Santos Escobar Reportedly Signs ‘Significantly Higher’ WWE Contract After Deal Expired

One day after reports circulated that Santos Escobar’s WWE contract expired, the veteran Superstar reportedly agreed to a new deal with the company on Wednesday.

According to PWInsider.com (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News), WWE made Escobar an offer that was “significantly higher” than previous ones, which led to the two sides coming to terms.

PWInsider.com (h/t Carrier) previously reported that Escobar’s WWE contract was up at midnight ET on Tuesday, meaning he was officially a free agent for at least a short period of time.

It was also noted by PWInsider.com (h/t Carrier) that while WWE had upped its financial offer for Escobar before his deal expired, he turned it down due to concerns about how he would be utilized.

Once Escobar’s contract expired, Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Felix Upton of Ringside News) reported that multiple people within WWE expected Escobar to sign with AEW.

That would have marked the second major WWE-to-AEW defection recently, as Andrade returned to AEW last week after getting released by WWE.

However, Escobar and WWE reportedly reached a new pact, meaning the 41-year-old’s six-year tenure with the promotion has been extended.

Escobar’s greatest success in WWE came as part of the NXT brand. He won the Cruiserweight Championship shortly after his debut, and he created the Legado del Fantasma stable.

Things haven’t gone quite as smoothly for Escobar since getting called up to the main roster in 2022, although he has had his moments.

Escobar spent some time as a member of the LWO before turning on Rey Mysterio. That led to a tag team match at WrestleMania 40 that saw Rey and Andrade beat Escobar and Dominik Mysterio.

Santos reformed Legado del Fantasma with Angel and Berto, and in recent months, he has primarily served as a manager for Angel and Berto with his in-ring opportunities being few and far between.

However, with the Mexican star inking a deal to remain in WWE, it suggests that both sides are satisfied with the plans that are in place for him in the future.