Kayfabe Monday--May 31st Edition

Another stupid idea from the creative offices of TNA Wrestling: The word coming out of the Sacrifice pay-per-view is that LAX won't be put back together with Hernandez and Homicide once Hernandez returns from Mexico. This probably has a lot to do with Homicide's recent comments against TNA officials. The plan is to have Hernandez feud one-on-one with Matt Morgan once he returns. Also, One of the reasons Hernandez was sent to Mexico was to take Spanish classes and be in Mexico so he's basically forced to use the language. While Hernandez is Hispanic by heritage, he didn't know much Spanish. The idea when he returns, which is happening soon, is to have him do his interviews like Rey Mysterio where he uses both English and Spanish.

Source: JamieTNAWrestlingNews

As always here is some info about the Latin American Exchange, also known as the LAX: The Latin American Xchange (also spelled The Latin American Exchange, The Latin American X-Change, and frequently abbreviated to The LAX) was a Hispanic professional wrestling tag team/stable in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, consisting of Homicide and Hernandez. The original gimmick of LAX denounced the perceived repression of ethnic minorities by the NWA Championship Committee and TNA Management, with LAX's response as a group of militant street thugs. After becoming heroes, the group continued to stand as proud street Latin Americans, but dropped its militant focus.

LAX emerged out of the breakup of 4Live Kru (newly added member Kip James), which was the result of Konnan being tired of the shenanigans between B.G. James and Kip James. When Kip was permitted into the stable, it was the last straw. At Turning Point in 2005, Konnan attacked Kip and B.G. with a chair, signaling that stable's end. Throughout December, "Bullet" Bob Armstrong, B.G. James' father, tried to get 4Live Kru back together. On the December 31, 2005 episode of TNA Impact!, Bullet Bob encountered Konnan, who expressed himself like he had a change of heart and was willing to talk. Later in the show, however, two other Hispanic wrestlers, the returning Apolo and the debuting Homicide, ambushed Bullet Bob backstage at Konnan's command. As a result, a feud began between LAX and the James Gang, who sought revenge for the attack.

The feud between LAX and the James Gang continued through January 2006. At Against All Odds on February 12, 2006, Apolo and Homicide were scheduled to wrestle the James Gang. Apolo, however, had been released from TNA earlier that month for no-showing an event. His departure was explained on-screen by Konnan, who simply stated that the LAX was expanding, then introduced Apolo's replacement, the debuting Machete. Homicide and Machete went on to lose to the James Gang. On the March 18, 2006 episode of Impact, Homicide and Machete lost to Shark Boy and Norman Smiley after Konnan inadvertently hit Machete with his slapjack. After the match, Konnan tore off Machete's Puerto Rican t-shirt and threw him out of the stable. On the March 31 episode of TNA Xplosion, Konnan justified why he fired Machete, pointing to Machete's loss to Shark Boy. Later that evening, Konnan introduced the newest member of the LAX, the returning Hernandez. Hernandez and Homicide teamed together in a loss to Chris Sabin and Jay Lethal.

LAX were next involved in an angle where they refused to wrestle, claiming that Latinos were "discriminated" against in TNA. The storyline borrowed heavily from the current controversy surrounding illegal immigration. During this time Konnan established a "border" around the Spanish announcer area (where he provided Spanish commentary alongside Moody Jack Melendez) and denied entry to non-Latino individuals (they usually used the derogatory term Gringo when referring to American wrestlers or non-Latino wrestlers in general). LAX often jumped any wrestler(s) who wander too close to the area. On the June 29 episode of Impact!, Jim Cornette declared that LAX's work stoppage would mean a "cheque stoppage". Homicide would wrestle on the July 6 episode, with the stipulation that LAX have a special Spanish ring entrance, announced by Melendez.

