10 Times Unlikely Wrestlers Stole The Show

8. Santino Marella - WWE Elimination Chamber 2012

ronda rousey stephanie mcmahon
WWE.com

"Slightly less annoying than Hornswoggle" isn't a legacy about which to boast, but, were it not for this impossibly brilliant match finish, it would be the reductive shorthand assessment of Santino Marella's career. The character was used in too many naff segments for too long to live on nostalgically as light relief in an era of oppressive sh*te, from Guest Hosts to CenaWinsLOL. This, however, was a performance that proved a genuine performer lay beneath the surface layer of stupidity.

Marella in the closing stages of the eponymous World Heavyweight Title encounter scored a shock pinfall over antepenultimate entrant Wade Barrett, a clever story beat crucial to allow for suspension of disbelief in a scarcely believable premise: Marella, the comedy goof, was one pinfall away from winning and thus defending the World Championship on the Grandest Stage. Reigning holder Daniel Bryan reacted in the same incredulous manner as the fans, only with a nasty, arrogant, heat-seeking sneer. Marella smeared it from Bryan's face by blocking a right hand and flooring him with a judo throw straight out of the Milan Miracle's real-life background - another brilliant, nuanced detail added to convey the idea that this was really happening.

Marella didn't win, not even after two arm-hair close near-falls and a near-LeBell Lock escape - but he made you believe in the impossible for three electrifying minutes.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!