In December 2022, TNA Wrestling’s parent company, Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions, LLC (via attorney Michael Dockins), filed to trademark the name Santino Marella.
Most fans remember Anthony Carelli playing that character while in WWE. It came up once WWE let it expire in 2021, so TNA was able to get it, and Carelli has portrayed the gimmick in TNA Wrestling ever since.
In an interview with Chris Van Vliet in 2023, Carelli discussed getting the trademark. He said,
“Yeah, so the big thing, I guess in 2021, somebody did not renew the trademark. And as a habit. When IMPACT gets guys that were former WWE guys, they look up the trademarks, you know, they have to come up with a name for me. Well, what can they call me? St. Tino? Or you know, something? [Santino’s real name is Anthony] Anthony? No, nobody wants to see Anthony. I found out you know, nobody really wants to see Anthony they’ve in fact disappointed when they see Anthony. But it [Santino] was available, IMPACT grabbed it. And it’s great news, you know. I was gonna have a great time anyway. But the fact that I can be Santino Marella and be the genuine article, and not a knockoff, it was just the icing on the cake.”
According to trademark docs, WWE requested a 90-day extension to oppose the trademark on September 19th.
His daughter Ariana Grace is signed to a WWE developmental contract, and the two companies have been working together since earlier this year.
