Mike Santana appears at Battleground, set for WWE NXT debut

TNA star Mike Santana will be making his WWE in-ring debut on NXT this Tuesday night.

Santana was interviewed backstage during the NXT Battleground broadcast, saying he’s coming after the TNA World Championship and is at tonight’s show to watch the Joe Hendry vs. Trick Williams title match. He was interrupted by No Quarter Catch Crew, with Charlie Dempsey saying he’s sick and tired of there being too many outsiders in NXT. Things were getting tense between Santana and Dempsey, but Tavion Heights took a more respectful approach in saying he wants an opportunity to face Santana on NXT this Tuesday night. Santana shook hands with Heights and accepted the challenge.

This will be Santana’s first time ever competing in a WWE ring. He joined TNA in 2024 after departing AEW.

“It’s taken me 16 years to finally walk through the doors here at the WWE, so to say I’m having a hell of a time is a definite understatement. But listen, I’ve made it very clear that I’m coming after the TNA World title. So I’m here to watch Joe and Trick throw hands against each other,” Santana said.

“And to the WWE Universe that don’t know who I am, I’m a loud and proud Boricua from the Bronx, New York, baby. I don’t mix words and keeping it [100] has been engrained in me since day one. So I’m going to keep it plain and simple for you. I’m here because I want the winner of tonight’s match. I want who’s walking out TNA World Champion.”

Lucha Libre AAA was also represented at Battleground with Dalys and Chik Tormenta, two members of the AAA women’s division, briefly meeting with NXT general manager Ava. We’re now less than two weeks away from Worlds Collide, which is the biggest AAA event since it was announced that the promotion is being acquired by WWE. Worlds Collide is taking place in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 7 and will feature wrestlers from WWE, NXT, and AAA.

Dalys and Chik Tormenta were shown again later in the night during a confrontation with NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer backstage: