Three-time Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev smashed his racket and a net camera in frustration after losing a set, but rallied to advance to the second round on Tuesday by outlasting wild card entrant Kasidit Samrej of Thailand.

The No. 5-seeded Russian earned a code violation for racket abuse as play was held up before the fourth set while workers swept up debris from the court.

‘At the end of last year, this match I probably would have lost,’ Medvedev said after his 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory. ‘Now it’s a new year and new energy … So I’m happy to win this match.’

No. 4 Taylor Fritz cruises into Round 2

Elsewhere on Tuesday in Melbourne, American Taylor Fritz made a strong start in his bid to end a 22-year Grand Slam drought for American men.

The fourth seed stayed cool throughout his match against compatriot Jenson Brooksby, easing to a 6-2, 6-0, 6-3 win that showed why he is now considered best placed to end the USA’s long wait for a major men’s title.

Brooksby, returning from two years on the sidelines after having operations on both wrists and serving a 13-month doping suspension, fought until the bitter end but was no match for Fritz, who sealed the victory with his 34th winner.

Elena Rybakina, Emma Navarro also prevail

It was plain sailing for former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina as she blitzed Australian wildcard Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-1 with new coach Goran Ivanisevic watching on impressed.

Danish 13th seed Holger Rune was pushed all the way to five sets and Emma Navarro also had a tough time in one of three all-American ties, the women’s eighth seed surviving a major scare to beat Peyton Stearns 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 7-5.

Navarro was on the back foot for almost the entirety of her three hour, 20 minute clash on Rod Laver Arena with world No. 46 Stearns before rallying from a break down to win the final four games of the third set and claim victory.

‘Crazy match today,’ Navarro said after sealing the deal with an emphatic backhand winner.

In a French thriller on Court Three, experience got the better of potential as Gael Monfils edged Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6 (7), 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (5), 6-4, while there were also wins for 2021 U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu, ninth seed Daria Kasatkina and former men’s world No. 6 Matteo Berrettini.

Australian Open Day 3 results

Women’s singles

6-Elena Rybakina (KAZ) beat Emerson Jones (AUS) 6-1 6-1
Iva Jovic (USA) beat Nuria Parrizas Diaz (ESP) 6-2 6-1
Danka Kovinic (MNE) beat Lulu Sun (NZL) 6-3 7-5
32-Dayana Yastremska (UKR) beat Mayar Sherif (EGY) 6-1 6-4
19-Madison Keys (USA) beat Ann Li (USA) 6-4 7-5
Elena-Gabriela Ruse (ROU) beat Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) 6-4 6-0
15-Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) beat Julia Riera (ARG) 4-6 7-5 6-2
Erika Andreeva (RUS) beat Saisai Zheng (CHN) 6-1 7-6(6)
Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) beat Olivia Gadecki (AUS) 6-1 6-1
22-Katie Boulter (GBR) beat Rebecca Marino (CAN) 6-4 3-6 7-5
Renata Zarazua (MEX) beat Taylor Townsend (USA) 6-7(6) 6-1 6-2
Jasmine Paolini (ITA) beat Sijia Wei (CHN) 6-0 6-4
8-Emma Navarro (USA) beat Peyton Stearns (USA) 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 7-5
Xiyu Wang (CHN) beat Julia Grabher (AUT) 6-1 7-5
Ons Jabeur (TUN) beat Anhelina Kalinina (UKR) 6-3 6-3
Camila Osorio (COL) beat 31-Maria Sakkari (GRC) 6-4 6-7(4) 6-4
24-Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) beat Elina Avanesyan (ARM) 4-6 7-5 6-2
Shuai Zhang (CHN) beat McCartney Kessler (USA) 6-3 6-4
Yafan Wang (CHN) beat Anna Bondar (HUN) 3-6 6-3 6-4
9-Daria Kasatkina (RUS) beat Viktoriya Tomova (BGR) 6-1 6-3
13-Eva Lys (DEU) beat Kimberly Birrell (AUS) 6-2 6-2
Varvara Gracheva (FRA) beat Catherine McNally (USA) 6-3 6-4
Emma Raducanu (GBR) beat 26-Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS) 7-6(4) 7-6(2)
Amanda Anisimova (USA) beat Maria Lourdes Carle (ARG) 6-2 6-3

