Santino Marella Gives Update On Arianna Grace’s Health, Her Name Change In NXT

Santino Marella gives a health update on Arianna Grace and talks about her receiving a new name in NXT.

Arianna Grace, who is the daughter of former WWE star Santino Marella, made an impactful debut with the NXT brand earlier this year. Grace mainly competed on NXT Level Up at first, but she started to appear on the brand’s flagship show more frequently in recent months.

Grace revealed back on October 13 that she had suffered a injury and that it would require surgery. In a new interview with Fightful, Marella gave a bit of an update on Grace’s recovery from surgery.

“Interesting enough, when you have surgery, everyone’s recovery is not the same. She seems to be doing exceptionally well with regards to her recovery. Sometimes it’s a genetic thing with regards to inflammation, range of motion. The hardest thing with any injury is your mindset and its devastating being away from something you’re passionate about and you’re working really hard at. But it’s a waiting game now. She’s hitting the rehab and we’re hoping come the spring, she’s back at it. It’d be nice to come back. Any time you’ve had time away when you make that initial comeback, it’s a nice moment, I think she has enough momentum from where she left off at NXT that it’ll be a meaningful comeback and she’ll have a good experience.”

Before Grace joined WWE early in 2022, she wrestled on the independent scene under her real name Bianca Carelli. In the interview, Marella also talked about the name change that Carelli underwent when she joined the white and gold brand.

“I wasn’t in the meetings. Of course, I kinda thought they were gonna [use a different name]. They did it a few times. Guys like Bray Wyatt and Curtis Axel and they don’t give their parent’s surname sometimes. But I guess it’s okay because she can make a name for herself.”

In the past, Grace has vouched for Marella as being very supportive of her journey in wrestling. To learn more, click here. 

Elsewhere in the interview, Marella talked about his future in the pro wrestling business. Click here to see Marella’s full comments.