Mike Santana losing the TNA World Championship at Slammiversary may not have just been a title change. It may have been goodbye.
According to PWInsider, Santana’s contract with TNA is set to expire in the coming days, and sources in the company have confirmed that he is finished. That also means Santana is not expected at the upcoming TV tapings in Albany, New York, which will carry TNA through August.
That is a pretty massive tell. Santana just dropped the TNA World Title to Nic Nemeth at Slammiversary, and now he is already off the next set of tapings. If TNA wanted to keep him in the mix, that probably would not be happening.
The report also noted that WWE interest in Santana remains strong. That interest dates back to last year, and Santana has already popped up on NXT multiple times through the WWE-TNA relationship. So this is not some random name suddenly landing on WWE’s radar. They have had a look at him, they know what he brings, and now he may be free at exactly the right time.
Dave Meltzer had already said on Wrestling Observer Radio that Santana looked WWE-bound after the Slammiversary finish, where he lost the TNA World Title to Nic Nemeth.
“TNA, it appears he’s going to WWE almost for sure. And he should, you know, it’s time, it’s time for him to go.”
Santana’s loss was booked in a way that kept him looking strong too. Ryan Nemeth got involved, the Call Your Shot trophy helped bust him open, and Santana kept fighting until the blood loss caught up with him. Nic Nemeth won the title, but Santana did not exactly go out looking weak.
Now the picture is getting clearer. His TNA deal is almost up, he is done with the company, WWE interest is still there, and he is not booked for the next tapings. That is not a door quietly closing. That is TNA seemingly moving on while Santana gets ready for whatever comes next.
What do you think about Mike Santana reportedly being finished with TNA? Should WWE bring him in right away, or should he go somewhere else first? Let us know in the comments below.
