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Former WWE Superstar Santino Marella recently described the origins of his finisher, The Cobra, as well as John Cena's initial reaction to the move.
Santino Marella had a very entertaining run during his 11-year stint with the WWE.
The former Intercontinental Champion's early Royal Rumble elimination and Wrestlemania appearance as 'Santina' Marella were the highlights of his run. However, it could be argued that the use of his finishing move, The Cobra, helped him gain immense popularity among fans and superstars alike.
Speaking on the podcast Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw, Santino recounted the time he first used the Cobra and the reaction that he got from fellow WWE Superstar John Cena.
It’s funny, I used to call it the ‘Schoolboy From Hell’ actually. So I did it at a live event. I told John Cena, I said ‘hey watch this, I’m going to try something.’ And I did the Cobra and the audience laughed, like, the first time. I stood there, made this face, did the whole thing, hit him with it, rolled him. I came back and he goes ‘I would keep that if I were you, that was funny as hell.” said Marella. (H/T Wrestling Inc.)
With top superstars like Cena giving The Cobra their seal of approval, it is no wonder that Vince McMahon allowed Marella to use the absurdly entertaining move on television.
Santino Marella faced John Cena in the main event of RAW in 2008
Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix, a.k.a. Glamarella, were among the most entertaining duos in the WWE throughout 2008.
But at the time, John Cena was looking to take them down a peg. During an episode of RAW in Toronto, Canada, the Cenation leader enlisted the help of one of WWE's most popular Canadians, Trish Stratus. The two duos ultimately faced off in a mixed tag team bout.
Whilst Cena and Stratus ended up victorious, Glamarella provided a lot of comedy during the matchup, a trait the duo were certainly known for.
What was your favorite Santino Marella moment in WWE? Let us know in the comments section below.
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