Ahead of this Sunday’s TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view, Mike Santana sat down with The Angle Podcast for a candid and emotional interview, where he reflected on his road to recovery, his passion for TNA Wrestling, and what winning the TNA World Championship would mean to him and his family.
Santana, who will challenge Trick Williams and Joe Hendry in a triple threat match for the TNA World Title this weekend, revealed that his daughter has been the anchor throughout his recovery.
“First and foremost, me winning—the first thing I’m going to do is present that title to my daughter because she is the reason why I’m here today,” Santana shared. “She’s the reason why I’ve been able to go on this journey I’ve been on.”
The former LAX standout revealed the impact his struggle with addiction had on his family, and the powerful symbolism that a title win would hold.
“They saw me at rock bottom. They saw me at a point where they didn’t think I was going to come back from—and I didn’t think I was going to come back from.”
Santana also took time to speak to others in the industry and beyond who may be battling their own demons.
“It’s an unfortunate reality that we live in, right? Not everyone’s perfect and not every day is good,” he said. “Seeking help is so important. Putting your pride and your ego to the side.”
The TNA veteran continued, “I was a very prideful, ego-driven person. And those were the same things that drove me to the place I was in. But sometimes you have to put that to the side and ask for help—and it’s okay. Thankfully, I did. And to those struggling… there’s help.”
Santana didn’t hold back when asked about his opponents this Sunday. He made his stance clear on Trick Williams, the NXT star who currently holds TNA’s top title.
“Am I happy about Trick Williams having the title? Absolutely not. I look at him as an outsider. Someone who doesn’t respect the lineage and weight that’s been put on that belt.”
While showing respect for Joe Hendry, Santana still questioned whether the viral star embodies the company’s legacy in the same way.
“I respect what Joe has done… but is Joe a wrestler’s wrestler? I feel like I carry the true essence of what TNA is.”
Santana was glowing in his praise of TNA’s current roster and atmosphere, calling it one of the best environments he’s experienced in his career.
“It’s a great place. It serves professional wrestling as a whole. It’s always been a place where people can come and reignite their passion and careers… It’s probably the best locker room I’ve ever been in, straight up.”
When asked which WWE Superstar he would love to face in a TNA ring, Santana named a company icon:
“The only person on that list right now is AJ Styles. AJ is undoubtedly the guy—you think of TNA, you think of AJ Styles. He’s the number one homegrown guy. I feel like I’ve been that guy also. To wrestle him, to learn from him… that’s the dream.”
Mike Santana will compete in the main event of TNA Slammiversary this Sunday, July 20 at the UBS Arena in Long Island, New York, challenging Trick Williams and Joe Hendry in a triple threat match for the TNA World Championship.
Stay tuned to PWMania.com for full coverage of Slammiversary weekend.
