What's Up With That (Santino Marella)

A few years ago Armando Alajandro Estrada who was Umaga's "handler" picked a "fan" out of the spectators at a RAW TV event that was being held in Italy. That "fan" turned out to be Santino Marella. He went on to defeat Umaga, then the WWE Intercontinental Champion, with a little assist from Bobby Lashley.

Since that eventful evening, Marella has entertained us with his rather unique wrestling skills and his interpretations of American phrases and his comic genious. I'm not sure if he still does it or not but Marella hosted a WWE.com show called "Santino's Casa," which was Marella at his best (other than on a live mic in the ring.

He has had onscreen romances with Beth Phoenix and now with Tamina. It seems like there was one other, but I can't recall that one at this time.

Just recently at the Elimination Chamber PPV, Marella and his tag team partner Vladimir Kozlove (an unlikely duo) lost their WWE tag team championship to Corre members Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater after about 3 months or so as champions.

The subject of this week's "What's Up with That" is Santino's finishing manuever called "The Cobra." To execute this he raises his arm up with hand facing him. He uses his other arm to twist his arm at the elbow, then contorts his hand facing outward much like a "Cobra" about to strike. The strike consists of him throwing the punch at his opponent, striking them unconcious or at the least stunned enough to get a three count and a victory.

While this is all very entertaining, I don't get it. I must ask, "What's Up With That?" I have seen countless other wrestlers over the years get his with basically the same punch, without the flair (no pun intended Nature Boy) and they were able to comeback and many time get a win.

Now, I am aware of the fact that all this is scripted and it is a storyline gimmick to put him over and giving him a huge push at this time But come on WWE, how naive do you think we fans are?

Do the creative minds of WWE actually think the hardcore (for lack of a better term) fans, the long time fans (if you will) buy that? Is Marella a "one punch wonder?

Don't get me wrong. I ike Santino Marella. I enjoy his promos tremendously and love to hear him butcher the English language in his understanding or Italian accent. It's hilarious. He is nimble and fast on his feet and has some wrestling skills. I'm not a huge fan, but like I said I enjoy his enertainment aspect.

I just don't get the "Cobra" thing.