Mike Santana Weighs In On Possibility Of Defending TNA World Title Against AJ Styles

Mike Santana has called AJ Styles a dream match of his, but he’s okay with it if Styles doesn’t come out of retirement to fulfill that particular dream. Santana spoke back in January about how Styles is his “ultimate dream match,” but Styles is of course now retired from the ring and fulfilling a new role with WWE as a talent scout and coach.

Santana spoke with The Humble Roses Podcast and was asked about the idea of Styles coming out of retirement to face him should he still be World Champion by Bound For Glory. Santana said he would be all for it, but explained why he’s cool if it doesn’t happen. You can see highlights below:

On Matches That Don’t Get Enough Credit:

“Damn, that’s tough. That’s not talked about enough… I feel like guys like Dean Malenko don’t get enough credit. He was a big mentor for me, especially back a few years ago. I feel like he doesn’t get enough flowers. He’s one of the best ever, you know? He’s like — especially even when he was a tag team with his brother Joe in in All Japan, right? They were doing some revolutionary stuff, and I feel like, actually? His matches, the Malenkos against the Bulldogs, All Japan.”

On the Notion of Defending the World Title Against AJ Styles at Bound For Glory:

“That’d be amazing, man. And you know, when people say dream matches, not all dreams come true, right? So they’re called dream matches for a reason. So if it happens, great. I’d be honored. If it doesn’t, great because he left me, this business, and so many others something to truly be inspired by. He left like, a body of work that will never be duplicated again. And for him to be able to say that he’s one of the very few in this business who inspired a generation, what more can you you ask for, right?

“So yeah, man. If it happens, great. If it doesn’t, great. At least I got to share a moment with him and he got to legit like, pass a torch over to me, right? So, that that felt good and I’m okay with that.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit The Humble Roses Podcast with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.