By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

Carlos Colon, the legendary wrestling promoter in Puerto Rico and father of former WWE wrestler Carlito, says his son has developed a painkiller addiction and he refused to enter rehab under WWE's watch.

Carlito was released by WWE last week, with the announcement coming on Friday. WWE claimed the firing was due to Carlito's first Wellness Policy violation and his refusal to enter rehab.

Carlos told a Puerto Rican newspaper that Carlito "started using one or two for his back pain, but it seems that the situation has become much more serious and needs help."

Speaking to the Primera Hora newspaper, Carlos said, "When WWE ask him if he would go to the rehabilitation program he did not accept as he did not recognize he had a problem witch caused his dismissal despite being only their first violation."

Carlos also claimed WWE would welcome Carlito back to WWE if he accepts a rehab offer. "But it is up to him to accept that and want to improve and get out of this situation," Carlos said.

The newspaper story noted the recent deaths of Andrew "Test" Martin and Eddie "Umaga" Fatu as part of the well-documented trend in pro wrestling where wrestlers have died young related to prescription pill abuse.

Also in the story, Carlos shot down any ideas that Carlito was released for other drug use. "I want to clarify that Carlito was not suspended for using cocaine, or heroin or marijuana, but for abuse of painkillers, which is not unusual with the wrestlers due to the cause of the falls and blows in the ring that cause pain, combined with the constant traveling," Carlos said.

Thanks to Torch reader Luis Cuevas for translating. The original story in Spanish can be read on Primera Hora's website.

Caldwell's Analysis: That qualification from Carlos Colon that using painkillers isn't a big deal because it's "not unusual for wrestlers" to use painkillers as part of their job is part of a serious, serious problem in pro wrestling. Everyone does it, so it must be okay. The mentality that using painkillers to the point of addiction just to continue working has to be eliminated. It has to. Otherwise, the cycle will continue with wrestlers continuing to die young from pain pill addiction. WWE also has to take a hard look at how much they're pushing talent on the full-time schedule. It's a brutal schedule with no light at the end of the tunnel and when a wrestler "gets behind," it's easy to try a shortcut just to keep going.

We suggest these recent related articles...

WWE NEWS: Superstars SPOILERS - Results from Chicago Raw

WWE NETWORK: Monday, Oct. 12 Schedule - Raw pre-show, Sting DVD preview

WWE NEWS: Lana & Rusev reportedly engaged - follow the interesting 2015 timeline