EVOLVE issues statement on LAX being pulled from upcoming events.
To the shock of many, EVOLVE announced that IMPACT Wrestling Tag Team Champions LAX (Ortiz and Santana) would be coming to EVOLVE for two shows in December. EVOLVE has a working relationship with WWE and current NXT talents Fabian Aichner and the Street Profits hold titles in EVOLVE. Days after their appearance was made official, EVOLVE let fans know that LAX would be competing in a three-way tag bout against The Street Profits and AR Fox & Leon Ruff for the EVOLVE Tag Team Titles at EVOLVE 117. The next night at EVOLVE 118, LAX were to team with Austin Theory to battle Darby Allin & The Street Profits in six-man tag action.
Hours after the match announcements were made, Gabe Sapolsky informed fans that IMPACT Wrestling had pulled LAX from their scheduled appearances. Today, EVOLVE issued a full statement on the matter:
We are sorry to inform you that Impact Wrestling has pulled LAX off the upcoming EVOLVE dates. EVOLVE officials were contacted by LAX and informed that they were needed for something else that weekend. No other explanation was given. Impact Wrestling didn't contact EVOLVE officials and left it up to LAX. There is no heat on LAX as WWN understands the situation they were put in. EVOLVE officials had told LAX that the plan was to have matches with EVOLVE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits of Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins that weekend. EVOLVE was informed that LAX would not be able to lose in those matches.
In order to avoid any political issues, EVOLVE made one night a triple threat match and the other night a six man tag. This would give the fans the LAX vs. Street Profits matches they wanted, while protecting all parties politically.
Unfortunately, Impact Wrestling waited until the matches were announced and then pulled the talent the next day. This all could have easily been avoided by not allowing LAX to take the dates in the first place. EVOLVE will no longer consider booking Impact Wrestling contracted talent moving forward.
EVOLVE officials are currently working on a replacement and will have news early next week. We apologize for the lineup change, but assure you that EVOLVE will produce something special on for EVOLVE 117 December 15th in Queens, NY and EVOLVE 118 on December 16th in Deer Park, NY. Thank you for your support.
On Thursday morning, LAX's Santana took to social media to address the situation.
In a perfect world.
— Santana------ (@SantanaLAX) November 29, 2018
It would’ve definitely been cool, especially for the fans. But wrestling has proven to us once again that there’s still much more work that needs to be done, in order for all of us us to truly enjoy the endless possibilities. https://t.co/3YQUUfSzT0
LAX are scheduled to defend their IMPACT Wrestling Tag Team Titles against the Lucha Bros at IMPACT's Homecoming event on Jan. 6.
