Penta has moved into the next stage of WWE’s World Heavyweight Championship tournament following a hard-fought victory over Laredo Kid on the August 10 episode of WWE RAW.

The tournament brings together competitors from RAW, SmackDown and AAA, with a major prize awaiting the eventual winner. Whoever survives the bracket will challenge Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship on September 14 in Mexico City.

Penta is now through to the semi-finals, although the road to Reigns is only getting more difficult.

Monday’s quarter-final offered fans a heavy dose of lucha libre action, with Penta and Laredo Kid wasting little time once the bell sounded.

Penta initially extended his hand as a sign of respect, but Laredo Kid declined the gesture and immediately turned his attention towards the fight ahead.

Both men pushed the pace throughout the contest, with Laredo Kid coming particularly close to securing an upset. His offence included a poisonrana from the top rope, a series of moonsaults and a 450 splash, but none were enough to keep Penta down for the three-count.

Penta produced plenty of spectacular offence of his own. The former WWE United States Champion connected with a tope con giro before eventually landing the Penta Driver, only for Laredo Kid to survive and keep the match alive.

The decisive opening arrived when Laredo Kid went for a diving Tornillo. Penta managed to avoid the attack, leaving his opponent vulnerable and allowing him to quickly take advantage.

Penta followed up with a Mexican Destroyer and secured the clean pinfall victory to officially book his place in the tournament semi-finals.

His next opponent will be determined at AAA on August 15, where Psycho Clown is scheduled to face La Parka. The winner of that match will meet Penta for a place in the final.

Attention will then turn back to WWE RAW on August 17, with two more tournament matches scheduled. Dragon Lee will battle El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr., while Rey Fenix takes on El Fiscal.

Fenix remaining in the competition creates an especially intriguing possibility. If both brothers continue winning, Penta and Rey Fenix could find themselves standing across the ring from each other in the tournament final.

Only one competitor, however, can ultimately earn the trip to Mexico City and the opportunity to challenge Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship.