From their debut in late 2005 to their influence on modern tag teams worldwide, LAX (Latin American Xchange) helped define TNA’s early identity.
With a mix of street‑wise rebellion, intense promos, and hard‑hitting matches, the group — primarily Konnan, Homicide, and Hernandez — became one of the most impactful alliances in modern American wrestling history.
Then LAX (Latin American Xchange) was the extreme opposite. I was a radical Latino who hated anything that wasn’t Latin.It was reverse discrimination, and that for some reason, it hit pulse. Some people loved it, and some people really hated it.But that group was very near and dear to my heart. I was kind of the author of the whole idea, and I brought it to Dutch (Mantel), and he liked it.He was a booker at that time, and he convinced Jeff Jarrett, and we were on it immediately.It touched on really strong political viewpoints, and we one-time hung Uncle Sam in effigy, and we burned it up.
LAX – Origins of The Radical Latinos
LAX emerged at the end of 2005, following Konnan’s split from the 3Live Kru faction. On the December 31 episode of TNA Impact!, Konnan brought in Apolo and newcomer Homicide, ambushing Babyfaces like Bullet Bob Armstrong backstage.
In early 2006, Hernandez replaced Machete, who replaced Apolo to form the core LAX trio: Konnan, Homicide (“Gringo Killa”), and Hernandez (“Tex‑Mex T‑Rex”).
Konnan portrayed the fiery leader of LAX’s militant persona until mid‑2007. Homicide (Hector “Gringo Killa” Hernandez) and Hernandez: the long‑time core tag team of LAX. Known for brutality (“Da Gringo Killa”) and power (“Border Toss”) respectively.
In late 2008, Héctor Guerrero joined as their manager, while Salinas (Shelly Martinez) served as valet. They engaged in Monster’s Ball matches and saw Homicide lose an eye after a glass table spot (storyline injury).
Salinas (Shelly Martinez) was their valet in 2007–08, involved in intergender segments and cornering LAX during their title run. Guerrero gave the group a credible face, much like when Konnan had led the group.
They cast themselves as militant defenders of Latino representation, protesting alleged discrimination by TNA management.
Konnan set up a symbolic “border” around the Spanish commentary area, blocking non-Latino wrestlers and creating a confrontational atmosphere that blurred the lines between storyline and social commentary.
Another time, I tasered Spike Dudley, and I said, ‘I’m just like the cops. I shoot first, ask questions later’, which is very prevalent now, ten years later.
We had Orlando Police Department call-up actually call up Dixie and say, ‘You know we don’t like Konnan going out there and making light of us. We go out there and put our lives on the line’, and all this other bullsh**.
I was just basically touching on a lot of sensitive issues that, in wrestling, they don’t usually touch on. I wanted people to think, you know what I’m saying? That’s why I like LAX a lot.
– Konnan on some of LAX’s most notable moments.
They refused to wrestle, turning away “gringos” and even offering Ron Killings a place in the group. When he refused, they attacked him, leading to a match at Victory Road where Hernandez applied his signature Border Toss to Sonjay Dutt to win.
LAX’s – First Feuds and Titles against America’s Most Wanted
LAX’s first major feud came with America’s Most Wanted (AMW)—James Storm and Chris Harris. On Impact! October 19, 2006, after losing an 8‑man tag, LAX attacked AMW and manager Gail Kim, even nearly burning the American flag before being stopped by Petey Williams.
LAX then turned on AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels, signing a title contract in Daniels’ blood. On August 24, 2006, they defeated Styles & Daniels in a violent Border Brawl match to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship.
They lost the belts at No Surrender in the first-ever Ultimate X match but regained them at Bound for Glory in a brutal Six Sides of Steel cage match, where Hernandez hit Da Gringo Killa and Konnan choked Daniels with a wire hanger from outside the cage.
LAX and AJ Styles & Christopher Daniels
This rivalry is widely hailed as one of TNA’s greatest tag feuds. This feud consisted of several special moments, including an intense promo at Hard Justice, a Border Match Brawl that led to LAX’s first title, a rematch battle at Ultimate X, and a six-sided steel cage battle to reclaim the titles at Bound for Glory.
Their promos, often featuring contracts signed in blood or mocking Styles and Daniels in Spanish, added an immersive heat. Fans still cite this feud as the best tag‑team storyline in TNA history.
LAX’s feuds with Beer Money and America’s Most Wanted
With their titles on the line, LAX engaged in feuds with America’s Most Wanted and Beer Money, Inc. (James Storm & Robert Roode).
A few key moments and matches in their feud include: Genesis 2007, which was when AMW lost after the infamous Border Toss to manager Gail Kim.
A second was at Turning Point during their flag match victory over AMW, becoming the first non-American team to hang the Mexican flag on U.S. soil.
Finally, Hard Justice 2008: LAX retained the tag titles against Beer Money in a lumberjack match after interference and restarts.
