AEW: Reimagining LAX as a main event faction

All Elite Wrestling has many of the components to make a powerful new version of LAX. 

While they are going by the name Proud and Powerful in All Elite Wrestling, the duo of Santana and Ortiz are best known as two parts of the faction, the Latin American Exchange – or better yet – LAX. Fans were excited when they were announced as an addition to the AEW roster when the promotion was first getting off the ground in 2019. But that is coming up on two years ago. AEW has a very deep tag team division, but LAX has not had the opportunity to stand anywhere near the top of the pile. That should change, but not only should it change, but the real identity of the group should come back in full force.

Santana and Ortiz are currently a part of the Inner Circle. The group was once the focus of AEW’s booking as Chris Jericho stood tall with the AEW title around his waist. That is since changed, with MJF being added to the group it is just a matter of time before he expels Jericho from the Inner Circle and takes over as its “leader.” It is either that or he causes the entire faction to explode like the Death Star. Once that happens the question of “what’s next” will be at the top of the minds of every former member. For LAX, they should focus on the tag team titles – as they are one of the best teams on the AEW roster. But before they do so, reforming the LAX would be a major moment in the still-young promotion.

Latino heritage is prominent on the AEW roster

AEW pitched itself as a promotion that will embrace diversity. There is still debate about whether it has lived up to that idea, but that is not the point of this piece. Instead, looking at AEW’s roster there are several members who proudly wear their Latino roots on their sleeves. Imagine a setting where Santana and Ortiz rallied the top names into one powerful faction that could take over every aspect of the promotion.

Not just Santana and Ortiz, but Diamante is already on the AEW roster. That would mean Ivelisse should also be considered a part of the group. But things would not end there. Perhaps the two biggest names would be Eddie Kingston and Thunder Rosa. Picture that. Santana, Ortiz, Diamante, Ivelisse, Rosa, and Kingston – controlling nearly every title that AEW has to offer. That is the type of main event level stable that would not only see Santana and Ortiz get featured at the top of the ladder but each other member in their own way as well.

It is rare to see a faction entirely made up of people of color headlining in a major professional wrestling organization. AEW can do so if they took the time to rebuild LAX. The pieces are there. The passion is there. And the fans of both these individuals and the promotion would be into such an angle. It is an opportunity that AEW should not look away from as it continues to move into new storylines throughout 2021.