Arianna Grace Opens Up About Wrestling Stealing Her Father Santino Marella

One Big Thing

WWE NXT star Arianna Grace revealed her complicated relationship with professional wrestling, citing childhood resentment over the industry “stealing” her father, former WWE superstar Santino Marella.

Why It Matters

Grace’s candid revelation offers a rare glimpse into the personal toll wrestling careers take on performers’ families, particularly their children. Her journey from resenting the business to embracing it highlights the complex dynamics within wrestling’s multi-generational families.

By The Numbers

• Grace signed with WWE in 2022
• She represents the second generation of her family in professional wrestling
• Her father, Santino Marella, had a successful WWE career from 2007-2016

Key Details

• Speaking on The Lyon’s Den with Nikkita Lyons, Grace shared:

“I always thought of it as his thing. And I also harbored a little bit of resentment toward the injury when I was little.”

• She explained her childhood perspective:

“I felt very much like ‘Oh, wrestling stole my dad. I don’t see my dad because he’s wrestling. I hate wrestling.'”

The Big Picture

Grace ultimately transformed her negative feelings into motivation, viewing wrestling as an opportunity for healing:

“I could take something that I felt caused me a lot of pain and turn it into something that gives me my life back.”

Current Status

• Grace is currently recovering from an injury
• She serves as a liaison between WWE NXT and TNA Wrestling
• Her role allows her to work alongside her father, who serves as an authority figure in TNA

How has your perception of professional wrestlers’ family lives changed after hearing Grace’s story? Share your thoughts in the comments below.