Mike Santana Eyeing Clash With Major WWE Star
Mike Santana is finally on the brink of World Championship glory.
At Slammiversary on July 20, Mike Santana will step in the ring with Joe Hendry and Trick Williams as he attempts to win the TNA World Championship for the first time.
The bout represents the culmination of a tumultuous journey for Santana, a journey that’s been about so much more than professional wrestling.
During an appearance on The Angle Podcast with Joey Karni, Santana opened up about betting on himself after leaving AEW, family, and the battle with addiction that nearly derailed everything, including his career.
When asked whether he had any plans should he win the World Championship, Santana said that above all else, he wants to present the title to his daughter.
“First and foremost, me winning, the first thing I’m going to do is present that title to my daughter because she is the reason why I’m here today,” he stated. “She’s the reason why I’ve been able to go on this journey I’ve been on.
For the rest of my family, they saw me at rock bottom. They saw me at a point where they didn’t think I was going to come back from, and I didn’t think I was going to come back from.”
While discussing his battle with addiction, he urged others going through something similar not to be afraid of seeking help.
“It’s an unfortunate reality that we live in, right? Not everyone’s perfect, and not every day is good. Seeking help is so important. Putting your pride and your ego to the side.
I was a very prideful person. And I was a very ego-driven person. But at the same time, those were the things that drove me to where I was. Sometimes you have to put that to the side and ask for help, and it’s okay. Thankfully, I did… to those struggling, there’s help.”
Mike Santana Wants Match With TNA Royalty
When asked which WWE Superstar he’d like to share the ring with, Santana said that there’s only one name on his list, that of AJ Styles.
“The only person that’s on that list right now until it happens is AJ Styles,. AJ is undoubtedly the guy who when you really think of TNA, it’s AJ Styles. The number one homegrown guy and I feel like I’ve been that guy also… To be able to wrestle him and learn from him, like, that’s the guy.”
Interestingly, it’s been confirmed that AJ Styles will be returning to TNA at Slammiversary. There’s no word on what he’ll be doing, only that he will be featured.
Styles wrestled for the company for 11 years, during which time he became one of its biggest success stories as well as one of the best wrestlers on the planet. He eventually left the promotion in late 2013, although his final match aired early in the following year.
Following his departure Styles returned to the independent scene and appeared regualry for ROH and NJPW before debuting with WWE at the 2016 Royal Rumble.
H/t to WrestlingNews.Co