Lucha Bros Are Headed To The WWE When Their AEW Deals End

The Lucha Bros, also known as Pentagon, Jr. and Rey Fenix, have been part of the AEW roster for the past few years. While the duo won the AEW World Tag Team Championships and the AEW Trios Tag Titles (alongside PAC), both are notable singles performers. In fact, whether he’s going by Pentagon, Jr. or Penta El Zero Miedo, the man has been a star across several promotions. Meanwhile, his brother, Rey, is just as successful.

Of course, while both wrestled across Impact/TNA Wrestling, MLW, PWG, and AAA, among other promotions…the AEW offer was too good to pass up. WWE did offer both men a deal to come to the company when they were free agents, but they chose AEW for a few reasons. The AEW offer offered much more than what WWE was willing to give at that time. On top of that, AEW allows its wrestlers to take independent bookings elsewhere. This meant that a person could technically work for several promotions at one time.

WWE does not allow this, as one is exclusive to WWE when they sign. This is slightly changing, however. WWE is making deals with various promotions worldwide, including most recently places like TNA and CyberFight (they own DDT Pro & Pro Wrestling NOAH). WWE would likely be able to work out a deal with AAA and/or CMLL to allow them to compete there off and on, too, based on their willingness to make a deal.

Therefore, a WWE offer no longer means full exclusivity like it used to. On top of their interest in becoming bigger stars, this has led both men to decline recent AEW offers to re-sign.

THE LUCHA BROS HEADED TO WWE

According to various outlets, including Fightful and The Wrestling Observer, the Lucha Bros have turned down every offer from AEW. Tony Khan (AEW Owner) wants to re-sign the brothers, but they kept delaying this constantly. That might also be why the two are leaving the company for a more professional environment. In July, Konnan tweeted out: “what goes around, comes around 2.”

This was meant to present that Khan’s failure to treat the Lucha Bros properly has led to their departure.

It was a mixed situation, however. While Konnan’s tweet presented a problem of professionalism and use, the brothers were also not looking to re-sign well before Konnan tweeted this out. The brothers have been telling people they have already had talks with WWE. According to those who spoke with Fenix and Penta, the WWE claimed that they would match any offer AEW makes to re-sign them. Penta’s deal expires soon if it hasn’t already. Fenix’s deal expires in September.

While they are great as singles wrestlers, they reportedly told WWE that they want to remain a team. Fightful also claimed that they do not want to be assigned to the NXT Brand. However, WWE usually has talent start here for numerous reasons. Perhaps the most notable reason is that it allows talent to get used to the WWE style of wrestling, which might be necessary for Fenix and Penta.

NXT ASSIGNMENT:

The Lucha Bros are used to working in a mixed style that you might see in Japan or Mexico. While Pentagon, Jr. has a wrestling style that mixes well with WWE’s, Fenix might struggle a bit as he likes to fly around a bit too much. Due to the WWE schedule, he’d need to hold back a bit to avoid injuries. Whereas on TV, he could let loose.

The real issue is that many don’t grasp the WWE structure. They think NXT is “just” a development system. While that is partly what it is, that is not its entire function. NXT is used mostly to introduce talent to their fans who might not know them. It is also helpful to introduce them through NXT because if fans there do know the wrestlers, they’ll pop for them immediately. Fans watching will get used to this and might psychologically find themselves interested in seeing more from the talent.

It is up in the air whether that psychological thinking is based on being tricked by fan cheers or being generally interested. Either way, it works, and these workers can be used as main event talent from the first night going forward. If they debut on RAW or SmackDown, they might get lost in the shuffle soon into things.

This issue is especially true right now. Triple H’s long-term booking technique means he might have things finished creatively for the rest of the year right now. NXT, on the other hand, would be able to use Fenix and Penta immediately. Whether that is as solo acts or as the Lucha Bros tag team, they could become stars for NXT and then hit the main roster next year.

THE STATS FOR PENTAGON, JR. & REY FENIX

As a tag team, the Lucha Bros have won tag titles in AEW on top of companies like PWG, TNA, HOG, AAA, MLW, AAW, and ROH. This makes them one of the most decorated current tag teams on the planet. Yet, as singles competitors, both are dripping with gold.

Penta is a former 2-time Lucha Underground Champion, TNA/Impact World Champion, AAA Latin American Champion, AAW Heavyweight Champion, and AAW Heritage Champion. He has also won several lesser championships and various tournaments. However, his brother has held more major championships. Likely, this is due to being more of a classical luchador, but still.

Fenix is a former AEW International Champion, AAW Heavyweight Champion, AAA World Cruiserweight Champion, AAA Latin American Champion, AAA Mega Champion, AAA Fusion Champion, and Lucha Underground Champion. He’s also the first triple-crown winner in both AAA & Lucha Underground. Like his brother, Fenix has won several lesser championships and tournaments.

THEY MIGHT INFLUENCE LUCHA STYLES:

Many need to be aware that the Lucha Bros are very different in terms of in-ring style. Penta is more of a technical wrestler who employs a lot of holds and submissions. This is seen as the old-school Lucha Libre style, which the heavyweights in Mexico often use. Meanwhile, Fenix is what you think of when you think about a Luchador. You’ll see him fly all over the ring, easily pulling off ariel maneuvers. Interestingly, both men can do similar work as the other. It is just not their main style of wrestling.

Many have claimed that Rey Fenix reminds them a lot of Rey Mysterio. While some might assume this is based on first names, it’s more than that. You can certainly see how similar their in-ring style is. Mysterio hasn’t done as much high-flying work in the 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s compared to what he brought to the table in the 1990s. If you’re looking for a guy who is Mysterio from the ’90s, Rey Fenix is that guy.

Pentagon, Jr. likes the physical, hard-hitting type of match that makes you wince with every move. It is his type of style that people forget about from Lucha Libre. If Penta brings that style to WWE, he would be able to show that you do not have to be a large guy to work a very physical style. He also proves you don’t have to be a heavyweight in Lucha Libre to work this type of style.

Both bring so much with their in-ring work, making them so fun to watch.