Konnan later made an offer to Ron "The Truth" Killings to join LAX. After Killings denied the offer, LAX assaulted him. LAX also attempted to give Sonjay Dutt a similar beating after one of Dutt's matches, but Killings interfered and made the save; this led to a tag team match at Victory Road between Homicide and Hernandez and Killings and Dutt. Hernandez picked up the victory for LAX after applying the Border Toss on Dutt.

On the July 20 episode of Impact!, the NWA World Tag Team Champions A.J. Styles and Christopher Daniels made an open challenge in which they offered any team on the TNA roster a contract to face them for the titles, including LAX, who would then proceed to attack the champions, causing both of them to bleed, and then signed the contract with Daniels' blood. On the August 24 episode of Impact!, LAX would defeat Styles and Daniels in a Border Brawl to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship. LAX lost the title back to Styles and Daniels at No Surrender in the first ever tag team Ultimate X match, but were granted a rematch after assaulting Styles in Mexico City. LAX regained the title in a Six Sides of Steel match at Bound for Glory after Homicide performed Da Gringo Killa on Styles.

On the October 19 edition of Impact! LAX started a feud with America's Most Wanted (James Storm and Chris Harris) by attacking them after the four of them had lost an eight man tag team match against Styles, Daniels and the James Gang. The assault ended with Hernandez applying the Border Toss on AMW's manager Gail Kim. During the November 16 episode of Impact!, LAX nearly burned the American flag, as they promised one week earlier, but were stopped by Petey Williams. After stealing a victory over America's Most Wanted at Genesis Konnan told Homicide to use Da Gringo Killa on Gail Kim. Petey Williams made the save, and TNA Management Director Jim Cornette stripped them of the Titles for "conduct extremely disrespectful to TNA and its fans". Despite the then-recently increased recognition of good and bad guy characters by the TNA audience and the rising extremism at the time of the "anti-American" actions of the LAX, this actually infuriated the fans in the arena and stirred up some unsavory chants directed at Cornette.

LAX refused to return the belts, hired a lawyer, and (kayfabe) threatened to sue TNA for violating their First Amendment rights. At that point, Cornette backed down and reinstated LAX as NWA World Tag Team Champions. On the next episode of Impact! they were placed in a match against Kurt Angle and Petey Williams with Cornette stating that he could not strip them of the titles but he could make them defend it. Throughout the broadcast LAX took out James Storm and Chris Harris, as well as Petey Williams right before the title match. LAX seemed to have the advantage on Angle when Samoa Joe came out to tag with Angle. Angle and Joe both proceeded to apply their respective submission holds and made both Homicide and Hernandez tap, thus apparently winning the NWA World Tag Team Championships. But soon after the bell sounded Cornette and LAX's lawyer appeared with the lawyer stating Joe was not signed to the contract and the match must be declared a disqualification on Angle to end the show. At Turning Point, LAX defeated America's Most Wanted in a flag match after they managed to hang the Mexican Flag, making the LAX the first non-American team to win a flag match on American soil. They had another victory over America's Most Wanted on December 14 in a "Titles vs. Career" match after James Storm deliberately hit Chris Harris with a beer bottle. The loss forced AMW to disband.

