Mike Santana reflects on two years since TNA return
TNA’s Mike Santana reflected on his two-year association with the promotion following his 2024 return.
Speaking on Marks with Mics Podcast, Santana talked about his career trajectory in the past couple of years while juggling TNA and independent schedules.
“It’s crazy. Just looking at the last two years in general, man, it’s been a wild ride. I’ve been able to accomplish so many things. I’ve been traveling my ass off and just going everywhere. Not only have I kept up with a full TNA schedule, I’ve also maintained a full independent schedule as well. I try to epitomize the phrase of fighting champion and just like that grind is something that has always like been my identity. Like that’s how I, you know, got noticed. That’s how I’ve always put in work.”
He also emphasized his recovery from a torn ACL at AEW Blood and Guts in 2022 following which he was unable to compete for 14 months.
“So, when I first got back into wrestling after my injury and being out 14 months and all that stuff, when I made the choice to bet on myself and I left the other place and I left my- the whole tag team thing, I knew I had to hit the ground running and, go back to the roots and go back to what I know, and that’s that grind.”
He revisited the environment at The Theater in Madison Square Garden in March this year when he teamed up with OTM against Darkstate.
“As soon as I came out, everybody was on their feet, and they gave me their energy and I gave it right back, you know? It was just a good feeling, a validation, feeling and something that, it told me ‘Yo, we’ve been riding with you this whole time, you know? They’ve been behind me and, and it feels good, and going back to the Slammiversary thing, right? All those emotions and all the beauty of pro wrestling is that we take you for a ride. We take you on this emotional journey, and I think the last two years I’ve done exactly that. I feel like everything that I’ve been through and it’s had you guys want to ride with me even more.”
Santana is in his second reign as TNA World Champion. He has often been vocal about the impact of wrestling on his life and celebrated three years of sobriety earlier this year.
He returned to TNA at Rebellion on April 20, 2024 and feuded with Steve Maclin. Their rivalry was reignited this year when Maclin blindsided the champion in what was supposed to be his farewell from the company after his contract was terminated via the Feast or Fired Briefcase.
Rosanne Raphael is a wrestling writer with over three and a half years of experience covering all things related to the industry. From a kindergarten teacher to PR Associate to turning her lifelong passion for the industry into a career, Rosanne is currently writing for F4W Online where she focuses on wrestling news, analysis, and storytelling.
Rosanne previously contributed to Sportskeeda as an Assistant Content Manager.
When not consumed by wrestling, Rosanne is a musician and an aspiring artist.