Mike Santana Explains Inspiration For WWE Ring Name

Mike Santana is now Cruz Montana, and he explained where the Inspiration for the ring name came from on Monday. As noted earlier today, Santana confirmed that he will be going by Cruz Montana following his debut on WWE NXT last week. The former TNA World Champion is set to speak on this week’s show.

Montana posted to his Twitter account to reveal that the name is a tribute to his late father, who passed away in 2019.

Montana wrote:

“CRUZ MONTANA

A name I put together as a tribute to honor my late father. Who I’ve always made sure to keep as close as possible to my journey.

Losing him 6 years ago, is what sent me on the spiral that I’d eventually rise from, to become the man you see today. And today, that man ADDICTED TO GREATNESS.

Here’s to this next chapter.
LETS GET IT!”

Montana’s debut on last week’s show saw him confront NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo, and he said in his video earlier on Monday that “My actions let everyone know exactly what my sights were set on.”

NXT airs tomorrow night live from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida on The CW domestically and Netflix internationally.

CRUZ MONTANA

A name I put together as a tribute to honor my late father. Who I’ve always made sure to keep as close as possible to my journey.

Losing him 6 years ago, is what sent me on the spiral that I’d eventually rise from, to become the man you see today. And today, that… pic.twitter.com/idROguLV3W

— Cruz MONTANA🇵🇷 (@Santana_Proud) July 27, 2026