Mike Santana on Leaving AEW, Splitting Up With Ortiz, Turning Down WWE

Mike Santana is a professional wrestler known for his time in AEW and TNA Wrestling. He was one half of the tag team Proud N Powerful with Ortiz in AEW. Mike sits down with Chris Van Vliet in Hollywood, CA to talk about his decision to ask for his release from AEW, what led to him and Ortiz splitting up, turning down WWE to sign with AEW in 2019, never winning the AEW tag team titles with Proud N Powerful, joining LAX in TNA, going to rehab and being sober for over a year, working with Chris Jericho in The Inner Circle, his future plans as a singles wrestler and much more!

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00:00 Intro
00:34 Being a lifelong New Yorker
01:41 His father passing away
01:57 Why did he leave AEW?
04:04 Overcoming addiction and being clean for over a year
08:43 Was he thinking about what was next in his career?
11:59 Taking a moment to realize his accomplishments
14:51 When did he know they were a hot tag team?
16:38 Deciding which President mask to wear at AEW All Out 2019
20:47 The AEW segment he did with CVV
21:56 Never winning the AEW Tag Titles
24:23 Where did the falling out with Ortiz begin?
26:52 Why did their feud not get more promotion?
27:35 How did he decide on the name Mike Santana?
28:24 Where is he taking bookings now?
29:05 Does he still have heat with Ortiz?
30:59 Was there ever any interest from WWE before signing with AEW?
33:28 Would he go back to TNA?
35:09 Did WWE discuss potential plans with them?
36:00 Working an office job before becoming a pro wrestler
37:35 Being a part of every Stadium Stampede match
40:30 Memories of the parking lot brawl with Best friends
40:57 Why did he think Cody Rhodes went to WWE?
44:07 What’s different about AEW now from when it started?
46:02 Who would he want to wrestle now?
49:22 Lessons learned from Chris Jericho
51:12 Favorite matches from his time in AEW
52:16 What is his favorite Bret Hart match?
54:44 Having a thin line between his character and real-life
55:53 3 Things Mike Santana is grateful for

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