WWE house shows are renowned for their thrilling matches and surprising moments, and this past Saturday’s Road to WrestleMania live event in Oakland, California, delivered just that. Among the highlights was the end of a former champion’s lengthy losing streak after an impressive 5,083 days.
The wrestler in focus is none other than Carlito, who marked his return to the WWE stage last year. Since then, the former United States Champion has been a significant figure on WWE SmackDown and a key member of the Latino World Order faction. Currently embroiled in a feud with Legado Del Fantasma, Carlito’s presence has been felt across the wrestling landscape.
In a highly anticipated showdown at the recent Road to WrestleMania event, the 44-year-old squared off against Austin Theory in a thrilling singles match.
It marked Carlito’s first solo bout at a house show in over a decade, and he didn’t disappoint. With a little assistance from R-Truth, Carlito secured a victory over the former NXT star, much to the delight of his fans.
This win also signaled a significant milestone for the Puerto Rican wrestler, marking his first singles victory on the live circuit since March 19, 2010. Following his return, Carlito had primarily competed in multi-man tag matches alongside his LWO stablemates Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro.
@_Theory1 vs @Litocolon279 is next on #WWEOakland #WWE #Carlito pic.twitter.com/xmvolkInIG
— Tony Fury (@RealTonyFury) February 18, 2024
The WWE Road to WrestleMania event offered a stacked card, showcasing talent from both brands. Alongside Carlito’s victory over Austin Theory, the night featured several other exciting matches, including a title bout where Gunther defended his IC title against Chad Gable.
Here are the complete results from the event:
– LA Knight defeated Solo Sikoa
– Nia Jax defeated Maxxine Dupri
– Carlito defeated Austin Theory (with interference from R-Truth)
– WWE Intercontinental Title Match – Gunther (c) vs. Chad Gable ended in a DQ
– Chad Gable and The New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston) defeated Imperium
– Omos defeated Akira Tozawa
– Asuka defeated Michin
– Cody Rhodes defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in a Street Fight
Matches on the live circuit often serve as a precursor to potential feuds, and Carlito’s victory over Austin Theory could hint at an upcoming rivalry. However, before that unfolds, Carlito must navigate his ongoing conflict with Santos Escobar and his faction on SmackDown.
