Who Is He? Bio, Wiki, Age, Career, Family, Net Worth 2024 and More

Carlito, born Carlos Edwin Colón Coates Jr. on February 21, 1979, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, was destined for a life in the wrestling world.

As the son of legendary Puerto Rican wrestler Carlos Colón, Carlito grew up immersed in the world of professional wrestling. His father, a key figure in the World Wrestling Council (WWC), laid the groundwork for what would become a prominent wrestling dynasty.

This familial connection provided Carlito with a unique perspective and an early introduction to the rigors and rewards of a wrestling career.

#streetfight pic.twitter.com/8Z8CbpoeFZ

— carlito (@Litocolon279) February 29, 2024

Early Life and Background

• Carlito’s wrestling journey began in the late 1990s when he started training under the guidance of his father and other experienced wrestlers.
• He made his debut in the WWC in 1999, where he quickly established himself as a rising star. His natural athleticism, charisma, and in-ring abilities set him apart from his peers.
• He wrestled under the ring name “Carly Colón” and gained significant popularity in Puerto Rico, winning multiple championships, including the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship.
• Carlito’s talent did not go unnoticed by major wrestling promotions. In 2003, he signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and was assigned to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), WWE’s developmental territory at the time. Here, he honed his skills and prepared for his main roster debut.
• Carlito made his WWE debut on the October 7, 2004, episode of SmackDown! under the ring name “Carlito Caribbean Cool.”
• He quickly made an impact by defeating John Cena to win the United States Championship in his debut match. This victory established Carlito as a force to be reckoned with in WWE.
• His character, a laid-back and cocky Caribbean cool persona, resonated with fans and made him a standout performer.

Carlito: Career

World Wrestling Council (1999-2003)

World Wrestling Council (WWC) is a Puerto Rican professional wrestling promotion founded and owned by Carlos Colon Sr., Carlito’s father. It was natural for him to join the promotion once he entered the world of pro wrestling.

In 1999, Carlito first worked for WWC, starting as a cameraman in July before being gradually introduced into the programming.

Carlito became part of a rivalry between Ray Gonzalez and Colon Sr. The next year, he defeated Gonzalez to become the youngest WWC Universal Heavyweight Champion. Most of his first stint in WWC pitted Carlito against Gonzalez, whether in singles action or tag team drama alongside his brother Eddie Colon.

In June 2003, Carlito signed a developmental contract with WWE and was assigned to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), the developmental territory that had produced the likes of Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Randy Orton, and Batista for WWE in 2002. He competed in his last match at WWC against Mike Awesome before bidding farewell to the fans.

WWE (2003-2010)

• Carlito performed under the ring name Carly for about a year during his time at OVW. During his time on the developmental brand, he fought alongside notable names such as John Morrison, Damien Sandow, Joey Mercury, Matt Morgan, Shad Gaspard, Chris Masters, Abdullah The Butcher, Paul London, and Hardcore Holly.
• Before finalizing the name Carlito, he was given names like Carly and Carlitos Colon, which he used in dark matches.
• He made his SmackDown debut on October 7, 2004, as Carlito Caribbean Cool. In what is considered one of the greatest debuts of all time, Carlito defeated John Cena in his first-ever match to become the WWE United States Champion, using a steel chain to knock Cena out.
• He entered an undefeated streak of 14 matches, defeating the likes of Rey Mysterio, Rob Van Dam, and Hardcore Holly to retain his title.
• He lost the title back to Cena at Survivor Series after a 42-day reign. He suffered a legitimate injury that night and was out of in-ring action for a few months while continuing to make on-screen appearances, where he created a talk show named Carlito’s Cabana.
• In 2005, Carlito joined Monday Night RAW. Recreating his epic debut from SmackDown, Carlito defeated Shelton Benjamin on his RAW debut to win the Intercontinental Championship, which he later lost to Ric Flair.

• At New Year’s Revolution, Carlito entered the Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship and eliminated Kane, Chris Masters, and Shawn Michaels. He finished second in the match, losing to the champion John Cena.
• Following a few failed attempts at the Intercontinental title, Carlito began an on-screen romance with Trish Stratus, whom he also teamed up with in a few mixed tag team matches. He had a feud with Randy Orton during this time, where he lost two matches but won the last match at Tribute to the Troops.
• After Stratus’ retirement from wrestling, Carlito had a love angle with Torrie Wilson as well. Up until 2008, Carlito was featured in multiple mid-card title matches, world championship matches, ladder matches, and the tag titles alongside Santino Marella, but failed to win any gold.
• Carlito was drafted to SmackDown in 2008 and formed a tag team with his brother Edwin Colon. In September that year, the two defeated Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder to become the WWE Tag Team Champions.
• At WrestleMania 25, they defeated World Tag Team Champions Miz and Morrison, becoming the first-ever tag team to hold both titles and unified them.
• They were defeated by Edge and Chris Jericho at The Bash 2009 for the Unified titles. Following their loss, Carlito turned on Primo, and both started fighting each other. He feuded against the likes of Kofi Kingston and John Cena for the rest of the year.
• In 2010, he became one of the eight Pros to the NXT rookies and was assigned Michael Tarver. On May 21 that year, he was released by WWE on the grounds of violation of the wellness policy.

