Reason Mike Santana Wanted Out Of AEW Revealed

Mike Santana exited All Elite Wrestling recently, with the former Inner Circle member departing the promotion after nearly five years with the company.

Santana’s profile was removed from the active AEW roster page in early March, with reports noting he hadn’t been backstage in AEW ‘in months’. Writing in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer suggests that Santana had been unhappy in AEW for some time, and was frustrated when his hopes for a singles push went nowhere.

Prior to a major ACL tear during Blood & Guts II in 2022, Santana had shown displeasure about his role in AEW, wanting to split from Proud ’n’ Powerful tag partner Ortiz, and even requesting out of his contract. After returning from injury in late 2023, Santana and Ortiz were involved in the Stadium Stampede match at All In Wembley in August, before the two officially split and entered into a short programme, with Santana defeating Ortiz on the October 27 edition of AEW Rampage.

Since his win over Ortiz Santana hasn’t featured at all on AEW programming, but is still active on the independent scene, most notably with House of Glory Wrestling.