Santana and Ortiz

Last updated
Santana and Ortiz
Ortiz y santana.jpg
Mike Santana (right) and Ortiz (left) in 2019
Tag team
MembersAngel Ortiz / Ortiz
Mike Draztik / Mike Santana / Santana
Name(s)The Latin American Xchange / LAX
EYFBO
Proud & Powerful
Santana and Ortiz
Billed from New York City, New York
DebutMarch 9, 2012
Years active2012–2023

Santana and Ortiz, sometimes nicknamed Proud & Powerful, were an American-Puerto Rican professional wrestling tag team consisting of Mark Sanchez (born February 4, 1991) and Miguel Molina (born September 27, 1991), who are best known for their time together in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). [1]

Contents

In 2012, Sanchez and Molina, then known as Mike Draztik and Angel Ortiz respectively, formed a tag team known as EYFBO (acronym for Entertain Your Fucking Balls Off or Entertain Your Freakin Butt Off) [2] and worked for several years on the American independent scene. They won several titles, including the AAW Tag Team Championship, CZW World Tag Team Championship and the HOG Tag Team Championship.

In 2017, they were hired by Impact Wrestling, and changed their names to Ortiz and Santana. They joined Konnan as the members of the stable The Latin American Xchange (LAX) and became a big part of the promotion's tag team division. During their time in Impact, they were four time Impact World Tag Team Champions, holding the record for most combined days as champions, with 662 days and, at one point, the record as the longest reign with 261 days. They also won GFW Tag Team Championship and unified the title with the Impact Tag Team Championship. Santana and Ortiz left the promotion in 2019 and, soon after, joined the newly created All Elite Wrestling, where they joined Chris Jericho's stable The Inner Circle. After a dispute in The Inner Circle, they left and teamed up with Eddie Kingston.

History

Impact Wrestling (2017–2019)

On the March 16, 2017 episode of Impact Wrestling, Santana and Ortiz were part of LAX with Homicide, Diamante, and manager Konnan. LAX attacked Decay, Laredo Kid, Garza Jr., and Reno Scum inserting themselves in the Impact World Tag Team Championship picture and winning them the following week, establishing themselves as heels in the process. On the March 30 episode of Impact Wrestling, Ortiz and Santana defeated Decay, Laredo Kid and Garza Jr. and Reno Scum to win the Impact World Tag Team Championship. On the April 23 episode of Impact Wrestling, Santana and Ortiz defeated Veterans of War (Mayweather and Wilcox) in a tournament finals to win the GFW Tag Team Championship. On November 5 at Bound for Glory, they lost to Ohio Versus Everything (OVE) as part of a double turn with Sami Callihan interfering on OVE's behalf, Jake Crist performing a low blow on Ortiz, and OVE attacking them after the match, thus turning LAX into face in the process.

On the May 24, 2018 episode of Impact King became the newest member of LAX. After the group leader Konnan was attacked, and Homicide and Diamante went missing in action, King assumed leadership of the faction and guided Ortiz and Santana back to being tag team champions. In June, Konnan and Diamante returned, both showing suspicion about King's involvement with the group. On the July 5, 2018 episode of Impact, Konnan confronted King who admitted that it was he who had "taken out a hit" against Konnan to takeover the faction. King then attempted to get Ortiz and Santana to recognize him as the new head of the group but they rejected this and stood beside the original leader, Konnan. Then, former LAX members Hernandez and Homicide returned, entering the ring and attacking Konnan's trio. [3] At Bound for Glory on October 14, Hernandez and Homicide lost to Ortiz and Santana in a Concrete Jungle Death match.

On January 12, 2019, The Lucha Bros (Pentagón Jr. and Rey Fénix) defeated LAX during the TV Tapings in Mexico to win the Impact World Tag Team Championships. [4] Santana and Ortiz would reclaim them at the Rebellion pay per view on April 28. They held the titles until July, when they lost them to The North (Ethan Page and Josh Alexander).

