Rey Fenix left AEW for WWE in April 2025 with high hopes. Fans expected big things from the high-flying luchador. Instead, he has mostly disappeared from WWE TV. Here is what happened and what might come next.
From AEW to WWE
Rey Fenix had a strong run in AEW with his brother Penta as the Lucha Bros. They held AEW tag gold once and were Trios Champions with Pac. Fenix also held the AEW International Championship one time. In the last year before his WWE move, he was used less in AEW. He publicly complained online and said he felt like a prisoner in AEW, which helped push his exit.
Penta signed with WWE first and was pushed on Raw. Fenix arrived later and debuted on SmackDown as a singles wrestler. He kept his name in WWE, which is rare and won instant crowd support. He even had a WrestleMania 41 match against El Grande Americano.
Short Push, Then Quiet
After a promising start, WWE did not give Fenix a steady role. Instead of reuniting the Lucha Bros, WWE put Fenix in a short tag team with Andrade. That team did not go far, and Andrade left WWE soon after. Since then, Fenix has not been seen regularly on SmackDown.
Fans and writers have noted that WWE has underused both Penta and Rey Fenix at times. Penta holds the Intercontinental Championship on Raw now, but many believe both brothers could do more on WWE shows. Fenix has said he wants chances to wrestle and to be part of meaningful storylines.
Fan Reaction and Social Media
Rey Fenix has been open on social media about his frustration. Because he publicly criticized AEW before leaving, a return there is unlikely. Other wrestlers noticed this. For example, MJF wrote on X that people who wanted Fenix back in AEW would be asking to send him “back to prison,” referencing Fenix’s earlier comments.
Outlook
At 35, Rey Fenix still has years left in the ring. WWE did not release him in the April wave of cuts, so the company still has plans for him. Fans want WWE to either reunite the Lucha Bros or give Fenix a real singles push, possibly a run at Penta’s Intercontinental title. The tag team scene needs talent, and the Lucha Bros could help restore interest in tag wrestling if WWE chooses to use them.
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| Rey Fenix | Not regularly on SmackDown; seeking matches |
| Penta | Intercontinental Champion (Raw) |
WWE has the chance to make Fenix a bigger star. For now, he waits, and fans keep asking the same question: what does Rey Fenix have to do to get a real push in WWE?
