WWE has made one last-minute change to the Survivor Series 2023 match card. Veteran LWO member Carlito has been ruled out of the premium live event in Chicago. Nick Aldis broke the news on last night’s SmackDown after Santos Escobar brutally attacked Carlito during a segment on the show.
Speaking backstage, WWE SmackDown General Manager Aldis said that Carlito was not cleared to compete at WWE Survivor Series 2023. As a result, he either needed a replacement or the match would have been called off. Just when it looked like WWE would cancel the match, former NXT Superstar Dragon Lee stepped up.
Lee, who has grown up idolizing LWO leader Rey Mysterio as his hero, accepted the challenge. Nick Aldis asked him if he was sure, and the former NXT star replied in affirmative. Hence, WWE made the change. Now, tonight at Survivor Series, Carlito will not be competing, but instead of him, Dragon Lee will lock horns with Santos Escobar.
Carlito could have competed in his first PLE match in almost 13 years at WWE Survivor Series 2023
WWE Universe had a mixed reaction to this last-minute change. Most of the fans were disappointed because they wanted to see Carlito wrestle his first singles match on a premium live event in almost 13 years. He has only made surprise appearances or competed in multi-man matches on the previous premium live events of his second stint.
With Rey Mysterio injured, fans had high hopes from Carlito to save LWO’s pride against Santos Escobar. However, the Caribbean Cool will have to watch Survivor Series from a local medical facility now. It will be interesting to see how Dragon Lee performs in the biggest match of his WWE career so far.
Here are some of the best X reactions to Dragon Lee replacing Carlito in the Survivor Series match card:
Carlito should’ve stayed doing his indie shows
— Slick Rick (@SlickyRicky1995) November 25, 2023
This match is gonna be a banger
— Cory (@Cory_Hays407) November 25, 2023
I wanted Carlito it was a match that really hyped me up.
— Donovan De Bruyne (@Dovman64) November 25, 2023
What is this last minute change? I wanted to see Carlito in action
— Vikram Nayak (@allsportjacks) November 25, 2023
Interesting match considering they are trying to push both santos and dragon lee but I’m going for Santos to pick up the win
— Connor Moore (@ConnorAFC96) November 25, 2023
Can't wait to watch this banger 🔥
— Mian Laraib Ahmed (@M_Laraib360) November 25, 2023
Dragon Lee already on PLE look at his RISE pic.twitter.com/HHhWqBLPVa
— LuvYT (@LuvYT_) November 25, 2023
Match of the night
— KSG (@KSG504__) November 25, 2023
So happy to see Dragon Lee get his first PLE match, but at the same time, Carlito will have to wait much more now for his first singles PLE match. The last was around 13 years ago!
— Wrestle Tracker (@wrestletracker1) November 25, 2023
Still gonna be a banger don't get me wrong. But Escobar can't lose this and Dragon Lee shouldn't be losing yet
— Deon (-_•) (@DStrydom06) November 25, 2023
