Carlito Leaves WWE Again: Wrestling Legacy, WWC Roots, and What's Next for Puerto Rico’s Coolest Star -

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The 46-year-old Puerto Rican wrestler recently made the announcement on social media that his existing WWE contract is not to be extended. The company has not yet made an official statement regarding Carlito’s announcement. Carlito’s tongue-in-cheek comment regarding WWE “asking for their money back” teased a light-hearted but unmistakable closure of the chapter in his career.

To sports and entertainment fans, Carlito was a character not to be forgotten — a guy with an afro, a bad attitude, and an apple he was always prepared to spit in the face of “people who don’t want to be cool.” His personality was as captivating as it was divisive, and his in-ring style was evenly split between brawling and technical wrestling in a way that made him unique.

Carlito is not only a performer, but he is the offspring of wrestling royalty. He is the son of a living legend in Puerto Rico. A retired wrestler and promoter, Carlos Sr. is one of the original members of the World Wrestling Council (WWC), which is Puerto Rico’s most dominant wrestling promotion in history. With 26 WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship reigns, Carlos Colón Sr. was a prime architect in building the island’s wrestling heritage.

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Carlito’s own career started out under his father’s tutelage. He trained out of his family promotion and soon made a name for himself by becoming the youngest Universal Heavyweight Champion in WWC history at 20 years old. Early on, it was apparent that he had inherited not only his father’s athleticism but also his storytelling ability.

Carlito debuted in WWE in October 2004 and instantly caused a stir by beating John Cena to capture the United States Championship on his first night out. It was a daring beginning that would be characteristic of a career full of unforgettable moments. From capturing the Intercontinental Championship to forming an alliance with his brother Primo and capturing the WWE Tag Team Titles, Carlito’s career was one of steady success, even if he never achieved main-event status.

One of the most lovable things about him was his dedication to his gimmick — the smarmy, laid-back heel anti-hero who wasn’t afraid to cheat, insult, or literally spit in a person’s face to gain an advantage. His segments were always fun, whether he was behind the scenes causing chaos or cutting searing promos in the ring.

However, though he was popular, Carlito got discharged from WWE in 2010 following alleged wellness policy infractions. For more than a decade, he was absent on WWE television but had occasional appearances in independent circuits and in his home Puerto Rico.

Carlito returned in 2021 for a one-time cameo at the Royal Rumble, catching everyone by surprise and fueling rumors of an exclusive comeback. That fantasy became reality, sort of, in 2023, when he officially returned to WWE. His biggest comeback cameo was at WWE Backlash 2023 in Puerto Rico, where he made a surprise return in dramatic fashion to help Bad Bunny during a wild match against Judgment Day.

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That moment — Carlito proudly standing tall in his native land to a deafening roar of approbation — felt like poetic closure to his WWE odyssey. It was not just nostalgia; it was proof positive of Carlito’s deep affinity for his Puerto Rican heritage and fan base.

As Carlito departs WWE once more, rumor inevitably points to what comes next. With his roots so firmly planted in Puerto Rico and his family still involved with WWC, returning to where his career began is a strong possibility. WWC is an institution in Caribbean wrestling, and Carlito is its crown jewel export that has been considered for years.

Interestingly, WWC remains co-owned by Carlos Colón Sr. and still showcases local and international talent side by side. Carlito’s involvement there, whether as performer, booker, or coach, might give the promotion new life and bring a new crop of fans to the wonder of Puerto Rican wrestling.

Carlito’s WWE days may be done, but his career are not. From having titles in the world’s largest wrestling promotion to continuing to carry his family’s torch in Puerto Rico, Carlito’s tale is one of reinvention, survival, and charisma.

In so many respects, Carlito’s coolness is his independence — a superstar who never fully fit into the WWE mold, yet always managed to leave his mark. Whether he’s grasping a microphone, munching on an apple, or returning to the WWC ring, one thing’s certain: Carlito will do things his way.

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