Carlito has one name in mind to return to WWE for this weekend’s Royal Rumble.
The former United States Championwho made his own comeback last year after coming to the aid of Bad Bunny in Puerto Rico in May 2023, is excited for the premium live event and he’d love to see his real life friend Chris Masters get another shot.
Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.ukhe said: ‘I’m getting a lot of that everywhere I go! I think so, definitely. I think it’s something the people want, it’s something I definitely want.
‘I think he deserves to be back in a WWE ring, and I think people would be very excited just to see his entrance, and then, you know, just see him in the ring again – especially in the condition he’s in now!’
The so-called Masterpiece has got himself into even better shape recently, and has spent the last decade since his second WWE run ended in 2011 improving his craft as he tries to earn a return.
The Rumble is well known for its surprise moments, and Carlito was one of them in 2021 as he appeared in a WWE match for the first time in over a decade, but the pandemic meant it wasn’t a dream scenario.
‘It wasn’t in front of an audience, it was during COVID. So it was, you know, a bunch of screens,’ he recalled. ‘So it was a little bit, you know – great to be back and being in the Royal Rumble. [But I was] wishing there was an audience there, especially after so many years being gone, you know?
‘I mean, it wasn’t the greatest of comebacks to no fans!’
Although he hasn’t been officially announced this year, he wouldn’t be a huge surprise this time if he does make his way down to the ring, and it’s fair to say he’s not a favourite to win with the likes of CM Punk and Cody Rhodes already confirmed for the bout.
However, Carlito has pointed out the beauty of the Royal Rumble being in its unpredictability, regardless of whether or not the people involved actually emerge victorious.
‘My favorite part of the Rumble was always the surprise entrances and the eliminations. One of my favorites that they play all the time is The Hurricane’s double chokeslam, I just think it’s one of the funniest eliminations ever,’ he laughed.
‘And then, of course, seeing Kofi [Kingston] do – Kofi do, and not do, his specialty Royal Rumble bits!’
Kofi’s athletic feats to avoid elimination are always a talking point for fans even when he gets taken out later in the match, and that potential to create special moments is part of the thrill.
Carlito pondered: ‘Winning, of course, is the best thing ever. But definitely doing something memorable and people remember… I think that’s the second best thing in the Rumble. To do something people will remember that will go on for years.’
With so many moving parts and potential for something specialit’s easy to see why the Royal Rumble still remains one of the most iconic matches and events in WWE history.
‘That makes it special,’ Carlito smiled. ‘It’s one of the one of my favorite events of the year.’
The WWE Royal Rumble airs January 27 at 1am. Tune in live via the WWE Network.
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