Exclusive: Mike Santana Speaks Out About TNA’s Relationship With WWE NXT, His TNA Return, More - PWMania - Wrestling News (2024)

Exclusive: Mike Santana Speaks Out About TNA’s Relationship With WWE NXT, His TNA Return, More - PWMania - Wrestling News (1)

In an exclusive interview with PWMania.com’s Scott Mitchell (@Scott44Mitchell), Mike Santana (@Santana_Proud) sits down to talk about his return to TNA, working with the talent there, this era of TNA, the WWE NXT and TNA partnership, and much more.

You can watch the interview in its entirety here:

August 23rd will mark your one-year anniversary of returning to professional wrestling from your knee injury. How has that first year back been?

“It’s been quite the year. It’s been pretty crazy. I got back on August 23rd, 2023, showed back up on TV, and that same I was showing up, and had my first wrestling match in 14 months at Wembley Stadium. So being able to start my journey back with that was pretty insane. I have not stopped. I’ve been non-stop since August of last year, and it’s been awesome. I’ve been able to do a lot of awesome stuff. I’ve been traveling everywhere. England, Canada, all over the US, yeah man. I’ve pretty much been doing exactly as I planned it. I’ve gotten to work with so many awesome wrestlers, both young who are just starting to get their name out there, all the way to guys who are veterans and guys I came up with. It’s been awesome, I can’t ask for anything better.”

Back in April, you made your return to TNA when you faced Steve Maclin at Rebellion. What has that return been like for you, and how has it been getting to do things your way now?

“For me, it was definitely a big homecoming. TNA is a place I always considered my home. I’ve been able to grow a lot there, even during my first run, I grew a lot as a performer and learned so much. To be back there at the level I’m at with my experience now, it’s been an awesome ride honestly. Getting to work with someone like Maclin when I first came in, he’s an awesome wrestler and an awesome human being. He was the perfect first opponent. I only have one speed, and when I’m in the ring, I’m ready to go. He’s the same way, and our intensity matched each other. Especially that night, we both felt like we had something to prove, it was awesome. It’s been awesome all the way until now. I’ve been doing it my way, working with some awesome people, and that was the whole reason I bet on myself. I was going to do it my way, bet on myself, and do things the way I want to do them. It’s been paying off, it’s been awesome, and I’ve been having the most fun I’ve ever had in my career. The best is yet to come. There’s still so much to go and it’s only going to get better.”

What does it mean to you to be back in TNA as a singles star, and “hungrier than ever before?”

“Man, if you take a look at the roster, it’s stacked. We have some of the best wrestlers in the world here at TNA. The fact that I’m going to be able to mix it up with them, and get to better myself is awesome. I always say, the only way to be a better wrestler is to work with better wrestlers. I can’t wait man. It’s been awesome. I’m hungrier than ever and I’m ready to take someone’s spot. I can care less if someone takes offense to that. This is business now. I said that with me coming back to wrestling, I’m coming back to be the absolute best, and I told myself I will be world champion. That is the ultimate goal. I’m a firm believer of speaking things into existence. Not only that, I’m putting in the work, and I’m going to continue to put in the work until I get there. It’s been pretty special.”

You wasted little time jumping on one of the biggest dogs in TNA, Moose and The System. What has that been like for you?

“He’s one of the top dogs and he’s accomplished a lot in the company. He’s been there even since before I got there in 2017. He’s been doing amazing things. For me coming in, if I’m going to prove myself, why not go after the biggest dog in the yard? I told myself that’s what I needed to do. He is who he is. I’m proving I am who I am. You have to work with people who have that experience and same hunger, and the fact that I’m doing it at his same level speaks volumes. The fact that I’m trusted to go in there and put up the absolute best speaks volumes on the trust that the company has in me. I’m excited on what’s to come. He’s part of a pack of b*tches is what I like to say. Yeah man, I’m excited. I’ve never stepped back from a fight. Sometimes it’s not the smartest thing to do, but I have too much pride. Being a New Yorker and raised in the neighborhoods I was raised in, that’s how you survive. You have to fight. You have to go against the odds, and that’s what I’ve been doing my whole life. Having this group come at me the way that they did, it feels right at home.”

