Santino Marella: TNA Is Not A Secondary Brand, We Won’t Be Portrayed Like That

Santino Marella had some strong words about TNAâ€s place in the pro wrestling world.

Marella is currently the on-air Director of Authority in TNA. For the most part, the company has enjoyed its ongoing partnership with WWEâ€s NXT brand. However, tensions have flared in recent weeks, and this weekâ€s episode of NXT ended with a brawl between both brands.

Marella wasnâ€t in Orlando to witness the brawl first-hand, but he says he was in on the plan. Marella knows itâ€s fun for fans to watch, but he also supports what the TNA roster did, noting he enjoyed seeing them “all getting their licks back in.â€

“Iâ€ll tell you when things changed. It was fun, a win–win situation having our talent go there, having their talent come here,†Santino said. “But all of a sudden, when they had two of our top titles, the atmosphere backstage changed a little bit. And I think we kind of decided we have to take it into our own hands. Weâ€re not going to be walked all over. Weâ€re not the secondary brand.

“When it comes to money and television exposure, thatâ€s one thing,†he noted. “But when it comes to actual in-ring talent, weâ€re not the secondary brand—and weâ€re not going to be portrayed like that. So yeah, we did what we had to do, and weâ€re going to continue to do what we have to do until we feel like weâ€re the victors in this.â€

Santino Marella is the real deal in TNA

Santino Marella originally started as a character in WWE. He made his memorable WWE debut on the April 16, 2007 episode of RAW in Milan, Italy. Santino was “picked†out of the crowd as a surprise opponent for Umaga, whom he shockingly defeated to win the Intercontinental title.

His 2023 arrival in TNA was surprising for another reason, as he was once again using the name Santino Marella, which was a WWE trademark. Santino explained how Scott Dâ€Amore had acquired the lapsed trademark, which has now reverted back to WWE. He says the company is on board with him using it, but he also takes pride in still portraying the same character without adjustments just because he was in a new promotion.

“Itâ€s cool because I didnâ€t have to adjust my character. I could just be me again,†he explained. “When the camera goes on, I donâ€t play Santino—I become Santino. Fans are getting the authentic product. They were getting the real Santino, not a watered-down version, not a TNA version. It was the real Santino.â€

The best years are ahead

Marella (Anthony Carelli) initially retired from in-ring competition due to a serious neck injury in 2014. However, heâ€s been able to get healthy and back in the ring since then, including a recent match against NXT North American Champion Ethan Page.

Santino says heâ€s going through a physical resurgence in the ring, noting that he didnâ€t think his 50s would be some of the greatest years of his life. Santino said he invested in his health, using red light and stem cell therapy, PEMF mats and iron neck training as a way to heal his body. He also said his kids are also a big motivating factor, noting that he wants them to see what he can do, not what he used to do.

“Theyâ€ll see me chasing championships, and theyâ€ll learn what dedication looks like. I tell them, ‘If I can do this, you can do even more.†My daughter, [NXT star] Arianna Grace, grew up seeing me travel the world. Sheâ€s exceptional and is running on her own path now. But I have younger kids too. I want to inspire them the same way—and be able to play with them. When my back was bad, I couldnâ€t even get on the floor to play. That wasnâ€t acceptable. Now I can.

“So yeah, Iâ€ve been given a second chance. Who gets that? I rode it till the wheels fell off—then found out you can put the wheels back on,†Santino said. “Now weâ€re riding again. The next several years are going to be awesome.â€

TNA Victory Road takes place on Friday, September 26 at the Edmonton Expo Centre. You can also watch Santino on TNA Impact every Thursday on AXS or the TNA+ app.

Read More: Santino Marella Says A TV Deal Would Make TNA The Number Two Wrestling Company

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