Lucha libre takes over WWE

Express Tribune

3 days ago

WWE's Netflix era has been a bit shakier than it was expected to be, and the company, under TKO, has been making some questionable decisions, such as releasing the beloved veteran R-Truth and several others since WrestleMania 41, jacked up ticket prices, and the overall creative direction. But at the same time, there's a lot to be excited about.
Lucha is taking over WWE. With the arrival of new luchadors, the company is bent on targeting the Latino market. And it's no surprise the move coincides with WWE buying AAA, the 33-year-old Mexican promotion.
Lucha libre has long been a part of WWE shows and international pro-wrestling in general. The rich history of Latino stars, the colourful masks, high-flying in-ring style, all have an appeal worldwide. One can evaluate it based on the success of one of the most popular luchadors in history, Rey Mysterio.
And with the lucha invasion of WWE, there are many more willing to step up and find their own place on the global stage.
Dark Angel
The newest addition to the Monday Night Raw roster is the 'Dark Angel' Stephanie Vaquer. The Chilean superstar has lit the wrestling world on fire since last year. She is the first Chilean woman to compete and win championships in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and WWE.
My first introduction to Vaquer was when she appeared in AEW last year during a brief stint. She faced off against Mercedes Mone in a Winner Takes All match where both Mone's TBS Championship and Vaquer's Strong Women's Championship were on the line.
Going into the match, most of the audience wasn't aware of her. You could hear their indifference to Vaquer challenging a top star. But in the span of one match, Vaquer performed so well and impressed the crowd so much that everyone began chanting for her.
She was facing an established star like Mone and yet was able to turn the crowd in her favour in a few minutes.
That's what put her on WWE's radar and soon, she joined the company. Since joining, she has been a double champion in NXT and has further raised her stock. On Monday, she defeated Ivy Nile and one-half of the women's tag champ Liv Morgan to qualify for the upcoming Money in the Bank match this weekend.
Cero Miedo
Penta has been a man of many names throughout his career. But his 'Cero Miedo' (zero fear) motto has been a constant. The dark enigma has been around for a long time and has accumulated numerous accolades around the world. And since joining WWE in early 2025, he's slowly coming into his own on the grand stage.
I first saw him perform as part of the Lucha Underground (LU) promotion in late 2014. The word 'aura' has been dragged across the mud and repeatedly stomped into the ground by kids at this point, but Penta certainly has it. He has had it for as long as I've seen him perform.
In LU, Penta made himself a megastar in a short time with his insane charisma and brutal moves. His storyline with the veteran Vampiro put him on the map. As a fan, his eventual bloody fight with Vampiro and the post-match big reveal was one of the greatest story endings in wrestling – something that would even make M Night Shyamalan nervous.
Penta is also set to compete in the men's Money in the Bank and is involved in a rivalry with El Grande Americano, who's definitely a different iconic luchador and not Chad Gable in a mask. With zero fear, Penta is all ready to display dangerous feats in the ladder match in which he is sure to feel like home with his history of competing in brutal matches.
Speaking of lucha libre and dangerous matches, Penta's younger brother Rey Fenix isn't far behind either. The former Lucha Bros signed with WWE at the same time. And Fenix has been killing it on SmackDown since his arrival.
It's a certainty that the brothers will reform the tag team in the future. And except for any unforeseen circumstances, they are guaranteed to win tag and singles titles during their run and become mainstays on the roster for years.
AAA
WWE already employs a number of fantastic luchadors on the roster such as Andrade, who is a rock solid addition to any promotion and it's mind-boggling why he isn't a world champion. Besides him, you have the Latino World Order faction with Cruz Del Toro, Joaquin Wilde and Dragon Lee led by the legendary Mysterio; and Legado Del Fantasma with Santos Escobar, Angel and Berto.
And now with WWE's acquisition of AAA, the roster has opened up. You have luchadores and luchadoras that perform in the Mexican promotion being able to perform under the WWE brand. WWE's Worlds Collide premium live event, which is also slated for this weekend, will be a pure showcase of lucha libre. Besides the aforementioned stars, it will include AAA's best offerings.
So far, the matches announced include Legado Del Fantasma vs. El Hijo de Dr Wagner Jr, Pagano, and Psycho Clown. El Hijo del Vikingo will face Chad Gable for the AAA Mega Championship. Ethan Page will defend his NXT North American Championship against Je'Von Evans, Laredo Kid and Rey Fénix. And LWO will fight Octagón Jr, Aero Star, and Mr. Iguana.
It's almost unbelievable that in 2025, we are seeing the likes of Vikingo, Laredo Kid, Aero Star, Fenix, Penta, and many more wrestle under the WWE brand. While WWE has been looking for the next Rey Mysterio to cater to the Hispanic audience for nearly two decades, they have not been able to find one. Many have come and tried, including another iconic luchador Mistico aka Sin Cara, but none have been able to match what Mysterio has been doing for decades.
But now with a vast pool of talent opening up, the possibility to find stars that transcend the wrestling world and become part of pop culture are higher than before. Names like Penta, Fenix and Vaquer are a few who could achieve mega success in WWE, if booked right.