LAX pulled from EVOLVE's December shows

[cero2k]

Source: f4wonline.com

While Impact Tag Team Champions LAX (Santana & Ortiz) had been announced for EVOLVE's December shows, they're now off the events.

Gabe Sapolsky announced on Twitter this afternoon that Impact Wrestling has pulled LAX from EVOLVE 117 and EVOLVE 118: "Impact Wrestling has pulled LAX off the 12/15 & 16 dates. Working on replacements now. I was just informed. Our apologies to the fans."

LAX had been scheduled to face NXT's Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) in some form on both events. The Street Profits defending their EVOLVE Tag Team titles against LAX and AR Fox & Leon Ruff in a triple threat match had been announced for EVOLVE 117 in Queens, New York on December 15, and LAX & Austin Theory teaming against The Street Profits & Darby Allin in a six-man tag match was announced for EVOLVE 118 in Deer Park, New York on December 16.

Here are the matches that have been confirmed for EVOLVE 117 and EVOLVE 118 thus far:

EVOLVE 117 --
Kassius Ohno vs. Darby Allin
EVOLVE Champion Fabian Aichner defending against Austin Theory

Evolve 118 --
Kassius Ohno vs. Anthony Henry

[cero2k]

just a few days that it came out that Impact was mentioned as a promotion you couldn't have your guys fight, seems like Impact had to make a small stand here, it's the first time I remember them pulling someone in a long while

[KILLdozer]

That's not surprising and probably not coincidental. WWE monopolizing UK with contracts...Impact not dealing with WWE in Evolve literally the next day.

[Big Red Machine]

just a few days that it came out that Impact was mentioned as a promotion you couldn't have your guys fight, seems like Impact had to make a small stand here, it's the first time I remember them pulling someone in a long while

Pulling people was never TNA's deal. They just used to change finishes at the last minute, or charge exorbitant booking fees so that you couldn't actually use their people.

[Bob-O]

This makes sense...

[KILLdozer]

Ha! So they think they're competition?!?

[Big Red Machine]

An update from F4WOnline:


By Joseph Currier | @josephcurrier | Nov 30, 2018 12:51 pm


After Impact Wrestling Tag Team Champions LAX (Santana & Ortiz) were pulled from EVOLVE's December shows earlier this week, EVOLVE issued a statement about the situation today.

LAX were scheduled to face NXT's Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) at both shows, though one match was a triple threat and the other was a six-man tag. The Street Profits defending their EVOLVE Tag Team titles against LAX and AR Fox & Leon Ruff had been announced for EVOLVE 117 in Queens, New York. The Street Profits & Darby Allin vs. LAX & Austin Theory had been announced for EVOLVE 118 in Deer Park, New York.

In their statement, EVOLVE noted that the matches were made to avoid any political issues with LAX unable to lose to The Street Profits. EVOLVE also stated that they won't consider booking wrestlers contracted to Impact Wrestling moving forward.

EVOLVE's full statement is available below:

"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."

Dave Meltzer reported in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Impact didn't want their Tag Team Champions "working on a streaming show, that could end up on the WWE Network, losing to guys who are developmental talents (The Street Profits) that WWE isn’t using as one of its top tag teams. Also, Impact sees EVOLVE in its current form as a part of WWE."

[cero2k]

Dave Meltzer reported in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Impact didn't want their Tag Team Champions "working on a streaming show, that could end up on the WWE Network, losing to guys who are developmental talents (The Street Profits) that WWE isn’t using as one of its top tag teams. Also, Impact sees EVOLVE in its current form as a part of WWE."

makes sense, don't have your tag champs lose to someone else, and yes, EVOLVE is part of WWE, it's NXT's NXT

[Big Red Machine]

Dave Meltzer reported in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Impact didn't want their Tag Team Champions "working on a streaming show, that could end up on the WWE Network, losing to guys who are developmental talents (The Street Profits) that WWE isn’t using as one of its top tag teams. Also, Impact sees EVOLVE in its current form as a part of WWE."

makes sense, don't have your tag champs lose to someone else, and yes, EVOLVE is part of WWE, it's NXT's NXT

Gabe booked it so they wouldn't have to lose, though.

Oh well. Maybe this will give us Ford vs. J.D. Drake quicker?

[cero2k]

makes sense, don't have your tag champs lose to someone else, and yes, EVOLVE is part of WWE, it's NXT's NXT

Gabe booked it so they wouldn't have to lose, though.

i'm not sure sure about that one, booking just feels like LAX was taking the loss on the 6-man match. Impact didn't pull LAX from the PROGRESS show, if they take a loss there, then we'll confirm it's more about losing to NXT or US TV talent than just losing itself

[Big Red Machine]

makes sense, don't have your tag champs lose to someone else, and yes, EVOLVE is part of WWE, it's NXT's NXT

Gabe booked it so they wouldn't have to lose, though.

i'm not sure sure about that one, booking just feels like LAX was taking the loss on the 6-man match. Impact didn't pull LAX from the PROGRESS show, if they take a loss there, then we'll confirm it's more about losing to NXT or US TV talent than just losing itself

It's not a "loss" if you're not the one taking the pin.

[cero2k]

It's not a "loss" if you're not the one taking the pin.

Yeap, and I don't really see neither Darby nor Theory taking the pins either.

[Big Red Machine]

It's not a "loss" if you're not the one taking the pin.

Yeap, and I don't really see neither Darby nor Theory taking the pins either.

Theory easily could (it would play into his "frustration" storyline well), and Gabe hasn't been shy about pinning Darby in the past, either.