Penta & The Curse Of The Pentagon Mask In WWE

Since Penta made his impressive debut in WWE this year, fans have been wondering about the history of his iconic mask and gimmick.

As it turns out, being Pentagón comes with its own curse that has befallen many a wrestler who have taken on the mantle.

From life-threatening injuries, lifetime prison sentences and unremarkable unmaskings, the history of being Pentagón is one filled with disaster and strife.

In this article, we’ll take you through the cursed history of the Pentagón gimmick and explain how WWE’s Penta broke the curse in his own way – with Cero Miedo.

Check out our other wrestling conspiracy theories!

The Birth of the Pentagón Persona

Jesús Andrade Salazar began his wrestling journey under the name El Moro, a moniker inherited from his father. In 1984, within the ranks of Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL), now known as Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), he adopted the identity of Espanto Jr.

His rising prominence caught the attention of promoter Antonio Peña, who envisioned him as a pivotal figure in his new promotion, Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA).

Initially, Salazar portrayed El Santo Negro, an evil twin to El Hijo del Santo, donning a black version of the iconic silver mask.

This character later evolved into Pentagón, the arch-nemesis of the heroic Octagón. Pentagón’s dark allure and wrestling prowess quickly made him a fan favorite.

However, it quickly took a tragic turn.

On March 6, 1996, during a trios match in Aguascalientes, tragedy struck. The bout featured La Parka (now L.A. Park), Octagón, and Rey Misterio Jr. against Psicosis, Pierroth Jr., and Pentagón. In a high-flying maneuver, La Parka propelled Pentagón into the air.

Unfortunately, Pentagón landed awkwardly, causing a severe neck injury that led to cardiac arrest. Medics rushed him to the hospital, where, after several intense minutes, they managed to revive him.

The road to recovery was arduous, and while he eventually regained the ability to walk, his wrestling career was effectively over. Today, Salazar shares his story of survival and faith, attributing his recovery to divine intervention.

There Were Many Successors and Continued Misfortunes

Following Salazar, two wrestlers donned the Pentagón mask but met with limited success. Pentagón II, also known as Black, was unmasked by El Hijo del Santo, while Pentagón III faced a similar fate at the hands of Octagón.

Their careers failed to leave a significant mark, further fueling the narrative of the mask’s curse. They lasted less than a year in the gimmick and it seemed doomed.

Bernabé García, known in the ring as Mini Pentagón or Pentagoncito, experienced a harrowing ordeal. At the height of his career, he was wrongfully accused of murder and sentenced to 27 years in prison.

Despite inconsistencies in the evidence and legal representation, he served over seven years before his release in the mid-2010s. Upon regaining his freedom, García returned to wrestling, determined to reclaim lost time and restore his reputation.

Given all the ills that had befallen the previous Pentagón ‘s, it seemed foolish to hand the character over to a new generation.

However, that is exactly what they did and Pentagón Jr became the most famous of them all.

Pentagón Jr.: Defying the Curse

In 2012, a new chapter began with the introduction of Pentagón Jr. Debuting as the antagonist to Octagón Jr., he embraced the dark legacy of the character.

Aware of the so-called curse, Pentagón Jr. adopted the catchphrase “Cero Miedo” (Zero Fear), signaling his defiance of the superstition. His fearless attitude and exceptional talent have elevated him to stardom, arguably surpassing the popularity of the original Octagón.

By confronting the legend head-on, Pentagón Jr. has redefined the narrative, turning a symbol of misfortune into one of resilience and triumph.

The Pentagón mask, steeped in tales of tragedy and perseverance, remains one of lucha libre’s most enigmatic symbols. While early wearers faced significant challenges, the current bearer has transformed its legacy, proving that with determination and “zero fear,” curses can be broken.

Now in the WWE as Penta, he retains the legacy of the mask while expelling the curse. The Lucha star has surpassed the original Pentagón and has proven to all that the path to success is through having zero fear.

Want to learn more? See our list of wrestling’s craziest conspiracy theories by clicking right here!

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