Santino Marella

**Anthony Carelli** (born March 14, 1974) is a Canadian judoka and semi-retired professional wrestler, currently signed to IMPACT Wrestling. He is known for his 11-year tenure with WWE where he wrestled under the ring name **Santino Marella**. He is the founder of and instructor at Battle Arts Academy, a martial arts and professional wrestling training facility in Mississauga, Ontario, and the official ambassador of Judo Canada.

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 had sporadic matches on the independent circuit, as well as occasional appearances in WWE. In 2023, Carelli made his return to IMPACT Wrestling as director of authority under the Santino Marella character.

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.

## In wrestling

* **Finishing moves**
	+ **As Santino Marella**
		- *Cobra Strike* (Right-handed thrust to an opponent's throat or face, with theatrics)
		- Rolling cutter
		- *Santino Stunner* (Split-legged stunner)
		- Snap swinging neckbreaker
	+ **As Boris Alexiev**
		- Standing inverted Fujiwara armbar
		- Triangle choke

* **Signature moves**
	+ **As Santino Marella**
		- Arm drag
		- Running headbutt drop, with theatrics
		- Savate kick
		- Split evasion followed by a hip toss
		- Snap suplex
		- STO
		- Three left-handed jabs followed by a right-handed forearm smash
	+ **As Boris Alexiev**
		- Ankle lock
		- Back heel kick
		- Double leg takedown
		- Cross armbar
		- Guillotine choke
		- High knee
		- Kimura lock
		- Legsweep
		- Multiple shoot kicks
		- Over the shoulder arm drag
		- Roundhouse kick

* **Managers**
	+ Beth Phoenix
	+ Emma
	+ Mr. Strongko
	+ Maria
	+ Rosa Mendes
	+ Tamina

* **Nicknames**
	+ "The Italian Stallion"
	+ "Milan Miracle"

* **Entrance music**
	+ **Independent circuit**
		- "Down with the Sickness" by Disturbed
	+ **Ohio Valley Wrestling**
		- "Anvil of Crom" by Basil Poledouris
	+ **World Wrestling Entertainment**
		- "Sweat Stain" by Joseph Saba & Stewart Winter
		- "Milan Miracle" by Jim Johnston
		- "La Vittoria è Mia (Victory Is Mine)" by Jim Johnston Feat. Victor Khodadad
		- "You Look So Good to Me” by Jim Johnston Feat. Michael Fredo (as Santina Marella)
	+ **IMPACT Wrestling**
		- **"Cop Show Cameo"** by John Rowcroft

## Championships and accomplishments

### Judo

* Ashai Annual Tournament (2017) - Bronze

### Professional wrestling

* ***The Baltimore Sun***
	+ Newcomer of the Year (2007)
* **DDT Pro-Wrestling**
	+ Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship (1 time)
* **Ohio Valley Wrestling**
	+ OVW Television Championship (2 times)
* ***Pro Wrestling Illustrated***
	+ Ranked **#60** of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the *PWI 500* in 2012
* **World Wrestling Entertainment**
	+ WWE Intercontinental Championship (2 times)
	+ WWE United States Championship (1 time)
	+ WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Vladimir Kozlov
	+ Miss WrestleMania Battle Royal (2009)
* ***Wrestling Observer Newsletter***
	+ Best Gimmick (2007, 2008)