Penta Zero Miedo, Mexican WWE idol in the anti-immigrant era

▲ With more than 1.1 million followers on Instagram, the gladiator is currently an idol for younger generations. Photo @penta_zero_miedo

Joshua Reyes Samano

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, August 1, 2025, p. a10

Penta Zero Miedo went from wrestling in Mexican arenas to becoming one of WWE's mainstays in the Netflix era in less than six months. His rise marks a turning point for the national wrestling scene on the global stage, debuting in January on the second ever Monday Night Raw broadcast on the streaming platform and then returning to Mexico as the main event for the events held in the nation's capital and Monterrey last weekend.

"It's an honor and a pleasure for me to return to my beautiful country. Many years ago, they saw me in this same arena in Triple A, and now we're in main event wrestling with this company. If we really want to get ahead: We have to get down to business, assholes! Mexico is a really cool country, but one where they don't recognize us ," declared the 40-year-old fighter, born in Ecatepec.

His arrival at the company, which is part of the TKO Group, also owner of the UFC (valued at $21.4 billion, according to the Los Angeles Times ), as well as the recent purchase of Triple A by this media conglomerate, can be considered the main access route for Mexican talent, but it also generates uncertainty about the future of a deep-rooted tradition, which faces the challenge of not losing its identity in the face of American wrestling .

WWE didn't acquire Triple A to Americanize it. In the United States, the Mexican population is approximately 40 million; they want to reach that audience, since we're important as an audience. In a current political climate where immigrants are persecuted, the success of a wrestler like Penta is significant because it positions a Latin American figure as a representative of a U.S. company, thereby sending a clear message against anti-immigrant stances , explained Erick Suaste, a doctor in political and social sciences and a specialist in discourse analysis and cultural semiotics.

In 2024, Netflix announced a $5 billion deal to stream WWE for 10 years, a company that surpassed $1 billion in annual revenue in 2023, according to various reports. In addition to Penta, other WWE icons, such as Mr. Iguana, Pagano, and Psycho Clown, have appeared on shows from the American brand.

It's wonderful that doors are opening, because just as I suffered and sacrificed so much here in Mexico, I was able to share experiences with many wrestlers and witness their sacrifice. The fact that opportunities are now being created and all of them can represent Mexican wrestling in WWE is a tremendous joy for me , commented Chilean wrestler Stephanie Vaquer.

The company reaches more than a billion people each week across the globe with its three television programs (RAW, Smackdown and NXT) and produces more than 200 live shows a year, according to a study published by Forbes magazine.

"Right now, we're seeing this unprecedented synergy between WWE and Triple A. Everyone sees it; the arenas are filling up. There are many who can make the jump; they're very good names. I would have loved to have had this opportunity at the time; it's being given to them; we had to go through several filters and multiple obstacles. We're open to it, but we're not going to make it easy for them; we're all competing. We've reinvented ourselves, learning the system, the language, how to handle a microphone and a camera ," declared Monterrey wrestler Ángel Garza.

There's a special connection between the Mexican public and Penta. Some fans associate his life story with that of a low-income person who was able to fulfill his dreams despite adversity, while abroad, his charisma and talent in the ring make him a regular fixture in main events.

"I was an immigrant, I didn't have a visa, and I tried to cross into the United States illegally before becoming a wrestler, but I was deported. When the opportunity to work there came, I felt like a lot of what I had tried to do, which was to grow in this sport, had collapsed because of my situation, but I tried; I didn't want to fall by the wayside ," Zero Miedo declared in a broadcast with the Canadian Vampire.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Mexican wrestling was famous for its ground-level combat, the use of holds, and multi-colored masks, which made it a cultural heritage. Since the 1980s, the influence of wrestling , characterized by its spectacular nature and the use of multiple objects—fire tables, chairs, and ladders—has impacted the way some fans view the sport.

"I grew up with American wrestling; my father watched The Rock, Undertaker, and Stone Cold. Years later, I remember watching Raw and Smackdown broadcasts on Mondays and Fridays on open television, and even collecting wrestler cards at the fries ," said Rodrigo Hernández, a fan wearing a John Cena T-shirt at the event in the capital.

The passion for traditional Mexican wrestling is still prevalent at Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre events in the nation's capital, with some even comparing the shows and indulging in nostalgia.

“I came to WWE with my grandchildren; they really like these shows . So do I, so I'm not going crazy. But the truth is, nothing beats the wrestling of El Santo, Blue Demon, Mil Máscaras, and all those old-schoolers. You have fun here, but there's nothing like being in the Coliseo arena,” said Javier González, 75.

If we consider that WWE is gaining ground as a multinational with a mass-market product, we can draw a hegemonic link not only with the media, but also with the country that produces it, whose products constantly colonize the preferences and consumption habits of Mexicans. From that perspective, there is an element of resistance among those who regularly attend wrestling matches in Mexico , Suaste explained.

