{"id":161962,"date":"2026-05-25T14:55:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T18:55:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=161962"},"modified":"2026-05-25T14:56:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T18:56:41","slug":"4-potential-challengers-for-penta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/05\/25\/4-potential-challengers-for-penta\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Potential Challengers for Intercontinental Champion Penta After Defeating Ethan Page"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Penta extended his Intercontinental Championship reign with a<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/05\/23\/wwe-saturday-nights-main-event-snme-xliv-results-5-23-26-live-updates\/\" target=\"_self\"> successful title defense<\/a> over &#8220;All Ego&#8221; Ethan Page. The master of Cero Miedo has been a fighting champion, and fans are absolutely loving his run with the title.<\/p>\n<p>The masked luchador has defended the title multiple times, including a thrilling Ladder match at WrestleMania 42. He has breathed life into RAW&#8217;s stale midcard, giving underutilized stars like Dragon Lee and Rusev a purpose on the red brand.<\/p>\n<p>With Ethan Page in the rearview mirror, Penta should now move on to new challengers. On that note, let&#8217;s look at 4 potential challengers for Penta after his impressive victory at <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/05\/23\/saturday-nights-main-event-review-with-match-rating\/\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Saturday Night&#8217;s Main Event<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Penta vs. Ethan Page | Intercontinental Title Match: Saturday Night&#039;s Main Event highlights\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sdB4Vs5TOVY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><strong>#4. Rusev Has Long Held His Sights on the Intercontinental Championship<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Rusev returned to WWE on the RAW after WrestleMania 41. After a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2025\/08\/13\/rusev-and-sheamus-an-effective-wwe-feud\/\" target=\"_self\">major feud with Sheamus<\/a>, the Bulgarian Brute set his sights on the Intercontinental Championship. Unfortunately, Dominik Mysterio had a stranglehold over the title and somehow held on to it through crooked methods.<\/p>\n<p>Penta also gave Rusev a few chances, but the Bulgarian Brute was unable to achieve championship gold. However, things could be different if the former US Champion receives a fair one-on-one opportunity against the King of Cero Miedo. Months of frustration have added to Rusev&#8217;s desperation.<\/p>\n<p>The Bulgarian Brute could tap into a more vicious and dangerous version of himself. Rusev needs to add more title belts to his resume, and his path to glory could begin with a massive title victory over Penta.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Penta takes down Rusev in thriller: Raw highlights, April 27, 2026\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/la5iI9XXRqs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><strong>#3. Rey Mysterio Would Be a Dream Opponent for Penta<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>When one thinks of the greatest luchadors, Rey Mysterio&#8217;s name is bound to come up in the conversation. Mysterio is a WWE Hall of Famer and a certified legend who has wowed audiences for decades. In many ways, he paved the way for stars like Penta.<\/p>\n<p>However, Mysterio&#8217;s career is winding down, and WWE needs a new poster boy or &#8220;face&#8221; for Lucha Libre. Penta is a suitable successor. Mister Cero Miedo is amazing between the ropes and has a powerful organic connection with the fans. It would be a disservice not to book a legitimate feud between Mysterio and Penta.<\/p>\n<p>The Intercontinental Championship adds an element of prestige to this potential feud, but their program could represent and honor an auspicious ethos of wrestling. The Master of the 619 hasn&#8217;t been wrestling quite often these months, and recently became the <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.fightful.com\/wrestling\/rey-mysterio-named-general-manager-of-aaa\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">General Manager for AAA.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Nonetheless, Mysterio can still go in the ring, and a prolonged feud with Penta for the Intercontinental Championship is a good reason to lace up the boots again. Furthermore, WWE might also consider giving the Hall of Famer a final run with the workhorse title.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Penta returns to aid Rey Mysterio against The Vision: Raw highlights, Dec. 29, 2025\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/AqvOeVQf9aw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><strong>#2. Je&#8217;Von Evans Could Bounce His Way to an Intercontinental Championship<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>NXT has produced many standout talents, but few have shown the charisma that Je&#8217;Von Evans has at such an early stage in their careers. He is only 22 and has already done what most people could only imagine. Over the last 6 months, Evans has put on impressive performances in the Royal Rumble match, Elimination Chamber, and the <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/04\/19\/wrestlemania-42-night-two-results-4-19-26-live-updates\/\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">IC Title Ladder match at WrestleMania 42<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>There is already a growing section of the audience that wants to see the charismatic star win singles gold. The IC Title has elevated so many careers. Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, The Rock, and Triple H, among other legends, have all held the belt during the early stages of their legendary stints.<\/p>\n<p>The IC Title could elevate Evans to another level. However, he would have to get through Penta to win his first singles belt. Cero Miedo will certainly put him to the test, and the match itself will be a thriller.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Penta, Je\u2019Von Evans &amp; Dragon Lee take down Los Americanos: Raw highlights, April 6, 2026\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XvIP0ua7b9E?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><strong>#1. Bron Breakker Could Bring Gold into the Vision<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>It doesn&#8217;t appear as if the Vision is going away anytime soon. The faction ruled much of 2025, and 2026 looks to be no different. Hence, WWE should fully commit to the Vision and build them as major threats. Logan Paul and Austin Theory already have the World Tag Team Titles, but it&#8217;s time for Bron Breakker to wear gold.<\/p>\n<p>Having already <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/05\/09\/wwe-backlash-2026-results-5-9-26-live-updates\/\" target=\"_self\">defeated Seth &#8220;Freakin&#8221; Rollins<\/a>, there is little value in chasing the Visionary. In contrast, Penta holds the Intercontinental Championship. Breakker doesn&#8217;t need to have a long feud with Mister Cero Miedo. The Unbreakable Badass could accept an open challenge. Alternatively, Paul Heyman could pull a few strings to get him a title shot.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/08\/03\/andnew-wwe-summerslam-2024-crowns-three-new-champions\/\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Breakker has already held the Intercontinental Championship twice before,<\/a><\/span> and he would love to hold the title again. Furthermore, with the championship in the mix, Breakker&#8217;s feud with Rollins would become more intriguing.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bron Breakker SPEARS The Street Profits in post-match attack: Saturday Night&#039;s Main Event highligh..\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/frjPt-PS0kw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Penta extended his Intercontinental Championship reign with a successful title defense over &#8220;All Ego&#8221; Ethan Page. The master of Cero Miedo has been a fighting champion, and fans are absolutely loving his run with the title. The masked luchador has defended the title multiple times, including a thrilling Ladder match at WrestleMania 42. He has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5689,"featured_media":161982,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[25,2,2192,3],"tags":[7986,9742,157,8833,9123,886,202,9297],"class_list":["post-161962","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-raw","category-featured","category-wrestling","category-wwe-universe","tag-bron-breakker","tag-cero-miedo","tag-ethan-page","tag-jevon-evans","tag-penta","tag-rey-mysterio","tag-rusev","tag-wwe-intercontinental-championship"],"modified_by":"Steph Franchomme","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5689"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=161962"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161962\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":161987,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161962\/revisions\/161987"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/161982"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=161962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=161962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=161962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}