By Midnight Tonight, Santos Escobar WWE Contract Will Expire And No New Contract Is Coming
Another one bites the dust? It looks like Santos Escobar’s time in the WWE might be coming to a rather unceremonious end. If you’ve been scrolling through his social media lately, you’ve probably noticed some cryptic, shall we say, ominous posts. An hourglass emoji here, a sharp-dressed photo there. It’s the classic pro wrestler playbook for “my contract is almost up, and I’m not happy.”
How This News Got Reported
A new report from the ever-reliable Sean Ross Sapp at Fightful Select seems to confirm what many of us were already thinking. Escobar’s WWE contract is reportedly set to expire “very soon,” and it doesn’t sound like he’s rushing to sign on the dotted line for a new one. According to the report, WWE did make attempts to re-sign him, but he apparently passed on their offers. Ouch. You have to respect a guy who knows his worth and isn’t afraid to bet on himself.
Let’s be honest, can you really blame him? The man has been treated like an afterthought for months. The leader of Legado Del Fantasma, a former NXT Cruiserweight Champion, has been relegated to what feels like a glorified managerial role for most of 2025. His last televised match was way back in May, where he took a loss to Rey Fenix on SmackDown. Since then? Poof. Vanished into thin air, only to be seen in a six-man tag match at a non-televised WWE Supershow in Mexico back in July. Hardly the main event picture, is it?
What Went Wrong for Santos Escobar in WWE?
It’s a classic WWE story, isn’t it? A talented, charismatic superstar comes in with a world of potential, gets a decent run in NXT, and then gets lost in the creative shuffle on the main roster. Escobar had all the tools: the look, the in-ring skill, and a compelling character. Legado Del Fantasma was a hot act in NXT, and WWE failed Escobar with his call up to main roster.
Instead, his six-year run with the company feels like a story of untapped potential. Honestly, Escobar was done the moment Elektra Lopez was released in February 2025. That took away a key part of the Legado Del Fantasma faction and it was downhill from there.
While his stablemates Berto and Angel were recently on SmackDown getting a competitive match, Escobar was nowhere to be found. It’s a baffling case of creative malpractice. How do you take a guy with his pedigree and essentially bench him during his prime? It feels like the company just didn’t know what to do with him, which is a failure on their part, not his.
Where Could Escobar Go Next?
If and when Santos Escobar becomes a free agent, he won’t be sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring. The man has a laundry list of accomplishments outside the WWE bubble. Wrestling fans will remember him as the formidable King Cuerno in Lucha Underground, a promotion that showcased his unique style perfectly. Before that, as El Hijo del Fantasma, he built a stellar reputation across major promotions like CMLL, AAA, and even had a stint in TNA Wrestling.
At 41, he’s still in phenomenal shape and has a wealth of experience that any promotion would be lucky to have. Could we see him pop up in AEW, facing off against some of the world’s best? A return to the Mexican wrestling scene where he is a legend? Could he go to NJPW or stick to the independent circuit? The possibilities are endless, and you can bet that promoters are already lining up to make him an offer.
