Santino Marella: The Next Womans Champion

[Dead Kennedy]

Anything Santino does is pure gold - It doesn't even matter if he wins or loses a match, he knows how to do it with style and how to put his opponent over. He's the greatest comedy asset WWE have had since back when Jericho was Y2J (R.I.P. Y2J 1999-2008) and always one of the things I look forward to the most on Raw (especially after they were raided during the draft...)

This angle is so damn bad it's good. It's like Eddie & Chyna again. It'll be interesting to see how it develops - no question who wears the pants in this relationship >.<

 

[Eternal Dragon]

I really think this is the best thing for both of them. Beth Phoenix is filled with talent, maybe not a great deal, but I personally see her as very talented. However she has no charisma. She was a dominating Women's Champion, and went nowhere with it.

While I agree that this could be a really good thing for both Beth and Santino, I disagree with what you're saying about Beth. The only way that I can see this helping her is that it'll keep her in the spotlight instead of letting her fade away like many other divas do after losing the title. Beth's one of the most charismatic divas in the WWE, there's evidence of that from her feud with Melina and from her interactions with Santino, and going further back, her earlier "Glamazon" promos. Her run as Women's Championship was definitely not the best, but that's more the fault of a lack of good buildup in any of her feuds, not a lack of charisma on Beth's part.

As for Santino, he seems to shine in anything involving a mic, and he provides a great comedic relief. Just like with Beth I see this helping him because it'll keep people interested. We'll have to see where exactly they want to take this angle, and if it runs too long I'm afraid it'll get cheesy, but for now it's something refreshing to see.

Flames Out
Dragon

 

[chasingamy]

I’m liking these two and this angle more a little more each week. You’ve got the classic ‘opposites attract’ component, the restrained underlying sexual tension, and then there’s also the modern-day roles reversal element, all of which combine to make for an entertaining, unexpected, nontraditional couple.

This pairing should prove mutually beneficial. If nothing else, it gives them something more to do than have random, boring squashes week in and week out than no one cares about. I have a feeling we’re going to see a new side to Beth, which will give her character depth that the audience can relate to. And for the first time in many months, I find myself interested when Santino wrestles now. The guy can actually wrestle but we don’t get to see it, so hopefully Beth will “teach” him a thing or two and he finally gain a little in-ring credibility. Clearly by virtue of Santino, we’re in store for some great comedic moments.

I rather like the idea of Santino as a ‘kept man’, Beth’s love toy. With WWE moving towards PG-rated TV, I don’t see it playing out that way though. I don't mind Beth becoming Santino’s muscle, but I’m leery of her wrestling men. That would be bad for the male superstars’ credibility. Plus, the Women’s division needs Beth’s talent now. I’m thinking long run and not some “battle of the sexes” short-lived angle. I also caution against making Beth too soft. I prefer a kick-butt heel Glamazon.

Regardless of how it all plays out, I’m enjoying the awkwardly entertaining interactions these two are giving us. The Santino/Beth angle may not be the best thing going on Raw right now but it’s right up there on my list.

 

[ronthony717]

I love this pairing... Santino is the best character out there.. Beth is helpin him win and get over even more with fans and beth is bein built as a top womens competitor and santino is helping her get over wit the fans.. Keep it up

 

[Davi323]

Why is Santino drawing a unibrow on himself now?

This angle is one of the highlights of my Monday nights. Santino is always golden, and this storyline is simply perfect for him. I must also give credit to Beth Phoenix, for being up to the challenge of being in the ring with Santino. Personally, I don't think I could keep a straight face, and would totally break kayfabe, and bust out laughing. The goose tonight was simply classic. What I don't quite understand, is why when she interferes with Mickie James, she is booed, but then cheered during the Santino segments...Its almost like there are two Beth Phoenixes out there.

 

[klunderbunker]

This pairing certainly is interesting and it serves both it's purposes: It gets Beth on tv more often, allowing for a potential 2nd diva storyline, and it lets Santino get back to what he's best at: comedy. The odd couple formula is a classic that rarely fails to at least entertain which this does. Having beth more or less being the man here is simple but good stuff. These two are getting more and more entertaining as the weeks go on so apparently the angle is working, at least in my eyes.

 

[I_Like_All_Wrestling]

After last nights RAW we not have a Santino and Beth vs. Kofi and Mickie in a mixed tag match where the winner will get both the IC title and the Womens title.

I think it's pretty clear that Santino is going to win this (I'd say Beth has a slight chance). I can't really see Mickie holding the IC title or Kofi holding the Womens title. Santino being the IC champ and the Womens champ would be comedy gold. I could see him winning and refusing to defend the Womens title against Beth.

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Vintage Nick]

Personally, Santino AKA Mario has no purpose in the WWE except to be cheap comic relief and having to do repeat storylines. I don't even want to see him NEAR championship gold, and I seriously doubt Kofi would lose the IC title to him. If Kofi ends up winning, he'd obviously give the Women's title back to Mickie. If anyone deserves to face Kofi for his title, it's Paul Fucking Burchill.

 

[Ad!]