While the original TNA run of the Latin American Xchange (2005–2009) featured Konnan, Homicide, Hernandez, and occasional valets, Chavo Guerrero Jr. did not join that original faction.
However, beginning in mid-2012, Chavo became closely aligned with LAX’s legacy through a formal tag team with Hernandez.
In July 2012, Chavo returned to TNA and aligned himself with Hernandez, re-establishing a version of the Latin American Xchange as a tag team. Guerrero debuted on iMPACT! alongside Hernandez, attacking Killer Gunner and Kid Kash, effectively reviving the LAX spirit through Hernandez’s connection.
On October 14, 2012, at Bound for Glory, Chavo & Hernandez defeated Bad Influence (Christopher Daniels & Kazarian) and Kurt Angle/AJ Styles in a three-way tag match to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship.
They lost the titles in early 2013 to Dirty Heels (Austin Aries & Bobby Roode), then regained them in a Two‑Out‑of‑Three Falls match (with stakes that they’d have to break up if they lost again).
They eventually lost the titles on June 2, 2013, at Slammiversary XI in a four-way elimination match. Shortly after, Chavo lost a Feast or Fired briefcase that contained a pink slip, marking the end of his TNA run and partnership with Hernandez.
Although not part of the original militant faction, this tag-team phase brought Chavo into the Latin American Xchange narrative and credited him with carrying forward the legacy alongside Hernandez. By 2009, LAX had all but dissolved.
Mexican America: A Spiritual Successor to Latin American Xchange
Mexican America was essentially a spiritual successor or offshoot of LAX, though it was never explicitly branded as such by TNA/iMPACT! Wrestling. The group primarily featured female talent in a role that males previously held as part of the Latin American Xchange.
Here’s a breakdown of how it connects to LAX and where it diverges: The members included Hernandez (formerly of LAX), Anaquira (a newcomer with a rebellious, militant persona), Rosita (aka Thea Trinidad aka WWE’s Zelina Vega), and Sarita (independent wrestler Sarah Stock)
Formed in early 2011, Hernandez returned from a hiatus and began cutting anti-American promos, similar in tone to the early Latin American Xchange ideology under Konnan.
Hernandez claimed he had been “held down” in TNA and was now ready to represent Mexican pride through dominance—echoing the original LAX’s message.
Much like LAX, Mexican America used themes of ethnic pride, rebellion against perceived injustice, and anti-American rhetoric.
Their entrance theme, style, and promo structure clearly mirrored LAX. However, unlike the original LAX, Konnan and Homicide were not involved, making this more of a thematic continuation rather than a direct narrative one.
LAX vs. The OGz — The LAX Split
In 2018, Santana & Ortiz formed a new version of LAX alongside Konnan and Diamante. Meanwhile, Homicide, Hernandez, and King (Eddie Kingston) split off as The OGz, resulting in a storyline and a real split between two versions of LAX — the original and the reboot.
Matches at Slammiversary and Bound for Glory saw the OGz win over Santana & Ortiz, bringing closure to the internal feud.
Life After LAX
For the members of the Latin American Xchange, their careers continued in different avenues of the industry.
Since initially departing TNA/iMPACT!, Konnan has been a part of Major League Wrestling, AAA in Mexico, and Lucha Underground. He is currently part of Triple A’s Head of Creative.
Homicide remained in ROH and Impact Wrestling, later being inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame in 2025. He remains one of the most respected tag and singles wrestlers in the indie scene and would retire for wretling in 2025.
Hernandez stayed in iMPACT! until 2009, then returned in 2017 to lead the new LAX with King, Santana, and Ortiz. He played both heel and face roles through 2018 before departing again.
Hector Guerrero has operated a pro wrestling consulting company after leaving TNA in 2015. Salinas (Shelly Martinez) competed in Mexico and briefly on the US independents, but announced her retirement from active competition in 2017. She has since transitioned to acting and appeared in several films since her retirement.
Santana & Ortiz transitioned to AEW (as Proud & Powerful), leaving Impact in 2019. They paid tribute to LAX’s legacy, but legally couldn’t use the name after departing.
Ortiz and Mike Santana have since gone their separate ways, with Santana returning to TNA, playing a prominent role in their singles division.
During the pandemic, Konnan would form LAX 5150, which would consist of Danny Riveria, Julius Smoke,s and Slice Boogie. The group would compete in MLW, capturing the MLW Tag Team titles.
The iMPACT and Legacy of LAX
LAX, along with AMW, the Motor City Machineguns, and Beer Money, elevated tag-team wrestling in TNA to new levels of intensity and storytelling.
Their feud with Styles & Daniels delivered classic match after classic match—Ultimate X, Border Brawls, Steel Cages—setting benchmarks for tag team storytelling.
By portraying militant Latino revolutionaries, Latin American Xchange tapped into deeper themes—immigration, discrimination, and cultural pride—within a wrestling storyline. That gave TNA national attention and provoked strong reactions from fans and media alike.
Points of Reference
