Rusev believes Penta has every quality needed to succeed at the highest level in WWE, and he sees a potential world championship reign for the masked star as a positive development for the entire company.
Since returning to WWE in 2025, Rusev has had multiple opportunities to share the ring with Penta. Their WWE encounters have only strengthened an admiration that began during their earlier time working together in AEW. Speaking on TMZ Inside The Ring, Rusev described himself as a longtime supporter of Penta and reflected on the immediate impression that Penta and his brother Rey Fenix made on him.
“I’ve been a fan of Penta since the other company we worked for before,” Rusev said. “CJ can tell you that as soon as I came back after the first or second show I was there, I bragged to her about these two guys, the Lucha Bros. They were just so unbelievable, they’re like live action figures. Penta is just so cool, he looks like a Mortal Kombat character.”
That description gets to the core of Penta’s appeal. He has always possessed a striking visual identity, from the mask and ring gear to the deliberate mannerisms that precede his explosive offense. His presentation has helped make him immediately recognizable, but it is only part of what has connected with audiences. Penta’s style combines lucha libre movement, dramatic timing, aggression and a willingness to make every major moment feel important. Whether he is competing in a singles match or standing alongside Rey Fenix as one half of the Lucha Bros., he carries himself like a featured attraction.
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Rusev’s comments come after Penta’s recent Money in the Bank victory, a win that places him in a potentially pivotal position in WWE’s championship landscape. Holding the Money in the Bank contract gives Penta the ability to challenge for a world title at a time and place of his choosing. It is a major career opportunity for any WWE performer, and it has naturally fueled discussion about whether Penta could soon take the next step and become a world champion.
For Rusev, there is little doubt about whether Penta deserves that opportunity. He made clear that he enjoys working with him while also recognizing the level of entertainment Penta brings to the audience.
“I think he deserves it 100%. I love working with Penta, I love kicking his ass. I know how entertaining he is and how cool he is. I’m a big fan of him. If he’s becoming a champion, I will be more than happy for him and for the business in general, it’s good for the business.”
Penta’s Money in the Bank win raises the stakes
Money in the Bank is often viewed as a career-altering prize because it does more than establish a contender. The briefcase creates immediate leverage. Its holder can wait for the right champion, exploit a vulnerable moment after a difficult title defense or announce a match in advance and use the looming contract to reshape a division. The uncertainty is central to its value, and Penta now has that uncertainty working in his favor.
His win also reinforces the degree of confidence attached to him as a singles performer. Penta has built much of his reputation through tag team wrestling, particularly as part of the Lucha Bros., but his individual charisma has long stood out. A Money in the Bank victory puts a sharper focus on what he can accomplish on his own. It asks audiences to consider him not simply as a dynamic wrestler capable of stealing a match, but as a possible face of a brand and a champion who can anchor major WWE programming.
Rusev’s endorsement is notable because it comes from a peer who has been physically involved with Penta since returning to WWE. In-ring chemistry can reveal a great deal about a wrestler’s instincts, timing and ability to adapt. Rusev’s playful reference to “kicking his ass” underscores the competitive nature of their work, but his larger message was unambiguous: Penta is both enjoyable to work with and uniquely equipped to captivate viewers.
There is also an important difference between praising someone for athletic ability and identifying them as a viable champion. Rusev did both. He highlighted Penta’s unmistakable image and entertainment value, then directly connected a possible title reign to WWE’s business interests. In a wrestling environment where champions are expected to deliver in main events, interviews, promotional appearances and high-pressure live moments, that broader endorsement carries weight.
More than an in-ring performer
Rusev also used the conversation to spotlight another side of Penta’s character. While fans know Penta primarily through his intense persona and memorable ring presence, Rusev said the man behind the mask has quietly contributed to charitable causes in Mexico.
“Also, he’s a great guy,” Rusev said. “He’s got so many — he’s helping so many kids in Mexico. You guys have no idea because he doesn’t talk about it, but in private conversations, [he’s told me] he’s helped like tons of orphans, people with no homes. He buys them truckloads of toys and clothes and helps these kids. He’s a tremendous guy. If people get to know him, they’d love him as a person.”
The remarks present a far more personal view of Penta than his WWE character typically allows. His screen presence is built around mystery, confidence and menace. The mask protects the mystique, while his gestures and physical style communicate everything needed once the bell rings. Rusev’s account, however, points to private charitable efforts that Penta reportedly does not seek to publicize.
That kind of praise from a colleague is especially meaningful because it is not tied to storyline stakes or the usual promotional language surrounding a match. Rusev did not merely call Penta talented. He described him as someone whose generosity has affected children and people without homes, and he suggested that fans who encountered Penta away from the spotlight would come away with an even stronger opinion of him.
For Penta, those personal details arrive during a period of substantial professional momentum. Money in the Bank has made him one of WWE’s most closely watched stars, and every appearance will now carry the question of when he intends to use his championship contract. The possibility of a cash-in can influence champions, challengers and entire divisions. It also gives Penta an opportunity to show how he handles the anticipation that comes with being one major decision away from a world title match.
Rusev sees a star who can connect
Rusev’s “good for business” assessment rests on several connected strengths. Penta has the look of a major star. He has an instantly identifiable entrance and a style that can appeal to longtime lucha libre fans as well as viewers who may be seeing him for the first time. He can perform at a fast pace, absorb punishment and make his offense feel decisive. Above all, he has a presence that does not require lengthy explanation.
The comparison to a “Mortal Kombat character” captures why Penta’s visual identity is so effective. It is not just that he looks different from much of the roster. He looks like a character who belongs in a heightened world of combat, spectacle and rivalries. In professional wrestling, where a performer often has only seconds to capture a live crowd’s attention, that level of visual clarity is valuable.
At the same time, Rusev’s words emphasize that presentation without substance would not be enough. His admiration has been shaped by working with Penta, watching him entertain crowds and seeing the person he is outside the ring. The result is an unusually complete endorsement: Rusev views Penta as a compelling opponent, a major attraction, a deserving Money in the Bank winner and a person worthy of respect.
Whether Penta turns his contract into a successful world championship reign remains to be seen. Money in the Bank holders operate with a powerful advantage, but the timing of a cash-in can define everything that follows. Still, Rusev has made his position clear. He believes Penta is ready for the responsibility, and he believes WWE would benefit if the masked standout reaches the top of the mountain.
With the Money in the Bank contract now in hand, Penta’s next move will be one of WWE’s biggest ongoing questions. Rusev, for his part, has no hesitation in stating what he hopes that path eventually leads to: Penta becoming a world champion and bringing his distinct brand of star power to the title picture.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.