WWE Rumors on CM Punk Backstage and Mr. Iguana's Contract, Carlito Becomes Free Agent

Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.

CM Punk Reportedly Had Opt-Out Opportunity for Night of Champions

While a battle between John Cena and CM Punk was inevitable at some point during Cena's farewell run, a subset of WWE fans were disappointed to learn the match will be on the Night of Champions card.

Punk has shown support for social causes in the past, and his participation in a Saudi Arabia-based show is a stark contrast from that.

Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio (via Wrestling Inc's Sam Palmer) that Punk "could not go if he really wanted to not go." The 46-year-old has sufficient pull behind the scenes to where he'd unlikely face any consequences if he didn't want to wrestle in Saudi Arabia and opted out.

"He was going months ago," Meltzer reported. "I had already asked about that when, a couple of months ago, when the show was first talked about and he was in the original promo package and then he was taken out of the promo package and I asked, 'Am I supposed to see when Seth Rollins replaced him in that promo package that he's not going?' And it's like, 'No, he's going.'"

One steady theme that remains true in the wrestling business across multiple generations is that past history and personal beliefs can be set aside when there's money to be made.

Mr. Iguana Reportedly 'Finalizing' WWE Contract

A lot of fans discovered Mr. Iguana for the first time when they tuned into Worlds Collide, the joint show between WWE and AAA.

Mr. Iguana teamed with Octagón Jr. and Aero Star to beat the Latino World Order and Lince Dorado in the opener. His unique look, the crowd reaction for him, and his in-ring ability helped him stand out in the match.

Expect to see Iguana a little more on WWE programming. Fightful Select (via Subhojeet Mukherjee of Ringside News) reported he's "finalizing a deal with WWE."

The AAA star may have already rubbed some the wrong way before he's officially a WWE wrestler. He gave the impression to Línea Directa TV he'll bypass NXT and head straight to Raw or SmackDown. The remark reportedly generated some heat backstage.

WWE's plans for Mr. Iguana are unclear at this stage.

Carlito Officially a Free Agent After Expiration of WWE Deal

Carlito confirmed Saturday he's "back in business" and "fully available" after his WWE contract expired.

The former United States and Intercontinental champion last had a televised match on WWE in April, and that was in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. He nonetheless maintained an on-screen presence with The Judgment Day.

Carlito first posted on June 1 his time with WWE was running out in two weeks. Whereas the company made a shocking U-turn after releasing R-Truth, it appears there's no such twist to come this time.

While still under contract with WWE, Carlito competed at WWC's Summer Madness show, beating Ray Gonzalez in the main event. It's safe to assume he'll be showing up there a little more frequently, and he sounds receptive to other independent opportunities.