A former AEW wrestler has disclosed that he requested his release from the company several times before finally being let go. Mike Santana, who recently began appearing regularly on WWE NXT ahead of Slammiversary, will be involved in a three-way match to defend the TNA World Championship against Trick Williams and Joe Hendry.
Before his current stint with TNA, Santana spent five years in AEW, initially joining as part of Chris Jericho’s faction alongside Ortiz. His absence in 2022 wasn’t due to injury or a real split with Ortiz, as Santana briefly returned in 2023 for a match against his former partner.
On the Ariel Helwani Show, Santana opened up about his departure from AEW, emphasizing his need for continual growth, especially in wrestling. He explained that staying stagnant wasn’t an option for him, and despite business challenges and parting ways, he holds no ill will. Santana highlighted that wrestling is a business where people come and go, and although he was concerned about financial stability, he followed his path by requesting releases multiple times after being phased off television post a brief feud with Ortiz.
Fan Take: This revelation offers AEW fans an inside look at the challenges wrestlers face behind the scenes and underscores the importance of creative growth in the sport. Santana’s candidness could encourage AEW to reflect on how they handle talent development and retention, potentially shaping future roster dynamics.
