Santino Marella Announces His Retirement

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Santino Marella has announced his retirement from in-ring competition. He said earlier this week that he was thinking of retirement due to injuries and tonight at a WWE Live Event he announced it in Toronto.

Santino told the crowd that he suffered his third neck injury. He plans on continuing to work for WWE and has seen doing more and more stuff for the WWE Network.

During his speech he apologized for the crowd for not being able to perform and said that he is proud to be Canadian.

Santino won the Intercontinental title on his first night in WWE when he beat Umaga on Raw back in 2007. Santino has been a comedy character every sense and been used less and less in the later years. Good luck Santino and thanks for the memories.

One of the few comedy characters in wrestling who actually made me laugh for being funny, and not cringeworthy.

For playing the underdog coming good, there aren't many better. When he was runner-up to Del Rio in the Rumble and to Bryan in the Elimination Chamber, both of those had moments when I was convinced he'd do it.

I will actually miss him!

the midcard needs guys like him. I didn't particularly like his character, but he worked well. Always kept up his character for the kids in interviews too. Sign Robbie E up to replace him

He was brilliant when slagging Austin and his film.

And the Stuff with Batista.

And he managed to make Vladimir Kozlov entertaining - something no-one else managed!

Something from a few years back, but well worth looking at - no idea if the video's are still working though!

http://wweandtna.niceboard.org/t7740-the-santino-marella-appreciation-thread

Yeah, saw this on Twitter early doors this morning when I couldn't sleep! Gutted for him as I felt he did a great job with a comedy gimmick! I reckon he'll continue to be on TV in some capacity, he is only 35 as well!!

I was sure he was going to win the rumble when he got back on the ring against del rio.

I forgot about all the older stuff when he got a bit more screen time. I haven't seen him do anything like that for years, partly due to not watching, and he's not been given much to do this year I don't think. I can remember the "You Lose! Subway advert", Bap-tista and the Austin stuff now I've seen it written. 2009! Wow

best thing was the honk a tonk a meter when he was IC Champ

I remember his tea party with Koslov when Sheamus was the guest, and Sheamus was finding it hard not to laugh while out there.