Immediate impact

Penta's impact on WWE was immediate. On his Instagram, the Ecatepec native has 1.1 million followers, surpassing fellow Mexicans like Andrade El Idol (850,000), Ángel Garza (323,000), and Rey Fénix (454,000). He trails only Rey Mysterio, who has been the Mexican icon for over 20 years in the company, with 4.8 million followers.

On the day of the supershow at the Mexico City Arena, hundreds of black and white masks paraded around the Azcapotzalco arena. Children, accompanied by their parents, gathered to see their idol return to the country, now a star of the most media-friendly sports entertainment company in the world.

“When I arrived at Lucha Underground and saw the cast and all the personalities there, I knew I had to prove why I was there. Maybe I wasn't the most talented at the time, but I was the hungriest. I told my brother, 'I don't want to just be a star in my town and my country.' Thanks to the character, I know today how many hearts I can reach and how many lives the phrase 'Zero Fear' has changed.”

Ap

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, August 1, 2025, p. a11

Singapore. Léon Marchand and Summer McIntosh, two of the leading faces of swimming today, conquered the pools of Singapore and flirted with world records once again.

The Frenchman won gold in the 200-meter individual medley, but was left wanting to break the world record he had set 24 hours earlier. Silver went to American Shaine Casas, and Hungarian Hubert Kós took bronze.

All three train at the University of Texas at Austin, under the tutelage of American Bob Bowman, known for instructing the legendary Michael Phelps, the most successful Olympic medalist.

Marchand, who smashed the 200m individual medley record in the semifinals, nearly did it again, finishing in 1:53.68, just shy of her Wednesday time of 1:52.69.

Both times beat the old record of 1:54 set 14 years ago by American Ryan Lochte.

A great battle to the end

It was a bit difficult, but it was great. I know Shaine always comes out super fast, so I couldn't be far behind him. It was a battle to the finish , said the Frenchman, who collected four individual gold medals a year ago at Paris 2024, but will only compete for two individual medals at the current championships.

She already holds the 400m medley record of 4:02.50 from the 2023 World Championships, which could fall on Sunday. That's still a completely new challenge. I know I've gained a lot of strength, but I'm not sure it'll make a big difference in the 400m yet. We'll see .

Canada's McIntosh, meanwhile, won the 200m butterfly for her third gold at the World Aquatics Championships. She was on track to break the world record after the 150m, but lost steam and finished with a time of 2:01.99. The record is 2:01.81, set in 2009 during the supersuit era by China's Liu Zige.

▲ Canadian Summer McIntosh won the 200m butterfly, just missing the world record. AP Photo

My coach and I set a goal to break the world record , McIntosh said, visibly disappointed at missing it. That's what I've been training for: I missed it by so little, and I know I made a mistake in the last 15 meters of my race. I didn't reach my goal today .

However, it was the second fastest time in history.

The Canadian will also begin training this fall under Bowman's guidance in Texas. American Regan Smith took silver (2:04.99) and bronze went to Australian Elizabeth Dekkers (2:06.12).

Yu Zidi, the 12-year-old Chinese prodigy, finished fourth in 2:06.43, her second time finishing in that position in the competition.

Romanian David Popovici won the 100-meter freestyle event with a time of 46.51 seconds, the second-fastest in history behind the 46.40 set last year by China's Pan Zhanle.

Pan failed to reach the final. American Jack Alexy took the silver medal (46.92) and Australian Kyle Chalmers (47.17) took the bronze.

Australia won gold in the women's 4x200 freestyle relay in 7:39.35, with the United States taking silver (7:40.01) and China taking bronze (7:42.99). It was Australia's fifth title this week, giving them the lead in the championships' gold medal standings.

Alejandra Estudillo, far from the podium

In diving, Mexican Alejandra Estudillo fell far short of the podium, finishing 12th in the 10-meter platform final with a score of 288.70.

The gold medal went to China's Yuxi Chen (430.50 points), the silver to Germany's Pauline Pfeif (367.10) and the bronze to China's Peiling Chie (358.20).

AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, August 1, 2025, p. a11

Budapest. Dutch driver Max Verstappen, four-time Formula 1 world champion, put an end to weeks of rumors about his future by confirming yesterday that he will remain with Red Bull in 2026.

Mad Max , who was speculated to be signing for the Mercedes team, declared that it was time to stop all the rumors , and he did so in the context of the Hungarian Grand Prix that will take place this weekend.

I never said anything about it because I was focused on talking to the team about how we can improve our performance , he explained from the Hungaroring circuit.

Also about future ideas for next year. That's why I didn't really have anything to add, but I think it's time to stop everything , he added. "Anyway, it's always been clear to me that I was staying ," he said.

The Dutchman's future became a subject of speculation when Britain's George Russell revealed that his Mercedes team was in talks with Verstappen's manager about his future plans.