On July 8, it was revealed that Santana and Ortiz would soon be leaving Impact and had interest from WWE and All Elite Wrestling. [5] During August 9 tapings Santana and Ortiz were given a "send off" by the Impact locker room. [6] Santana confirmed the following day that he and Ortiz were in fact done appearing on Impact Wrestling. [7]

All Elite Wrestling (2019–2024)

On August 31, 2019, at All Out, Santana and Ortiz debuted as heels for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), attacking both Lucha Brothers (Pentagón Jr. and Fénix) and Nick Jackson after their tag team ladder match. [8] On October 2, the inaugural episode of Dynamite , they teamed with Chris Jericho in the main event and defeated The Elite (Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks). [9] Led by Jericho, they subsequently formed a new faction along with Sammy Guevara and Jake Hager called The Inner Circle. [10] On the November 18, 2020 episode of Dynamite, Konnan reunited with Santana and Ortiz during an Inner Circle party in Las Vegas. [11] On the February 9, 2022 episode of AEW Dynamite, the Inner Circle had a team meeting that ended with Sammy Guevara throwing his vest and walking out. It was later announced that Jericho and Hager would face Santana and Ortiz in a tag team match the following week, with it being billed as the Inner Circle Implodes match. [12] On the March 9, 2022 episode of Dynamite, the Inner Circle was disbanded after Jericho and Hager attacked Santana and Ortiz and formed an alliance with 2point0 and Daniel Garcia. On the June 15, 2022 special episode of Dynamite Road Rager , Ortiz would have his head shaved after losing a hair vs. hair match to Jericho. On the June 29, 2022 at Blood And Guts , they competed in the main event, defeating the Jericho Appreciation Society.

During his absence, it was reported Santana and Ortiz had problems working together. [13] [14] After the tag team returned following Santana's recovery from injury, Santana had his ring name changed to Mike Santana. [15] The team competed alongside the Blackpool Combat Club losing to Kingston, Penta El Zero M and Best Friends' Trent Beretta, Chuck Taylor and Orange Cassidy in a Stadium Stampede match at All In at Wembley Stadium on August 27. After the event, the team disbanded which led to a match on AEW Rampage on October 27, where Santana defeated Ortiz. In March 2024, Santana's profile was removed from AEW's official website, ending his almost five-year tenure with the company. [16]

Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (2019)

On September 8, 2019, Santana and Ortiz debuted with the Mexican promotion Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA), earning their first victory after defeating the team of Arez and Daga and Laredo Kid and Myzteziz Jr. [ citation needed ]

Championships and accomplishments

Santana with the Impact Tag Team Championship belt Ortiz wrestler.jpg
Santana with the Impact Tag Team Championship belt
Before they signed with Impact, Santana and Ortiz worked as EYFBO in the independent circuit EYFBO at Alpha-1 Jan 2017.jpg
Before they signed with Impact, Santana and Ortiz worked as EYFBO in the independent circuit

Luchas de Apuestas record

Winner (wager)Loser (wager)LocationEventDateNotes
Chris Jericho (hair)Ortiz (hair)St. Louis, Missouri Road Rager June 15, 2022 [32]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Kingston</span> American professional wrestler

Edward Moore, better known by the ring name Eddie Kingston, is an American professional wrestler. As of July 2024, he is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is out of in-ring action because of a leg injury, but continues to make on-air appearances. He was the inaugural AEW Continental Champion. Moore also performs for AEW's sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is a former ROH World Champion. Additionally, he makes appearances for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a former Strong Openweight Champion. All three of these championships were defended jointly under the Continental Crown Championship banner until he lost the Continental Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Latin American Xchange</span> Professional wrestling stable

The Latin American Xchange (LAX) is a professional wrestling stable that has wrestled in various incarnations primarily for Total Nonstop Action / Impact Wrestling and currently in Major League Wrestling (MLW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Avalon</span> American professional wrestler

Peter Hernandez, better known by the ring name "Pretty" Peter Avalon, is an American professional wrestler signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He is also known for his appearances in Championship Wrestling from Hollywood and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. He has also appeared in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as Norv Fernum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Page</span> American professional wrestler (born 1991)

Stephen Blake Woltz, better known by his ring name "Hangman" Adam Page, is an American professional wrestler. As of January 2019, he is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a former member of The Elite. He is also a former AEW World Champion and AEW World Tag Team Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santana (wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler (born 1991)

Mark Sanchez, better known by the ring name Santana, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he performs under the ring name Mike Santana. He also makes appearances for House of Glory (HOG), where he is the current HOG Heavyweight Champion in his first reign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ethan Page</span> Canadian professional wrestler (born 1989)

Julian Micevski, better known by his ring name Ethan Page, is a Canadian professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand. He is a former one-time NXT Champion. Micevski is also known for his time in Impact Wrestling, All Elite Wrestling (AEW), and Ring of Honor (ROH).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Best Friends (professional wrestling)</span> Professional wrestling tag team