Men’s singles

5-Daniil Medvedev (RUS) beat Kasidit Samrej (THA) 6-2 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-2
Marcos Giron (USA) beat Yannick Hanfmann (DEU) 2-6 7-5 6-1 7-5
Tomas Martin Etcheverry (ARG) beat 32-Flavio Cobolli (ITA) 6-7(8) 6-3 7-5 6-1
18-Hubert Hurkacz (POL) beat Tallon Griekspoor (NLD) 7-5 6-4 6-4
Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) beat Dusan Lajovic (SRB) 7-5 3-6 6-3 3-6 6-3
Matteo Berrettini (ITA) beat Cameron Norrie (GBR) 6-7(4) 6-4 6-1 6-3
13-Holger Rune (DNK) beat Zhizhen Zhang (CHN) 4-6 6-3 6-4 3-6 6-4
Gabriel Diallo (CAN) beat Luca Nardi (ITA) 6-7(1) 7-6(3) 5-7 6-1 6-2
19-Karen Khachanov (RUS) beat Adrian Mannarino (FRA) 7-6(5) 6-3 6-3
31-Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) beat Alexander Bublik (KAZ) 7-6(1) 6-3 6-2
Facundo Diaz Acosta (ARG) beat Zizou Bergs (BEL) 6-7(5) 6-4 1-6 6-3 6-4
Tristan Boyer (USA) beat Federico Coria (ARG) 6-3 6-7(3) 4-6 7-5 6-1
8-Alex De Minaur (AUS) beat Botic Van De Zandschulp (NLD) 6-1 7-5 6-4
4-Taylor Fritz (USA) beat Jenson Brooksby (USA) 6-2 6-0 6-3
Cristian Garin (CHL) beat Borna Coric (HRV) 7-5 6-1 6-2
Daniel Altmaier (DEU) beat Francisco Comesana (ARG) 6-2 3-6 7-6(4) 4-6 6-4
Gael Monfils (FRA) beat 30-Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (FRA) 7-6(7) 6-3 6-7(6) 6-7(5) 6-4
21-Ben Shelton (USA) beat Brandon Nakashima (USA) 7-6(3) 7-5 7-5
Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) beat Kamil Majchrzak (POL) 6-4 6-4 6-3
Denis Shapovalov (CAN) beat Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 3-6 6-4 6-4 7-6(8)
16-Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) beat Matteo Arnaldi (ITA) 7-6(4) 4-6 7-6(5) 6-3
Joao Fonseca (BRA) beat 9-Andrey Rublev (RUS) 7-6(1) 6-3 7-6(5)
Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) beat Stan Wawrinka (CHE) 6-4 5-7 7-5 7-5
Corentin Moutet (FRA) beat 25-Alexei Popyrin (AUS) 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4
Mitchell Krueger (USA) beat Rinky Hijikata (AUS) 6-4 6-4 6-3
Learner Tien (USA) beat Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG) 4-6 7-6(3) 6-3 5-7 6-4

Sometimes, divorce is the best option – for everyone. Mom, dad, the kids.

The metaphor loosely applies to the Dallas Cowboys and Mike McCarthy, the sides choosing a parting of the ways Monday with the head coach’s contract expired after five seasons marked by significant highs and the lows America’s Team has typically experienced for decades. Though the Cowboys had an exclusive window to reach an extension with McCarthy in the preceding days, an agreement was never reached.

McCarthy went 50-38, including postseason, with Dallas. His .583 regular-season winning percentage was the fourth best in franchise history even after being depressed by a 7-10 campaign in 2024, when he had significant elements working against him.

Where do the parties go now, and who comes out of this decision better off? Some winners and losers as McCarthy and Dallas wade into HC free agency.

WINNERS

Mike McCarthy

Leading the Cowboys is a tough job. Jerry Jones is the only owner in the league who effectively doubles as a general manager and so frequently interacts with the media and fans, a dynamic which makes for a delicate dynamic for any coach. McCarthy generally navigated it well and produced three consecutive 12-win regular seasons from 2021 to ’23, two NFC East titles earned in that span. He already has a Super Bowl win (2010 with the Green Bay Packers) on a résumé that includes 185 NFL wins and should immediately become a prominent commodity on the head coaching market as the 2025 cycle really gets spinning.

