Mike Santana talks decision to leave AEW, struggles in his personal life, more with Chris Van Vliet

[Chris]

My decision to leave AEW came well before my injury. I got hurt in June of 2022 and at that point, I was just dealing with so much in my life personally and professionally at work, and I was just burnt out. My contract was coming up in September, I believe. And I had already made the decision that I’m not going to re-sign, and I just needed to take a break and deal with the things that I needed to deal with. And yeah, so then the injury happened. So, a lot of that was going on during that time.

When asked if AEW was interested in re-signing him, Santana responded:

I’m not sure. But I wasn’t really actively pursuing it, the time was coming up. Like I said, it was June when I got hurt. Our contract was up August I think it. And I wasn’t really like actively pursuing [and saying] ‘Oh, are you guys going to re-sign us?’ Because already in my head, I was like, Yeah, I need to get away. I need to take a break. But I’m sure something would have worked out and they probably would have re-signed us. But yeah, man. During that time, it was a very dark time for me.

He later clarified what he was going through at the time.

Unhappiness personally in my life, outside of wrestling. And then professionally, things weren’t really going good. I was miserable to say the least, I was unhappy. My partnership was falling apart. Things at work just like, a lot of things were just very stagnant. And I’m the type that, I’m a go-getter and I’m very goal-oriented. And again, in this business, I treat it as such. I treat it as a business and if you’re not striving to be at the top and be a champ and grow yourself then what are you doing? And that’s with anything I feel. But I was also dealing with my addiction issues during that time. At that point, they were getting pretty bad. And then the injury, when the injury happened, I remember it happened and laying there in the ring, and I was like, damn, I got hurt, but thank God I got hurt, it was a weird time.

Santana also discussed the breaking up of his team with Ortiz.

Well, we were together for 10 years, I think. And when you’re together with someone that long, it’s like a married couple. Right? There’s good, there’s bad. And I think, honestly, for the most part, it was like, I think we just grew apart over time. And also our visions for the tag team and its future and, its success, we weren’t on the same page when it came to a lot of those things. And it is what it is everybody has their thoughts. Everybody goes about things differently. But yeah, like I told you, I’m a go-getter. I like to create opportunities for myself, I like, I’m more than willing to fight for our spot. But also, I’m not going to be the only one.”
I wanted more for the tag team. And that was the main thing. And again, it just wasn’t, how do I say it? Our visions just were not the same for the most part. And then that’s when I was like, alright, well this is going to drive me crazy. I refuse to be miserable. So I think I want to start doing more single stuff, start challenging myself as a performer start growing. I’m not one that likes to stay stagnant. And it wasn’t met with a lot of support. And it created like a friction. And I was like, man, you’re my brother. And that for me, it was like, alright, we can’t do this anymore.

He also addressed the team's free agency in 2019 and what led to them signing with AEW.

Oh, yeah. When our contracts were coming up with TNA there was interest with AEW and WWE. We had spoken to WWE extensively and they made it very hard for us to turn them down. But our thing was, so Cody was the one who hired us right and we had already before anything we had spoken a while back and we had giving Cody our word before, and our word is everything. So by that point, they asked, Hey, have you signed anything? And we’re like, no but we gave our word and we would like to stick to that.

Santana also revealed that he's had discussions with WWE but stressed he doesn't "want to be just another guy on the roster."

I’ve had some discussions. I’ve been very open with everybody. Right now is just going where I’m going to be able to grow the most. I don’t want to just be another guy on the roster. I already did that. I want to be part of something, I want to do something special. Thankfully, I’ve been smart with money and I’m not hurting and I’m taking my time with things and you know, I just want to have fun.

He also said a return to TNA Wrestling is not off the table

Everything is on the table, and they’re doing great. They are they are doing amazing at TNA.

https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/mike-santana-on-free-agency-i-dont-want-to-be-just-another-guy-on-the-roster

 

[Roy Mustang]

I think if he wants to get single success, going to WWE would be a bad idea. Guy is decent but with the rosters both them and AEW have, they are not making it to the top until they prove themselves elsewhere which it sounds like wants to do. I think he is good and he seems determined so I hope he proves me wrong

 

[Deezy]

I just hope he got his shit together......homeboy talking like he was on a cliff.

There's more to life than just the job.......real life advice btw.

 

[Kross Rhodes]

Here is the clip specifically where he’s talking about Ortiz, and he confirms the version of the story, at least from his vantage point, that I’ve always believed, and repeated. That Santana and Ortiz split initially, was not because Santana wanted to be a single star but rather he was unhappy with the push the team was getting in AEW, and he wanted to either fight for more or go somewhere else, and Ortiz more or less was like I like where where we’re at and I like what we’re doing (I like what we’re getting paid although money wasn’t specifically mentioned here), and Santana couldn’t just live with that and then he attempted to do a singles thing and I guess that was the final straw for their relationship. It’s really sad though and hopefully someday that they’re able to work it out.

 

[Kross Rhodes]

I think if he wants to get single success, going to WWE would be a bad idea. Guy is decent but with the rosters both them and AEW have, they are not making it to the top until they prove themselves elsewhere which it sounds like wants to do. I think he is good and he seems determined so I hope he proves me wrong

Yeah, I don’t think him and WWE would be a good idea at all. I think he should try to get with TNA. They are kind of restructuring. And I think they could propel him to where he wants to be.

 

[Chris]

He actually also says they are cool now and after their program last year wished each other well after the match. I mean I guess Ortiz could be holding a grudge but I think they'll be fine and will probs get that reunion run eventually

 

[Kross Rhodes]

He actually also says they are cool now and after their program last year wished each other well after the match. I mean I guess Ortiz could be holding a grudge but I think they'll be fine and will probs get that reunion run eventually

Oh, that’s great news, then. Hopefully someday.

 

[Kross Rhodes]

And yeah to be fair at this point Ortiz is probably the one that’s going to suffer the most so if anyone probably still hold the grudge probably be him but I mean if he was as happy as he was with just making the money that he’s making then he shouldn’t be holding a grudge, though.

 

[Roy Mustang]

Yeah, I don’t think him and WWE would be a good idea at all. I think he should try to get with TNA. They are kind of restructuring. And I think they could propel him to where he wants to be.

TNA could be good pending the mess with the owners and the contract situation there. If Scott was still there, for sure. MLW I don't keep up with as much but there is deffo room to work and great workers to prove himself.

And yeah to be fair at this point Ortiz is probably the one that’s going to suffer the most so if anyone probably still hold the grudge probably be him but I mean if he was as happy as he was with just making the money that he’s making then he shouldn’t be holding a grudge, though.

Tbf I don't think Ortiz gets re-signed without Santana