Carlito Caribbean Cool Returns To WWE At Backlash, Attacks Judgment Day
WWE Backlash in San Juan, Puerto Rico, featured a surprise appearance by Carlito Caribbean Cool. After the San Juan Street Fight between Bad Bunny and Damian Priest became a multi-person brawl, The Judgment Day looked to have overpowered Rey Mysterio when Carlito hit the ring to make the save. Dominik Mysterio then attacked Carlito before Savio Vega, who had appeared earlier in the evening, and the remaining members of the LWO came out to equalize Dominik and Finn Balor. The assists from Carlito and Vega proved effective as Bad Bunny went on to score the pinfall victory. Carlito is the son of Carlos Colón, Puerto Rican wrestling legend and a co-founder of the famed Puerto Rican wrestling promotion World Wrestling Council; at one point in the match, Bunny applied Colón's finisher, the figure four leglock.
This was Carlito's first WWE appearance since 2021, when he competed in that year's men's Royal Rumble match, lasting over eight minutes, and then teamed with Jeff Hardy in a one-off on "WWE Raw" the following night to beat Jaxson Ryker and Elias. Prior to that, he was under WWE contract from 2004 until 2010. He was able capture the WWE United States, Intercontinental, and Tag Team Championships during that time, but his WWE run came to an end after refusing rehab in wake of wellness policy violation.
Since his 2021 appearances, Carlito has remained active on the independent scene throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Recently, he took part in the AAA men's Lucha Libre World Cup and made it to the quarterfinals alongside Hip Hop Man and Zumbi. In previous interviews, Carlito said that WWE had not contacted him for further appearances beyond the ones he made in early 2021, but he was happy to see Bad Bunny's success in the company.