Santos Escobar’s conversations with CMLL are expected to resume following his WWE release, with the historic Mexican promotion having anticipated his arrival before WWE intervened with a significant offer.
According to Fightful Select, sources close to the situation noted that CMLL had genuinely expected Escobar to join the promotion when his WWE contract expired last year, with appearances for AEW also being discussed as a possibility. Instead, WWE made him what was described as a great offer and retained him on a new deal.
That deal has now come to an end. Escobar was among the 25 wrestlers released by WWE on April 24 as part of the post-WrestleMania 42 roster cuts. He is expected to become a free agent in the coming months once his 90-day no-compete clause expires.
Escobar’s WWE run in its final stretch was limited. Despite receiving a lucrative contract, he was primarily used in the AAA rather than on WWE’s main roster programming. He was backstage at least once for a main roster event, but was largely kept off television. Following his appearance at the AAA Rey de Reyes 2026 event, Escobar revealed he was undergoing a second triceps surgery, adding a health complication to his final period with the company.
WWE expects Escobar to be healed and close to ring-ready by the time his no-compete clause concludes. However, Fightful Select confirmed that WWE will not allow him to use the Performance Center to rehabilitate his injury following his release, despite initial communication that such an arrangement would be possible.
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