Published: Oct 28, 2025 by Dave Adamson | Last Updated: Oct 28, 2025 by Dave Adamson
Dave has been a website writer for WrestleTalk since October 2022, having previously written for Den of Geek, among a number of wrestling, movie and television-related sites. Dave has been around the independent wrestling scene for more than a decade, including behind-the-scenes.
AEW
An AEW star who has been absent since early last year has provided an update on their current contract status.
Ortiz was last seen in an AEW ring back in January of last year, teaming with Eddie Kingston in a losing effort against Blackpool Combat Club (Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli).
Speaking to the Wombreezy podcast, Ortiz explained his current contract status, saying:
“So, as of right now, I have about a year left with the company, give or take… on this current contract.”
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Ortiz debuted in AEW at All Out in 2019, alongside his then-partner Santana, although that relationship has since changed direction, with Konnan recently commenting on this issue.
As for Ortiz, he has continued to work in AEW in a backstage capacity, something he is seemingly interested in exploring further, explaining:
“I would love to stay there. I love working with AEW. I’ve actually been coaching, doing producing, basically, which is learning a different skill in wrestling and will also give me longevity in wrestling.
“It’s also selfishly making me a better wrestler because I’m helping people call matches, and I’m analyzing it from a different lens and I’m really enjoying that. It’s something I’ve wanted to do anyways and now I’m getting the opportunity to do it there.
“So, even if I stay on purely just with coaching and producing, and I can still wrestle, for me, I’m still happy. It’s the best of both worlds. I’m still getting to perform. If they keep, I think I would stay, for sure.”
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Ortiz’s absence saw him undergo surgery for a torn pectoral muscle in April of last year, sidelining him for the remainder of 2024.
While not seen in AEW, Ortiz has spent much of this year on the independent scene and recently provided an update on his status.
Santana has since returned to TNA Wrestling, winning the promotion’s World Championship at Bound for Glory 2025.
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