Santos Escobar reveals new name after WWE release
The former Santos Escobar has a new wrestling name as he enters free agency.
Escobar (real name Jorge Bolly) is officially free to wrestle elsewhere with 90 days having passed since his WWE released. After signing a new WWE deal in late 2025, he was let go by the company this April during post-WrestleMania 42 roster cuts. Escobar revealed his new name as “Romeo Malverde” today and produced a video where he held a funeral for his Santos Escobar persona.
Though his next move in wrestling remains unknown, Escobar is appearing at San Diego Comic-Con today and tomorrow as a guest of Healocked Comics and Masked Republic. Escobar sent out a parting message to WWE this week where he told “Paul and Nick” (Triple H and Nick Khan) to watch him as he continues to make his mark in the industry.
Escobar worked on the main roster, NXT, and Lucha Libre AAA while with WWE and was previously known as El Hijo del Fantasma and King Cuerno during his career in Mexico, Lucha Underground, and TNA.
A trademark for “Romeo Malverde” is not yet listed in the US patent office database.
Other released WWE wrestlers hitting free agency —
Those also hitting free agency this week include Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Motor City Machine Guns, Kairi Sane, Zoey Stark, and The Wyatt Sicks. Vega has confirmed “Xelina” as her new wrestling name.
Renovation through expiration. Hasta siempre emperador Santos. BIENVENIDO ROMEO MALVERDE pic.twitter.com/WL8rMIfiVZ
— Romeo Malverde 💀❤️🔥🇲🇽 (@JBElFantasma) July 24, 2026
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.