Former Champion Discusses AEW’s Backstage Impact On WWE

AEW/WWE

A former WWE star has revealed what they consider to be the impact of the existence of AEW when it comes to backstage behavior.

On June 1, 2025, it was reported that Carlito was one of a number of WWE stars who would be departing the company, with his contract expiring during that month.

During a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio, Carlito discussed the backstage atmosphere of his most recent run and his tenure with the company between 2003 and 2010.

Revealing what it was like to be able to turn up to WWE with a positive mindset, reflecting on past tensions, Carlito stated:

“It was weird, showing up to work happy. It was just, you know, just all the tension and just all the old school bullsh*t… people walking around on eggshells, you know, because it was the only game in town. And they like, they like the boys, knowing that…”

As for the reason for the change of atmosphere, carlito would name two contributing factors — the existence of AEW and the role of Triple H — going on to say:

“Now that, you know, with AEW being around too, it’s helped. You know, they can’t bully, because (there’s) a place for people to go… But I think Hunter has done a good job, too, of just cleaning all that cr*p out…

“It’s a new generation, you just can’t get away with certain things you could before… A bunch of that BS is gone now, and people just go there, show up and do the work.”

In the interview, Carlito would also reveal that he feels that Triple H was “never a big fan” of his character in WWE.

The former WWE United States Champion would also note that he wasn’t shocked that his contract wasn’t renewed, having signed for two years back in June 2023.

He would go on to note that he would have liked to have finished the storyline with Judgment Day, having allied with the group at SummerSlam in August 2024 only to abruptly disappear upon his departure.

Transcript from wrestlingnews.co.

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• backstage culture
• Carlito
• AEW
• wwe

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