WWE veteran's return after 6467 days teased by the man himself; hints at major change in role following recent events
A longtime wrestling veteran recently teased the possibility of returning to WWE after 6,467 days. Vito opened up about managing Tony D'Angelo and The D'Angelo Family on NXT days after The Don of NXT took home the North American Championship.
The Family currently has four members: D'Angelo, Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo, Adriana Rizzo, and Luca Crusifino. D'Angelo has served as the leader since it was formed in 2022. He has won the NXT Tag Team Championship with Lorenzo twice, as well as the NXT Heritage Cup.
Last week, The Don of NXT became the first person to beat Oba Femi and won the NXT North American Championship. Fast forward to Sunday's recent episode of Rewind, Recap, Relive, Vito expressed his interest in serving as the manager of The Family, especially Tony D'Angelo.
"If I had Tony D'Angelo to manage him and guide him, and groom him, he would be a champion on the next level because he's got the tools. This is not to say anything about the other three people who are in the group. They have a good look, they're hard workers, but they focus on him. … How could you be a Don status if you're just starting out in the business? When somebody who's been through all the business and been a leader in multiple groups, that's the guy you want to have in your corner. Because I can always pull something out of my hat, and I can always pull something. I have something up my sleeve, and I can still bring us to the promised land but make him better," Vito said. [From 1:00 - 2:02]
Vito had two stints with WWE in the early 1990s and the mid-2000s. His second stint ended on May 15, 2007, when he was released by the company. His last match on WWE television took place 6,467 days ago on the January 30, 2007, episode of SmackDown against Mr. Kennedy.
Vito opened up about wrestling in WWE in the 1990s
Speaking to Wrestling, Inc. back in 2019, Vito was asked about his first stint in WWE in the early 1990s. The 60-year-old wrestling veteran performed as an enhancement talent and had matches against stars such as Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, and the British Bulldog.
"A lot of people don't remember, but I started out in WWF in 1991 as Skull Von Krush. Starting off there and having your first match against The Rockers and then Bret Hart, Bulldog, and Boss Man. You're working along the stars, and they are teaching you. Being in that environment? I'm here, but I'm not here," Vito said.
Vito initially retired in 2014 but came back to the independent circuit in 2022. He last wrestled on June 29 at WOW Extreme Heat 2024 in New York.