Real Reason Behind Santos Escobar’s WWE Exit – A new report has revealed further details behind Santos Escobar’s decision to leave WWE and his choice to decline a new contract offer from the company, despite a proposed salary increase.
According to PWInsider, WWE management recently approached Escobar with an offer to extend his existing deal. The proposal included a raise, but insiders stated that Escobar had already made it clear that money was not the deciding factor in his decision. Instead, the former Legado del Fantasma leader reportedly turned down the new terms because he wanted assurances regarding his creative direction within the company. Escobar was said to be more concerned about his long-term trajectory than financial gain.
Sources close to the matter emphasized that Escobar’s departure was not driven by frustration over his television time or overall position in WWE. Rather, the 38-year-old wanted to ensure that his character would continue to evolve with a meaningful storyline. He reportedly expressed that he did not want to remain under a lengthy deal if there was no concrete plan for his future. Those familiar with the discussions noted that he was looking for stability and purpose, not just a paycheck.
Escobar’s current WWE contract is expected to expire at midnight tonight, officially making him a free agent once the deal ends. Although a last-minute attempt to retain him could occur, internal expectations within WWE were reportedly low as of Monday afternoon.
Escobar’s final WWE appearance took place at Worlds Collide in June, where he teamed with Los Garza in a six-man tag match against El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., Pagano, and Psycho Clown. His last SmackDown match happened on May 2, where he was defeated by Rey Fenix.
Having first signed with WWE in 2019, Escobar built a strong reputation through his leadership of Legado del Fantasma in NXT before joining the main roster as part of the Latino World Order (LWO). His impending free agency has already attracted early interest from several wrestling promotions eager to sign the seasoned performer.
