Mike Santana Confirms Ring Name Change in WWE [Update: Santana Reveals New “Cruz Montana” Ring Name Is Tribute To His Late Father]

Update:

Former TNA and current WWE NXT talent Mike Santana revealed earlier today on Twitter that his new ring name of Cruz Montana in WWE is in tribute to his late father.

“CRUZ MONTANA

A name I put together as a tribute to honor my late father. Who I’ve always made sure to keep as close as possible to my journey.

Losing him 6 years ago, is what sent me on the spiral that I’d eventually rise from, to become the man you see today. And today, that man ADDICTED TO GREATNESS.

Here’s to this next chapter.

LETS GET IT! 👑🇵🇷”

CRUZ MONTANA

A name I put together as a tribute to honor my late father. Who I’ve always made sure to keep as close as possible to my journey.

Losing him 6 years ago, is what sent me on the spiral that I’d eventually rise from, to become the man you see today. And today, that… pic.twitter.com/idROguLV3W

— Cruz MONTANA🇵🇷 (@Santana_Proud) July 27, 2026

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As noted before, this past Tuesday’s WWE NXT show at the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida featured former TNA talent Mike Santana making a surprise return appearance to NXT and his official arrival to the NXT brand. Santana was not refereed to by name during his appearance which quickly led to online speculation of him getting a ring name change for his career with WWE going forward.

Santana posted a video earlier today on Twitter hyping up his appearance at this Tuesday’s NXT show and confirmed that he has been given a new ring name change of Cruz Montana in WWE.

“Last week, I made my official debut on NXT and set the wrestling world on fire. All without saying a thing. But my actions let everyone know what my sights were set on. Tomorrow night, live, I put words behind those actions and for the first time you get to hear what Cruz Montana has to say. I’ll see you all there. Let’s get it.”

Last week, I set the world on fire…
Tomorrow night, I throw gas on the flames.

LETS GET IT!

8PM | LIVE ON @WWENXT pic.twitter.com/kFHx06JAWB

— Mike SANTANA🇵🇷 (@Santana_Proud) July 27, 2026

WWE had filed a trademark for “Cruz Montana” on July 24 for wrestling and entertainment-related purposes to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This term was believed by some people online to potentially be Santana’s new ring name in WWE at the time.