On the January 4, 2007 edition of Impact!, Homicide and Brother Runt competed in a "Lucha Callejera", or Street Fight. The match ended with Hernandez interfering when he applied a Border Toss on Runt, throwing him into a propped-up ladder. Then LAX entered into a feud against Team 3D. At Final Resolution, LAX retained their tag championship by disqualification against Team 3D, when an apparently drunk Brother Runt came out and jumped off the top rope with a headbutt on Homicide. Konnan was not with LAX; he was injured recovering from hip replacement surgery. The television storyline cover for the surgery's necessity was a Team 3D "sniper attack". He would later be scheduled to have kidney replacement surgery, as well. LAX and 3D met again on Impact! the same week, LAX retained the titles when Hernandez used the slapjack to score a pinfall over Brother Ray. In mid-February, Machete returned to TNA and to the LAX, although he was not recognized as part of the TNA roster, in an enforcer/bodyguard role, seen with a Puerto Rican flag bandanna over the lower part of his face, pushing the wheelchair-laden Konnan to the ringside area so he could continue managing Homicide and Hernandez during matches. The team revealed even more of a mean streak in the wake of Konnan's injury. The LAX formed an alliance with Alex Shelley, as they would attack the family and friends of Team 3D as Shelley videotaped the assaults, which included Brother Ray's real-life uncle, Brother Devon's trainer Johnny Rodz, and Brother Runt. In the February 23 episode of Impact!, the teams faced each other in a "Belting Pot" lumberjack match, in which both teams had a group of leather strap-armed followers that would act as lumberjacks in the match. LAX was supported by a group of "Latino Nation" members and Team 3D had a group of "Italian Family" mobsters behind them (this angle was used to promote Brother Ray's Italian roots). Team 3D won that match after the leader of the Italian mobsters (Sopranos star Steve Schirripa) interfered. The teams met again at Destination X in a Ghetto Brawl, and the match was won by LAX. Later that week, the teams faced each other again a six man tag match, in what would end up being another victory for LAX and Shelley. The LAX would claim to rob the legacy of Team 3D, until Team 3D with their honorary WWE, WCW and ECW tag team championships in tow, would challenge LAX at Lockdown. LAX accepted, under the condition that the Six Sides of Steel would be electrified, a match that played into the LAX's favor with its Mexican wrestling heritage. Before the event, LAX kidnapped Brother Runt and shot him with a tazer gun to antagonize Team 3D. At Lockdown, LAX lost to Team 3D as they were defeated in the Electrified Steel Cage match to lose the NWA World Tag Team Championships. At Sacrifice, LAX failed to regain the World Tag Team Title in a Triple Threat Tag Team match against Team 3D and Scott Steiner and Tomko, although neither LAX member was involved in the decision.

Despite Konnan quitting at the June 19 Impact! tapings, Homicide and Hernandez remained in TNA to continue on as LAX. On the July 26, 2007 edition of Impact!, LAX became heroes by attacking the Voodoo Kin Mafia for disgracing the Puerto Rican flag. At Hard Justice, LAX beat VKM. VKM originally beat LAX when Kip James pinned Hernandez with the Fameasser, however Hector Guerrero, the one Latin American who LAX had actually feuded with (although loosely) during Konnan's tenure as the leader, showed the referee that VKM had used powder to win. After a restart Homicide pinned Kip with a roll-up.

At the following pay-per-view, Bound for Glory, LAX defeated Elix Skipper and Senshi in an Ultimate X Match to become number one contender to the TNA World Tag Team Championship. They were, however, unsuccessful in their attempt to become tag team champions to A.J. Styles and Tomko on an episode of Impact!. In the weeks following, the stable was aided by a heavily clothed, masked figure whom, at Final Resolution was revealed as Salinas. At the 2008 Destination X pay-per-view in March, LAX got back in the title picture by defeating The Motor City Machineguns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) and The Rock 'n Rave Infection (Jimmy Rave and Lance Hoyt) in a number one contender's match.

