Cruz Montana reveals biggest difference he has noticed working for WWE

Currently known as Cruz Montana, the former Mike Santana has opened up about the biggest difference he has noticed in WWE.

A former TNA World Champion, Montana parted ways with the promotion earlier this year and made a jump to WWE NXT. However, before signing a contract with NXT, Santana had started appearing for the brand since last year, when WWE and TNA began their partnership.

Speaking on No-Contest Wrestling, Montana revealed the biggest difference he noticed while working for WWE. “Well, I think, you know, I started coming to NXT, I think, last year, right? Like, I started coming last year. So right away, the very first day, I’m very observant of my surroundings, right? So I like to, I guess, sit outside of the setting and just observe everything that’s moving around me.

“And that very first day, it was May 25th, I think, and we were, it was Battleground. It was like their big show. And I remember sitting in the stands and just watching how the machine runs. And it was that moment that I made the realization like, ‘Yo, this is the WWE for a reason.’”

He further shared that everything in WWE is “super structured.” Montana also opened up about how he loves WWE’s routine and structure, which sets it apart from every other promotion he has worked for.

“Everything is super structured. Everything is very to the T, you know? And I love that. I love routine and I love structure, right? That’s one of the biggest things about the WWE, aside from everywhere else that I’ve been. There’s a lot of structure here.

“It’s a TV show, right? So it’s treated as such and we got to make sure that all the cameras see everything and we’re trying to convey that emotion through the screens and just everything. And I love that. And just me in general, I love a new learning experience, right?

Santana claimed that, as per his observation, WWE is a well-oiled machine and he loves it. Montana claimed that he loves to adapt and work anywhere. After finishing up with TNA Wrestling, Montana appeared on WWE NXT as a signed talent in July 2026 and is currently chasing Tony D’Angelo’s NXT title.