Charly Caruso addresses her WWE exit, heat rumors

On Monday (Mar. 29), ESPN announced Charly Caruso, er, we mean Arnolt... that’s gonna take some getting used to... was joining their network full-time.

That her WWE career was coming to a close was no surprise, especially after reports she had heat backstage for things like showing up late to interviews.

In her first post-WWE interview, Arnolt talked about the decision to leave. Without getting into details, she also shoots down the talk of behind-the-scenes issues with her old employer.

Here’s what Charly told Scott Fishman of TV Insider:

“There is always going to be chatter. The contract was coming up. Instead of renewing, I’m moving on. Everyone is going to have their own opinions regardless. I never had any issues while I was at WWE. Nothing bad happened. As far as I’m concerned, I’m leaving on a positive note and beginning what I believe to be the next step in my career.

“Once I stopped coming to WWE shows a few weeks ago, knowing this move was imminent, I had a lot of people reaching out. I couldn’t tell them yet until ESPN made the announcement. Now that it’s out, everyone has been so excited for me. The biggest thing I’ve heard within WWE is, ‘You deserve it.’ People know how passionate I am about my career. They know it’s a great thing for me, as much as it sucks not being able to see everyone every week. I know my relationship with friends will not be severed. Nia Jax and I have already tentatively planned a girls trip.”

Arnolt does acknowledge how difficult it was on days when she’d host First Take for ESPN and have to fly to Florida to be at Raw. She also continued to be very gracious about her time at WWE:

“I think WWE gave me a great platform and exposure. I was able to make a name for myself. I’m very thankful to gain that.”

Check out Fishman’s entire chat with Charly - including the reveal that the “randomly stopped” Angel Garza angle was one of her favorite memories from her time at WWE - here.