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NFL teams with coaching vacancies

With the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets all casting nets for their next HCs, there doesn’t exactly appear to be another white whale out there – now that Mike Vrabel has expectedly taken the New England Patriots’ job – aside from Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. The Bears have already attempted to talk to McCarthy – the Cowboys denied permission during their exclusive negotiating window – while the Jags might also be enticing given the pieces in place on their roster.

Elsewhere, McCarthy could be uniquely qualified for the Jets given QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Davante Adams (currently) remain under contract with the club – he coached both with the Packers – and no one might be better able to bridge the gap for a franchise clearly in some level of transition. But … McCarthy would need to have the stomach to work for Woody Johnson, who’s only a rung or two below Jones when it comes to involvement above from ownership.

Bill Belichick?

It’s already been reported that multiple NFL teams, including the Raiders, have reached out to the legendary coach, who took the University of North Carolina’s head job last month. And there was speculation Belichick might be a candidate to replace McCarthy last year following Dallas’ playoff flameout against Green Bay. Belichick and Jones have a close relationship, and the Cowboys come with many of the resources and talented players that might lure many prospective candidates toward the job.

Of course, as it pertains to Belichick, would that be sufficient to break his contract with UNC a month into the new adventure? There’s also the question of whether he could actually coexist professionally with Jones – something his mentor, Hall of Famer Bill Parcells, only managed for four years. Nevertheless, it’s one more option the 72-year-old could probably consider at a stage of his life and career when he essentially doesn’t have to fret much about long-term repercussions.

Deion Sanders?

He’s apparently regarded as a candidate to take over the team he played for when it won Super Bowl 30 so many years ago. Though there have been enough mixed signals, Sanders has repeatedly indicated a preference to remain at the University of Colorado aside from unique conditions that would lure him to the NFL, specifically coaching his sons. But given the contract QB Dak Prescott signed in September, hard to envision any scenario where former Buffs QB Shedeur Sanders comes to Dallas in 2025.

Former NFL head coaches

Whether or not Belichick is viable, given how desperate Jones is to break his team’s Super Bowl hex, it stands to reason the owner might lean toward hiring someone with familiarity in a leading role to replace McCarthy – who followed the likes of Parcells and Wade Phillips, though they preceded longtimer Jason Garrett. But this could be an opening more appropriate for, say, Pete Carroll or Kliff Kingsbury, maybe even Steve Spagnuolo, who would offer experience and, theoretically, a full appreciation of what this very challenging job entails.

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LOSERS

Aspiring NFL head coaches

Whether it’s Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn, Liam Coen, Joe Brady, Jesse Minter, Bobby Slowik or otherwise, the Dallas job probably isn’t one where a potential first-time HC would get a ton of consideration – perhaps Johnson might, but he’s also made it clear he won’t take any job but the one that’s absolutely right for him. Worse, with McCarthy now in play, there could well be one fewer landing spot elsewhere in the league for hot (or relatively hot) assistants seeking their opportunity for the big promotion.

(The one notable exception could be Philadelphia Eagles OC Kellen Moore, who held the same role in Dallas for four seasons after previously serving as a backup quarterback to Tony Romo and Prescott. Moore’s coaching arrow is again on a rising trajectory given how Philly’s offense has rehabbed this season – thank you also, Saquon Barkley – and he would possess a near-complete understanding of what working for Jones is like.)

Jerry Jones

Midway through his fourth decade as owner and steward of what’s almost inarguably the country’s most popular sports franchise, he’s once again searching for the man who will lead the Cowboys, now 29 years removed their most recent Super Bowl appearance (and win), back to the promised land. Yet despite the money, publicity (to the degree that’s alluring) and opportunity Jones can offer, there are also aspects of his operation working against him – namely himself. It’s not an easy needle to thread for any coach who might want to rule over his domain, establish a culture and philosophy all while knowing Jones will remain top banana. Jones also didn’t do himself or his team any favors by burning another week talking to McCarthy – as if that couldn’t have been resolved in the previous months – at the expense of speaking to prospective candidates.

