Mike Santana Discusses a Potential ‘Dream Match’ Against AJ Styles

During a recent interview with Q101, TNA World Champion Mike Santana discussed becoming TNA World Champion as TNA Wrestling embarks on a new era on AMC. He also discussed a potential dream match against former TNA World Champion AJ Styles. Below are some highlights:

Mike Santana on TNA Wrestling Having a New Platform on AMC

“Yeah, absolutely. I was saying earlier that uh I feel like TNA for so long has lingered in the shadows and now with this deal with AMC, I feel like a lot more people are going to get to see what we offer and um it’s a big deal and I look forward to all of us as a a company taking advantage of the platform that we have.”

On Why His Second TNA World Title Win Is So Meaningful

“So, I said, the first title win was a thank you to my family and to my daughter for saving my life and helping me get to that point. And this next title run, this one’s for me. This one was uh a thank you to myself for enduring and for putting in the work when I had no audience, no applause, no plan B, no guarantees. I took a bet on myself and put all the chips on the table, you know, and with this, I feel like it’s a lot, I’d say, just as meaningful because we’re going into a new era for the company and we haven’t been we haven’t had such a huge platform like this in over 10 years. And the fact that the company has put the trust and confidence in me to be the guy who’s going to carry us into that new era and be the face of the company is a huge deal and it’s an honor that I take very serious and I think yeah, it’s something that I’m embracing and it’s something that I take a lot of pride in and I can’t wait to continue putting in the work and because I feel like you know there’s some people that get to the top of the and and they get complacent, right? And for me, complacency just doesn’t live in my world. And I think my dad would always say the top of one mountain is the bottom of another. So now it’s time to keep climbing and keep showing why I’ve earned and why I belong in this spot.”

Mike Santana on a Possible Matchup With AJ Styles

“Ah, I mean I’ve held no bones about it, man. Like I’ve always said, AJ Styles is like my last ultimate dream match. That’s the guy that I’m eyeing. That’s the guy that I want to step in the ring with. Just someone with so much uh knowledge, so much experience, and someone that I know that I could learn from. The beauty of professional wrestling is that it’s constantly evolving, and you’re constantly learning. And I think being able to step in the ring with him as someone who is the face of TNA today, going head-to-head with the guy who helped build the place, what better story could be written, right? And if he has his eye on the title, I’m the champion. So, by all means, I’m welcoming all challengers, but I’ll make sure that he’s uh he’s first in line.”

Currently, AJ Styles is scheduled to put his career on the line against Gunther at the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 on Saturday (Jan. 31), so Styles will have to beat Gunther to potentially face Mike Santana in TNA later on.

If using any of the above quotes, please credit Q101, with a h/t to 411Mania.com for the transcription