Mike Santana has shared an emotional message for his daughter, Ariana, just after making his WWE NXT debut. The former TNA World Champion opened up about how much she means to him, calling her his biggest reason to keep moving forward.
On social media, Santana posted a touching photo taken backstage after one of his matches. Covered in blood and looking exhausted, he sat beside Ariana, who gently rested her hand on his shoulder. Along with the picture, he shared a heartfelt message about the impact she has had on his life.
Ariana changed Mike Santana’s life
“My purpose. My why. And everyday, I’ll continue to show her that with work and unwavering passion, you make anything possible. Thank you for saving my life. Always by my side and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Santana tweeted.
The post came shortly after Santana made his surprise appearance on the July 21 episode of WWE NXT. He showed up at the end of the show to confront NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo.
Santana has been open about his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction during one of the toughest times of his life. After suffering an ACL injury in late 2022, things got worse before they finally got better.
Everything changed when he found out that Ariana had written a letter to Santa Claus asking him to “please make my dad stop.” Santana has often said that reading those words made him realize he was becoming someone he never wanted to be. That letter pushed him to check into rehab and start turning his life around.
Their close relationship became crystal clear throughout Santana’s recent wrestling career. After winning the TNA World Championship earlier this year, he invited Ariana into the ring, handed her the title belt, and bowed to her in an emotional moment that touched many fans.
Read More: Mike Santana Breaks Silence After WWE NXT ‘Debut’
