WWE's New Star Luchador Explained: Who Is Penta?

WWE just signed someone from their competition. For the past few weeks, WWE has been airing teasers in between episodes of Monday Night Raw, featuring the number zero with a slash across. These teasers were synonymous with no clear indicator as to what or who these teasers could be about.

As of Monday Night Raw's premiere on Netflix, WWE has now confirmed that these teasers are about their newest signee, Penta. For weeks, Penta's name floated around in rumors and speculation regarding who these teasers could be about, but the latest teaser showcasing Penta's name and logo confirms this is about the former World Champion.

Penta is best known for his work in All Elite Wrestling, a wrestling company geared toward older audiences often framed as WWE's direct competition. Penta's public and controversial exit from AEW has gifted WWE its newest commodity.

Who Is Penta, WWE's Newest Luchador?

A Contemporary Lucha Libre Star

Penta is a wrestler of many names - Penta El Zero M, Penta El Zero Miedo, Pentagon Dark, Penta Oscuro, etc. - and his real name is still unknown. As Pentagon Jr., he started wrestling in 2004. He slowly worked his way up before joining Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide in 2010. AAA is the biggest wrestling promotion in Mexico, popularized through its '90s partnership with WCW, one of the better ideas Eric Bischoff had at the time. Penta found success and championship gold in AAA, but started to cross overseas once his popularity grew as a part of the Lucha Underground television series.

In Lucha Underground, Penta wrestled prominent names like Rey Mysterio and Ricochet (under his Prince Puma moniker) and even participated in intergender matches against current WWE Superstars IYO SKY and Chelsea Green. Penta's stock rose in the North American market, especially after a brief stint in Impact Wrestling where he'd enjoy a short reign as TNA World Heavyweight Champion. Penta's biggest breakout would arrive in 2019 when he became one of the first members of the AEW roster upon its inception.

Penta would debut alongside his brother, fellow luchador Rey Fenix, in a losing effort against the Young Bucks. Over time, Penta would find steady success, as the Lucha Brothers managed to defeat the Young Bucks at All Out 2021 for the AEW World Tag Team Championship. The following year, they'd win the AEW World Trios Championship alongside Pac (formerly known as Neville when he was still signed to WWE) as a part of their Death Triangle stable.

What Brings Penta to WWE From AEW?

The Drama in All Elite Wrestling

During the summer of 2024, reports would begin circulating that the Lucha Brothers were both WWE-bound, as both of their contracts were about to run out at AEW. Reports suggest that there were plans for Death Triangle to regain the Trios Championship for a second reign at August's All In: London event, but upon learning that the two pair had entered discussions with WWE, plans had changed. Both men's contracts were expected to come to a close in late 2024 November-December, and that ended up being the case for Penta.

However, due to suffering an injury, additional time was added to Fenix's contract with AEW, meaning he wouldn't be eligible for free agency for another year. Fenix, not seen on AEW TV since July, has proceeded to express in several since-deleted X posts that he believes the figureheads of AEW have treated him "inhumanely" by not helping him find medical doctors for his injury despite adding time to his contract. Although it may be a long while before his brother joins him in WWE, Penta will embark on his WWE journey as a singles star.

Penta's Signing With WWE Is Exciting News

Could Penta Be WWE's Next Big Luchador?

Penta is expected to make his official in-ring debut for WWE in next week's episode of Monday Night Raw against Chad Gable, who General Manager Adam Pearce promised to pit against a luchador. Penta's addition to the roster has the potential to replenish a drought of a luchador presence in WWE over the years. Previously, WWE tried to recreate the success of Rey Mysterio with Sin Cara, and then Lucha House Party, but neither endeavor produced significant results.

Today, Dragon Lee is another luchador WWE has signed, but the current WWE Speed Champion has yet to launch his career to a level equal to Mysterio. Andrade and Santos Escobar have also struggled to rise above the midcard in the company. Penta is already immensely popular outside of WWE, and his unique presentation could be what the company needs for their next breakout lucha star. The sky is the limit for Penta, a wrestler with a magnetic personality, in-ring presence, and catchphrases galore. He's the total package, as far as the standards of a WWE Superstar are concerned, and so Penta's ceiling with the company is a high one.