Carlito came back to WWE in 2023 and despite being featured regularly, he announced his departure from the company recently since WWE wouldn’t renew his contract. Following this announcement, WWE Creative has now been blamed for failing Carlito in a big way.
While speaking on the Stevie Richards Show, Stevie Richards talked about Carlito’s WWE exit and said the company didn’t use him the right way. He felt like WWE brought Carlito back just to have him around, like he was just hanging out backstage playing video games, without a real plan.
Richard asked why WWE didn’t let Carlito be the same exciting character he was when he first came in, like when he beat John Cena for the U.S. Title in his debut and had a good run, even winning tag titles with Chris Masters. Carlito had already proven himself, but WWE didn’t let him be the fun, cool version fans liked. Richards noted that WWE even stopped him from spitting the apple, which was a big part of his character.
“The thing they didn’t get the most out of—or anywhere near out of—is Carlito. Carlito looks like they just put him in there because, ‘Here’s Carlito,’ and Carlito’s backstage playing video games all the time and doing whatever.
But why didn’t you bring Carlito back to do what got Carlito over from match one, where he won the U.S. Title against John Cena? You want to talk about strapping a rocket on somebody—and then the run he had, and even the tag team title run with Chris Masters.
This guy carried the ball as Carlito Caribbean Cool—or Carlito, shortened up—but then you put him in a gimmick that doesn’t even show who Carlito was. You didn’t even let him spit the apple at people anymore.”
Richards criticized WWE for neutering the character and turning Carlito into someone who mostly just took bumps and finishes. He said that would be understandable if they planned to keep him around in that role, but WWE chose not to renew his contract, even though it was their fault.
Richard stated WWE always says “creative has nothing for you,” which is just a way to make the wrestler feel like it’s their fault by gaslighting them. In reality, it’s the people in charge who don’t see the value and don’t give chances. Richards said Carlito didn’t get enough chances, and it wasn’t because he did anything wrong.
“”So you’ve literally neutered the character. Made him a guy that just basically took finishes and bumps for people, which is fine—but then you’re not going to renew the contract when it’s your fault.
Once again—’creative has nothing for you.’ You’re not getting over. These, you know, whatever kind of gaslighting you want to put in front of a talent.
This is a fake, subjective business decided by bean counters, not creative people, who just look and either nod their head or don’t. And that’s as good as a no. They didn’t. It’s their fault they didn’t get everything they could out of Carlito. Not Carlito’s fault. Absolutely not.”
Stevie Richards said Carlito was barely shown on TV, didn’t talk much, and only wrestled sometimes. But that wasn’t his choice; WWE decides when wrestlers work and Richards blamed WWE Creative for failing Carlito. Richards added that when they let someone go, they act like it’s a real sport and say the wrestler didn’t try hard enough.
Richards ended by saying WWE always says “we’re a family” when someone wants to stay or ask for more money, but when WWE releases someone, they say “it’s just business.” Stevie believes Carlito didn’t get a fair shot, and that’s on WWE, not him.
“This here could be explained in a lot of different ways. Not featured. Like the third or fourth guy in a group. Never cuts promos. Works once a month. You can logistically explain it.
But it’s not on Carlito. It’s on creative. It’s their failure. He can’t just say, ‘Tonight, I want a world title match. I qualified.’ No—they’re telling you when you work, when you don’t work. And then somehow, when you get released, the wrestling business becomes a real competitive sport, and you just didn’t want it.
You didn’t want the quarterback reps. You were on the sideline holding the clipboard, happily. Do you see how they do you? We’re all one big family when you want to leave or ask for more money—but when they’re getting rid of you? ‘It’s just business, brother. Got me, brother.'”
It’s to be noted that Carlito actually broke WWE protocol by announcing his exit in the middle of a storyline. Regardless, many fans might agree with what Richards had to say as Carlito ultimately didn’t get the chance to truly show off his character or in-ring work. Therefore, we’ll have to see what the future holds for Caribbean Cool in the future.
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