Second Stint with WWC & Indies (2010-2023)

At WWC’s Aniversario 2010, Booker T competed in The Three Faces of Fear match, where he had to face three surprise superstars.

In this match, Carlito made his return to the promotion owned by his father. In November, he defeated Shelton Benjamin to become the WWC Universal Heavyweight Champion.

During his time with WWC, Carlito won and lost the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship multiple times. Throughout his WWC career, Carlito has won the title 17 times, with only Ray Gonzalez (22 times) and his father Carlos Colon Sr. (26 times) having won more.

Moreover, Carlito has held the title for a total of 1318 days, surpassed only by Ray Gonzalez (1963 days) and Carlos Colon Sr. (3945 days).

Besides the Universal Heavyweight Championship, he has also won the WWC World Tag Team Championship twice, WWC Television Championship, WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship, and WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship once. His second stint with WWC came to an end in 2020.

Return to WWE (2023-Present)

Carlito first made an appearance in WWE in 2014, where he, alongside his siblings, inducted his father into the WWE Hall of Fame.

In January 2021, he made a surprise appearance at the Royal Rumble from ThunderDome, entering number eight, but was eliminated by Elias. He teamed up with Jeff Hardy on the next RAW, marking his first match in WWE after more than a decade.

On May 6, 2023, Bad Bunny faced Damian Priest at Backlash 2023 in Puerto Rico. The Judgment Day interfered to help Priest while the Latino World Order sided with Bunny.

Towards the end, Carlito made a surprise return to WWE to help Bunny pick up the victory and officially became a member of the new Latino World Order. At Fastlane in October, Carlito returned and teamed with Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar to defeat Bobby Lashley and Street Profits in a Six-Man Tag Team match.

Carlito: Family

Wrestling Legacy Across Generations

The Colon family has established itself as one of the most influential and enduring dynasties in the wrestling world.

Their contributions to the sport span multiple generations, from pioneering promotions to achieving championship glory.

This article delves into the lives and careers of key members of the Colon family, highlighting their impact on professional wrestling.

Carlos Colon Sr.: The Patriarch

Carlos Colon Sr., born on July 18, 1948, in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, is the cornerstone of the Colon wrestling legacy. His influence in professional wrestling is profound, marked by a storied career as both a wrestler and promoter.

Carlos Colon Sr. began his wrestling journey in the late 1960s. His dedication and skill quickly earned him recognition, leading to numerous opportunities in the wrestling world.

Colon’s in-ring persona was that of a fierce competitor, known for his resilience and technical prowess.

Founding the World Wrestling Council (WWC)

In 1973, Carlos Colon Sr. co-founded the World Wrestling Council (WWC), a promotion that would become a cornerstone of Puerto Rican wrestling.

As both a wrestler and promoter, Colon played a pivotal role in shaping the WWC into a prominent wrestling organization. His efforts not only elevated the sport in Puerto Rico but also brought international attention to the island’s wrestling scene.

Record-Breaking Championship Reigns

Carlos Colon Sr. is renowned for his remarkable achievement of holding the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship a record 26 times.

This feat underscores his dominance and enduring legacy in the sport. His battles with wrestling legends like Ric Flair and Abdullah the Butcher are etched in wrestling history, showcasing his ability to captivate audiences and deliver memorable performances.

In recognition of his contributions to professional wrestling, Carlos Colon Sr. was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014. This honor solidified his status as a wrestling icon and celebrated his decades-long commitment to the sport.

Nancy Colon: The Matriarch

Nancy Colon, the wife of Carlos Colon Sr., plays a vital yet understated role in the Colon family’s wrestling legacy.

Born and raised in Canada, Nancy married Carlos and moved to Puerto Rico, where she supported her husband’s wrestling career and helped manage the family’s wrestling business.

Life Behind the Scenes

Unlike her husband and children, Nancy Colon has remained largely out of the public eye. The Colon family has always valued their privacy, and Nancy’s life reflects this ethos.

While details about her past and personal life are scarce, her unwavering support for her family has been instrumental in their collective success.

The Colon family’s legacy in professional wrestling is a testament to their passion, dedication, and skill. From Carlos Colon Sr.’s foundational work with the WWC to Carlito and Primo’s successes in WWE, the family has consistently demonstrated excellence and resilience.

As the next generation of Colons steps into the ring, the family’s influence on professional wrestling is set to continue, inspiring fans and wrestlers alike.