The WWE Universe made their voices heard during Monday Night Raw, delivering a clear message about their feelings regarding recent talent departures. Fans throughout the arena repeatedly called for released superstars, creating an atmosphere that WWE couldn’t ignore despite their attempts to move forward without acknowledgment.
R-Truth Chants Dominate Raw Arena
Throughout multiple matches on Raw, the crowd consistently broke into chants for R-Truth. The vocal support wasn’t limited to isolated sections of the arena – instead, these demonstrations appeared to come from the majority of attendees.
Fans cycled through various chants including “We Want Truth,” “We Want R-Truth,” and Truth’s signature “What’s Up” catchphrase. The persistent nature of these chants demonstrated the genuine connection R-Truth had built with the WWE audience over his lengthy tenure.
Carlito Also Gets Fan Support
While not as widespread as the R-Truth chants, fans also voiced their support for another recently departed talent. During the match between Judgment Day’s Raquel Rodriguez and Kairi Sane, a “Where’s Carlito” chant emerged from the crowd.
The timing of this chant during a Judgment Day match wasn’t coincidental, given Carlito’s recent association with the stable before his departure from WWE.
WWE’s Silent Treatment Strategy
WWE’s approach to handling these departures on television remained consistent throughout the broadcast. The company made no direct references to either R-Truth or Carlito’s exits from the organization during any segment.
This strategy aligns with WWE’s typical handling of talent departures, where they prefer to move forward without drawing additional attention to contract situations or releases.
Subtle Acknowledgments in Judgment Day Segments
Despite the official silence, eagle-eyed fans noticed some subtle nods to Carlito’s absence. During a backstage segment featuring the Judgment Day in their clubhouse, Dominik Mysterio wore a Carlito t-shirt – a gesture that didn’t go unnoticed by the wrestling community.
Another small detail that fans picked up on was the absence of the PlayStation 5 that had become a regular fixture in the Judgment Day clubhouse. The missing gaming console led to speculation that Carlito had taken it with him upon his departure.
No Explanation for Carlito’s Absence
Throughout the Judgment Day segments, Carlito simply wasn’t present without any storyline explanation for his whereabouts. The stable continued their usual antics and plotlines as if his recent involvement had never occurred.
This abrupt transition highlighted the challenge wrestling promotions face when real-life contract situations intersect with ongoing television storylines.
Sarah Logan Joins Departure List
The departures weren’t limited to just R-Truth and Carlito. Sarah Logan, who performed under the Valhalla character, announced on social media that WWE had informed her that her contract wouldn’t be renewed.
Logan’s announcement came on the same day as Raw, adding another name to the growing list of talent experiencing similar contract situations with WWE.
Fan Reaction Reflects Genuine Connection
The organic nature of the crowd chants throughout Raw demonstrated something WWE executives should take note of – these weren’t manufactured reactions or small group protests. Instead, they represented genuine audience investment in performers who had built real connections with the fanbase.
R-Truth’s decades-long career had endeared him to multiple generations of wrestling fans, while Carlito’s recent return to WWE had reminded audiences why they enjoyed his work in the first place. With WWE clearly feeling the pressure from their own audience about these departures, will the company reconsider their approach to talent retention, or will they continue moving forward without addressing the elephant in the room?
