Former All Elite Wrestling talent Fuego Del Sol has announced a dramatic shift in his professional wrestling persona, declaring his masked character “dead” and revealing he will now compete under his real name, KJ Orso. The announcement came via a video posted across his social media platforms, explaining the decision and signaling a new chapter in his career following recent significant events on the independent circuit.
In the video, Orso delivered a eulogy for his former identity, stating bluntly, “We are gathered here today to lay to rest the career of Fuego Del Sol. Fuego Del Sol’s story is truly tragic.” He reflected on the character’s journey in AEW, which saw him gain significant grassroots fan support online and eventually earn a contract. Orso lamented the character’s trajectory after achieving initial success: “Can you imagine getting swept up in a groundswell of love and support. To be co-signed by some of the biggest names in professional wrestling. To have millions witness you achieve your dreams on national television… Just to be regulated to a sidekick loser who was slowly forgotten about and let go.”
Orso pinpointed the decline to his AEW departure, noting, “Fuego Del Sol did not die when this mask came off. Oh no, he died on July 1, 2023 when he became a free agent.” He described his struggles over the nearly two years since leaving AEW, expressing frustration that no major company signed him despite his efforts. “For nearly 2 years, I have kept him on life support hoping any company would come revive him… But alas, no one came,” Orso explained. “For 2 years, I have masqueraded around as something I am not. No matter how positive or motivated I was, no amount of hard work could respark the flame that already burned out. Fuego Del Sol is dead.”
This rebranding follows pivotal moments for Orso. At GCW’s Joey Janela’s Spring Break 9 event during WrestleMania weekend in April 2025, he lost a “Mask vs. Career” match to Atticus Cogar and subsequently unmasked, leaving his boots in the ring in a traditional sign of retirement – though many speculated it was the retirement of the character. Just recently, at GCW’s “Crazy Scary Spooky Hilarious” event on May 3rd, 2025, the unmasked Orso turned heel, betraying Sam Stackhouse and aligning himself with Cogar. His video announcement solidifies this new direction.
Declaring “My name is KJ Orso, and I’ve never felt more ALIVE!”, he made it clear he is ready for the next phase of his career under his given name. Orso, who previously wrestled under his real name as enhancement talent for WWE in 2020 before his AEW run, concluded the video by providing a booking email (BookKJOrso@gmail.com), signaling to promoters worldwide that KJ Orso is officially available for bookings on the independent circuit.
Fuego Del Sol is DEAD!
My name is KJ Orso, and I’ve never felt more ALIVE! pic.twitter.com/3O9uDADHWe
— Fuego is DEAD! (@FuegoDelSol) May 4, 2025
