Surprise Entrant at Backlash 2023 Explains Missing Out on a Career Best Moment With Stone Cold Steve Austin Due to ‘No Power’

The roof at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot arena was in danger of blowing off during the WWE Backlash PLE. The reason was the surprise return of two compatriots and WWE veterans. They joined hands with another Puerto Rican to aid him in his victory over a fellow countryman. The spectators loved every bit of Carlito and Savio Vega’s cameo as they chased Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio away from the ringside, allowing Bad Bunny to pick up a win over Damian Priest.

However, just hours before his WWE comeback, Vega opened up on a missed opportunity during the New Generation Era in WWE.

Savio Vega sheds light on Caribbean Strap dark match against Stone Cold Steve Austin in 1996

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin is one of the most recognizable pro-wrestlers in the world. With his in-ring abilities and superb mic skills, he became a franchise star for the WWE in the 90s. Going over the WWE Hall of Famer is a feat in itself. Vega managed to pin the star twice within a span of three days. Despite the wins, the 58-year-old had one of his career highlights in the WWE dimmed.

The promotion booked Vega and Austin for a Caribbean Strap match at WWE In Your House: Beware of Dog pay-per-view event on May 26, 1996. Unfortunately, South Carolina was hit by a storm that day. The inclement weather affected proceedings at the Florence Civic Center, where the event took place. Just before their match started, a power outage hit the arena.

“If you see the camera, the director punched the camera on me. That’s the lighting right there. That was like the cue and boom, everything went dark,” Vega told Steve Fall – Ten Count Interviews.

The Puerto Rican grappler explained how the two stars planned their moves after being instructed to carry on with their match. He rued the fact that WWE did not tape the encounter while terming it the best Caribbean Strap match.

“That match was the best Caribbean Strap match we did. It wasn’t live, it wasn’t taped,” he said. According to Vega, who also popularized the heel Kwang gimmick, WWE resorted to using generators for future PPV events.

Vega, who is credited with handing Stone Cold Steve Austin his first singles loss in the WWE, returned back to a PPV (now PLE) event decades later, to help a budding wrestler win.

Savio Vega and Carlito’s return lights up the arena

Perhaps the highlight of the event was Carlito and Savio Vega’s return, which elicited one of the loudest pops of the night. As soon as Carlito’s entry music played, the crowd went wild. The 44-year-old ran to the stage and immediately attacked Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio. Teaming up with Rey Mysterio and the other male members of Latino World Order, and Savio Vega, the former WWE United States Champion, played an important role in Bad Bunny’s victory over Damian Priest.

Read More: Triple H’s Heartfelt Reaction to Bad Bunny’s Incredible Win at Backlash Is the Best Thing You Will See Today

 14-time World Champion Charlotte Flair hailed the return and expressed her delight. “@Litocolon279 carlitoooooo!!!! 👏 👏 🍎 happy for you amigo!!!!!!” The Queen tweeted.

While Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar headlined the event, Bad Bunny’s match was undoubtedly the most entertaining clash of the May 6 PLE. It featured several storylines. Two friends turning on one another, a father clashing with his son, and two factions fighting to win the turf. If those formed the proverbial cake, Carlito and Vega’s return was the cherry on the top.

That said, were you surprised to see Carlito and Savio Vega at Backlash? What are your thoughts about the 58-year-old’s revelation? Let us know in the comments.

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