Part 9/10:
Santana’s journeys took him across the globe, including a challenging stint in Japan. While the allure of wrestling internationally was appealing, the realities often painted a different picture. The cultural adjustment proved difficult, coupled with the physical demands of the wrestling style in Japan. His feelings of isolation arose when family tragedies occurred that he could not address from afar.
The adjustment to the stiffer style of Japanese wrestling forced Santana to elevate his game mentally and physically, as fans there expressed appreciation through silence rather than cheers or boos. This intense environment provided essential lessons about wrestling fundamentals that Santana carried with him, shaping his approach to the craft upon his return to the United States.