A clause in Mad Max 's contract with Red Bull was then leaked, offering him the option to leave the team if he wasn't in the top three drivers by the end of July.

Verstappen, 27, is third in the F1 World Championship, 81 points behind leader Oscar Piastri and 61 behind his McLaren teammate Lando Norris.

But that clause has already expired, and he will remain with the same team in 2026, the first year of the new technical regulations.

The Dutchman has a contract until the end of 2028, and it is expected that he will again be subject to general scrutiny once it becomes clear which teams have adapted and progressed best under the new regulations.

Verstappen has spent his entire F1 career with Red Bull, or, in the early days, with its sister team Toro Rosso (later renamed Racing Bulls).

Since joining the Austrian team in 2016, he has won 65 Grands Prix and four World Drivers' Championships (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, August 1, 2025, p. a12

FIFA announced yesterday the start of the first phase of ticket pre-sales for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Registration will open from September 10 to 19, exclusively for Visa cardholders. A random draw will be held to send an email to fans selected to purchase tickets in October.

We're excited to partner with Visa once again to give fans the first chance to secure their place at the greatest show on earth. A FIFA World Cup ticket isn't just that: it's a gateway to the most inclusive and spectacular tournament in our history. Everyone will want to be part of this moment, so make sure you've set up your FIFA ID and have your Visa card ready , the sport's governing body announced in a statement.

The first phase will begin from September 10th to 19th and will be exclusively for Visa cardholders. They will need to register or create a FIFA ID at https://www.fifa.com and complete the application form by the specified dates.

A random selection process will take place until September 30th. FIFA will email the selected card holders, who will then be assigned a specific date and time in October to purchase their tickets.

If you are not selected in this first phase, a new registration will be opened, including stages with more information in September, for those without a bank card or those wishing to purchase more tickets. Each phase will have its own criteria and conditions.

Due to anticipated high demand, FIFA World Cup tickets are being released in phases, each through a different process. If you don't qualify to participate in the Visa pre-sale lottery or wish to make additional purchases, World Cup tickets will remain available in subsequent sales phases, details of which will be published in September , football's governing body added.

In addition to the Visa-organized presale, hospitality packages that include tournament tickets are available at https://www.fifa.com/en/hospitality .

▲ New York Red Bulls' Tim Parker heads the ball after beating Red and White's Victor Guzmán (center) yesterday in the American League team's narrow victory. AP Photo

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, August 1, 2025, p. a12

The Juárez Bravos surprised everyone yesterday in their 2025 Leagues Cup debut after beating Charlotte FC of Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States 4-1 at Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina.

The team coached by Uruguayan Martín Varini opened the scoring with a goal from Brazilian Madson in the seventh minute; however, the home side was quick to react and leveled the score (1-1) in the 18th minute through Idan Toklomati.

The pleasure was short-lived for the American team, as just three minutes later, in the 21st minute, Madson scored a double to put FC Juárez ahead again (2-1).

In the final stretch of the first half, at 45+2, Colombian Moisés Mosquera made it 3-1 with a header from the center of the box, after an assist from Brazilian Guilherme Castilho, giving the border team a comfortable lead at halftime.

In the second half, Charlotte was reduced to one man after the 80th minute after Toklomati was sent off, but the Braves capitalized on the final blow in the 90th minute thanks to a goal from Colombian Óscar Estupiñán, who unleashed a left-footed shot from outside the box to make it 4-1 and give the Mexican team a valuable victory.

At Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey, Chivas let victory slip away by losing 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls.

Just when it seemed the winner of this match would be decided by a series of penalty kicks, after a 0-0 draw that stretched into injury time, the American team managed to take the victory by the narrowest margin with a last-minute goal from Emil Forsberg in the 90th minute.

Meanwhile, Rayados de Monterrey, with their star defender, Spaniard Sergio Ramos, fell 3-2 to FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium in Ohio. In the match, which featured Mexican referee Katia Itzel García, the home team opened the scoring in the 31st minute through Evander, and increased their lead with goals from Luca Orellano (53) and Pavel Bucha (90). Sergio Canales (45) and Germán Berterame (90+4) scored for the Monterrey team.

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, August 1, 2025, p. a12

With the countdown to the start of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, the Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, met again with various federal authorities as part of the planning process to ensure that the sporting event is not limited to soccer stadiums. "We met with the different departments of the @GobiernoMX to coordinate actions leading up to #Mundial2026 #FIFA and ensure that this sporting event is not limited to stadiums, but is experienced in public spaces throughout our country," Rodríguez Velázquez stated on social media. For her part, Gabriela Cuevas, Mexico's representative for the tournament's organization, stated that the federal government is working to ensure that the World Cup reaches neighborhoods, neighborhoods, and towns throughout Mexico , and thanked the Ministry of the Interior for inviting them to coordinate and deliver the best results . He also thanked "everyone who makes the @FIFAWorldCup the best in history."