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Major TNA Star Blasts “Miserable” AEW

By Harikesh Shekhar • Published Jan 09, 2026 06:56 EST
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This TNA star, who will be in action on Impact this coming week, bashed his former company, AEW, in a recent promo

Mike Santana is all set to face TNA World Champion Frankie Kazarian for the latter’s title on the next episode of Impact.

This episode marks the debut of Impact on the AMC Network, where Impact will be aired from now on.

Santana and Kararian both worked in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) previously, and both stars left the Jacksonville-based promotion for similar reasons, citing a lack of growth, creative restrictions, and not being used in a way that would help bolster their careers.

The two faced off in the ring this past Thursday on Impact for a contract signing to confirm the match, in which barbs were fired towards AEW by Mike Santana.

TNA’s Mike Santana Calls Time In AEW “Miserable” In Promo Segment

During the contract signing segment overseen by Director of Authority Santino Marella, Santana openly criticized AEW for making both him and Kararian feel miserable, forcing them to leave eventually and join TNA, where they are now excelling. He claimed that AEW tried to drain the passion out of what both wrestlers loved the most.

At one point in time, we were both at the same place, miserable as all hell. We were at a place that tried to drain the passion out of what we love the most, and what did we do?

We held each other up, we left that place, we bet on ourselves and today, we’re sitting across from each other about to go toe-to-toe for the grandest prize in pro wrestling on the biggest show in TNA history!

Impact is set to air on the AMC network from January 15th, 2026.

h/t:fightful.com

Also read: WWE Credited For TNA Landing New TV Deal With AMC