WWE star Penta might have fans all around the world, but none are bigger than NFL tight end George Kittle.

The Mexican luchador recently opened up to PEOPLE about his supportive friendship with San Francisco 49ers star during a red carpet appearance at WWE’s Hall of Fame ceremony in Las Vegas on Friday, April 18 — two nights before Kittle, 31, sat front row for the wrestler’s WrestleMania debut.

“He’s a good friend,” Penta, 40, tells PEOPLE with a smile. “We have a really good relationship.”

Kittle was in Vegas to cheer on Penta during his first WrestleMania appearance, sitting front row and hugging the luchador before his matchup for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.

“Before WrestleMania, he texted me like, ‘Let’s f—— go!’ “ Penta says. “The support he gives me, I feel that.”

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Penta told PEOPLE he believes Kittle is “the best athlete in the world,” but it was the NFL tight end who took notice of the professional wrestler first, following his career from the independent wrestling circuit to All Elite Wrestling in 2019 and then to WWE earlier this year.

In fact, the six-time NFL Pro Bowler pays homage to Penta every game: Kittle’s now famous first-down celebration – in which he points his hand out, sticks three fingers up in an “OK” sign, and flips them downwards to make an “M” – was Penta’s move first. The wrestler’s hand gesture, which Kittle helped popularize, means “Cero Miedo,” or “Zero Fear!” It’s a mentality both athletes deploy in their own work.

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Kittle and Penta stay in touch regularly, the wrestler explained. Penta has visited Kittle's home, and the NFL player is often in attendance for the wrestler's biggest matches. In February, Kittle even jumped into the ring after Penta won one of his first WWE matches, celebrating with the luchador and doing their now-shared celebration move in tandem.

They’ll also often send each other supportive messages before big games or matches, Penta shares, whether it’s Kittle and the 49ers playing in the Super Bowl or Penta performing in football stadiums of his own, like the Las Vegas Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium, where WrestleMania 41 took place.

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Traditionally, luchadores rarely share much about their real lives outside the wrestling ring. It’s a by-design secrecy that helps elevate their character’s super hero-like mystique. But also by design, Penta has quickly become one of WWE’s biggest stars. His face, though hidden behind a red, black and white mask, was plastered all over Vegas to help promote WWE’s biggest event of the year – on hotel billboards, LED car advertisements driving down the Strip and on the fans themselves, many who donned replica masks or “Penta” T-shirts.

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On Saturday, the WWE announced it has purchased Mexico’s AAA wrestling promotion, where Penta first began making a name for himself. It’s a landmark deal in the pro wrestling world that underscores the Connecticut-based company’s global expansion, as well as the rising popularity of luchadores like Penta, who’s caught the eyes of even wrestling’s most famous fans like Kittle.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life and all my career,” Penta says about joining WWE. “Twenty years ago I started my dream, but finally now it’s coming true. I’m really happy to be here.”

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