Mike Santana is staying tight-lipped about his next move, but the TNA World Champion did open up about how he is approaching the future as free agency looms.
Santana is reportedly set to hit the open market this summer, with PWInsider indicating his current TNA deal is due to expire in mid-July. The timing comes more than six months into his current title reign and two years into a TNA run that has seen him reinvent himself and become a centerpiece of the promotion, momentum that has reportedly drawn interest from WWE.
Naturally, Santana wasn’t about to reveal his plans, but he offered a window into his mindset during a recent interview with Celebrate Wrestling’s Mike McGuire. He began by expressing gratitude for what TNA has meant to his career.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity that TNA gave the last two years, as far as being able to reinvent myself and rebuild myself,” Santana said. “Being a part of why the company is where we’re at today and having this new TV deal and being on the forefront of that, it feels great, and it’s something that I take very serious.”
From there, he framed his future around a personal philosophy centered on growth, while keeping his options open.
“I’m the type that growth is part of my life, and I feel like if there’s an opportunity for me to grow, then that’s what I’m gonna do,” Santana said. “Whether it’s at TNA or anywhere, for me, if you’re not growing in this business, then what are you doing? If you’re not trying to progress in this business, what are you doing?”
Santana added that his motivation runs deeper than titles. “At the end of the day, I need to show my daughter that there’s levels to this,” he said, before sharing a piece of wisdom from his father. “My Dad used to always say, ‘the top of one mountain is the bottom of another.'”
Santana is expected to headline this Sunday’s TNA Slammiversary event in Boston, defending his World Championship against Nic Nemeth, who called his shot for the title.