At Bound For Glory 2018, you competed in the Concrete Jungle match. What was that match like for you?

“It hurt. Everything about that match hurt. I’ll never forget it. It was pretty insane. Having to bump on that wood was not fun. Not only that, but the wood started coming apart, so there was just gaps in the ring. I remember watching it back and coming very close to my foot going through one of those gaps. So that would not have been fun. As far as the concept of it, I don’t think anyone knew what it was going to be. It just all came together last minute. At first, we didn’t know how we wanted to set it up, but we all agreed on just taking the mats off the ring and having fun with that. But man, that was a wild one.”

Coming up at the end of this month, TNA is returning to Louisville for Emergence on 8/30 and two nights of tapings on 8/30 and 8/31. What can we expect to see?

“I’m sure as you noticed, every TV loop has topped the last. We’ve been having sold out show after sold out show. The talent in the ring, as well as the team behind the cameras and in the locker room, everyone is killing it. Everyone has a common goal and is motivated. I’m excited for everything that’s to come. The fans are really behind everything that’s been going on and it’s showing. They’ve been coming out and it has been great. Emergence and that whole weekend is shaping up to be an amazing card. We already have the ironman match with Josh and Nic and the Ultimate X match announced for Emergence. As far as for what I’m doing, just keep watching the next two weeks of TNA, and it’s shaping up pretty good. It’s going to be crazy, I hope everyone checks it out.”

This era of TNA has been amazing. With the partnership with TNA/NXT, what does it mean to you to be competing in arguably the hottest era of TNA in history?

“It feels good. It (seeing the new current landscape of TNA and what they were doing) was actually one of the main driving forces on why I decided to come back to TNA. While I was out getting ready for my comeback, I watched everything. I did my homework, and caught myself up to speed with what was going on. I loved TNA. The talent, the stories, everyone seemed motivated, and it was something I wanted to be a part of. To be honest, when I came back to wrestling, I already knew I was going to leave where I was. So, I knew I needed to start doing my homework. TNA drew me the most, and it’s awesome to be a part of the hottest era of the company. The talent I get to work with is awesome. We’re all going to push each other and vying for the top spot.”

What’s next for you?

“I want to be World Champion. I’m going to be World Champion. That’s my ultimate goal at TNA right now, and to continue growing as a performer. To continue growing as a human being in general. I want to continue traveling the world and doing what I love to do. I went through hell to get back to this, and I’m enjoying every moment. Right now, my ultimate goal is becoming the best wrestler in the world, and becoming World Champion. As far as opponents go, I’m willing to work with anyone. I want to work with everyone. The only way you’ll get better and gain more experience is by working with better people. This whole NXT/TNA thing is exciting and I’m sure I’m going to cross that bridge when it’s meant to happen. When I do, get ready.”

Exclusive: Mike Santana Speaks Out About TNA’s Relationship With WWE NXT, His TNA Return, More - PWMania - Wrestling News (2024)

FAQs

Are WWE and TNA working together? ›

As strange as it may seem for WWE to do a partnership, it's nothing new for TNA. It's worked with promotions all across the globe. Most recently, TNA worked with All Elite Wrestling from 2020-21.

Did TNA compete with WWE? ›

In March 2010, professional wrestling promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) moved their weekly television program, Impact!, from airing on Thursdays to airing Monday nights. In doing so, TNA placed Impact! in direct competition with World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE) flagship program Monday Night Raw.

When did TNA change to impact wrestling? ›

In 2017, TNA was acquired by Anthem Sports & Entertainment and was subsequently rebranded as "Impact Wrestling" in March. Thus, the promotion and the television series would begin sharing the same name.

