Arianna Grace Credits Father Santino Marella with NXT Guidance
ORLANDO, FL - December 2, 2023 – WWE NXT’s Arianna Grace says her father, former WWE Superstar santino Marella, has been instrumental in her development within the professional wrestling promotion. Grace, who signed with WWE in February 2023, spoke about the ongoing mentorship during recent interviews, highlighting Marella’s advice on character work and in-ring psychology.
The dynamic between Grace and Marella-born Anthony Carelli-offers a unique perspective within NXT, where many performers are forging their paths independently. Grace’s ability to draw upon her father’s extensive experience, spanning over a decade in WWE, provides a distinct advantage as she navigates the challenges of establishing herself in the competitive world of professional wrestling. This familial connection is particularly noteworthy as Grace aims to carve out her own identity separate from her father’s comedic and beloved persona.
Grace explained that marella’s guidance extends beyond technical wrestling skills. “He’s really helped me with the character side of things, just figuring out who Arianna Grace is and how to present that to the audience,” she saeid. “He’s been a huge sounding board for ideas, and he’s always honest with his feedback.”
Marella,a one-time Intercontinental Champion and Tag Team Champion during his WWE tenure,has publicly supported his daughter’s wrestling aspirations. He currently serves as a coach at the WWE Performance Center, offering instruction to the next generation of WWE Superstars. Joseph Currier of F4WOnline.com reported that Grace joined F4W during her time at UMass and has been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
