Turnaround in the Santos Escobar case: The Mexican has extended his contract with WWE after all—and has apparently negotiated an extremely lucrative deal.
A spectacular turnaround – or just clever poker?
According to consistent media reports, wrestling market leader WWE has averted the impending departure of Mexican Santos Escobar. The 41-year-old has signed a new contract, with reporter Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer referring to it as a “big money deal.”
Escobar had previously allowed his contract to expire, and speculation about a move to rival AEW was fueled by media reports and a mysterious social media post by his AEW colleague Rush, who wrote about wanting to expand his alliance La Faccion Ingobernable (LFI).
Whatever the case may be, Escobar will now remain with both WWE and the Mexican affiliate AAA.
Santos Escobar to remain with WWE after all
The 41-year-old Escobar, son of former Mexican wrestler El Fantasma, signed with WWE in 2019 after previously being a highly decorated star in his home country as the masked El Hijo del Fantasma (Son of the Phantom).
Escobar, also known in the US as King Cuerno from the cult project Lucha Underground, joined WWE with a new name and without a mask. In 2022, he made his debut in the main roster with his group Legado del Fantasma (with Joaquin Wilde, Cruz del Toro, and Zelina Vega).
Escobar began to play a bigger role in the WWE program when he teamed up with the legendary Rey Mysterio and, together with him and his Legado colleagues, revived the LWO (Latino World Order), once founded in the WCW league by the late icon Eddie Guerrero.
The alliance culminated in a breakup that resulted in Escobar’s biggest match in WWE: At WrestleMania 40 in April 2024 in Philadelphia, Escobar teamed up with Rey’s son Dominik against Rey Mysterio and Andrade. Escobar and the young Mysterio lost when two NFL stars from the Eagles interfered to their disadvantage: Lane Johnson and Jason Kelce, Travis’ brother.
WWE has apparently made improvements
Most recently, Escobar had formed a new Legado del Fantasma with the duo Los Garza (Angel and Berto) and competed in several matches in the crossover project between WWE and the Mexican league AAA, which was acquired this year.
However, as Fightful reported, Escobar was apparently dissatisfied with his creative prospects and decided against renewing his contract with WWE—even though he had been offered improved terms.
However, an even better offer has now apparently convinced him to stay. A few days after the AEW comeback of Andrade El Idolo, who was fired by WWE, the market leader has thus prevented another high-profile name that is important for the Latin American market from switching sides.