10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (July 8)
6. Santino Marella Wanted The Intercontinental Title More Than The Heavyweight Title
Looking on as a wide-eyed 18 year old performer, Santino Marella decided he wanted to become a pro wrestler. Eventually, he'd go on to become one of the only men capable of delivering legitimate laugh-out-loud comedy in WWE. There was a natural vibe to Marella's performances and he really seemed to be having fun when he was hamming it up for the masses.
Sport Illustrated's Extra Mustard recently caught up with former WWE Intercontinental Champions to ask their thoughts on the infamous secondary title. Amongst those interviewed were Wade Barrett, Dolph Ziggler and Santino himself, all former holders of the Intercontinental gold.
Each one of them had positive things to say, but it was Marella who had the most interesting story. Upon deciding that wrestling was for him, Santino set his sights on someday becoming Intercontinental Champion. He would achieve that on his first night on the main roster in WWE, and it meant the world to him.
Ironically, it also meant more than the World Title would have, because Marella always cherished the Intercontinental Title as meaning more than the top belt.