Former Total Nonstop Action (TNA) World Champion Mike Santana made a surprise appearance in the WWE’s developmental brand, NXT, in the latest episode.
His appearance came amid rumours of being WWE-bound after not renewing his contract with TNA.
This is not his first rodeo with the developmental brand, as he competed in NXT as a TNA wrestler when he feuded with WWE’s Trick Williams.
Santana last wrestled for TNA during “Slammiversary” in June 28, where he failed to defend his TNA World Championship against Nic Nemeth, ending a reign of 164 days on his second run as the company’s top champion.
NXT ‘Street Fight’
Before Santana’s appearance, Tony D’Angelo and Naraku fought tooth and nail for the NXT Championship in a “Street Fight.”
Naraku started the bout aggressively, as he sprayed the champion with a “Poison Mist” as soon as the bell rang, blinding D’Angelo.
The Japanese brutalised his opponent, hitting the champion with a “Suplex” on four steel chairs, but it was not enough to put D’Angelo down.
The champion found his footing as he fought off Naraku who was attempting to hit him with a “Powerbomb.”
His momentum continued when he drove Naraku to the barricade back-first.
In the final stage of the gruelling match, Naraku once again tried to spray D’Angelo with a “Poison Mist,” but the champion blocked the substance with his hand, as he applied the residue to his opponent’s eyes to blind him.
D’Angelo then successfully ended his title defence after hitting Naraku with a “Dead To Rights” to a table.
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The ‘superstar’ arrives
As D’Angelo was celebrating his win, his music was cut and another song played.
Santana then emerged from the crowd, and stared down the champion clearly looking to challenge for the gold.
“D’Angelo locking eyes with the former TNA World Champion… What’s going through the mind of our champion?” commentator Vic Joseph stated as the crowd was on their feet.
The commentators did not mention Santana’s name, and social media posts only referred to him as “superstar.”
Speculations then spread of WWE changing Santana’s ring name, similar to Blake Monroe, Ricky Saints and Naraku.
However, a social media post that was published a day after his debut referred to him as Mike Santana.
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