​Penta makes his entrance during Monday Night RAW at Arena Ciudad de Mexico on September 14, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (WWE/WWE via Getty Images)
The fireworks exploding behind him, the ceremonial feathered headdress adorned on his head, Penta did his trademark, “cero miedo” as the adoring Mexico City crowd erupted.He was about to have not only one of the best matches of his career, but one of the most important.”Basically (that entrance) it’s all my culture. The real name (of the headdress) is penacho. So, I live now in Teotihuacán, Mexico. We have their pyramids there,” Penta said. “The outfit and my entrance was one of the best in my life because it’s my real culture there. So, the penacho and the other things represent what the men become to God in Mexico. So that’s why I feel so proud about my culture. I feel so happy  … and so proud about my culture and my people.”Penta lost the match to Roman Reigns for the WWE heavyweight championship last week in Mexico City but as the Monday Night Raw comes to the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Monday, the heartbreaking loss has not stopped his pursuit of the title.The Express-News sat down with Penta and Joe Hendry before Monday’s event. The following interview was edited for clarity and conciseness.E-N: Penta, Last week, you’ve just been in an incredible run. Last week on Monday Night Raw, you had a match of the year candidate. What’d that match against Roman Reins in Mexico City mean to you?Penta: “First of all, I want to say thank you for having me here. It’s a pleasure to be here. Mexico City last week was one of the biggest nights of my life, definitely, because for everything in my country, my people, my family there. Roman Reins? He has my respect because he is one of the best wrestlers in the world. Not only in the ring, but out the ring too. This is the most important thing now in this business because of different styles of this sport, but he is the best. So, I’m honest. But I want to rematch with him because I know something in my heart and my soul says I can win that title. But now we are here in San Antonio, Texas and I try and enjoy this show tonight.”E-N: Joe, it’s been two years since we had you in the studio at the Express-News. Then you were a TNA champ, and I had to try to kind of nudge you to see if you’re going to be in the Royal Rumble. A lot’s happened since then. What’s been the highlight of your run these last couple of years starting WWE NXT and this is just meteoritic rise from internet sensation to where you are now?
Joe Hendry performs during a WWE Live Event at Movistar Arena on September 10, 2026 in Bogota, Columbia. (WWE/WWE via Getty Images)
Joe Hendry: “It’s been a whirlwind and I think what I’ve enjoyed is the different challenges along the way. Like you said, I got the opportunity to do the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania as TNA world champion. And then when I signed with WWE initially, I got to go to NXT and that was a new challenge to try and win t