Mike Santana recently appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show and explained his decision to leave AEW in 2024. Santana said the choice came down to a need for personal and professional growth.
“I’m the type of person where I need constant growth in my life. Especially in this line of work… If we’re not growing, what are we doing? Ultimately, that was the case,” he said. “I’m also not the type of person that I can sit and collect a paycheck. That’s not me.”
He confirmed that after his feud with his former partner Ortiz ended, he was no longer being brought to TV, which led him to request his exit. “Yo, just get me out of here. I’m good.’ I asked two or three times and finally they granted me my release and I was like, ‘Thank you.'” Santana stated there were no hard feelings. He is now signed with TNA and will challenge for the TNA World Championship at Slammiversary this weekend.