On the May 1 episode of Impact!, LAX asked Hector Guerrero to be their advisor, which he accepted. On the May 11 pay-per-view Sacrifice, LAX won the vacant TNA Tag Title after defeating Team 3D in the "Deuces Wild" tournament final with help from Guerrero. Afterward, Team 3D attacked Hector and left him beaten, creating another feud between LAX and Team 3D. After defeating 3D to retain the tag straps, they would find themselves in a feud with Beer Money, Inc. (James Storm, Robert Roode and their manager, Jacqueline). Beer Money whipped all four members of LAX with belts, resulting in a Fans' Revenge match being booked for the tag titles at Victory Road. After defeating Beer Money, Inc. at Victory Road, LAX fought them once again for the TNA World Tag Team Championships at Hard Justice this time in a regular two-on-two match. Beer Money, Inc. claimed victory in the match when Roode crashed a beer bottle over Homicide's head, allowing Storm to gain the pinfall, thus ending LAX's four month reign as champions. At No Surrender, LAX was once again defeated by Beer Money, Inc. when they met for a championship rematch.[42] Before the match, Jacqueline was revealed to have attacked Salinas backstage, and as a result she had to be rushed to the hospital. This was done to write her out of the LAX and their feud with Beer Money on-screen, and explain her departure from TNA shortly before the pay-per-view. On the September 25 episode of Impact! Homicide, Hernandez and Guerrero fought Roode, Storm and Jacqueline in a six person "Loser's manager leaves town" match. Beer Money, Inc. won the match when Roode pinned Hernandez and as a result of the match Guerrero could no longer manage Homicide and Hernandez in TNA. At Bound for Glory IV LAX competed in a four team Monster's Ball match, but were defeated when Robert Roode pinned Hernandez after Team 3D had put him through a table covered with thumbtacks.

On September 30, 2008, it was announced on Ring of Honor (ROH)'s official website that LAX would be appearing at ROH shows on October 24 and 25. On October 24 in Danbury, Connecticut LAX defeated the ROH World Tag Team Champions Kevin Steen and El Generico, The Age of the Fall (Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black) and Chris Hero and Davey Richards in a 30-minute Iron Man match. On October 25, however, they lost to the Briscoe Brothers.

At Final Resolution on December 7, 2008, LAX took part in the second ever "Feast or Fired" match where both members managed to capture a briefcase containing either a shot at the World Heavyweight, X Division or Tag Team titles or a pink slip. The contents of the briefcases were revealed on the following episode of Impact! resulting in a future World Heavyweight Championship match for Hernandez and an X Division Championship opportunity for Homicide.

The Latin American Xchange debuted in the International Wrestling Association on Histeria Boricua, a special event that took place on January 6, 2009. There they were booked against Los Dueños de la Malicia, a tag team composed by Noel Rodríguez and Dennis Rivera. The contest was won by Los Dueños de la Malicia, with Rodríguez pinning Homicide following a distraction on the outside of the ring.

On the January 15, 2009 edition of Impact! Hernandez cashed in his Feast or Fired opportunity and challenged Sting for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. Hernandez won via disqualification after the rest of The Main Event Mafia interfered in the match and therefore the belt stayed with Sting. On the January 29 edition of Impact! Mick Foley announced that due to winning the first match via disqualification Hernandez will get a rematch for the title down the road. On the July 16 edition of Impact! Homicide cashed in his "Feast or Fired" briefcase to win the X Division Championship from Suicide. After Hernandez returned from a neck surgery on the July 23 edition of Impact! the team went inactive as both he and Homicide began concentrating on their singles careers. On the September 10 edition of Impact! Homicide turned on Hernandez and joined the heel faction World Elite effectively ending the partnership between the two. On the March 22, 2010, edition of Impact! there were signs of reconciliation between the former members of LAX as Homicide came out to check on Hernandez, as he was being helped by medics after he had been laid out by his new World Tag Team Championship partner Matt Morgan.

Thanks to Chris Sokol for the majority of this information as well as various wrestling history websites.

So what is my point to this long rant about the Latin American Exchange? It is the same opinion I had with the long blog about Christopher Daniels--Like the Hollywood Industry, they are stuck in the mindset of remakes. If it is not broke, DO NOT FIX IT. The Latin American Exchange has/had a tremendous fan following. Most of the merchandise sales when they were around were their merchandise. So to repeat what I wrote a while ago--Instead of trying to re-create WCW, maybe some original thought should go into their product instead of a constant rehash/remake. I did not like it that George Romero's films were remade--do I like it when professional wrestling gimmicks that worked in the past are remade? What do you think?

As always, I believe in kayfabe,
JoiseyDani