Mike Santana ‘excited’ for future after AEW departure

After departing AEW, Mike Santana is excited to see what the future holds.

It was confirmed earlier this week that Santana is no longer with AEW. He had been part of the company’s roster since 2019 but hadn’t wrestled for AEW in nearly five months.

Santana posted a statement to social media on Friday addressing his AEW departure. Writing that he feels “truly blessed and grateful,” Santana said he’s thankful to have been given the opportunity to be part of AEW’s history at the ground level.

“But as you know, there comes a time in life where you have to make decisions and take a bet on yourself,” Santana wrote. “We only get one chance at this life thing and life is about taking risks.”

Santana noted that he’s excited for the future and believes the best is yet to come. His full statement can be read below:

Took a few days to reflect and I can’t tell you how truly blessed and grateful I feel.

It’s been 5 years full of ups and downs, but above all it taught me so much about myself and this business. I’m thankful for the opportunity I was given to be a part of history at the ground level. I can say that I’ll forever be a part of that legacy right at day one.

But as you know, there comes a time in life where you have to make decisions and take a bet on yourself. We only get one chance at this life thing and life is about taking risks. You’ll never know your true potential unless you really put it to work. I’m a big believer in ‘When one door closes, a bigger door opens’, and im so excited for what the future holds for me.

With that being said, I want to thank God and my father for continuing to guide me. My family for their endless support. All the fans who have backed me endlessly no matter what. To Ortiz, for the years. And AEW for the knowledge and opportunity.

I TOLD YOU THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Santana arrived in AEW with his tag team partner Ortiz at All Out 2019. Before signing with AEW, they were tag team champions for Impact Wrestling.

Santana and Ortiz’s tag team in AEW disbanded after a real-life falling out between the two. They later worked together in AEW as in-ring rivals. Santana’s last match in AEW was a victory against Ortiz on Rampage last October.

Dave Meltzer wrote in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter about Santana departing AEW:

Mike Santana, 33, has left the company. This isn’t a surprise as he hasn’t been happy there in a long time. He was wanting a singles push and it wasn’t materializing, so he just wanted out. He beat Ortiz on 10/25 in a great grudge match on television, and then was never used again.

Santana currently holds the Heavyweight Championship for indie promotion House of Glory Wrestling.

Last month, Santana revealed that he’s reached one year of sobriety.