Santino Marella talks Prime Time Wrestling on DAZN, Cody Rhodes and Steve Austin rumors

Santino Marella retired from pro wrestling in 2014 after suffering three neck injuries in his WWE career. The former WWE Intercontinental champion has done a litany of projects since stepping away from the ring, including broadcasting, which he's seems to have a knack.

Marella brings his voice across the pond in Poland on Saturday as he commentates for Prime Time Wrestling, which can be seen on DAZN (check your region for availability).  The event is headlined by former Impact Wrestling and NWA Heavyweight champion Nick Aldis taking on Chris Masters. Also, AEW star Matt Sydal will be competing on the show.

Ahead of Saturday's event, Marella speaks with DAZN News to talk about Prime Time Wrestling, why people should watch the event, and the reports regarding "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Cody Rhodes.

(Editor's note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.)
 

DAZN: How did you get involved with Prime Time Wrestling, and what led you to wanting to get into the world of commentating?

Santino Marella: I've been doing commentary for the last few years prior to the pandemic. I was doing some commentary with Destiny Wrestling. I was doing some commentary for the World Judo Tour, and I was working on Sportsnet up in Canada here. It took me a while because when I started with Sportsnet immediately after my WWE career, I realized I hadn't really been on TV other than Santino. It took me some time to find my speaking style, my regular voice, the way I'm going to speak. Like anything, you need reps and practice. So I'm comfortable with it now because it was always such an easy thing, just to flick the switch and become Santino. I could do that in an instant. I'm starting to do more and more commentary. Eventually, I'll work through one of the larger companies, WWE, AEW, Impact, as a commentator. I'm just going to pay my dues and get better and better and work on some stuff. 

I want to be that kind of commentator that really captures, assists, and enhances the storytelling aspect of what's taking place in the ring. I met the guys, Marcin and Arik, a few years ago. It was just a podcast at the time. They talked about doing a promotion. Years later, they got their ducks in a row, and they said, ‘Hey, we're actually moving forward. Would you be interested?’ So I wrestled on the first show, and it was good. I like wrestling from time to time. I don't wrestle so much anymore. But since I'm leaning towards commentary, I offered to come and do commentary for all their major shows coming up. I want to be the English voice. If I can draw some eyes to the product, then I'm doing my job. If I can add to the product, I’m doing my job. It's an incredible production.

I went there not knowing what to expect. I'm going to get away go to Europe. They seemed like nice guys, and (I) get out of the house for a weekend. Then I get there, and I'm absolutely blown away by the professionalism, the production, the vision, what they have in their town with regards to a roster. A hungry group of young kids. The formula they have is bringing in guys to help highlight, accentuate and bring their roster up to speed. When you watch a show, you get that feeling like, ‘Man, something special just happened here. Something special just started here’. I want to contribute and be a part of that. Something special just started. Keep your eyes open, keep your eyes on it, and you're going to see some big things coming out of PTW.

DAZN: Did it disappoint you, or was it a sense of relief for you to retire because of the neck injury that has now led you to this point?

SM: It’s disappointing because I was over the wrestling part anyway (laughs). Also, a sense of relief because as soon as your contract is up, I thought I would come back to WWE in a non-wrestling role, like a general manager or something like that. That's what I thought was going to happen. But when your contracts up from WWE, it's an interesting feeling. It's kind of cool because you're you again. There was a 10-year period of my life where I was somebody else. I was a guy named Santino. I like me. I'm Anthony. Anthony is the guy that God sent. Got me (to)  where I was. He worked hard and was hungry, and it's nice to be that guy again. 

DAZN: I heard your daughter's in WWE now from the rumblings I'm hearing through the grapevine.

SM: She'll be starting, I believe March 14, at the Performance Center. She's a superstar—a complete package superstar in the making. So you guys, she's going to be a household name for the next several years. You guys will get to enjoy her work. She's quite talented.

DAZN: How much wrestling do you watch these days?

SM: I don't watch any wrestling.

DAZN: Is it just because you were in it for so long?

SM: No, I just go to bed early. I go to bed with the kids, and I get up early. I watched the Royal Rumble a little bit. I have a three-year-old son. He doesn't even know I was a wrestler yet. I'm just living my life. I'm sure I'll start watching again if I have to get up to speed on it if I'm doing commentary for somebody. These days, you don't have to. You get the Coles notes on social media anyway, so I know what's going on. You don't have to watch how many dives and cutters took place to get a feel for what's happening. But I've got my finger on the pulse, so to speak, but I don't necessarily watch the programming.

DAZN: There's been some significant buzz in the last few days regarding a couple of people because it's guys I know you've been around when you're when you were there (in WWE). There's a lot of talk about Cody possibly leaving AEW and possibly coming back to the WWE. If you were in the position of Cody Rhodes, would you make that move? Or would you stay in AEW?

SM: Every time somebody goes away and comes back to seem to have this higher perceived value, perceived stock value. When Cody was in WWE, he wasn't a top guy. But now that he did all this stuff and came back, he could be a top guy now. It wouldn't be so far-fetched to see him versus Seth Rollins or Roman Reigns and be at the top of the game. How long that lasts? I don't know. But I think if he showed up, it would be very newsworthy. He's also a grown man now. He was pretty young when he was there. Now he's a man. I hope he comes back to WWE. It just seems like the exodus was all one way to AEW, which is fine. It's a new growing company, and they're growing their roster. But to see someone come back, I think that's fair play. And I hope he does.

DAZN: There is a lot of talk about Stone Cold Steve Austin coming back to wrestle at WrestleMania. Like you, he had to leave due to neck issues. He's 57 with neck issues. I don't know if it's the best idea. How about you someone in your position with those same issues? What would you make of Steve lacing up to boots one more time and coming back out to the music at WrestleMania?

SM: I don't think he would be obviously on a full-time schedule. But if you want to talk about making people watch, I will watch if Stone Cold Steve Austin comes back. He doesn't have to do backflips. He's a brawler, then punches, kicks, Lou Theisz Press, and that's it. He's tough. He’s an intelligent guy. He has the right resources around him. He's very meticulous these days about rehab, prehab, and getting his body up to speed. Back in the day, nobody was practicing mobility exercises and opening up your hips, stem cells, and all the different things available now. Stone Cold comes back; that's pretty cool. 

DAZN: Why should fans on Saturday watch Prime Time Wrestling this Saturday on DAZN?

SM: One thing I like about it is the combination of talent. There's a lot of North American talent. Guys from NWA, AEW, and Impact, some former Ring of Honor guys. The way they're going to be mixed up as some of the North American guys are wrestling each other. But they're also going to be blended in with new talent. And then, when you see the production, you're not going to believe it. It looks better than Smackdown. It's crazy. 

It's sold out. They're (people) so happy to be there. They're not smart marks tearing apart the product. They're legitimately having an awesome time, and you can feel the atmosphere through the television. The backstage atmosphere is incredible. Everyone's so proud of the production. They're happy to be there. It's something special. It's going to be really cool.