Report: Santino Marella announces retirement at house show

WWE funnyman Santino Marella apparently announced his retirement from wrestling at a live event this weekend.

The 35-year-old is believed to have informed a crowd in Toronto of his intentions to hang up his boots immediately, after suffering a third serious neck injury.

Marella, whose real name is Anthony Carelli, did confirm, that he wishes to continue working for the company in a non-physical role.

Marella won the Intercontinental Championship on his 2007 debut, and also held the Tag Team and United States titles during his seven-year WWE career, but has largely been used as a comedy act in recent years.

During the peak of his popularity, the Canadian-born grappler was the last man eliminated from the 2011 Royal Rumble.