Mike Santana Reflects On Representing Latin Culture: ‘It’s Everything’

Mike Santana recently weighed in on how important it is for him to represent Latin culture and Puerto Rico in particular, noting that it’s “everything” to him. The TNA World Champion has always spoken with pride of his Puerto Rican roots and how important they are to him.

Santana was asked during a recent appearance on The Humble Roses Podcast what it meant to be one of the most successful representations of Latin culture. You can see the highlights below:

On What It Means To Represent Latin Culture:

“It’s everything. Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of people that we could look at, especially on TV and where we come from where we could say like, ‘Hey, if he did it, I can do it.’ And to be able to say that I’m one of those people, and to constantly represent and put on for my people, is something that I take very serious.

“I was looking back at one of my very first promo pictures after I graduated wrestling school. I must have been 18 years old, and I got a Puerto Rican flag on my shoulder, you know what I mean? And me representing has always been something that I’ve put on the forefront of my career and who I am as a man.”

On the Importance of Representing Puerto Rico:

“A little history lesson, at one point in time, it was illegal to fly the Puerto Rican flag. And this is why our people are so prideful, and our people always kept they they say ‘Soy Boricua en la Luna,’ which means I’m Puerto Rican even on on the moon, you know what I mean? So that’s me, and that’s us.”

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.