Carlito’s debut on WWE programming may have been controversial but the ‘cool’ Superstar would have taken anything to make it to TV.
Carlito debuted in WWE in late 2004 and (with the help of some cheating) would dethrone John Cena to become the new United States Champion.
Shortly after, Cena would be ‘stabbed’ in a night club and the storyline would suggest that Carlito’s bodyguard Jesús was the culprit.
In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Carlito recalled the backlash at the time to the angle and defended his role in the storyline. He said,
“I was just coming in. I would have taken any idea. Give me whatever idea you’ve got and I’ll make it work. So they could have told me me do whatever and I would have done it. But I would have tried to make it the best I could.”
Cena’s ‘stabbing’ would give the future WWE Champion time off to film The Marine, which would be released in cinemas in 2006.
After being ‘stabbed,’ John would return to action the following month at Survivor Series 2004 and regained the U.S. title from Carlito shortly after.
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Carlito’s debut on WWE programming in 2004 was a memorable moment in wrestling history. The charismatic and ‘cool’ Superstar quickly made an impact and became a fan favorite. However, his debut was not without controversy.
In his debut match, Carlito defeated John Cena to become the new United States Champion. But it wasn’t a clean victory. Carlito resorted to cheating to secure the win, which immediately made him a despised character among fans.
Shortly after his victory, a shocking storyline unfolded. Cena was ‘stabbed’ in a night club, and the blame was placed on Carlito’s bodyguard, Jesús. This angle received significant backlash at the time, as it was seen as a tasteless and insensitive storyline.
In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Carlito opened up about the backlash he faced and defended his role in the controversial storyline. He expressed his willingness to take on any idea given to him by WWE and make it work. Despite the negative reception, he tried his best to deliver a compelling performance.
The ‘stabbing’ angle served a purpose beyond just creating controversy. It provided Cena with time off to film his movie, “The Marine,” which was released in cinemas in 2006. Cena returned to action the following month at Survivor Series 2004 and regained the U.S. title from Carlito.
The video embedded in the article showcases the full segment of Carlito’s debut and his challenge to John Cena for the U.S. title. It is a nostalgic reminder of the early days of Carlito’s WWE career and the impact he made on the wrestling world.
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Carlito’s debut may have been controversial, but it undeniably left a lasting impression on WWE fans. His unique character and in-ring abilities made him a standout performer during his time in the company. Despite the backlash, Carlito’s willingness to take on any idea and make it work showcases his dedication to his craft.