Rey Fenix, one half of the renowned Lucha Brothers tag team along with Penta, has shared updates regarding their efforts to maintain involvement in wrestling events outside WWE, despite contractual restrictions. Since signing with WWE, the duo previously founded the Republic of Lucha brand in 2020 to support lucha libre culture and merchandise beyond their personal wrestling careers.
Fenix explained in a recent RRBG Inc interview that Republic of Lucha has evolved from primarily promoting Lucha Brothers merchandise to becoming a broader brand focused on lucha libre gear, including products allied with WWE. He said,
“If you think about it, that’s why we’re pushing Republic of Lucha as a brand, beyond just being a wrestling store. There’s no problem with having Republic of Lucha as a store.”
He further added,
“Obviously we’re promoting as Republic of Lucha, lucha libre and the image of Penta, Fenix, Lucha Brothers is another thing, that’s why today in Republic of Lucha you find lucha libre merchandise not specifically from Lucha Brothers, because we also try to push the merchandise that WWE Shop and all the brands allied with WWE that are generating the Lucha Brothers merchandise.”
Fenix clarified the shift in focus after their WWE contracts began:
“So after the contract, after being part of WWE, we started to manage Republic of Lucha as a brand of souvenirs, of T-shirts, about lucha libre, and not like Republic of Lucha that used to make Lucha Brothers merchandise a few years ago.”
Challenges and Hopes for Renewing Wrestling Events
Fenix addressed the difficulties involved in organizing wrestling events under the Republic of Lucha banner while balancing his WWE commitments. Previously, the team ran events in South Pasadena at a large venue, but after relocating to a smaller space in Pasadena, continuing shows has become more challenging.
“Unfortunately, we had to move from where we were in South Pasadena, and in South Pasadena we had a very large space and it was where we generated the wrestling events. Now, we’re in Pasadena, it’s a smaller place, but we’re still working on generating wrestling events,”
Fenix stated.
He highlighted how their busy WWE schedules limit the time and control once available for organizing shows, causing instability for Republic of Lucha’s wrestling events. Despite these challenges, Fenix remains involved and committed:
“I like to be part of it, like we used to do before. Schedule the events, call the wrestlers, go pick them up at the airport, be 100% involved in an event, because I think it was a success.”
Looking ahead, Fenix emphasized the importance of finding a suitable, unconventional location to capture the original spirit of Republic of Lucha’s shows:
Image of: Rey Fenix
“First we need a place, there’s a lot of places, but I think something that Republic of Lucha had was the originality of turning a parking lot into a wrestling arena, and it was done by the wrestlers, the event, the community, everything in general, and now we’re looking for a special place where we can do these wrestling events and give that salt and pepper to a wrestling event that makes it totally different than going to an arena. Salt and pepper so that it’s something different.”
Plans to Grow Republic of Lucha Brand and Store Presence
Beyond live events, Republic of Lucha aims to expand its footprint as a brand, working with partners and other retail outlets, particularly in New York. Fenix acknowledged the complications of managing these partnerships while maintaining WWE obligations, noting,
“Now it’s a bit more complicated to manage the issues with people you associate with, and also the blessing of being able to stay at WWE, that makes me a bit more busy, it makes me put some things I want to the side.”
He reaffirmed their long-term vision for Republic of Lucha:
“I’m grateful and blessed to be part of this, to have these good problems of wanting to do more and not being able to. But it’s always been the idea to expand Republic of Lucha, and now we’re working to make it a brand and not just a wrestling store.”
Contractual Boundaries with WWE Influence Activity
Rey Fenix emphasized professionalism when discussing how WWE contracts affect their ability to engage in outside wrestling-related projects. While they are eager to grow Republic of Lucha and participate in events, they are careful not to breach any contractual clauses or take actions that could have negative consequences.
“There’s a contract (with WWE), and there are certain points where before anything we’re always professional, and we’re never going to act in a non-professional way, or do something we shouldn’t do,”
Fenix said.
He acknowledged the challenges of balancing responsibilities:
“So I repeat, expanding Republic of Lucha generates a lot of things that I could and couldn’t do – not that I didn’t want to – but also being responsible for what we’re doing.”
Reflecting on future possibilities, Fenix added:
“So I don’t want to do things that I can’t do, or that I know will cause me difficulty in the future, and we’re looking for the right formula to be 100% in any or all other projects in the future.”
The Significance of Republic of Lucha for Rey Fenix and the Wrestling Community
The Republic of Lucha brand represents more than merchandise and occasional events for Rey Fenix and Penta; it symbolizes their roots and passion for lucha libre culture and community engagement. Despite the constraints imposed by their WWE commitments, the duo remains determined to find ways to keep this legacy alive and evolving.
Their efforts to innovate by transforming non-traditional spaces like parking lots into wrestling arenas highlight their commitment to offering fans unique experiences outside the mainstream wrestling circuit. This approach could influence how independent wrestling events are staged in the future, blending community participation with professional wrestling entertainment.
As the Lucha Brothers continue navigating the complexities of their WWE careers and personal initiatives, finding a sustainable balance will be crucial. Their experience may set a precedent for other top-tier wrestlers seeking to maintain creative control and entrepreneurial ventures beyond major promotions.
Kevin Jewell is a journalist at CynicalTimes.org, covering the WWE SmackDown Men’s Division.
With two years of experience, he reports on headline matches, major rivalries, and superstar developments from WWE’s blue brand.
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