Santino Marella On His WWE Debut

Former WWE Superstar Santino Marella recalls his WWE debut, known as 'The Milan Miracle', and recalls the journey which led to him winning the Intercontinental Championship over then-champion Umaga, with an assist from current WWE Superstar Bobby Lashley.
Watch the full interview with Santino Marella on my main @ChrisVanVliet channel here: • Santino Marella Is The...
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[@TachibanaDono]

i watched this live and as a kid i thought it was real for the longest time

[@taylormcgarry470]

Me to lol. I thought he was a legit fan that just got lucky lmao 😆😆 🤦🤦

[@homework9102]

Same lmfao

[@JC86INC]

Same!

[@timothyfranklin4808]

Same! The joys of time before spoilers!

[@grumpypenguingaming5456]

We all did 😂😂😂

[@diablerieTV]

0:41 “there’s kids that were 10 years old that are now 26 years old that are telling me they thought it was real for years and years…” lmao that’s literally me to a tee! Legendary!

[@tanflo]

same

[@Young_gxi]

Same 🤣 07 vibes

[@stephenasmith6387]

Same 26 😭 we’re definitely the best generation we’ve lived half of our child hood without the internet and the other have with the internet

[@b-rye223]

I’m one of them lol

[@vanilla_badger]

Me too!!

[@kobe4090]

one of the few things as a kid i genuinely believed was 100% real for a long ass time. honestly one of the most memorable moments watching wrestling as a kid.

[@mickeymojito]

Santino mispronouncing names is still the greatest thing ever

[@Ivantheterrible81280]

John Chay-na…

[@Tonyv9231]

Shaymoose

[@chrisbinwang2119]

Honky Donky Maan"

[@7864U]

Baptista

[@mickeymojito]

KYJ

[@methlovin]

in a way, he really was a randomly hand picked person from a crowd... not from a crowd in the building, but from a crowd of performers that were standing in the line for opportunity, and he got one.

[@MatthiasPowerbomb]

Santino's accent sounded so legit to me that it was a shock hearing his real voice many years later. He absolutely killed it with everything they have him, even stuff that would kill anyone else's career. He's a singular talent.

[@THE-WAY_THE-TRUTH_THE-LIFE.]

Indeed. It was even more shocking for me to found out that he's not even Italian but Canadian.

[@Maxtrash69]

Dude is underrated. His time in wwe was amazing. One of the biggest tag team titles pops I ever heard in my life

[@GypsyDanger514]

You must not have been around for the Dudley’s, the Hardy’s and E&C.

[@burnandbleed93]

Dude won the woman's title lmfao and won the intercontinental title hus first night

[@Maxtrash69]

@@GypsyDanger514 i was. I was referring to his time as Champ 🙄

[@kenterminateddq5311]

As much as I am entertained by his "accent", it's really cool to hear Santino on shoot interviews because he's being himself and not a character.

[@firstinstinct420]

Memorial moment. Rip Umaga.

[@davevandebunte2949]

For the longest time, Santino's segments on RAW were the best part of the show...He was incredibly funny as a performer, and willing to do or say anything, without concern about how it might affect his "image". Santino belongs in the WWE Hall of Fame.

[@cattythecat9161]

I totally agree. Sad as he had to left the show 😭

[@alexissantana5586]

The fact that the most of us can only remember this debut as clear as day says it all! I was a kid also watching that live and thought how lucky this WWE fan now has the coolest jobs ever, on top of that the whole crowd cheering for it! Good times…

[@SIMOLAMBOTZ]

I was there in Milan 🇮🇹 Unforgettable...

[@Qurisx]

This speaks volumes at his talent and acting. He specifically sold it so damn well and that is awesome. I remember this so vividly. what a time.

[@tmotivate]

A heart-warming story. Jim Cornette’s bout to tear him to shreds.

