WWE has reportedly changed its plans for Penta in a big way following the overwhelmingly positive response to his recent World Heavyweight Championship match against Roman Reigns on RAW in Mexico City.
According to a source in WWE creative who spoke with WrestleVotes Radio, the company originally imagined Reigns vs. Penta as a one-and-done bout. However, the glowing reviews for their match have apparently led to WWE rethinking its plans, with a rematch now being seriously considered.
Penta challenged Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship on the September 14 episode of RAW, with the Original Tribal Chief ultimately retaining his title. While Penta was unable to dethrone Reigns, the match is said to have delivered strong ratings on Netflix and generated renewed interest in the former Lucha Underground Champion.
Penta's merchandise sales have also caught WWE's attention. As a result, the company now believes there is enough momentum behind the Luchadore to justify bringing him back into the World Heavyweight Championship picture.
While Penta was not originally advertised for this week's Money in the Bank qualifying match on RAW, those plans changed, and he was added to the lineup. He went on to defeat Solo Sikoa and secure his place in next month's Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
WrestleVotes is now reporting that Penta is internally viewed as the heavy favourite to win the Money in the Bank contract at next month's Premium Live Event in New Orleans, suggesting he'll hold the briefcase and eventually cash in to win a world title.
If that happens, WWE has an easy route to a rematch with Reigns. Penta could potentially cash in the contract on the reigning World Heavyweight Champion, or WWE could use the briefcase to build toward another championship match between the two men. Either way, this is a significant shift compared to how little WWE had planned for Penta just a few months ago.
As of SummerSlam, Penta was clearly not viewed as a potential Money in the Bank winner. He lost the Intercontinental Championship to Chad Gable at the event, taking him out of the title picture for that secondary championship.
Penta's popularity has continued to grow since arriving in WWE, and his match with Reigns in Mexico City appears to have convinced the company that there is considerably more mileage in both a feud with Reigns and with him as a potential world champion.
Stay tuned for updates as we have them.