Santana Declares Himself As A Singles Wrestler, Ortiz Throws Barbs

In a promo that aired on Friday night’s episode of AEW Rampage, former Inner Circle member Santana announced that he would be competing as a singles wrestler going forward. He said,

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned through this process, it’s that you can’t depend on anyone to have the same passion or drive, or hell, to even have your back the same way that you would. But with that being said, the world has been asking all these questions, and now the world is about to get all their answers. The road I’ve chosen to take is one that must be taken on my own. No crutch, no crew, straight dolo, exactly how I like it. All I’ve done all my life is bet on myself. But I’ll tell you this, I’m not here to be another guy in the game. I’m here to be the guy, and I know I’m going to piss a lot of people off, but I don’t give a damn. I ain’t here to make friends. I’m here to make money, and if you ain’t down, you’re gonna get run down. The nastiest is yet to come.”

Santana teamed with Ortiz for the final time during the Stadium Stampede match at AEW All In 2023 at Wembley Stadium last month. Along with the Blackpool Combat Club, the duo lost to the team of Orange Cassidy, Best Friends, and Eddie Kingston.

Santana’s promo led to a response from Ortiz who tweeted,

“What a way to find out years of having your back meant nothing. Good luck without your ‘crutch’ Just remember it helped you walk for the last 14+ years. Hope your legs are good. Thank you for being honest for once. But you couldn’t say it to my face? You know you still can, right?”

In response, Santana wrote,

“Wow. First thing you said to me in 14 months. no text no call. No I hope your recovery has gone well but of course paint me to be the bad guy like you’ve always done. Guess you forgot about our last conversation about this. Either way I’m happy I hope and pray the same for you.”

“The nastiest is yet to come.”
– Mike Santana

Watch #AEWRampage on TNT!@Santana_Proud pic.twitter.com/l3QElTkYoZ

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 9, 2023

Wow.
First thing you said to me in 14 months. no text no call. No I hope your recovery has gone well but of course paint me to be the bad guy like you’ve always done. Guess you forgot about our last conversation about this. Either way I’m happy I hope and pray the same for you🙏🏽 https://t.co/q6h4Hnajz1

— Mike SANTANA🇵🇷 (@Santana_Proud) September 9, 2023