Nattie Says Penta Has Reached 'Next Level' After Facing Roman Reigns On WWE Raw

Penta may have fallen short in his efforts to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on "WWE Raw," but according to his colleague Nattie, he still managed to make major progress along the way.

"I think Monday with Roman [Reigns], in Mexico City, I think it was exactly what Penta needed to go to that next level," Nattie said on "Busted Open Radio." "I was talking about this with TJ [Wilson]... but Penta is not just some overnight sensation. I'm sure he started when he was a teenager. He's in his early 40s now. He's been wrestling for I would guess maybe two decades. This is not an overnight success story, but everything he's ever been working for really led to Monday night. It was all leading to Monday night. That performance against Roman showed that Penta is, to me, a top star in WWE that not only could hang with Roman. I, watching as a viewer, thought that Penta was going to win that championship."

Penta challenged Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the September 14 edition of "Raw," which emanated from Mexico City. Amidst the action, Nattie recalled seeing Reigns heavily lean into his role as a heel; Penta, conversely, embraced his roles as a babyface and hometown hero.

The veteran luchador cemented this title shot against "The OTC" by outlasting WWE and AAA talents in a tournament that ended with him facing his brother Rey Fenix in the finals. Under the WWE banner, Penta has already enjoyed a reign as WWE Intercontinental Champion. Following his showing in the latest "Raw" main event, many within WWE reportedly believe that he's earned the right to stay there.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "Busted Open Radio" with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.