Penta El Zero Miedo’s signature catchphrase, “Cero Miedo” (Zero Fear), has become one of the most recognizable phrases in professional wrestling. But according to Penta, its origins are rooted not in wrestling, but in Mexican music.
In his recent interview with Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Penta shared that the phrase comes from corridos, a popular Mexican music genre known for its storytelling. Specifically, he credits the band Los Buitres De Culiacan Sinaloa, whose songs frequently use the phrase “Cero miedo, mi compa”—which translates to “No fear, my friend.”
“The truth is, I love the Corridos,” Penta explained. “In my first interview in Triple A in Mexico, I needed to do a promo, and I was like, how do I finish it? Cero Miedo! Just like that. It was my reaction. And after that, everyone started saying it to me.”
Since then, Cero Miedo has become more than just a wrestling taunt—it’s a mindset. Fans around the world throw up Penta’s signature hand gesture and chant it in unison, while others have told him that the phrase has helped them overcome personal struggles.
“To be honest, Cero Miedo isn’t just a lucha thing anymore—it’s a lifestyle,” Penta said. “People have told me, ‘Penta, thanks for Cero Miedo. I conquered cancer.’ That’s when I realized the responsibility on my shoulders.”
With Penta now in WWE, Cero Miedo is poised to reach an even wider audience. And as the luchador himself puts it,
“I need to improve every day—my body, my mind, my soul—because I know I inspire a lot of people.”