[@IamBrixTM]

I usually don’t mind Jim but he can be such a twat sometimes

[@lamelama22]

I think Cornette would appreciate the "say yes and then learn how to do it" mentality, that's pretty old-school carney BS. Pretty sure Cornette would also have no problem with him being used as this guy that got plucked out of the stands - he looked & acted the part, it made sense, it fooled (most) of the fans. Cornette has other problems with Santino... but I don't think this particular story is one of them. I think Cornette would also actually appreciate & praise how Santino listened to Dusty's teaching & learned from it, and then implemented it. His major problem with Santino was that, previous to this, Santino refused to listen to Cornette or appreciate when more experienced industry vets were trying to teach him, and he didn't work hard. Sounds like he learned from getting yelled at & slapped by Cornette & then like a year later got this opportunity.

[@RagingCookie127]

​@@lamelama22 He still has a major problem with Santino (likely because he didn't appreciate Santino's comedy), Santino tried to bury the hatchet at a convention, Cornette told him to get lost then got terrified when he realised they were face-to-face and started begging people to keep an eye on them so he was safe.

[@Erlewyn]

@@lamelama22 I heard Cornette's issues with Santino started when in OVW, a child was terrified of the Boogieman, so Santino told him "don't worry, it's just a show" to reassure him, and Cornette has hated him ever since.

[@imupinthetrees]

I was born in South Texas and man I knew so many people who would act like Santino Mareellas character 😂 I was immediately drawn to his character it felt so authentic :) Huge part of my memories of wwe as a youngster!!! Hall of fame worthy WITHOUT A DOUBT

[@DwayneIsK1NG]

Also the Santino and Kozlov combo was one if the most entertaining of it's era and Tea Time with Sheamus was one of the best and funniest segments ever imo

[@bbb4228]

I remember watching Santino’s debut live. Great moment. They could have really taken the character a bunch of different directions from there.

[@shaunbang]

I hope we can see santino back in the wwe. His character was hilarious and underrated

[@sambeasley4215]

he should be a hall of famer

[@competitive_north280]

I was expecting his Italian voice 😭 all jokes aside respect to Santino/Anthony for all his work in WWE.

[@krispykremeinstrumental680]

I clearly remember his debut, it was so believable. So genius 🤌🏽

[@BuhdeeProductions]

I never thought it was scripted it was pulled off very well I was 9 years old when I saw him make an impact

[@ReggieT98]

His debut was literally put into a Smackdown vs Raw storyline

[@matt-san4160]

The one & only wrestler for me to be able to turn face & heel in comedy entertainment way

[@greglane334]

I remember watching this with my mom back in the day. What an awesome moment

[@ahmadabdeljabbar8375]

I straight up believed it as a kid. It was fantastic

[@eddiew2325]

Ahmad will u marry me

[@ahmadabdeljabbar8375]

@@eddiew2325 hell yeah bro

[@UltraMediaX]

@@ahmadabdeljabbar8375*prepares stones** Oh don’t mind me, congrats you guys! (It’s a joke)

[@ahmadabdeljabbar8375]

@@UltraMediaX well I would be cheating on my wife so... 😮 🪨

[@UltraMediaX]

@@ahmadabdeljabbar8375 **prepares another set of stones**

[@dennis12345674]

i saw santinos debut and took tickets at the front row everytime 😢

[@selfiekroos1777]

I watched that on raw as well. It was odd, but hilarious.

[@notagain9023]

One of the only FEW guys who could actually be genuinely funny in the WWE. When he left he was missed

[@snegsbegs]

I remember watching this as a child before I knew wrestling wasn't completely real and I was shocked a fan actually did that. I believed it for years! You were always one of my favorites as a kid

[@HankJr.]

I remember how debit like yesterday. Back when I was 13 and watched WWE religiously. Fully believed he was a random from the crowd at the time. Rewatching his debut is so nostalgic, memories of where I was and the TV I watched it on came back. Cannot believe next month will be 16 years.