Why did Ric Flair leave WWE for TNA? ›

Speaking to WrestlingInc, Flair revealed why he decided to join TNA in 2010, less than a year after leaving WWE. According to Flair, his decision came down to money: “I needed the money. Very simple.

Is AEW bigger than TNA was? ›

TNA is currently viewed as being the third-largest wrestling promotion in the United States; following the establishment of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2019, and its current television deals with Warner Bros. Discovery's TNT and TBS (both of which are seen in more households than AXS).

Was TNA ever better than WWE? ›

At some point TNA was the number 2 promo and a lot better then WWE in many ways, but now they lost all there talents, the production is awful, the wrestlers are all has been, and the show looks amateur at best. Not sure if they are still gonna be around in a few years TNA lost all its magic.

Did TNA ever beat WWE in ratings? ›

Unlike the ratings battle with WCW, TNA never gained traction against WWE, despite initially setting record high ratings for Impact!.

What caused the downfall of TNA Wrestling? ›

The problem was, TNA saw ratings from the original Monday Night Wars and assumed that by being an alternative to WWE, they had cornered the market on disaffected WCW fans who had stopped watching wrestling altogether when WWE bought the company, and that formed the majority of their fanbase and television viewership.

Does WWE own AEW? ›

It is owned by father and son duo Shahid and Tony Khan, with the latter being the president and chief executive officer. It is headquartered at EverBank Stadium, the home of the National Football League's Jacksonville Jaguars, which is also owned by Shahid Khan.

Did Ric Flair wrestle in TNA? ›

Professional wrestling career

He is noted for his tenures with Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later WWE) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). Much of his career was spent in JCP and WCW, in which he won numerous titles.

Was TNA ever a threat to WWE? ›

A WWE Hall of Famer has revealed the realistic reason why TNA (now IMPACT Wrestling) wasn't able to beat WWE. Despite having a roster that included Sting, Kurt Angle, Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair, TNA wasn't able to become a serious threat to WWE's dominance.

Is Brock Lesnar going to TNA? ›

Kurt Angle Says Brock Lesnar Wanted to Join TNA After WWE Exit, but Execs Declined. Brock Lesnar's pro wrestling comeback nearly came a lot sooner—except it wasn't going to be back in WWE. Kurt Angle revealed Lesnar wanted to join TNA in 2007, but the company balked at paying him like a top star.

Has WWE bought TNA? ›

Nope, TNA is alive and well, under the new name of “Impact Wrestling”. Think of it like when the WWF changed to the WWE. Its the same promotion, just different name and the same goes for TNA.

Has a wrestler ever won a Grammy? ›

WWE 24/7 Champion Bad Bunny wins his first-ever Grammy Award on Sunday. WWE took to Twitter on Sunday to announce that current WWE 24/7 Champion Bad Bunny won his first-ever Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop or Urban Album for “YHLQMDLG.”

Is TNA owned by WWE? ›

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) is a privately held American professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff and Jerry Jarrett in 2002. It is owned as a subsidiary of the New York and Toronto-based integrated media organization Anthem Sports & Entertainment.

Are AEW and TNA working together? ›

The two companies engaged in a relationship with TNA (then Impact! Wrestling) in late 2020. This included TNA stars like Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson appearing regularly on AEW Dynamite. In addition, AEW stars like Christian Cage and Kenny Omega won the TNA World title.

Is AEW and WWE working together? ›

Not even WWE and AEW working together. Jim Ross spoke about the possibility during a recent installment of his official podcast, "Grilling J.R.," noting he can't fathom it right now but admitting nothing is impossible. "It's hard to see it, but nothing's impossible apparently," Ross said.

Is WWE working with GCW? ›

WWE continues to promote a working relationship with GCW. Several WWE superstars have been announced for Josh Barnett's Bloodsport XI. Learn more here. Matt Cardona also hopes to wrestle John Cena one more time before John Cena retires in 2025.

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