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As reported yesterday, Pentagon Jr. along with Garza Jr. and Daga declared showed at The Crash promotion in Mexico over the weekend, and declared that they were "going independent" -- thus leaving their home promotion AAA.
Pentagon (or as he is now known as "Penta 0 M/Penta Ciero Miedo") is one of the most recognizable names in lucha libre right now. He's also become a hot commodity on the American indies. His departure from AAA, in my opinion, could have a major impact on the pro wrestling world in 2017.
In this column, I'm going to break down how his departure affects a number of major promotions in Mexico and the United States.
AAA: It's going to take a while for one of Mexico's biggest promotions to recover from this one. Pentagon, despite the company's booking of him, was an absolute star. He was easily one of the most over guys in the company, and was by far the most complete luchador in the promotion. He literally could go with everyone they threw in front of him.
He was their workhorse, and him leaving with both Daga and Garza Jr. leaves the cupboards kinda bare for AAA. In 2016 alone the promotion lost: Fenix, Sexy Star, Blue Demon Jr., Electroshock and Jack Evans. They've gotten by by leaning on legends (Dr. Wagner, La Frontera) and imports (Cage, Johnny Mundo, etc.) but they really need to look within and begin pushing some underutilized talent, or signing a hot free agent (like they did with Pagano this year) to bolster their roster.
However, this process will take some time, and the lack of Pentagon as a performer, and box office draw is really going to hurt.
The Crash: Pentagon declaring his independence at this promotion puts them on everyone's radar. I've vaguely heard of them -- most because of Konnan name dropping them on some podcasts. Now with Penta 0 Mil heading there, and The Hardys just winning their tag belts, I can see a lot more eyes going to this Tijuana based lucha company.
If more and more continue to leave AAA as they have over the past 365 days, and if The Crash continues to add big names to their events and finds a way to get their content out there -- either through an official YouTube page, or on a streaming service -- I could see them knocking on the door of AAA as one of the top promotion in Mexico.
Lucha Underground: As if this show didn't have enough problems. Pentagon is the literal poster boy of the third season of Lucha Underground. Now one positive is they should have footage of him for the second half of the season, so they can still market him.
If Lucha Underground were to get renewed and by some chance find expanded distribution (whether it be by adding cable providers or through streaming platforms), one has to wonder if Pentagon would there. The show is produced in conjunction with AAA so you've got to wonder how the El Rey Network would handle this. Would they offer him a contract independent of AAA like they tried to do with Ricochet, or would they just let him go. It's an ugly situation no matter which you slice it, and just puts more of a sinking feeling in my stomach about the future of this series.
TNA: They've got new management. They need new talent. Their top act (The Hardys) just won the tag titles in the promotion that Pentagon just "crashed" (pun extremely intended). It makes a lot of sense for TNA to look into bring Pentagon, and his brother Fenix into the fold. Imagine the feud of The Lucha Brothers vs. The Hardy Boys? Besides fun matches, the hype around it would definitely spark interest among those (myself included) who have gone from diehard TNA viewers to occasional TNA viewers. Injecting Pentagon into TNA would provide them fresh new programs, and given his versatility he could easily rumble with X Division wrestlers, and main event heavyweights. Drew Galloway vs. Pentagon? Eddie Edwards vs. Pentagon? I'll see you Thursday nights on Pop, if it happens. From a merch perspective, TNA could easily market the hell out of Pentagon (and Fenix) in regards to shirts, masks, action figures, etc. If TNA could make this happen, it could be a huge shot in the arm for a company that has really restocked its shelves with good workers, but are just missing that crossover star who doesn't have the last name Hardy.
WWE/NXT: I know most people will groan at this, but if WWE and Pentagon worked together, it'd be huge. Pentagon in NXT would give that brand another big name for touring -- both foreign and domestic. It would also give them the leeway to call up established NXT talents like a Samoa Joe, or Shinsuke Nakamura. Pentagon has shown he can draw in the states (look at AAW's string of events with him), and putting him with Chris Hero, Roderick Strong, DIY, Bobby Roode, and the gang would keep touring business strong. Also, the WWE has always been on the lookout for a breakout Latin American star since Rey Mysterio left. Sin Cara and Kalisto have not been that guy, and Cien Almas is not there either. Pentagon is charismatic as they come, and would be an immediate hit for NXT.
Ring of Honor: My gut is if he went to ROH, it'd be a couple of guest spots, and nothing long-term. Would having someone like him in the fold full-time give ROH a creative, and possible box office boost? Of course! However, there's something in my head saying he will not be a full-time ROH-er.
New Japan: Do they need Pentagon? Given the influx of American, British, and CMLL-based Mexican talent -- I'd say no. However, did it seem like they needed Kenny Omega when he came in? Exactly. Pentagon would be an amazing addition to one of the best wrestling rosters (in terms of pure talent) in the world. Can you imagine Pentagon mixing it up with ANY of these guys? It'd be phenomenal. And let's not forget they're going to be in California for a few G-1 shows this year, and what better way to promote this show to a Latin-based audience than bringing in one of the recognizable names and faces in lucha right now? Oh, and if you want to go beyond the ring -- how cool (and easy) would it be for them to have Pentagon as a character on that Tiger Mask W cartoon they're co-promoting?
Conclusion: Maybe I'm going way overboard on what Pentagon means to the wrestling world. Maybe his contributions won't be as grandiose and game changing as I think they'll be. But, no matter what way you slice it, he's one of the hottest free agents in wrestling, and if given the right opportunity, he could be a key addition to any roster.
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