irony of this statement but it is what I truly believe.

The only way I could see it happening is if there happens to be a rash of injuries/retirements that leave them scrambling for someone to push.

In all fairness anyone can go from comedic to serious overnight. Just have Marella snap and beat the shit out of someone, and then say he's sick of being used as a comedy mid-card guy who isn't allowed to live up to his full potential.

The only problem with this is that a couple of years down the line he's bound to return to comedy, which then makes everything he said a load of bollocks.

Shouldn't be a problem. WWE fans have a memory of 3 weeks. Max. :)

No.

I don't even think they need to make Marella completely serious. He just needs a little credibility in the ring. Outside of the ring, guys like Kurt Angle, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Jericho, Edge and even The Rock had comedic personas.

I mean, he's already doing well for the role he has. He's a two-time IC Champion, and the performer became Miss WrestleMania (I know that's not something to really brag about). My point is, for a loser, he wins a lot.

Can't they just have him allude to training with his martial arts friend, Roberto, and have him start mixing his MMA stuff into his matches?

He might get a run after the U.S title but nothing more than that.

Have you no respect for kayfabe?

No

Not a normal Main Eventer...he will never be a title contender.

But with a Face Turn he could easily be a top3 face. Fans would eat him up.

I meant top 5.

Of course, but sometimes breaking kayfabe makes things more interesting.

The kids wouldn't understand.

<img src="http://www.clarklings.com/uploaded_images/IMG_0413-781026.JPG">
You must be THIS TALL to ride the MAIN EVENT.

The simple answer is no.

No.

Not with the Santino persona. He'll have to break kay-fabe then bust out with his shoot fighting skills.

Santina winning the Diva title wont count will it?

You mean ECW's NUMBA WAN ANNOUNCA!?

The only reason he held the title so long was because there was no proper Cruiser division so they just parked it on him.

Holding a title doesn't equate to main event potential, which is what I was referring to. I do think Santino COULD break away, but not anywhere near a main event spot.

You never really know.

Did Stunning Steve Austin ever look like a main event player? (Actually a question I didnt watch back then), Or Rocky Maivia?

Ok, they werent stuck in Santino's gimmick, but did you ever really look at them as main event, honestly?

They seem to be breaking away from the whole Santina thing, and at least he got on to Wrestlemania, and the Raw opening video.

I believe he could be Main Event potential. If the crowd really like a few things he does, he could get a push based on crowd reaction alone. For a heel, he isnt exactly boo'd a lot.

I think he would need more luck than most, but it certainly isnt out of the realms of possibility at this stage. If he starts getting drug suspensions then I would say no, but as he hasnt so far iirc, I'd say he's in with a fair shot.

His ring work isnt bad, his mic skills are very good, and his demeanor and awareness of his gimmick are superb. Its the little touches he does, like stealing king's sandwich, and his mannerisms that make him stand out. He is very similar to the rock in that respect, and that is a big part of what it takes to get over in my opinion.

Sort of like Rosie huh?

:shifty:

'Cause you know he's gone from this...

http://www.wildsamoan.com/SuperHeroHEADSHOT.jpg

..to this...

Yes he can but I doubt he will.

I hate the whole "denouncing the gimmick" idea though (Sorry 'Noid).

I would have him just keep losing and be the comedy character but get fed up with losing matches and go train to fight. Maybe bring in some semi-famous legit fighter, throw in some comedy vignettes of Santino training for weeks. Eventually he has his big re-debut as a fighter and just tears someone apart all the while, just looking around shocked at his new found skills. Have him just keep the comedy gimmick and surprise himself and everyone else match after match.

I would love to see him keep the gimmick but still somehow be intimidating as hell in the ring. It's far from impossible and would be one of the more intriguing characters in wrestling.

Of course, this won't happen but it would be easy to pull off/awesome.