Santino Marella Wins Triple Crown!

Santino Marella won the Intercontinental Championship in his debut match in the WWE, which has been refereed to as "the miracle in Milan" and launched his career in the WWE. 

Later, Santino won the Unified Tag-Team Championships with Vladimir Kozlov in an unlikely partnership based on the Rocky IV comparison, with the Russian teaming up with the Italian. 

And now Santino has completed his Triple Crown by winning the United States Championship from Jack Swagger in one of the biggest upsets in history. Santino shocked the world again when he won the rematch inside a steel cage on Smackdown. 

Santino has made Royal Rumble history by breaking the long time record held by the Warlord for the fastest elimination when he was eliminated by Hulk Hogan in 2 seconds. Santino now holds the new record when he was eliminated by Kane in 1 second. Not necessarily a good record to hold, but a fan favourite for sure. The following year Santino hid under the ring for most of the Rumble, and did not emerge until Alberto Del Rio was the last man in the ring. The crowd went nuts cheering for Santino the shock the world and win the Rumble. Unfortunately that did not happen, although I think I speak for most wrestling fans when I say that I wish it had. That would have made a great moment in wrestling history, more memorable than the year Del Rio won. 

This year Santino was able to win the battle royal and earn the opportunity to fill Randy Orton's vacant spot in the Smackdown Elimination Chamber match for the World Championship. In the end it came down to him and the champion Daniel Bryan. Again, I think I speak for us all when I say I really wished Santino would have won. I think after all he has done he deserved a chance to become a World Champion. 

With all of his jokes and clowning around, Santino has found a place in the hearts of everyone in the WWE Universe. His entrance music always received a loud cheer because fans know they will be entertained. And some how he has really become the Rocky of the WWE, the underdog that everyone wants to see win it all. I think its great that the WWE has finally embraced him as a serious competitor and is giving him a real chance to entertain the fans and win a few championships along the way. 

Who knows, maybe someday we might actually see Santino win the Royal Rumble, or the Elimination Chamber... or even the World / WWE Championships!