Latin American Xchange
The Latin American Exchange (frequently abbreviated to LAX, after the Los Angeles International Airport) is a Hispanic professional wrestling stable in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. It was formed by Konnan after he left the 4Live Kru due to acrimony between himself and new addition Kip James.
History
Konnan debuted the stable on the December 31, 2005 episode of TNA iMPACT!, with the initial membership comprising himself, the returning Apolo and the debuting Homicide. The first act of the LAX was to ambush and assault "Bullet" Bob Armstrong, the father of B.G. James. As a result, the LAX then feuded with B.G. and Kip, (The James Gang), who sought revenge for the attack.
The feud between LAX and the James Gang continued through January 2006. At TNA Against All Odds 2006 on February 12, 2006, Apolo and Homicide were scheduled to wrestle the James Gang. However, Apolo 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, 2006 episode of TNA Xplosion, Konnan justified his firing of Machete, pointing to Machete's loss to Shark Boy. Later that evening, Konnan debuted the newest member of the LAX, the returning Hernandez. Hernandez and Homicide teamed together in a loss to Chris Sabin and Jay Lethal.
LAX is currently involved in a storyline where they are refusing to wrestle, claiming that Latinos are "discriminated" against in TNA. The storyline borrows heavily from the current controversy surrounding illegal immigration. Konnan has even established a "border" around the Spanish announcer area (where he currently provides commentary alongside Moody Jack Melendez and denies entry to non-Latino individuals. LAX often jumps any wrestler(s) who wander too close to the area.
Name Error Note
LAX has also been falsely referred to as The Latin American Express. No official name change has been confirmed but this name has even been falsely used on TNA's official site. This is probably due to confusion that occurred as a result of Konnan's slapjack being dubbed his "Latin American Express Card" at an Impact taping.
Third Spot Uncertainty
Konnan, who leads the LAX, and Homicide, are the only constant members of LAX. They have had three members working alongside them, all in separate turns, all as replacements for one another.
- from Apolo to Machete
Apolo was released shortly after becoming a member of LAX due to no-showing to protest his role as a jobber, and was subsequently replaced by Machete.
- from Machete to Hernandez
Machete was released a month after his debut and eventually replaced by the returning Hernandez.
Also on TNA's website, their featured theme only refers to Konnan and Homicide. They have not used this theme on television and it seems that it is a TNAWrestling.com exclusive.