Before his second stint with WWE in 2023, Carlito had two prior chances to make a comeback. Known for his ruthless persona during his earlier wrestling days, Carlito recently shared details about these opportunities and why they ultimately didn’t materialize.
Carlito revealed on a podcast that his first chance to return to WWE came in 2015, five years after he was released in 2010. However, WWE’s offer at that time was too low and didn’t include any room for negotiation, leading to no deal being made.
Later, after his appearance at the 2021 Royal Rumble, WWE extended him a “legendary” contract offer, but Carlito’s lawyer advised against accepting it due to its poor terms. Recently, WWE decided against renewing his contract again in May, despite the Judgment Day faction opening the door for his return. Carlito mentioned he was more optimistic about this second run but was disappointed that he never received a proper farewell. Currently, he is active on the independent wrestling circuit, including appearances in the World Wrestling Council and Championship Wrestling.
Fan Take: This news is significant for WWE fans as it highlights the complex negotiations and challenges even well-known wrestlers face when trying to return to the company. Carlito’s experience underscores the evolving dynamics of wrestler contracts, which could impact how WWE manages veteran talent moving forward.
