On a recent edition of the “Insight” podcast, Mike Santana spoke about WWE showing interest in himself and Ortiz in 2019. He said,
“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, Cody was the one who hired us right. Before anything, we had spoke [to him] a while back and we had given Cody our word.
“Our word is everything. By that point, they asked, ‘Hey, have you signed anything?’ We’re like, ‘No, but we gave our word and we would like to stick to that.’ At that time, we both had young children and we wanted to see them grow up and the schedule was much easier with AEW.”
Santana added that being part of something new and exciting like AEW also helped tempt him to sign. Santana would appear on the inaugural edition of AEW Dynamite.
Earlier this month, Santana’s profile was removed from AEW’s official website. He would later confirm that his time with the company had ended.
In a recent episode of the “Insight” podcast, professional wrestler Mike Santana opened up about WWE’s interest in him and his tag team partner Ortiz in 2019. Santana revealed that their contracts with TNA were coming to an end, and both AEW and WWE had expressed interest in signing them.
According to Santana, WWE made it very difficult for them to turn down their offer. However, the duo had already given their word to Cody Rhodes, who had hired them before AEW was even established. Santana emphasized the importance of keeping their word and loyalty to Rhodes, which ultimately led them to decline WWE’s offer.
One of the factors that influenced their decision was the desire to spend more time with their families. At that time, both Santana and Ortiz had young children and wanted to be present for their upbringing. AEW’s schedule offered more flexibility and allowed them to balance their personal and professional lives more effectively.
Additionally, Santana mentioned that the opportunity to be part of something new and exciting like AEW played a significant role in their decision. Being part of the inaugural edition of AEW Dynamite was an enticing prospect for Santana and Ortiz, as they wanted to contribute to the growth and success of the company.
However, recent developments have indicated a change in Santana’s situation. His profile was removed from AEW’s official website, leading to speculation about his departure from the company. Santana later confirmed that his time with AEW had indeed come to an end, leaving fans curious about what the future holds for him.
While Santana’s departure from AEW may come as a surprise to some, it is not uncommon for wrestlers to explore different opportunities and promotions throughout their careers. The world of professional wrestling is dynamic, and talents often seek new challenges and experiences to further their careers.
Santana’s revelation about WWE’s interest in him and Ortiz sheds light on the competitive nature of the wrestling industry. It also highlights the importance of loyalty and honoring commitments, as demonstrated by their decision to stay true to their word despite tempting offers.
As Santana embarks on a new chapter in his career, fans eagerly await news of his next move. Whether he decides to join another promotion or take a break from wrestling, there is no doubt that his talent and dedication will continue to shine through.