I think the stipulation is that if Beth and Santino win, they win their respective titles. Not one wins both of them. Otherwise that would turn the couple into less of a team surely?

 

[My$terio_Fan]

This paring seems to be working out ok. It has gotten both Santino & Beth, title shots which is good. Santino can use his mic skills to help Beth get over and with Beth's strength Santino maybe able to win a few matches and look credible(so be it because of a woman).

 

[Hyorinmaru]

I respect Women's wrestling a great deal and as much as I like Santino him becoming women's champion (I wouldn't put it past him to keep both titles if that's the way they're going with this match) would be a travesty. Santino as Champ would be almost as bad as Harvey Whippleman as Champ. The only thing that would make it even remotely bearable is the Comedy gold we would get from him until he drops the title probably to Beth Phoenix. I hope to GOD that he doesn't win the Women's title.

 

[klunderbunker]

While I'm pretty sure the stipulation says that only he could win the IC title and Beth the women's title, just playing devil's advocate, if the case was that he could be women's champion the comedy could be absolutely gold. If Santino's team wins the match he could lay claim to the title because he won the match, perhaps pinning Mickie. It wouldn't be the first time a man was the women's champion either so I guess it could happen. Santino facing off with women and then bragging about his victories would be nothing short of hilarious. Santino isn't suited wel in the ring but on the mic he's one of the funniest guys around in the business today. Making him even more into a comedy character is exactly what needs to happen with him.

 

[justinsayne]

Jesus fucking Christ people how is this so fucking hard to understand?, the stipulation is that the winning team gets both titles, that means if Squashtino & Beth win then Squashtino becomes IC champ and Beth becomes Women's champ, if Kofi & Mickie win then they keep both their belts, Squashtino is not going to become women's champ!!!, for fuck sake it's not a difficult concept to understand, they even go into detail to explain it more on WWE.com

 

[DeadmanInc.]

This pairing is pure comedic gold. Classic "opposites attract" yet it's so freaking funny. Each RAW their segments keep getting funnier. This pairing will work out best for both sides as they both cover the other's flaws. Santino will probably win a few matches for a change after Beth "teaches" him how to wrestle, while Beth will get more mic time and thus improve her character (her lack of character is her only flaw). Though I hope Beth doesn't get involved in too many Male vs Female matches. She is the best thing in the Woman's division right now. We don't need her becoming like Chyna.

So, what's up with Santino's random unibrow? I almost spat my drink out when I saw that.

 

[RatedRFan]

i think that they could try and do something like the santino/maria storyline, but only backwards...
like beth could be the dominate controlling type like santino was with maria. it would be really funny to watch because like ever1 else said santino is so great at being a heel, i think santino has really rose to another level (not a new) of being a "loveable" heel.

 

[as260191]

I wouldnt be suprised to see Burchill & Katie Lea petition Adamle to make it a 3 way tag match for the titles, that would be a very interesting proposition IMO. Burchill & Kofi work good matches, Katie Lea & Mickie work good matches, and then there's Santino & Beth as Wildcards. And im not just saying that as a Brit and a big Burchill mark.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

He isn't going to become the Women's Champion. But he'll certainly celebrate like he's just become a double champion. He'll win, hold and kiss both titles, walk off. Then the next night on Raw Beth will just take the title belt. So for one night he will hold the Women's title. But he won't go in the record books as being a champion.

 

[Colamania]

Well, first off, I'd just like to alert the WrestleZoners of the world to the wording which WWE.com are using as far as the SummerSlam tag team match goes:

Both Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston and Womens Champion Mickie James will have their gold on the line at SummerSlam when they meet the smitten squad of Santino Marella & The Glamazon in a Winners Take All Tag Match

The phrase used is Winners Take All. Winners. Therefore, I'm figuring that the rules of the match will be that the winning team take one belt each, the guy taking the IC Title while the female takes the Women's championship. So, unless WWE do bring out some kind of twist, Santino Marella is NOT the next Women's Champion.

That being said, I think he IS the next IC Champion. This pairing of Santino & Beth has only existed for 2 weeks, but it's already majorly over, and to me it just wouldn't make sense to have them lose the tag match at SS. The outcome that I can see is, as has been happening a few times recently, Santino getting a cheap roll-up pin on Mickie James. Whether they'll use this to claim that Santino is the Women's Champion, I don't know. The interesting point that I can see coming out of that is that they could use that to give Beth the IC Title, which could be an interesting storyline. In fact, that is the storyline I would choose to go with, as it could turn it into pure gold. Santino would be desperate to become IC Champion, offering Beth the Women's Championship in exchange for the gold, but Beth prefers being the IC Title, and so refuses to give up the belt for Santino. This storyline would work amazingly well, and I really hope that WWE decide to go in this sort of direction.

 

[Afro-Ameri-Spawn]

I always thought that with Santino's level of annoyance that he had the potential to become the next Kurt Angle. But sadly, he's not getting pushed correctly and yes I can see him becoming the next women's champion with this next storyline. It seems like the only story where Chyna and Jericho were the co-IC champs is being rehashed and revamped. As dominant in the relationship ad they make Beth Phoenix out to be, either she will be holding both titles or he will parade around like a buffoon with both of the titles. And while a transition IS needed for the women's title, I think that this will be a travesty to take the title off of Kofi Kingston due to the pop that he gets from the fans and his hi level of energy in the ring.

