Anthony Carelli

Anthony Carelli, known by his ring name Santino Marella, is a professional wrestler, actor, and martial arts academy founder known for his comedic persona and in-ring achievements. After making an immediate impact on April 16, 2007, by capturing the WWE Intercontinental Championship in his debut match on an episode of Raw in Milan, Italy, Anthony Carelli, known as Santino Marella, quickly became a prominent figure in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). His professional wrestling career began with training at Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), where he also secured the OVW Television Championship in 2007 prior to his main roster transition. Carelli rapidly gained recognition for his distinct humorous persona, which resonated widely with audiences and established him as a fan favorite early in his tenure.

Throughout his impressive 11-year tenure with WWE, Carelli secured multiple championships, demonstrating his versatility and consistent appeal. Beyond his initial Intercontinental title, he claimed the WWE Intercontinental Championship a second time, held the prestigious WWE United States Championship in 2012, and was a WWE Tag Team Champion in 2010. A memorable storyline involved him portraying Santina Marella, Santino’s twin sister, culminating in him being crowned ‘Miss WrestleMania’ at WrestleMania XXV in 2009. His creative endeavors extended beyond the ring, including co-directing ‘Battle Arts Rising Stars’ in 2015 and taking on acting roles in ‘WWE: OMG!

In this active role, he is slated to continue engaging with the brand’s programming, including challenging for the NXT North American Championship. Carelli’s multifaceted career as a decorated champion, comedic actor, director, and martial arts visionary underscores his enduring appeal and marketability across various entertainment platforms.