Carlito (wrestler)
| Carlos Colón, Jr. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | February 21 1979 Santurce, Puerto Rico |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Carly Colon Carlos Colon, Jr. Carlos Colone Carly Columbus Carlito Caribbean Cool "Caribbean Cool" Carlito |
| Billed height | 5 ft 11 in (179 cm) |
| Billed weight | 234 lb (108 kg) |
| Billed from | The Caribbean |
| Trained by | Carlos Colon, Sr., Ohio Valley Wrestling |
| Debut | 1999 |
Carlos Colón, Jr. aka Carly Colon (born February 21 1979 in Santurce, Puerto Rico) is a professional wrestler performing for World Wrestling Entertainment on the RAW brand, as well as the World Wrestling Council under the ring name Carlito.
As Carlito, his gimmick involves him, when faced with someone he deemed "not cool", taking a large bite out of an apple, chewing it and then spitting it into their face. His cocky personality and Puerto Rican heritage make him similar to previous WWE character Razor Ramon. He also frequently uses underhanded heel tactics to win matches, including his matches where he won his first United States and Intercontinental Championships. He is easily recognizable by his very large and distinct afro haircut.
After winning the WWE United States Championship in his first televised match, he became one of a few WWE wrestlers who have won a major championship belt on their debut in World Wrestling Entertainment.
Carlito is the son of Puerto Rican legend Carlos Colon, the brother of fellow professional wrestler Eddie Colon and brother of Stacy Colon who has teamed up with Carlito in a few wrestling matches in the WWC. He is also cousins with Orlando Colon, an upcoming independent pro wrestler.
Career
World Wrestling Council
Carly Colon continues to compete in Puerto Rico's World Wrestling Council, where he is currently holding a feud with his brother, Eddy Colon. Using his WWE "Caribbean Cool" gimmick, Carlito has become a much hated heel at WWC, especially after spitting in the face of his own father, Puerto Rican legend Carlos Colon, on the "Llamado de la Sangre" event November, 2004 at Caguas, Puerto Rico.
On March 26 2005, Carlito made his return to the ring (after a forced recess due to a shoulder injury) in a match against his brother in Caguas.
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper defeated Carlito Caribbean Cool on May 20 2005, at the Friday Madness event, held at the Ruben Rodriguez Colisseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The match was inspired by the events that took place at Wrestlemania 21, when Carlito attacked Piper on the Piper's Pit segment.
Carlito will be appearing on a World Wrestling Council show 4/15 in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Carlito will be hosting his "Carlito's Cabana" show. Carlito's guests on the show will be his father Carlos Colon and WWC president Victor Jovica.
Ohio Valley Wrestling
In June of 2003 Carly Colon signed a developmental contract with WWE and was assigned to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), WWE's training territory. In OVW, he was briefly managed by Kenny Bolin.
On December 15, Carly was placed in a special dark match before RAW where he teamed with Brent Dail to face Bart Gunn and Jim Steele.
During his time in OVW, Carly Colon was still wrestling in WWC. In April of 2004, WWE prevented a scheduled match between him and TNA's Abyss, which would have taken place in Puerto Rico.
World Wrestling Entertainment
On October 7 2004 Colon made his debut on SmackDown! as Carlito Caribbean Cool and defeated John Cena to capture the WWE United States Championship. He feuded with Cena for several months, before separating his shoulder. While injured, he had a comical rivalry with SmackDown! general manager Theodore Long.
Carlito made a high profile appearance at WrestleMania 21, interrupting "Piper's Pit." After insulting and attempting to attack both "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and his guest, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Carlito received a Stone Cold Stunner. Carlito later faced Piper at the "Friday Madness" event.
Carlito's appearance on Piper's Pit led to his own interview segment, Carlito's Cabana, starting in April 2005. Carlito feuded with the Big Show before moving to RAW in the 2005 Draft Lottery, winning the Intercontinental Title from Shelton Benjamin in his debut match. He retained the title in several rematches, but lost it to Ric Flair on September 18 2005 at WWE's Unforgiven event.
Carlito lost to Mankind at the second Taboo Tuesday event on November 4 2005. Mankind finished Carlito off with Mr. Socko (for this match, Foley added an Carlito-style afro to Mr. Socko). The following month Carlito was one fifth of the 5-man team for a Smackdown! vs Raw traditional 10-man survivor series tag team match in which he was eliminated via a Clothesline from Hell from John 'Bradshaw' Layfield.
Carlito then began regularily tagging with Chris Masters (though the two tend to be at odds when together) and eventually were awarded a match against Kane and the Big Show for the World Tag Team Championships at Wrestlemania 22. They lost in the opening bout after mis-communication between the two proved costly. During the confrontation, Carlito received face-like remarks. The next night on RAW, after Masters defeated jobber Jason Cross, Carlito came out and attacked Masters from behind.
On the April 10th edition of RAW Carlito came out and did a promo, which was interupted by Masters. Carlito said he could easily break the Master Lock, so he challenged Masters to the Master Lock Challenge. But Carlito refused to put down his apple, and Masters snatched it when he tossed it up. Carlito then took the chair and hit Masters with it when he was turned around discarding the apple. Carlito is scheduled to take on Masters at Backlash 2006.
Finishing and signature moves
- Modified swinging neckbreaker
- Cool-Breaker (Overdrive)
- Figure-four leglock - in OVW
- Double knee backbreaker
- Double springboard turning somersault senton splash
- Lifting reverse STO
- Somersault senton splash
- DDT
- SpinebusterITS AWSOME
Championships and accomplishments
- 10-time WWC Universal Heavyweight Champion
- 2-time WWC World Tag-Team Champion (1-time with Eddie Colon, 1-time with Konnan)
- 1-time WWE Intercontinental Champion
- 1-time WWE United States Champion
Championship succession
Trivia
- According to Dave Meltzer, "The reason Carlito is so fluent in the English language is because his mother is Canadian. Carlos wrestled in several Canadian territories early in his career and they grew up speaking English at home." (as stated in the July 18 2005 issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter).
- Travels on the road with Chris Masters.
- Calito's double knee backbreaker has been unofficially named the "Backcracker" by RAW's play-by-play announcer Joey Styles.
References
External links
- WWE profile
- Caribbean-Cool.com (fan site)
- Carlito Knows Cool (fan site)