Savio Vega has been a consistent figure in the world of wrestling since the mid 80’s, especially on the island of Puerto Rico. A figure that first exploded in popularity in 1990 as TNT, being just as popular as Carlos Colon before politics stopped him. He would find his way into the WWF where he would play pivotal roles in the development of wrestling megastars The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. He then returned to the island of Puerto Rico where he would reign yet again in the new IWA promotion which would re-invent wrestling for the island through the 2000s before he would eventually become its owner. In short, while he may not seem like a major figure to a US-based fan, he’s a cornerstone of Puerto Rico’s wrestling scene. Behind the WWC owners of Carlos Colon and Victor Jovica, he is the island’s most powerful booker.
On December 13, Savio Vega appeared on former WWC booker and manager Jose Chaparro’s wrestling podcast, “Como Yo Lo Haria” (How I Would Do It). During his appearance on the show, he expressed his frustration with the local wrestling news media, before naming a specific target: YouTube content creator Carlos Toro. Near the end of the podcast, unprompted and after a long plug for IWA’s upcoming event, Savio Vega criticized local wrestling news sites. Saying these sites make a profit off his work and refers to it as stealing from him. He added the only way he would allow anyone to cover IWA, would be if they worked for him. If they paid $500. And even so, he does not want to work with Carlos Toro. Savio added that he “nabbed 4 of Toro’s ’employees” in the last show.
Carlos Toro has been one of the island’s more prominent wrestling content creators since 2015. Noted for his quick and to-the-point videos detailing the happenings in local wrestling as well as WWE and AEW. He also dabbles outside of wrestling, particularly showing his affinity for the NBA. Toro has been known for being very extensive on his content. One of the only few to cover the majority of wrestling on the island and has won the respect of many notable wrestling figures on the island. He however does work with only two other collaborators at present time in the form of Southamerican, Douglas Bigno. Who does not reside in Puerto Rico. The other is Daniel Portela. Who also covers other local sports as an official sportscaster and commentator. He has no other official collaborators.
Toro would reply to Savio Vega’s allegations on his personal YouTube, believing that the wrestling legend may have confused him with a different influencer who was known for sitting in the front row and filming the event seemingly with no consequence. The very next day, he would make an appearance on the already mentioned Jose Chaparro podcast, repeating his stance and asking for Savio Vega to communicate with him directly to try to solve his grievances. He would also indicate that from December 23 onward, following his channel’s ‘End Of Year’ awards, he would stop covering IWA. In order to avoid further issue.
Following IWA’s ‘Hardcore Christman Weekend in PR’ this past Saturday, December 17th, Carlos Toro made a short video, discussing the results of the event. As he said, he would stop discussing the company following December 23rd. But just hours later, at 1am in the morning, Savio, still in the building where the event took place, did a livestream on his official Facebook page. Where he proceeded to have a short, 4 minute outburst. After noting the time and the fact that he is still in the arena, the former WWF wrestler criticized Toro for already announcing results from the event on his platforms. This was followed by explicit language where Savio cursed out the content creator in English and then flipping him off. Savio would immediately end the livestream there. And about a day later, delete the video.
Not long after the controversy, of all to step up, WWC wound up involved when their official Facebook page randomly promoted a “diss” video directed towards Carlos Toro on December 21. The next day, at 7am, the video was posted. And it turned out to be a trolling effort. Where the former WWC Universal Champion and top heel of the company, Xavant, simply chastised Toro in a tongue-in-cheek manner. Telling him that if he had just stuck to covering “La Nueva Orden” (The New Order), his stable, he wouldn’t fall into trouble. Of course, that’s what he’s paid for. A line said to knock Savio Vega’s belief that the influencer makes a living off this endeavor. The thumbnail of the video also pokes fun at the situation. As it shows the YouTube personality proudly standing next to a very nice old-school muscle car. Further digging at Savio Vega’s claims that Toro is capable of having several people under payroll to film events.
This story is actually still developing. As it was revealed that Carlos Toro has been booked to appear at WWC’s Euphoria event this coming Epiphany, January 6th. A major holiday when both WWC and IWA run what’s typically 2 of their biggest events of the year. While it’s not official that Carlos Toro will have an official involvement in the event, it’s hinted that he may play a role in the semi-main event “Lucha de Apuestas (betting match)” where Xavant gambles his hair against babyface authority figure Ray Gonzalez’ position as ‘director of operations’. The match is slated to have two guest referee’s, each being hand-picked by each participant of the match.
Typically, when it comes to working with pro wrestling in Puerto Rico, there tends to be more communication between the two sides than in the United States. The more notable “brands” on the island are more akin to publicists than news writers, more focused on a well-done production that promotes a brand/promotion rather than breaking news or analyzing a topic like you’d see from the United States. This has led to both sides communicating far more often and wrestling promoters having a tendency to dictate what can (or should) be published and what can’t, to their own benefit.
This has become a very rare case where a company comes to the aid of such a figure. Not only publicly defending them, but involving them in a story. Sure, the issue may seem like a way to spite a rival booker and promotion. The IWA and WWC used to work together just prior to the pandemic before a business deal between the two and the upstart LAWE seemed to burn bridges. But in the end, ironically enough, the biggest benefactor is Carlos Toro, who may very well end up with that payroll Savio Vega insisted he had.
