Legado Del Fantasma

Legado del Fantasma (LdF) is a professional wrestling stable performing in WWE on the SmackDown brand. The group currently consists of leader Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, Cruz Del Toro, and Zelina Vega. The stable is a part of the Latino World Order (LWO), led by Rey Mysterio, who also serves as an associate for Legado del Fantasma.

Legado del Fantasma
The Legado Del Fantasma logo - inspired by the Latino World Order stable.
Stable
MembersSantos Escobar (leader)
Joaquin Wilde
Raul Mendoza / Cruz Del Toro
Zelina Vega
Rey Mysterio (associate)
Name(s)Legado Del Fantasma
Combined
billed weight
848 lb (385 kg)
Former
member(s)
Elektra Lopez (valet/manager)
DebutJune 10, 2020
Years active2020–present

The trio of Escobar, Wilde, and Del Toro was formed in 2020 in WWE's developmental territory, NXT, when Escobar, who at the time performed under the masked persona of El Hijo del Fantasma, turned on Drake Maverick and joined forces with Wilde and Del Toro (then known as Raul Mendoza) and unmasked himself, thus changing his ring name to "Santos Escobar" and forming Legado Del Fantasma.[1][2] As part of the group in NXT, Escobar was a one-time NXT Cruiserweight Champion.[3] From August 2021 to August 2022, Elektra Lopez served as the group's manager.

On August 16, 2022, during the NXT Heatwave special, Tony D'Angelo defeated Escobar in a street fight, and per stipulation, he had to leave NXT. The following week, Escobar took the rest of the stable with him away from NXT, except Lopez, ending their tenure on the brand. Legado Del Fantasma then debuted on the main roster nearly two months later as part of SmackDown with Zelina Vega replacing Lopez as their manager. After turning face and assisting Rey Mysterio in early 2023, Mysterio brought the group into the revived LWO stable to feud with The Judgment Day.

History

Formation and Cruiserweight title reign (2020–2021)

On the June 3, 2020 episode of NXT, El Hijo del Fantasma defeated Drake Maverick in the finals of a tournament to become the interim NXT Cruiserweight Champion due to outside interference by the two masked abductors who had attacked various cruiserweights.[4] The following week, on NXT, Maverick congratulated Fantasma and demanded a title shot but then two masked men who had been attacking wrestlers randomly confronted the duo and then Fantasma turned on Maverick by attacking him and unmasked himself. He changed his name to "Santos Escobar" while the two masked men were revealed to be Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza. On the night one of The Great American Bash, the trio was named "Legado del Fantasma".[5] In their first match as a team, Legado del Fantasma defeated Maverick and Breezango in a six-man tag team match on the second night of The Great American Bash.[6]

The group was focused on ensuring that Escobar retained the Cruiserweight Championship while Wilde and Mendoza also began competing in NXT's tag team division and 205 Live. At NXT TakeOver XXX, Wilde and Mendoza competed against Breezango (Fandango and Tyler Breeze) and the team of Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch in a triple threat match to determine the #1 contenders for the NXT Tag Team Championship. The match was won by Breezango.[7] At the night one of Super Tuesday, Legado lost to Isaiah Scott and Breezango in a street fight when Scott pinned Escobar,[8] leading up to a match between Escobar and Scott for Escobar's Cruiserweight Championship at NXT TakeOver 31, where Wilde and Mendoza assisted Escobar in retaining the title.[9][10]

In 2021, Wilde and Mendoza entered the 2021 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic in which they lost to the eventual winners MSK (Nash Carter and Wes Lee) in the semifinal round. They also faced MSK and Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake and Zack Gibson) on night one of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver in a match with the Tag Team titles on the line, which MSK won.[11] On the night two of Stand & Deliver, Wilde and Mendoza assisted Escobar in defeating the reigning Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin in a ladder match to become the undisputed Cruiserweight Champion.[12] However, Escobar lost the title to Kushida on the April 13 episode of NXT.[13] Escobar would fail to regain the title from Kushida in a two out of three falls match on the May 11 episode of NXT.[14]

Introduction of Elektra Lopez and various feuds (2021–2022)