And Jerry didn’t help McCarthy in 2024 by dragging his feet before reaching what were basically inevitable extensions with Prescott and WR CeeDee Lamb – and after basically sitting out free agency (despite a repeatedly avowed “all in” approach) even as a good chunk of the team followed former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to the Washington Commanders, who ultimately leapfrogged the Cowboys in the division. Prospective coaches, especially those already in high demand, will surely need to have their eyes wide open regarding the parameters in play here.

Dak Prescott

His numbers were incredible in 2020, his first with McCarthy, even if the wins weren’t consistently coming before he suffered a dislocated ankle in the fifth game. Prescott made a spectacular comeback in 2021 and was the league’s MVP runner-up last season before a blown hamstring ended his 2024 campaign prematurely. But his play was generally Pro Bowl-caliber under his former coach, he hauled in a record four-year, $240 million extension and consistently expressed his desire that McCarthy remain aboard given Dallas’ baseline of success during his tenure. Now? Effectively back to Square One.

Mike McCarthy

He wasn’t able to end Dallas’ championship drought, and the team’s playoff losses – two to the San Francisco 49ers and last year’s 48-32 blowout defeat to the Packers at AT&T Stadium – reflected a lack of preparation generally and in terms of situational football and adjustments against the Niners more specifically. McCarthy has also been critiqued for a lack of imagination schematically, though he is generally considered one of the league’s better play callers. However given the self-scouting and deep dive into analytics-based football he did between his stints in Green Bay and Dallas, it would track that McCarthy continues to refine his approach ahead of the next job he presumably accepts.

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.

With just two days before the window to sign him opens, the field for star Japanese right-hander Rōki Sasaki has narrowed – setting up a likely battle between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers for perhaps the most impactful addition this winter.

Sasaki, 23, can be acquired for a signing bonus within a team’s pool to acquire international players – and the signing team would control his rights for at least six years. That makes the former Chiba Lotte star a wildly valuable asset – and multiple teams have been informed they’re out of the running.

That process picked up steam Monday when San Francisco Giants general manager Zack Minasian told reporters that the club has been informed Sasaki will not sign with them; recent signee Justin Verlander gives the Giants five starters to begin camp.

Shortly thereafter, the New York Yankees’ YES Network reported that they, too, were informed Sasaki will not be signing with them, and The Athletic reported that the crosstown Mets, too, were out.

That leaves the Dodgers – with whom Sasaki met last month- and Padres – with Sasaki idol Yu Darvish in their rotation – as the likely favorites. Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, said on a media teleconference last week that Sasaki, who returned to Japan after the holidays after meeting with multiple teams at Wolfe’s Los Angeles office – likely wouldn’t add more teams in the running. He also noted Sasaki might visit teams in the running, but not necessarily.

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With that in mind, Sasaki visited the Toronto Blue Jays last week, although Major League Baseball’s lone Canadian team seems ripe for another disappointing letdown, in the wake of failed pursuits of two-way star Shohei Ohtani and slugger Juan Soto each of the past two seasons.

Still believed to be in on Sasaki: The Dodgers, Padres and Blue Jays, with multiple reports in Chicago saying the Cubs were informed they were out. The Dallas Morning News reported Monday that the Texas Rangers, longshots at best in the process, were also eliminated.

Yet the likeliest outcome remains Sasaki – who posted a 2.02 ERA in four professional seasons in Japan – landing with one of the two NL West heavyweights who battled in the NLDS last fall. Sasaki’s signing window runs from Wednesday through Jan. 23.

‘He is definitely driving the ship,’ Wolfe said last week, ‘and calling the shots.’

Mike McCarthy spent five years with the Dallas Cowboys. Now, the long-time NFL head coach will be looking for a new challenge.

McCarthy and the Cowboys could not agree to terms on a new contract for the head coach before the expiration of his deal on Jan. 14, 2025. As a result, the two are separating, and McCarthy will be free to seek out a new job.