[@fatmanjebis]

Santino we are so happy ur from Canada I live 100km from Toronto....always happy to be a fan...hope to meet ya one day. Been a wrestling fan since I was born in the late 80s.

[@kylemelendez358]

I hate myself for not appreciating guys likes Santino in the moment, I was always "ah get this guy outta here get the big Dawgs out please!" But being older and a bit wiser I have so so much more appreciation for the mid card and lower card type guys who are just plain awesome and Santino was all that and some. I look back very fondly on guys like him and I hope he gets into the HOF

[@TheXV1CT0Rx]

My older sister never liked wrestling but we watched this live and she started to like wwe after and we watched steady for like 4 years

[@tafua_a]

Guys, you have no idea how over WWE was in Italy at that time. That was the last year of what we call "The Italian Boom" over here. In Italy the Ruthless Aggression was basically our Attitude Era.

[@Benjamin-gn5pb]

That’s actually a pretty smart work - nobody in that room was going to actually understand Italian. He probably could have spoken Portuguese and they wouldn’t know the difference. Also it’s crazy that the two first things in his career that people remember involve him being an audience member: that shit that happened with Cornette and his debut.

[@selfiekroos1777]

His Italian FOB gimmick was priceless

[@theespanishgod2371]

Santino bravo amazing content and human being!!

[@fatmanjebis]

Thank u agian!

[@addidaswguy]

Santino is the Goat

[@justanotheryoutuber1997]

I watched this live as a kid and remember thinking it was so real

[@scotshuthats5268]

Santino many great comedic moments from Him.

[@alexandermacdougall7873]

He should be in the Hall of Fame.

[@fernandosantos4836]

Still crazy to think he isn't even italian. What a guy

[@PrxdigyProductions]

Master of deception

[@robertomanfredi342]

His name is Anthony Carelli and has italian background

[@TJ_Beam]

Also probably the greatest stunner sell of all time too

[@AlmondGlazedSunrise]

I'll still say Kane had the best debut, but this was a close second.

[@djscruffnasty3464]

Jericho imo

[@D_eeshh]

I knew as a kid wrestling was all entertainment but I 100% believed they pulled Santino from out the crowd man lol

[@Abcdyjgfgjj]

Loved this guy.....

[@SeeYouNextTuesday-]

Ah man I miss santino he was so underrated should have been world champion

[@BabajikiBooty67]

He was so convincing that I totally believed it was real, and he became one of the most entertaining and funniest Wwe character of all time, I loved Santino wherever he entered the ring. And I still love him and his character. I never forget to watch his Wwe videos especially mispronunciation of names. He was just hilarious and the most funniest characters Wwe has ever created. And his accent was so real, I always though he was Italian until I heard his real accent few years back on KZbin.

[@jayluis189]

One of the Top 5 Best WWE Debuts, definitely!!

[@CodyChepa88]

I remember this as a kid and it was dope

[@YNFJay-Silva]

I remember being 13 years old and being so hyped For this unknown that beat Umaga

[@j.x.d.g]

HE IS A LEGEND !!!!

[@alexmarquez4807]

I believe I was 8 watching it and I kid you not I thought it was real for the longest I’m 23 now miss that era of wrestling!

[@misterchubbikins]

I remember that match. The first thing that stood out to me was santino was wearing wrestling boots. I remember saying to my brother. "What are the odds they'd pick a guy who was already wearing wrestling boots?"

[@georgeaghimien3234]

I was levening in Italy at the time. For years I taught Santino was Italian until 2014 when he was released from wwe and found out he was Canadian.

[@robertomanfredi342]

His name is Anthony Carelli and has italian background

[@J_Games_1996]

Even after my mom explained it, I still thought it was real. Those Carlito days were something else.

[@lukethomas6900]

I remember absolutely legit hating the entire Santino character up from his debut to his eventual release. Now I look back years later and realize that he was actually pretty over during his time.