At NXT TakeOver: In Your House, Legado del Fantasma would face NXT North American Champion Bronson Reed and NXT Tag Team champions MSK in a winners take all, six man tag team match in which Legado Del Fantasma would lose the match.[15][16] On the August 24 episode of NXT, Elektra Lopez made her debut, helping Legado Del Fantasma win against Hit Row. On the September 28 episode of NXT, Lopez would defeat Hit Row's B-Fab in a no disqualification match[17] and two weeks later, Escobar would fail to win the NXT North American Championship from Scott, ending the feud (Hit Row would get drafted to SmackDown in the WWE Draft).[18] In early 2022, Escobar would feud with NXT Champion Bron Breakker, leading to a match between the two for the NXT Championship at Vengeance Day, where Escobar lost despite interference from Dolph Ziggler.[19] At NXT Stand & Deliver, Escobar failed to win the NXT North American Championship in a ladder match.[20] Shortly after Stand & Deliver, Legado Del Fantasma would feud with Tony D'Angelo, the self proclaimed "Don of NXT" and his "family". At this point, they would slowly turn into faces while portraying heelish tactics. After multiple meetings and kidnappings, Escobar defeated D'Angelo on the May 17 episode of NXT.[21] However, at In Your House on June 4, Legado Del Fantasma lost to the D'Angelo Family (Tony D'Angelo, Stacks and Two Dimes) with the losers having to join the other person's family.[22] With Legado joining the D'Angelo Family, they would accompany each other during matches with them usually losing. On the June 21 episode of NXT, Escobar cost D'Angelo his title match against NXT North American Champion Carmelo Hayes.[23] At The Great American Bash on July 5, it was revealed that Escobar was hospitalized and the other members of Legado began working with The D'Angelo Family.[24] On the August 2 episode of NXT, Escobar returned and cost D'Angelo and Stacks their title match against The Creed Brothers, signaling that their alliance has come to an end.[25] D'Angelo and Escobar had one final meeting the following week where they agreed to a street fight for NXT Heatwave on August 16, stating that if Escobar wins, Legado would be free from The D'Angelo Family, but if D'Angelo wins, Escobar agrees to leave NXT with Legado.[26] At Heatwave, D'Angelo defeated Escobar, signaling the end of his time on the brand.[27] However on the following episode of NXT, Escobar appeared in a backstage segment inside a van. He would pick up the rest of his Legado teammates, and they would drive off, signaling that the stable had left NXT.[28]

Main roster; Latino World Order (2022–present)

On the October 7, 2022, episode of SmackDown, Legado Del Fantasma (with Zelina Vega replacing Lopez) attacked Hit Row during their entrance, marking the group's main roster debut as heels.[29]

At the Royal Rumble on January 28, 2023, Escobar entered his first Royal Rumble match at #10, but was eliminated by Brock Lesnar while Vega entered the women’s Royal Rumble match at #21 but was eliminated by Lacey Evans.

On the February 10 episode of SmackDown, Escobar competed in a fatal four-way match to determine the number #1 contender for the Intercontinental Championship, which was won by Madcap Moss. After the match in an off-air exclusive, Escobar approached Rey Mysterio, who also competed in the match, and showed respect. Escobar and Mysterio exchanged masks, starting a face turn for Escobar who then became involved in Rey’s feud with his son, Dominik and The Judgment Day. On the March 3 episode of SmackDown, Escobar was defeated by Dominik after interference from Rhea Ripley. After the match, Dominik tore up the mask Rey gave to Escobar, cementing his face turn. On the March 10, 2023 episode of SmackDown, as Rey was about to address his induction to the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2023, he was interrupted by The Judgment Day, only for Legado Del Fantasma to show up and assist Rey, establishing the entire stable as faces. Legado Del Fantasma lost to The Judgment Day in a six-man tag team match. Since then, Rey would be associated with the group during his feud against The Judgement Day. On the 31 March episode of SmackDown, Rey reformed the Latino World Order and invited Legado Del Fantasma to join as a token of appreciation for aiding him in his fight against Dominik and The Judgement Day.[30][31] On Night 1 of WrestleMania 39, Escobar, Wilde, Del Toro and Bad Bunny assisted Rey in his match against Dominik, who was assisted by Finn Bálor and Damian Priest. Rey went on to win his match against Dominik.[32]

On the April 21 episode of SmackDown, Vega requested a match against The Judgment Day's Rhea Ripley for the SmackDown Women's Championship at Backlash, which was granted by WWE Official Adam Pearce.[33][34] However, Vega failed to win the title from Ripley at Backlash but received a standing ovation from the hometown crowd after the match.[35] Vega defeated Lacey Evans to qualify for the 2023 women's Money in the Bank ladder match on the June 2 episode of SmackDown.[36] Escobar defeated Mustafa Ali to qualify for the 2023 men's Money in the Bank ladder match on the June 9 episode of SmackDown.[37] Vega and Escobar failed to win their respective Money in the Bank ladder matches in the namesake event.[38] Escobar and Rey will be facing each other in the United States Championship Invitational tournament finals on the July 28 episode of SmackDown,[39][40] where Escobar will go on to face Austin Theory for the United States Championship after Rey suffered an injury during the tournament finals match.[41] On the August 11 episode of SmackDown, Escobar was taken out by Theory before the match has started. Due to Escobar's injury, WWE Official Adam Pearce allowed Rey to take Escobar's place for the title match and defeated Theory to become the new United States Champion.[42]

Members

* Founding member(s)
L Leader
M Manager

Current

Members Joined
Santos Escobar L June 10, 2020 *
Joaquin Wilde June 10, 2020 *
Cruz Del Toro June 10, 2020 *
Zelina Vega October 7, 2022