Best Friends were an American professional wrestling stable in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Originally a tag team consisting of Chuck Taylor and Trent Beretta, they first formed in Pro Wrestling Guerilla (PWG), where they were the winners of the 2014 Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea</span> Professional wrestling themed cruise

Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea is a series of cruise ship experiences held by professional wrestler and rock musician Chris Jericho. The experience features professional wrestling events, musical concerts, stand-up comedy, and podcasts. The original cruise took place in October 2018. Two months later, Jericho confirmed there would be a second cruise to be held in 2020. Jericho partnered with Ring of Honor to hold the cruise's wrestling event in 2018 and with All Elite Wrestling for his 2020 and 2021 cruise. There is currently a sixth cruise scheduled for January 31 – February 4, 2025.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sammy Guevara</span> American professional wrestler

Samuel Guevara is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where is a record tying three-time former AEW TNT Champion. He also appears in AEW's sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is one-half of the ROH World Tag Team Champions with Dustin Rhodes in their first reign. He has previously worked for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA), where he is a former AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion with real life wife Tay Melo, and a former AAA Cruiserweight Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucha Brothers</span> Professional wrestling tag team

The Lucha Brothers, also known as the Lucha Bros or Los Lucha Bros, are a Mexican professional wrestling tag team consisting of brothers Penta El Zero Miedo or Penta Oscuro and Rey Fénix, and their manager Alex Abrahantes. They are known for their time in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where they were former AEW World Tag Team Champions, as well as former AEW World Trios Champions with their former Death Triangle stablemate, Pac. They also appeared for AEW's sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH), where they are former ROH World Tag Team Champions. In Mexico, they wrestled for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA), where they are two-time AAA World Tag Team Champions. They previously appeared in Impact Wrestling, where they are former World Tag Team Champions, making them the only team to be AEW, Impact, ROH, and AAA World Tag Team Champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxwell Jacob Friedman</span> American professional wrestler (born 1996)

Maxwell Tyler Friedman, better known by the ring name Maxwell Jacob Friedman and the shortened epithet MJF, is an American professional wrestler and actor. As a wrestler, he has been signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) since January 2019. He is a one-time AEW World Champion, with his reign being the longest in the title's history, and is also a one-time AEW International Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Nakazawa</span> Japanese professional wrestler

Masatsugu Nakazawa, better known by the ring name Michael Nakazawa, is a Japanese professional wrestler and judoka signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Dark Order</span> Professional wrestling stable

The Dark Order is a professional wrestling stable currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). The stable consists of Evil Uno, John Silver, Alex Reynolds, and Brodie Lee Jr. The stable previously utilized masked henchmen dubbed "creepers" who, when the group was being portrayed as villainous, would join them in beatdowns and other disruptive acts.

Private Party is an American professional wrestling tag team consisting of Zay and Quen. They are signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). The team debuted in August 2015 and wrestled in the independent circuit, as well as several regional promotions such as House of Glory (HOG) and Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW). In April 2019, they signed with AEW.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Revolution (2020)</span> All Elite Wrestling pay-per-view event

The 2020 Revolution was the inaugural Revolution professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by All Elite Wrestling (AEW). It took place on Saturday, February 29, 2020, at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. The event was AEW's last PPV to be held before the COVID-19 pandemic took effect in mid-March, and AEW's final PPV event to be held with a full capacity crowd until Double or Nothing in May 2021. The event aired through traditional PPV outlets, as well as on B/R Live in North America and FITE TV internationally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Perry</span> American professional wrestler (born 1997)

Jack Perry is an American professional wrestler. As of January 2019, he is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a member of The Elite stable and is the current AEW TNT Champion in his first reign. He is also a former one-time FTW Champion and a former one-time AEW World Tag Team Champion. He previously performed under the ring names Jungle Boy and "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry. He also makes appearances for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of Bullet Club and its sub-group House of Torture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inner Circle (professional wrestling)</span> American professional wrestling stable

The Inner Circle was an American professional wrestling stable formed in American professional wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW), created and led by Chris Jericho. It also consisted of original members Sammy Guevara, Jake Hager, Santana and Ortiz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wardlow (wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler (born 1988)

Michael Austin Wardlow is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) where he performs under the mononymous ring name Wardlow, and is a member of the Undisputed Kingdom stable. He is a former three-time AEW TNT Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kris Statlander</span> American professional wrestler

Kristen Stadtlander is an American professional wrestler. She is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where she performs under the ring name Kris Statlander and is a former one-time AEW TBS Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jericho Appreciation Society</span> American professional wrestling stable

The Jericho Appreciation Society (JAS) was a villainous professional wrestling stable formed in American professional wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW), created and led by Chris Jericho and also appeared in AEW's sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH). The group also consisted of Daniel Garcia, Jake Hager, Angelo Parker, Matt Menard, Sammy Guevara, Tay Melo, and Anna Jay A.S.

