TNA star Mike Santana has solidified his presence in the promotion following his departure from AEW. While he’s focused on his current work in TNA, Santana recently opened up about his dream opponents in WWE and beyond during an interview with Tim HANN Rivera.
“For me, honestly, like, AJ Styles is like the man, bro,” Santana said. “When you talk about TNA, too, like that’s… He is the face, he is the one constant, he’s the homegrown, you know what I mean?” Santana praised Styles as an icon of TNA history and a dream opponent in WWE.
Another dream match for Santana would be against Randy Orton, whom he sees as a potential mentor. “I want to learn from him,” Santana admitted, recognizing Orton’s extensive in-ring experience and storytelling ability.
Outside the WWE umbrella, Santana mentioned Shingo Takagi of NJPW, calling him a wrestler he grew up admiring. Shifting back to WWE, Santana highlighted Chad Gable as another opponent he’d love to face, describing Gable as a “freak athlete” and an incredible talent. “He’s an animal. He’s ridiculous. Like, talk about freak athlete, dude. He’s ridiculous,” Santana said.
On a Potential WWE Move
When asked about the possibility of joining WWE, Santana took a measured approach, echoing the familiar wrestling adage: “Never say never.”
“The right opportunity needs to present itself; timing is everything, you know,” Santana explained. “As of right now, I’m loving what I’m doing with TNA. They’re allowing me to grow and do a lot of things, and yeah, that’s where my mind is set right now.”
However, Santana acknowledged that WWE remains an ultimate goal for many wrestlers. “Everyone’s goal is to go to WWE, but I never leave doors closed or burn bridges,” he concluded.
Santana’s perspective reflects a balanced approach to his career, as he continues to thrive in TNA while remaining open to future opportunities in WWE or elsewhere. His dream opponents list, including legends like AJ Styles and Randy Orton, showcases his aspirations to face the best in the industry.
If you use any quotes from this article, please credit Tim HANN Rivera’s YouTube channel and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
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