Former WWE US and Intercontinental Champion Carlito has been confirmed for his first post-WWE match. The match will be against a wrestler that WWE fans are all too familiar with.
Carlito’s second spell with WWE came to an end during a tumultuous week for the promotion. The Puerto Rican star was a part of a shocking double release that saw him and fellow veteran R-Truth depart the company within a few days of one another. Ironically, Carlito was eliminated by R-Truth in the 2025 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, which would prove to be his final match in WWE.
Carlito’s most recent tenure with WWE, which lasted from 2021 to 2025, saw him work closely with the LWO before becoming a member of The Judgment Day last year. While his in-ring appearances have been sporadic over the last couple of years, Carlito provided a source of comic relief in the villainous stable that proved popular with fans.
Carlito Looks Toward the Indie Scene
Based on his recent activity, Carlito looks set to keep his options open, exploring the independent scene. The night before his WWE release confirmation on social media, Carlito returned to WWC, winning the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship for a second time. And now his next confirmed match will see him lock up with another former WWE US champion.
Appearing for indie promotion Big Time Wrestling, Carlito will return to the ring against Matt Riddle. Riddle worked for WWE between 2018 and 2023, before going on to appear in NJPW, MLW, AAA, and TNA.
This will also be the first time that the two former WWE superstars face one another in singles competition. The only time they shared a ring was during the 2021 Royal Rumble – the site of Carlito’s return to WWE after 11 years away.
Carlito has already been successful with Big Time Wrestling. Previously, he won the promotion’s Heavyweight Championship in 2017, defeating Flex Armstrong. Carlito and Riddle’s bout will take place on July 25th in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event is set to feature several notable stars, including Sting, Ricky Morton, and fellow recent WWE release, Shotzi.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header photo – WWE – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on Carlito, and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.
You can check out WWE programming on Netflix (Raw), USA Network (SmackDown), The CW (NXT), Tubi (WWE Evolve), A&E (WWE Superstar Sunday – Rivals, WWE LFG, and Greatest Moments) and Peacock (WWE Main Event as well as archives and premium live event streaming). Follow WWE on social media to relive top moments and matches on YouTube, and catch fast-paced action on X (WWE Speed).