References

  1. ↑ AEW Staff (November 9, 2019). "AEW FULL GEAR Recap November 9, 2019 (**Includes Spoilers**)". allelitewrestling.com. All Elite Wrestling. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  2. ↑ "EYFBO/LAX Interview · The Indy Corner". www.theindycorner.com. Archived from the original on 2018-08-14.
  3. ↑ "Homicide & Hernandez RETURN and Lay Waste to LAX! | IMPACT! Highlights July 5, 2018" – via www.youtube.com.
  4. ↑ "BIG SPOILER FROM LAST NIGHT'S IMPACT WRESTLING TV TAPING | PWInsider.com". www.pwinsider.com.
  5. ↑ "Daily Update: Thiago Santos, John Tatum, LAX". WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, UFC News, UFC results. July 8, 2019.
  6. ↑ "LAX Given Send Off By IMPACT Roster At TV Tapings In Mexico | Fightful Wrestling". www.fightful.com.
  7. ↑ "LAX Thanks IMPACT Wrestling, Confirms They Have Wrestled Their Last Match For The Company | Fightful Wrestling". www.fightful.com.
  8. ↑ "LAX Debuts At AEW All Out". Wrestling Inc. August 31, 2019.
  9. ↑ "AEW Dynamite Results - Oct 2, 2019". Ringside News | Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers. 2019-10-02. Retrieved 2019-10-18.
  10. ↑ Chris Jericho reveals The Inner Circle , retrieved 2019-10-18
  11. ↑ Gagnon, Joshua (November 18, 2020). "Konnan Appears During Inner Circle's Visit To Las Vegas On AEW Dynamite". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Inner Circle Implosion, No DQ Bout Set for 2/16 AEW Dynamite". 10 February 2022.
  13. ↑ Beltrán, William (July 1, 2022). "Santana podría tener problemas con Ortiz y marcharse de AEW". Superluchas.
  14. ↑ "AEW tiene otro culebrón: Santana y Ortiz discuten en las redes sociales". solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com. September 9, 2023.
  15. ↑ Savage, Amanda (2023-08-24). "AEW Star Returns With New Name". WrestleTalk. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  16. ↑ Ravens, Andrew (2024-03-04). "Mike Santana Departs From AEW". 411Mania. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  17. ↑ "AAW Tag Team Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  18. ↑ "CZW Tag Team Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
  19. ↑ "HOG Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  20. ↑ "RIC FLAIR APPEARS, AMAZING RED VS. ZACK SABRE JR. LAX IN INSANE FATAL FOUR WAY & MORE: COMPLETE HOUSE OF GLORY 'SEVEN' COVERAGE FROM NYC - PWInsider.com". www.pwinsider.com.
  21. ↑ Martin, Adam (April 23, 2017). "Spoilers: 4/23 Impact Wrestling TV tapings results from Orlando". WrestleView. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Solie's Title Histories: TNA-IMPACT World Tag Team Championship History". Solie.org. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  23. ↑ Impact Best of 2018 Fans' Choice Awards Reveal with Anthony Carelli and Alicia Atout! Behind the Lights Episode 34 retrieved December 20, 2018
  24. ↑ "GCW Tag Team Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
  25. ↑ "Santana Reacts To Becoming The First LAWE World Champion". 22 May 2022.
  26. ↑ Grifol, Ignacio (January 14, 2022). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated anuncia los ganadores de sus PWI Awards 2021". Solowrestling.com. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  27. 1 2 "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2019 - the Internet Wrestling Database".
  28. ↑ "PWR Tag Team Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
  29. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "WrestlePro Tag Team Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
  30. ↑ "WOW Tag Team Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
  31. ↑ "WWL World League Team Championship History".
  32. ↑ "Chris Jericho Set To Face Ortiz In A Hair vs. Hair Match At AEW Dynamite Road Rager". ewrestling. 2 June 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.