[@MrTrueCaller619]

Respect to Vincent Kennedy McMahon, what a legend, i will forever be grateful, of course i didn't like everything he brought but pro wrestling wouldn't exist for so long without him .

[@IamBrixTM]

Still fuck Vinny tho

[@gregfernandez420]

Remember watching it live

[@iiAccidentlyy]

the greatest character in wrestling

[@moi712]

For the longest time I thought it was real and that they were so impressed with your performance that you actually got a shot in the WWE

[@1tsn0t0ver]

Something I can’t unsee now is the fact he was wearing wrestling boots during that debut.

[@rezenking8426]

dude came in out of the crowd and beat umaga for the INTC championship on his DEBUT . he was always super funny too

[@thomaskinney9081]

Damn he was one of my favorites he was comedy 🤣 all the way

[@sungodpharaoh4416]

“Santino is the best, stronger than all the rest”

[@justinalexander5959]

I remember it like yesterday, I didn't think he would have so much tattoos

[@alexbratcher7184]

Shout-out to E-Town Kentucky. My hometown.

[@chrisharrington9992]

Wow amazing

[@CaptainConditor]

He says people thought it was real, only to talk about the most real story of a kick ass debut.

[@KarloAras.83]

This was so unexpected and it feels so freakin real!!

[@qwertynaughty3256]

I have watched it like 20 time

[@boludwig8277]

I'm 25. I thought it was real. Nail on the head! 😂

[@norrisc7163]

Being a wrestling fan since 1970s my Late Grandfather. Who would be 121years old who was a big wrestling fan

[@Sergakk1]

I was actually at that show and it was crazy

[@thejokerstruth228]

One of best pieces of advice in life if someone calls you to do something you always say yes and then you better learn how to do it later, we’ll said👌🏽

[@austinwiseman3186]

I was 12 when Santino debuted and I believed it for a few months

[@micah.1009]

I thought it was real . Watching it love it felt real good job from Vince and santino for acting it out well

[@raveoreynolds6049]

Moments like this are what I feel are missing from the current product. It feels like popping the live audience is the last thing they're focused on, and all the content is made just to be youtube clips.

[@Crashj7f67h]

I was one of them, but I was 11 when Santino debuted. 0:41

[@twenty-2923]

Funniest guy that the WWE signed

[@Alderam95]

Wait…he’s not Italian?! My whole life has been a lie 😢

[@callmeking1318]

The original yes movement

[@wastelandwarriorz665fanacc8]

Agree very convincing

[@kinggudda7043]

We needed that belt of Umaga Thanks Bobby Lashley

[@stephenkinq5425]

One of WWE's best moments ever ... Segment is up there with Rick Rude hitting on Jake Robert's wife Santino is a hof R.I.P Umaga

[@mrwolfegaming889]

Wow! Santinos accent is almost none existent now!

[@TheGoodBoy219]

“It changed my family history” wow well said

[@scottydidthat_ART]

I TOTALLY thought this was real before this interview and I’m now 28 😅🤣🤣🤣

[@IamBrixTM]

One of the best comedy wrestlers ever imo

[@oneill765]

Never heard him speak in his normal accent before

[@Larkon979]

One of the funniest wrestling characters ever!

[@TeamBringIt8]

I was 10 and now I’m 26 and I believed it till now geez 😂 I feel like he was talking to me just now ahahaha

[@united.14]

Damn he said my hometown elizabethtown Kentucky

[@meloncornets3034]

I believed it for sooo long too lol. I was still youngish though. It was before I read dirtsheets and stuff. It's so weird to hear him with a canadian accent lol.

[@tankdiggs8974]

I seen Boris, I would have loved to have seen Boris on WE TV

[@TakedownGames]

Look so different 😮

[@robbymarton74]

A couple of good Canadian boys right there eh. 🇨🇦

[@SeanBeanie4191]

Hearing him w/o the accent is like watching Nick Dinsmore wrestle.

[@wisdommulenga8397]

Damn it was believable ❤️😂