As noted, two-time WWE Intercontinental Champion Santino Marella was released on Friday. Marella took to Twitter to comment on WWE releasing him, writing that his next chapter “shall be even greater.”
Worry not my friends for the next chapter shall be even greater! It was a dream come true, thank you #WWE
— Santino Marella (@milanmiracle) May 6, 2016
Marella signed with WWE in 2005, and started on the main roster in 2007. During his time with the company, he also held the United States Championship and the Tag Team Championship with Vladimir Kozlov. Marella retired from in-ring action in 2014 after suffering his third neck injury.
Santino made several appearances for WWE after announcing his retirement. Most recently, he presented a Slammy Award in December, then worked an angle with The Ascension ruining his Christmas party the next night on SmackDown with Neville and Titus O’Neil coming to his aid.