Illawarra pro-wrestling fans can enjoy a dose of "cool" this weekend, when former World Wrestling Entertainment star Carlito performs in Wollongong.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Carlito, also known as Carlito Caribbean Cool, is a former WWE Superstar and from a legendary Puerto Rican pro-wrestling family.
He's the son of WWE Hall of Famer Carlos Colon.
The 40-year-old (real name Carlos 'Carly' Colon) initially worked his way through the ranks in his father's wrestling promotion.
"Every job I've had has been wrestling-related," he told the Mercury.
"Everything I did was around my Dad's promotion.
'I started working in the canteen, then I started hocking beer, from there I went to being the cameraman, and I think from there I graduated to wrestler. I've been wrestling ever since."
Now based in Texas, Colon said he still returned to Puerto Rico to wrestle at his father's shows.
"Every region has their different styles of wrestling and what the fans like," he said.
"Puerto Rico, they like the violence. They appreciate the pretty moves and the flips, but they just like to see the good guy beat up the bad guy, and see the bad guy suffer.
"They've calmed down from the older days when they used to throw batteries at the bad guys. They used to throw urine and all kinds of stuff. It's a lot tamer now."
Colon first signed a developmental deal with WWE in 2003, and he followed in the footsteps of Pedro Morales to become the second Puerto Rican to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
He also won the tag team titles with his brother, Primo, who is still signed to WWE.
Colon left WWE in 2010, and has been plying his trade on the independent circuit.
As for whether he would ever return to WWE, or join the upstart All Elite Wrestling promotion, he said he was "open to whatever".
"I'm happy doing what I'm doing now, but I'm always open to listen to offers," he said.
"But it's not the be all, end all. If something comes up, great, if not I'm having a blast doing what I'm doing right now."
In recent years, the independent wrestling scene has enjoyed a major resurgence in popularity in Australia and internationally.
"In seems like the independent scene is as big as it's ever been, (since) the old days of the territories," Colon said.
"It's easier now for promotions to survive. You don't need television, you don't need national TV - social media seems to be doing most of the work these days.
"And there's so much talent out there these days."
-Carlito will headline Rock 'n' Roll Wrestling's show at City Diggers, Wollongong on Saturday, July 6 at 6.30pm.
Tickets here.
Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