 

[tehblogger]

Personally, I would pay a fucking fortune to see Beth Phoenix with the IC title. Not to mention Santino with the women's title. Seeing them back each other up to cling on to their belts would be pure comedy gold. Then I actually might find Santino amusing. Admittedly, it would be harsh on Kofi, but he was given the IC belt too soon anyway. That's not how the stipulation seems to have worked out, but a swerve would be childishly easy to think up. Besides, Beth would be a far more credible IC champion than Santino. She usually wins; he usually loses. You can't have top jobber as IC champion, it just demeans the belt. Beth as champ would probably demean the belt too, but not half so much as Santino round two.

 

[chrisgod]

I think people is getting confused and the rules are just that the winning team gets both belts, so I can see the Burchills being added to the match and be benefited from this by winning it, so then there will be 2 feuds and 1 storyline after this match (Kofi trying to get the title back, mickie vs Katie Lea and Santino & Beth pairing and getting matches again both teams)

Personally, I would pay a fucking fortune to see Beth Phoenix with the IC title. Not to mention Santino with the women's title. Seeing them back each other up to cling on to their belts would be pure comedy gold.

The interesting point that I can see coming out of that is that they could use that to give Beth the IC Title, which could be an interesting storyline. In fact, that is the storyline I would choose to go with, as it could turn it into pure gold.

Talking about lame and ridiculous storylines in WWE... now that beloved Santino is right in front of one (at least in the minds of some people), then is "pure comedy gold" and people would love to see that happen just to have Santino appear 2 more minutes in their TVs... I mean the guy is funny and great on the mic... but come on... if this suposed title win was booked for someone else, then all people would be ranting about WWE creative and complaing for bashing the belt's legacy...

 

[Tim]

Chyna won the Intercontinental title, so why coudn't Beth Phoenix win the IC title?
What could happen is that Santino and Beth win and they are each given the IC and Womens titles respectfully. Beth could then turn on Santino and claim that since she got te pin, she gets both the titles. So Beth grabs the IC title from Santino and walks up the ramp holding both titles. This could then start a feud between Beth and Satino. Santino wins a title match against Beth, but then Beth says he has won the Women's title and give it to him. This could continue on for several weeks, just for the comedic value.

 

[valon10]

Santino Marella as the Women's Champion would be hilarious he will be the first male to ever win the Women's Championship.I don't recall no one else that one the Women's Champion, correct me if I wrong but, I believe I am right.Anyway,Beth as Intercontinental Champion I know Chyna won the title back when she was with WWE.If,you allow Beth to win the Intercontinental Title will the title lose Prestige?I like the Santino/Beth combination they can help push each other.Wait, a second here if Santino has had numerous loses how can he win the IC title over a wrestler like Kofi Kingston? that, currently holds it right now.

 

[Dark Blaze]

Santino Marella as the Women's Champion would be hilarious he will be the first male to ever win the Women's Championship.I don't recall no one else that one the Women's Champion, correct me if I wrong but, I believe I am right.Anyway,Beth as Intercontinental Champion I know Chyna won the title back when she was with WWE.If,you allow Beth to win the Intercontinental Title will the title lose Prestige?I like the Santino/Beth combination they can help push each other.Wait, a second here if Santino has had numerous loses how can he win the IC title over a wrestler like Kofi Kingston? that, currently holds it right now.

Nah actually, the first and only male Women's champion was Harvey Wippleman who dressed as a woman I think to win it in a battle royale.

Anyway, at first this was where I thought WWE was going because I didn't catch RAW and when I heard the stipulation, I thought that the person who got the pin got the titles. Anyway, I've since read the rules and realize that the team who wins gets the belts.

There would be numerous and humorous storylines if Santino won the women's championship, comedic gold right there, and Beth I think wouldn't cause the IC belt to lose prestige (does it have much anymore). All i disagree with is how Santino's in the title picture after being on a losing streak, it's just WWE trying to be lazy and further the storyline between Beth & Santino by adding the belts.

Santino would rock as women's champion though.

 

[NYSandman]

I,don't see where this is going.But,I have a feeling they will do the same thing they did with Maria which was have them as Boyfriend and Girlfriend for awhile.Instead,of having Beth split up with Santino they might have Santino split up with Beth Phoenix.Can, someone please tell me where is WWE going with this storyline?

I'm willing to bet that Santino and Beth will win, but Beth will say that SHE wants the IC title, leaving Santino with the women's!

It's kind of a shame that Santino, while entertaining, is being cast as one of the biggest buffoons in WWE history.

He's definately got it on the mic, but I cannot honestly appraise his wrestling skills because, well, he hasn't wrestled all that much.

I'm enjoying this storyline, though, and look forward to seeing where it leads. Probably a semi-long-term relationship with Beth, and then he'll cheat on her and she'll kick his ass or something.

I sincerely hope they don't waste Santino the way they did Carlito, because I'm a big-a Santino mark!