Rusev believes Penta deserves to become world champion in WWE and that it would be good for the business. He had plenty of praise for Penta, both for his work in the ring and for the kind of person he is outside of it.
Rusev was a guest on TMZ’s Inside The Ring, where he said he has followed Penta since they were both in AEW. He said he even told his wife, CJ Perry, that he was impressed by the Lucha Bros.
“I’ve been a fan of Penta since the other company we worked for before. CJ [Perry] 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. Because they were just so unbelievable, they’re like live action figures, and Penta is just so cool. He looks like a Mortal Kombat character.”
On Penta winning the Money in the Bank briefcase, Rusev said:
“I think he deserves it [Money in the Bank] 100%. I love working with Penta. I love kicking his ass. I know how entertaining he is as well, and how cool he is. So 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 just because it’s good for the business. A man like this to be a champion.”
Rusev’s respect for Penta goes beyond what Penta does in the ring. He talked about what the two have discussed in private and the work Penta has done for kids in need.
“Also, he’s a great guy. 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 helped tons of orphans, people with no homes. He buys them truckloads of toys and clothes, and helps these kids. Yeah, man, he’s a tremendous guy. People who get to know him, they’ll really love him as a person.”
The two have faced each other in WWE before. On RAW on April 27, Penta defeated Rusev in a match where the Intercontinental Championship wasn’t on the line. At the time, they were feuding over the title.
On Monday’s RAW, Penta came out during Sami Zayn’s Undisputed WWE Championship defense against Je’Von Evans and tried to cash in. But Bron Breakker attacked him before he could use the contract.