Top wrestling promotion expected Santos Escobar to join before re-signing with WWE
Ahead of re-signing with WWE, Santos Escobar was expected to join top Mexican wrestling promotion, CMLL.
Despite signing a lucrative deal a few months ago, Escobar has now been released from WWE and is expected to become a free agent in the next few months.
Escobar became a free agent last year when his contract expired, and he was moved to the WWE’s alumni section. However, with WWE wanting to retain him, negotiations began. Fightful Select recently reported that sources close to the situation noted that CMLL actually expected Escobar to join their promotion and possibly make appearances for AEW.
However, according to Fightful Select, WWE instead made him a “great offer” and retained him. However, Escobar’s conversations with CMLL are expected to resume.
It was also claimed that the money Escobar was receiving was, reasonably, too much to bench him, although it did happen eventually. He was backstage at least once for a WWE main roster event, but was mainly used in AAA. Following his appearance at the AAA Rey de Reyes 2026, Escobar revealed undergoing triceps surgery.
As per the reports, WWE expects him to be healed and close to being back by the time his 90-day no compete clause is finished. While it was originally communicated that Escobar could use the WWE PC to rehab his injuries, Fightful Select confirmed that such is not the case.
An experienced luchador, Escobar, 41, wrestled in Lucha Underground as King Cuerno, and in TNA and across the world as El Hijo Del Fantasma, including in CMLL.
Shounak Chakrabarti is an experienced sports journalist with a lifelong passion for athletics and storytelling. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Journalism from the University of Leeds and joined F4WOnline in 2025.
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