'Hilarious' WWE legend forced to leave as brutal cuts continue
The 46-year-old former United States Champion, who returned in 2023 and has appeared as comic relief in Judgment Day, revealed he's being let go this month just hours after R-Truth confirmed his own shock exit.
Taking to X, Carlito wrote: 'My contract is up in 2 weeks. It will not be renewed.'
In a lighthearted statement, he quipped: 'On top of that, WWE is demanding I pay back the $ they paid me for apparently 'stealing money' from the company.
'I've had my lawyers look into it and after reviewing my footage on Netflix for the past months they suggested I pay them back the money 😳'
Getting more serious, he added: 'All jokes aside, gracias WWE & especially the WWE universe. Los quiero mucho! PS…I'll reappear again in another 13yrs Dios me los bendiga!'
My contract is up in 2 weeks. It will not be renewed. On top of that, WWE is demanding I pay back the $ they paid me for apparently 'stealing money' from the company. I've had my lawyers look into it and after reviewing my footage on Netflix for the past months they suggested I… pic.twitter.com/H7depyZt5g — carlito (@Litocolon279) June 1, 2025
'He's been used on TV lately. This guy was so hilarious and brought some humor to the Judgment Day, it sucks he's being let go,' wrote @santizapooc on X.
'They rly released R-Truth and Carlito within a few hours… two of the most hilarious, loved and dedicated wrestlers in the company (sic)' added @_monarcho.
And @Rajbishnoikhara said: 'Sad to see Carlito go. He brought a unique energy and style to WWE that fans will definitely miss. Just like R-Truth, he's a legend in his own right. Wishing him all the best in whatever comes next.'
Carlito made his WWE SmackDown debut in 2004 and beat John Cena for the United States Title in his first main roster match, enjoying a six-year spell before getting released in 2010.
He returned to the company at Backlash Puerto Rico in 2023 before making a full-time comeback later that year.
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By 2024, he became a member of Judgment Day alongside the likes of Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio, and has continued to appear as a member of the group.
Before the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the eve of WrestleMania last month, Carlito hadn't wrestled on TV since November 2024.
On Saturday, he returned to his father Carlos Colon's WWC promotion, where he won the company's Puerto Rico Championship for the second time.
Meanwhile, Carlito recently admitted despite not setting firm plans for retirement, he knows that day is 'coming' in the near future.
He exclusively told Metro in Las Vegas before WrestleMania: 'You never know, you know what I mean? Your body sometimes let's you know. Who knows? But I know it's coming.'
In the meantime, the former Intercontinental Champion is focused on enjoying his time in the ring while he still can.
Reflecting on his current goals, Carlito said: 'Just having fun, man. And with what time I've got left, just giving it whatever I can.'
He insisted returned to WWE 'ready to work', while he found it 'interesting' being around a much younger roster with plenty of stars from his era no longer around.
'It's a whole new thing for me. A lot of the people aren't around anymore from my day, it's all these young kids now,' he added. More Trending
Carlito confirmed his upcoming WWE departure hours after R-Truth, 53, announced his own imminent exit.
He wrote on X: 'Im sorry to inform you all. I just got released from WWE.
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'I want to thank WWE for the ride, but MOSTLY I want to thank each and EVERYONE OF YOU who was along for the ride, Thank you for all the love, support, and appreciation you have given me over the years. Thank you🙏🏾'
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