McCarthy is expected to draw interest from the remaining five NFL teams with coaching vacancies. The 61-year-old posted a 49-35 record over his five seasons with the Cowboys and led Dallas to the playoffs in three of those campaigns, all of which saw the team post a 12-5 record.

Where might McCarthy end up? Here’s a look at some of his most realistic landing spots for the 2025 NFL offseason.

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New Orleans Saints

The Saints are expected to be ‘very interested’ in McCarthy now that he’s available, per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill.

McCarthy got his first offensive coordinator job with the Saints all the way back in 2000. He spent five seasons with the team and routinely led them to solid offensive performances, with the team’s third-ranked scoring offense in 2002 being his best unit.

Much has changed for McCarthy since then, but his history with the Saints is key. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reports ‘familiarity will be a factor’ in New Orleans’ coaching search, so McCarthy’s ties to the team could make him among the top Saints coaching candidates alongside Aaron Glenn and Joe Brady.

The only question is whether McCarthy would be interested in coaching the Saints, who have serious salary cap issues and will likely need to rebuild to become a wild-card contender again.

Chicago Bears

If McCarthy is worried about the talent level on New Orleans’ roster, he may have more of an interest in the Bears. Chicago already requested to interview McCarthy while he was still under contract with the Cowboys. The Bears were denied permission to do so, but now they can pursue McCarthy as he becomes a free agent.

The Bears are coming off a tough season – which saw the team collapse after allowing the Washington Commanders to beat them with a Week 8 Hail Mary – but they have plenty of offensive weapons in Caleb Williams, D’Andre Swift, D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet. McCarthy could see a path to wild-card contention with that group, especially if he can help develop Williams after the 2024 NFL draft’s No. 1 pick struggled as a rookie.

McCarthy helped Dak Prescott enjoy some of his best years in Dallas, including the 2023 season, when he finished as the runner-up for the NFL’s MVP award. His history of getting strong quarterback play out of talented prospects like Prescott and Aaron Rodgers will likely intrigue the Bears and make him a legitimate candidate for the job.

McCarthy’s case for the job will also be bolstered by his 19-7 career record against the Bears.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Since taking over the Jaguars in 2012, owner Shad Khan has tended to alternate hiring coaches with previous NFL head coaching experience (like Doug Marrone and Pederson) and inexperienced, swing-for-the-fences moves (like Gus Bradley and Urban Meyer). That may put Jacksonville on track to take a chance on an up-and-coming coordinator candidate this cycle, like Joe Brady, rather than a retread like McCarthy.

Still, McCarthy could draw interest from the Jaguars as a proven winner. Jacksonville is looking for a candidate who can get the most out of 2021 No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence, and McCarthy’s track record could make Khan a believer.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders could use some coaching stability, as the position has been in flux since Jon Gruden resigned from his post during the 2021 NFL season after emails containing racist, homophobic and misogynistic remarks that he sent while working for ESPN were leaked to the media.

McCarthy would provide that. He would shut the revolving door that has featured interim coach Rich Bisaccia, Josh McDaniels and interim-turned-head coach Antonio Pierce over the four seasons. McCarthy could also get Las Vegas’ offense back on track after it finished bottom-six in both yards and points for the season.

That said, the Raiders don’t have a proven starter at quarterback and don’t have a clear path to one of the top signal-caller options in a relatively weak 2025 NFL draft class. That could discourage McCarthy from taking the job, so again, this doesn’t look as likely a landing spot for the veteran coach.

Is Mike McCarthy a New York Jets coaching candidate?

As intriguing as the idea of McCarthy potentially teaming up with Aaron Rodgers again would be, Zach Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports he doesn’t expect the Jets to pursue McCarthy.

It’s easy to understand why that would be the case. The Jets still have Rodgers under contract, and without a clear path toward a quarterback upgrade, the team may have to keep the 41-year-old in tow for another season.

Rodgers and McCarthy reportedly had a tense relationship at the end of their time together in Green Bay. Rodgers has denied that, but even so, it’s hard to imagine the duo coexisting again after the messy end to their time together with the Packers.

