Former WWE interviewer Charly Caruso joining ESPN full-time

Image: ESPN

Former WWE broadcast team member Charly Caruso (real name Charly Arnolt) is joining ESPN on a full-time basis.

It was announced today that, as part of a new, multi-year contract extension with ESPN, Arnolt is joining ESPN full time starting in early April. Arnolt first began working for ESPN in 2018 but had remained with WWE until she stopped appearing on WWE television in recent weeks.

In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer confirmed that Arnolt was no longer with WWE:

Charly Caruso (Charly Arnolt, 33) is gone from the company. There have been conflicting reports, some that she was fired and others that she simply won’t be used until the expiration of her contract. She was replaced by Kevin Egan, who is known as Kevin Patrick, in the role of backstage interviewer and host of Raw Talk. She was last used on 2/22. Fightful reported it was due to being late for interviews with [Randy] Orton and Sheamus, who complained about it. The only thing we were told is that she had too much heat with too many people. She had been with the company since August 2016 and also had done work for ESPN since 2018, including currently hosting a women’s version of PTI on the station using her real name. Before being pulled from television she had turned down a new long-term contract some time back and had been looking at non-wrestling projects.

ESPN wrote that, in addition to being a co-host of the First Take, Her Take podcast, Arnolt will “continue to contribute to select editions of ESPN’s morning debate show First Take and the network’s signature news and information show, SportsCenter. Arnolt will regularly appear on ESPN+’s weekday morning show, SportsNation along with other digital shows across the industry-leading sports streaming service as well.”

“It is so incredibly exciting to become a full-time member of the ESPN family,” Arnolt said. “I look forward to continuing to grow with such a talented group of professionals and I can’t wait for all the opportunities that lie ahead.”

“From radio and podcasts to TV and streaming, Charly continues to thrive across any platform she pursues,” David Roberts, ESPN senior vice president, production said. “We are excited to have her join ESPN full time and interact with fans even more regularly across the network.”

In an Instagram post today, Arnolt thanked those in WWE who she’s connected with over last four-plus years and thanked the WWE fans:

I am SO excited to announce I have accepted a full-time position with ESPN! It feels so rewarding to take this next step in my career with a company that has really fostered my growth, and given me a bounty of huge opportunities, since first bringing me on board in 2018.

As I take this monumental next step in my career, I can’t do so without thanking so many of the people at WWE who I’ve spent the last nearly 5 years with. Thank you to those on and off camera who I had the chance to connect with not only professionally, but personally. Some true gems! And of course, thank you to the WWE Universe, a network of some of the most loyal fans in the world. I hope you all continue to stay in touch because your encouragement means everything! Lastly, thank you so very much to my family and friends who have believed in me and my dreams every step of the way. It’s been quite the journey! I love you all

All my love, Charly Arnolt FKA Charly Caruso