Interview with WWE's Santino Marella by Brian FritzTypically when I conduct interviews with wrestlers, they are out-of-character. But there is one person that I wouldn't mind speaking to in character - Santino Marella. When we spoke earlier this week, he instantly broke out his "Italian" accent and laid it on thick. The guy is one of the most original and funny characters in the WWE for some time so I knew it would be fun speaking to the current Intercontinental Champion.
This Sunday, he will defend his championship on the Cyber Sunday pay-per-view where fans can vote on who his opponent will be - Rowdy Roddy Piper, Goldust, or the longest reigning IC champion in history, the Honky Tonk Man. When reading the interview, just imagine him speaking like only Santino can.
Are you looking forward to the show on Sunday?
This is going to be my first time in Cyber Sunday and it's interesting because it's up to the fans. It's truly up to the fans. I've prepared myself to fight all three of my potential opponents and when the time comes, I will fight one of them.
Fans can vote on who will be your opponent which will be either Roddy Piper, Goldust or the Honky Tonk Man. You've got a little bit of a history with Piper.
I do have history that son-um-a-gun. First, I was a fan of Roddy Piper myself, trying to give him compliments but he slapped me in the face. Then I go see him and his friend Cousin Sal and he interfered again. This guy definitely needs a reminder to keep his manners to himself.
Let's talk about the Honky Tony Man. How exactly did the Honk-a-Meter come about?
The Honk-a-Meter is something I devised one day while sipping a Cappuccino. I thought what a better way to document my chasing of this record by creating a devise that the most simplest person could follow – the Honk-a-Meter.
I believe you're a little behind him with you at ten weeks and he is at 64 weeks for his reign as Intercontinental Champion.
That's right – this Monday is going to be eleven so in one week's time and one year's time, I will be just about to tie the record. I'd like to beat him. If I were to beat his record – how fitting would it be to beat him and his record?
Do you have any preference on who you would like to face?
I do not know. It's like vanilla, chocolate or strawberry – they're all delicious flavors of ice cream but I can't choose. Either way it's going to be a great night for me. We're going to go, we're going to fight, we're going to win, we're going to have an after-party like we usually do – limousines, nightclubs, everything. We're going to have fun and it's going to be a great chapter in my life but along the way it's going to be a really bad night for someone. Someone is going to have to be a victim to my supreme ability. It's hard to say. I don't want to guide the audience towards one person – Honky Man – but if I had to choose one, I'm not sure. Maybe the Honky Donkey Man.
This last year or so has been a very good one for you in the WWE. What has this been like for you, especially since you haven't been with the company long?
Yeah, it's just over a year and a half. Life has changed pretty much – on the go, on the go. I have work life, family life, social life – my work life is obviously very different. My social life – I had a couple of different girlfriends with the Glamizon and Maria before that. In between those two when I go out, it's pretty interesting being me I must say. Sometimes I miss my family a little bit but that's the price you have to pay to become a real superstar.
You mentioned the Glamizon. What has it been like to work with Beth Phoenix?
Beth Phoenix – she is a consummate professional. She's fun. She has some things to protect – she's the Glamizon. She has an image and sometimes she's a little bit tough to me but she's a big kid. She's fun.
What is it like for you right now performing, having fun and coming up with new material and along the way have some matches from time to time.
I'm love touring. I love putting on shows and entertaining people. I can see in the people's faces that when I'm out there, they’re not thinking about much else. They’re not worrying about the bills or the kids. They’re just having fun and if I can provide that to people all over the world that's not a bad thing. The house shows are fun. The house shows are where I get to wrestle and have some longer matches than on TV and that's where the real magic happens in the ring. TV is great but to see WWE live in action is something else. Then, you're going to go home with some really good memories. I know I have good memories from when I was a kid from watching wrestling.
Who were some of your favorites growing up and maybe you can take from now in your career?
I was, of, course, a Hulkamaniac like everyone else. I like Jimmy Snuka, Davey Boy Smith, there are lots of guys – Mr. Perfect, he was good. Mostly guys that are like me – very strong, athletic, charisma. Maybe that's why I became the way I am.
Did you have any kind of background in comedy before you started in pro wrestling?
I was just the class clown, that's about it. In school, I was very funny. My grandmother and my cousins think I'm funny but no formal training.
One thing I really enjoy is Santino's Casa which you do every week on WWE.com. How is that going and where do you come up with the material for it?
Ah, Santino's Casa seems to be going really good. I think there are more viewers week after week. The material is what's current and in the news. Just something I want to talk about, things that are on my mind – current issues. It's fun. Santino's Casa is every Monday at Raw before the show I go into a room and do the Casa. It's fun and I look forward to it every week. It's a chance for me to express myself. It's like a blank canvas for me to paint my opinions.
You know, at Cyber Sunday you could run into Stone Cold Steve Austin who you've had some problems with in the past. What will you say to him if you cross paths?
I'm going to demand an apology from him. I'm going to bring him my shirt which I've been carrying around for months and months now for him to dry clean. I'm going to have a nice, long sit down talk with Mr. Stone Cold Steve Austin. He has a bad attitude and maybe I can reach him and make him change because what he did was disgusting.
You haven't watched his movie The Condemned again, have you?
No, I use it as a coaster (laughs).
Good luck at Cyber Sunday.
Thank you very much!
Taken from: http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/wrestling/2008/10/interview-with.html
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