Real Reason Claudio 'CSRO' Castagnoli Isn't Wrestling Right Now
The former Cesaro hasn't set foot in a ring since leaving WWE, but could that change soon?
While we haven't seen or heard much from Claudio Castagnoli (the former Cesaro) since he left WWE nearly three months ago, it appears like there might be some good reason for that.
Fightful Select reports that although CSRO (a moniker Castagnoli filed a trademark for after leaving WWE) hasn't popped up in any wrestling companies since leaving WWE, it's not due to a lack of interest. Claudio was not bound by the typical 90-day no-compete clause because his contract simply expired, but several promoters have said that he hasn't accepted their overtures for wrestling appearances or signings, or he simply hasn't even responded to their requests.
Some promoters told Fightful that CSRO priced himself out of potential bookings, though that could be a strategic move. Some wrestlers have intentionally used a high asking price to whittle down offers while they recover at home after the grueling travel schedule, and hopefully secure a good deal. One promoter told Fightful that they believe they will be able to land Castagnoli for a July signing, so it doesn't sound like he's vanished into the ether.
In fact, CSRO recently tweeted a very simple message to fans that, while cryptic, seemed to hint that we might not have to wait much longer to see what's next from him...
Soon… pic.twitter.com/v5GM4nLz5j
Advertisement— Swiss (@ClaudioCSRO) May 8, 2022
The shirt could be strongly hinting at a coffee-related project, especially since his trademark application was in part for "coffee, coffee beans" and other coffee-related products.
Of course, there's also been multiple theories about Claudio's wrestling future, including one that he's already quietly joined AEW and is posing as a cameraman, or that he could be the "joker" in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament to face Samoa Joe on next week's AEW Dynamite.