Carlito Bites Into Original WWE Exit – “I Had Asked For My Release 3 Times”

Former WWE United States Champion, Carlito, has bit into his original departure from WWE revealing that he requested his release from the company a number of times.

Making his debut in the promotion in 2004 alongside bodyguard, Jesus, and immediately taking aim at John Cena who he defeated to capture the US Championship in his first match, the artist then known as Carlito Caribbean Cool had mixed success during his WWE career.

Though he captured the WWE Intercontinental Championship, was involved in a storyline relationship with Torri Wilson and had a prominent mid-card role in which he feuded with Shelton Benjamin, Randy Orton and Ric Flair to name only a few, it never felt that he was destined for bigger things which was evident when the star was paired with brother Primo as The Colons.

On May 21, 2010, Carlito was eventually released from his WWE contract after violating the company’s wellness policy. However, according the man himself who joined WWE’s After The Bell, he had been hankering for the departure for a very long time:

“It was great, it felt like a heavy weight was lifted off my shoulders. I was my own boss, I could do my own thing. I didn’t have to be anywhere I didn’t want to be, I didn’t have to work for any promotion I didn’t want to and I could eat right, train right and have time to myself to clear my head of stuff.

Getting released from WWE was probably one of the best things that happened to me at that time because it was really what I needed. I had asked for my release 3 times and I never got it. I just felt like a prisoner, it wasn’t just WWE. Back in the day I used to think it was WWE, but it was really just on me, stuff that I needed to work out. That’s why I needed that time away, I don’t know if I needed 10 years but some time away.”

After a decade absence, the apple loving grappler returned home at the 2021 Royal Rumble when he entered at number eight and lasted 8:26. Following the appearance, he not only competed on the February 1 Monday Night Raw alongside Jeff Hardy, but was also rumoured to be trying out for a producer role behind the scenes.

Credit for the interview: WWE’s After The Bell

h/t for the transcription: Wrestling Inc.