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Mike Santana unveils new ring name Cruz Montana after WWE NXT debut

Wrestling Inc • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 27, 2026, 8:44 PM

Last updated Jul 27, 2026

Mike Santana unveils new ring name Cruz Montana after WWE NXT debut

Summary

Former TNA World Champion Mike Santana debuted on WWE NXT last Tuesday by confronting NXT Champion Tony D'Angelo. Ahead of an upcoming appearance, Santana confirmed his new ring name, Cruz Montana, via a video on X. The trademark for Cruz Montana was filed by WWE, indicating a change from his previous ring name. Santana has previous experience in NXT, having wrestled there under his old name and participated in various matches, including a title challenge earlier this year.

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By the Numbers

•Mike Santana debuted on WWE NXT by confronting Tony D'Angelo.
•He confirmed his name change to Cruz Montana prior to the upcoming show.
•WWE filed a trademark for the name Cruz Montana.
•Santana has competed on NXT before, including a title match this past March.
•He dropped the TNA title earlier this month, leading to speculation about his future.

Latest Updates

8:44 PMWrestling Inc — Former TNA & AEW Star Mike Santana Confirms New Ring Name Following WWE NXT Debut

What they're saying

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Former TNA World Champion Mike Santana confirmed his new ring name ahead of his next appearance on "WWE NXT" following his debut last week.
— Wrestling Incby staff@wrestlinginc.com (Daisy Ruth)

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