High school backyard matches were just the beginning for one UM student, who turned his love for wrestling into a career while pursuing college classes.
Long before stepping into a professional ring, Angel Santiago’s journey began in high school with a homemade wrestling organization he created with his friends. It was here that he officially created his ring name, “The Puerto Rican Prince.”
“Starting out in the BWO [Backyard Wrestling Organization] helped me to really get my foot in the door, and it is what set me on the path to bigger matches and experiences,” Santiago said.
The BWO started as a passion project but quickly gained traction as they landed on Fox News. It was more than just a hobby, but rather an early step toward the career he ultimately wanted to pursue.
This passion followed him to Miami, as he began formally training under wrestler Doc Holiday during his sophomore year, someone who not only helped shape his technical skills, but also his mindset.
Under Holiday’s guidance, he learned that success in wrestling isn’t just about performance, but about perception, and understanding how others see you in the industry.
“Doc taught me that perception shapes everything. People treat you based on how they see you, not always what’s real,” Angel said.“He pushed me to break those perceptions, understand where people are coming from, and be aware of who doesn’t have my best interests in mind”
At the same time, he was very involved on campus. He served as executive producer for UMTV’S comedy show “Off the Wire” and held multiple leadership positions in the University’s professional film fraternity Delta Kappa Alpha, becoming vice president in his senior year.
Balancing those responsibilities with wrestling required constant effort and sacrifice. Without established connections in Florida, he had to build his name from the ground up.
He traveled for training and relied on friends for rides to shows, staying consistent even when opportunities were limited.
“I just kept showing up and trusting that my work would pay off, even when things felt uncertain,” Angel said.
After about six months of persistence, things began to shift. His first major break came during his junior year at the Space Coast State Fair. Initially scheduled to only open the show, he was unexpectedly given the chance to fight in the main event after another wrestler dropped out. He delivered an impressive performance, giving his career the push in the right direction.
Since then, he has continued to build momentum, even appearing at the same event as well-known wrestlers like Kurt Angle and Kevin Nash.
More recently, in February, he experienced one of the most meaningful moments of his career in Milford, Connecticut, where he defeated a current WWE wrestler, Aaron Rourke, in front of a crowd of over 400 people.
The match was especially significant because it brought together people from every stage of his life, family, friends from high school and even a close friend who served as his manager for the night.
“Winning that match felt surreal, especially knowing how much it meant not just for me, but for everything it represented,” Santiago said.
The event raised money for the Boys and Girls Club of Milford, something he said made the experience even more meaningful, as he is grateful for the opportunity to give back to a community that has always supported him.
Despite these milestones, the path has not been easy. For newcomers without established connections, the wrestling world can be cliquey and elitist. Breaking into those circles required not only talent, but resilience.
Through it all, Holiday’s mentorship remained central. Teaching him how to stay grounded, protect himself in the ring, and maintain a positive outlook regardless of wins or losses.
“He showed me how to stay focused and hold the right mindset, no matter what happens in the ring.”
Equally important was the support system he found at UM. He credits Delta Kappa Alpha in particular for encouraging him to keep going, even when his path didn’t fit the traditional mold. That support made it possible for him to continue pursuing something that many people didn’t initially understand.
Beyond the ring, wrestling has shaped how he approaches life. It has reinforced the idea that persistence leads to progress, that if you commit to something and continue showing up, results will follow.
It has also shown him the importance of community, both in receiving support and giving it back. Looking ahead, he hopes to not only face bigger names in wrestling, but also create opportunities for others who may have the talent but lack the exposure.
“I’ve been in that position before, so now I want to give opportunities to people who have the talent but just need a chance, especially those who are willing to really work for it.”
For students considering unconventional paths, his advice is simple: don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
“Art only means something if people can see and react to it,” Santiago said. “You can’t be afraid of judgment, people will always have something to say. You just have to push through the uncomfortable.”
From backyard wrestling to main event matches, his journey shows that success isn’t always linear. Persistence and consistency can take you far, and The Puerto Rican Prince is a clear example of that.