Carlito declares he's 'Back in Business' after WWE exit
Carlito, one of WWE's most charismatic performers of the 2000s and a fan favorite during his recent return, has officially parted ways with the company. In a post shared on social media, the 46-year-old wrestler revealed that his contract has expired and that WWE has opted not to renew it.
The announcement was made by Carlito on June 1 via X (formerly Twitter), where he wrote, 'My contract is up in 2 weeks. It will not be renewed.' Adding a touch of humor, he joked about WWE demanding repayment of his salary for 'stealing money' and referenced Netflix footage. He then signed off with a heartfelt message to fans, saying, 'Gracias WWE & especially the WWE Universe. Los quiero mucho!'
— Litocolon279 (@Litocolon279)
Summer plans heat up as Carlito goes free agent
Just days after his announcement, Carlito took to Instagram to confirm he is 'back in business' and fully available for bookings.
The Puerto Rican wrestler is already scheduled to appear at WrestleCon in Newark, New Jersey, on August 1, during SummerSlam weekend.
Carlito's second WWE run began with a high in 2023, when he received a massive pop during a surprise return at Backlash: Puerto Rico, assisting Bad Bunny in his match against Damian Priest. The reaction was so overwhelming that WWE brought him back on a full-time contract. He later aligned with the Latino World Order (LWO), though his presence on TV began to decline once the faction's momentum faded.
While this recent run didn't result in any title wins, Carlito remains one of the few Superstars to have won gold on his very first nights in both SmackDown and Raw back in 2004. His earlier WWE stint saw him claim the U.S. Championship by defeating John Cena on debut, the Intercontinental Title upon switching brands, and later the Tag Team Titles alongside his brother Primo.
Carlito hasn't indicated any specific plans, but speculation is already swirling.
With AEW, TNA, and several major indie promotions on the lookout for experienced names, Carlito's availability could open new doors. Others believe he may return to his roots in Puerto Rico's wrestling circuit, where he has historically remained a popular draw.
As WWE undergoes internal shifts with multiple roster changes, Carlito's exit signals another veteran stepping away from the spotlight - at least for now. One thing is certain: Carlito's story in professional wrestling isn't over yet.
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