Perhaps the Jets could choose McCarthy over Rodgers. After all, the 61-year-old interview for the Jets’ head coaching job in 2019 before he landed with the Cowboys.

Still, it seems more likely that the Jets try to avoid compounding any potential issues with Rodgers while exploring other coaching candidates for their vacancy.

The inaugural WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion has been crowned.

Lyra Valkyria defeated Dakota Kai to win the WWE Women’s Intercontinental title in the tournament final on Monday Night Raw.

It was a back-and-forth affair that had plenty of bright moments, and Kai looked like she was setting up for victory when she landed a GTK on her opponent. However, Valkyria smartly went out of the ring to avoid the pin and recovered. She took advantage and landed the Nightwing to set up the winning pin and make WWE history.

The title win continues what’s been an impressive first year on the main roster for Valkyria. After she was called up in April, the Ireland-native entered the Queen of the Ring tournament and made it to the finals, losing to Nia Jax for the crown. After forming an alliance with Kayden Carter and Katana Chance over the summer, Valkyria was also in the women’s Money in the Bank match in July.

Valkyria’s path to the title included a first round victory over Zelina Vega and Ivy Nile in the first round, and she defeated Kai’s Damage CTRL teammate in the semifinals to reach the final.

The championship is Valkyria’s first on the main roster and second in her time in WWE. She was the NXT Champion in 2023-24 with her reign lasting 164 days. She joins Chelsea Green as the two newest midcard champions in the women’s division; Green won the Women’s United States Championship at Saturday Night’s Main Event on Dec. 14.

Penta has arrived in WWE.

The veteran luchador made his WWE debut on Monday night, defeating Chad Gable in his first match for the wrestling company.

Penta made his entrance to a hyped crowd inside the SAP Center in San Jose, California, and he emerged from the darkness with his signature ‘Cero Miedo’ signature mark. He soaked it all in as he made his way to the ring and the crowd cheered him on.

Gable was clearly shook by the showmanship Penta immediately displayed in the match, whether it was his creativity, acrobatics and unique personality when revving the crowd up. The American Made leader was able to counter some moves, including a German suplex off the apron of the ring and focusing his attack on his opponent’s left leg.

Hobbled, Penta still showed off some of the high-flying maneuvers that made him such a prized signing for WWE, even landing a beautiful Mexican Destroyer. Penta looked to be headed toward defeat when Gable got him tied up in an ankle lock, but he got out of it and used his patented arm destroyer − dubbed the sacrifice − to set up his spectacular Penta Driver. It would be enough with Penta securing the pin afterward.

WWE reporter Jackie Redmond interviewed Penta after his match, with his family emotionally watching ringside. He thanked the San Jose crowd and showed appreciation for being in WWE and his family in both English and Spanish.

‘This is my new home,’ he said. ‘The real truth is I’ve been waiting for this moment.’

He also thanked the people in his home country of Mexico before declaring it is a new time in WWE.

‘This is not only the Netflix new era. Now it is the Penta new era,’ he added.

Who is Penta?

A man that has gone by several names over the course of his wrestling career, Penta got his start competing in his home country of Mexico. He made a name for himself in the lucha libre scene, but he became more widely known during his time in Lucha Underground in the U.S. There, he took on names like Rey Mysterio and more famously, took part in intergender matches between now WWE stars Chelsea Green and Iyo Sky.

After stints in Major League Wrestling and Impact Wrestling, Penta was one of the first wrestlers to join the newly formed All Elite Wrestling in 2019. There, he primarily competed in tag team action alongside Rey Fénix as the Lucha Brothers. The duo had their biggest moment in AEW in 2021 when they won the AEW World Tag Team Championship at All Out. In 2022, the pair teamed up with Pac to win the AEW World Trios Championship.

The Lucha Brothers would also appear in Ring of Honor and won the ROH World Tag Team Championship in 2023. Penta competed in his last match with AEW in July, and remained out of the spotlight since then.

Since December, WWE has been airing vignettes hinting at the signing of Penta. On the first Monday Night Raw on Netflix, a vignette with the words ‘Penta’ aired and Gable asked to go up against the ‘best luchador’ the next week. Gable did get his wish, and it resulted in the debut victory of Penta.