Within the last two years, Santino Marellas neck trouble has resulted in him requiring three separate surgeries. The first came as a result of an injury at a house show in January 2013, and though he managed a brief appearance at that months Royal Rumble PPV he was forced to undergo a facet rhizotomy the following month. The process uses an electrode needle to deaden the nerves that carry pain signals to the brain, and Marella cites bulging, herniating and degenerating disks as some of the reasons for the procedure. And though the rhizotomy was a success, he was forced to go under the knife once more in January of this year, before making a low-key announcement at a house show in July that a third neck injury had forced him to retire. However, in typical pro wrestling fashion, that retirement may not be so permanent. Marella has since suggested that a return to the ring may well be possible after four to six months of recovery time. Thus, much like the aforementioned Bryan, we still dont know the ultimate severity of Marellas injury woeshence why hes not ranked higher on this list.