Associate

Member Joined
Rey Mysterio March 10, 2023

Former

Member Joined Left
Elektra Lopez M August 24, 2021 August 24, 2022

Timeline

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. Joseph Currier (June 10, 2020). "EL HIJO DEL FANTASMA UNMASKS, REVEALS NEW WWE NXT NAME". WON / F4W. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  2. Mike Tedesco (June 10, 2020). "WWE NXT Results – 6/10/20 (NXT TakeOver fallout, Adam Cole vs. Dexter Lumis)". Wrestleview. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  3. Justin Barrasso (May 11, 2021). "Q&A: Santos Escobar on Losing the NXT Cruiserweight Title and His Goals in WWE". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  4. Mike Tedesco (June 3, 2020). "WWE NXT Results – 6/3/20 (Finals of Cruiserweight Title Tournament, In Your House build)". Wrestleview. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  5. Mike Tedesco (July 1, 2020). "WWE NXT Results – 7/1/20 (Great American Bash Night One, Sasha Banks vs. Io Shirai)". Wrestleview. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  6. Jordan Garretson (July 8, 2020). "NXT Great American Bash results, July 8, 2020". WWE. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  7. Bobby Melok (August 22, 2020). "Breezango def. Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch and Legado del Fantasma to become No. 1 Contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championship (Pre-Show Match)". WWE. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  8. "9/1 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Finn Balor vs. Tommaso Ciampa vs. Adam Cole vs. Johnny Gargano in a 60-minute Ironman match for the vacant NXT Championship, Legado Del Fantasma vs. Isaiah Scott, Tyler Breeze, and Fandango in a Street Fight, Bronson Reed vs. Timothy Thatcher". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 2020-09-01. Retrieved 2020-12-09.
  9. Jordan Garretson (September 29, 2020). "NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar vs. Isaiah "Swerve" Scott". WWE. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  10. Melok, Bobby (October 4, 2020). "NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar def. Isaiah "Swerve" Scott". WWE. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  11. Michael Burdick (April 7, 2021). "MSK def. Grizzled Young Veterans and Legado del Fantasma to win the vacant NXT Tag Team Championship". WWE. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  12. Michael Burdick (April 8, 2021). "Santos Escobar def. Jordan Devlin to become the Undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion (Ladder Match)". WWE. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  13. "NXT results, April 13, 2021". WWE. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  14. "WWE NXT results, May 11, 2021". WWE. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  15. Andrew Thompson (2021-06-09). "Winners take all six-man tag added to NXT TakeOver: In Your House". POST Wrestling | WWE NXT AEW NJPW UFC Podcasts, News, Reviews. Retrieved 2021-07-31.
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  17. Moore, John (September 28, 2021). "9/28 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Raquel Gonzalez vs. Franky Monet for the NXT Women's Championship, Roderick Strong vs. Grayson Waller for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship, Zoey Stark and Io Shirai vs. Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne for the NXT Women's Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  18. Moore, John (October 12, 2021). "10/12 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Isaiah Scott vs. Santos Escobar for the North American Championship, Tommaso Ciampa vs. Joe Gacy, Kyle O'Reilly and Von Wagner vs. Pete Dunne and Ridge Holland, Ivy Nile's in-ring debut". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on February 14, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  19. Moore, John (February 15, 2022). "2/15 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Bron Breakker vs. Santos Escobar for the NXT Title, Carmelo Hayes vs. Cameron Grimes for the NXT North American Title, Gigi Dolan and Jacy Jayne vs. Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta for the NXT Women's Tag Titles, MSK vs. The Creeds in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic finals, Pete Dunne vs. Tony D'Angelo in a weaponized cage match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on March 12, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  20. Moore, John (April 2, 2022). "NXT Stand & Deliver results: Moore's live review of Dolph Ziggler vs. Bron Breakker for the NXT Title, Mandy Rose vs. Cora Jade vs. Io Shirai vs. Kay Lee Ray for the NXT Women's Title, Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel vs. MSK vs. The Creed Brothers for the NXT Tag Titles, the NXT North American Title ladder match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
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  23. Wells, Kelly (June 21, 2022). "6/21 NXT 2.0 REPORT: Wells's report on Hayes vs. D'Angelo, Fyre vs. Legend, Sikoa vs. Waller, Grimes vs. Enofe, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  24. Hazelwood, Bruce Lee (July 5, 2022). "7/5 NXT "THE GREAT AMERICAN BASH" REPORT: Hazelwood's live report on Breakker vs. Grimes, Hayes vs. Waller, and more (including four title matches)". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  25. Wells, Kelly (August 2, 2022). "7/12 NXT 2.0 REPORT: Wells's report on Creeds vs. D'Angelo & Stacks, Four-Way for Vacant Women's Tag Titles, Sikoa vs. Wagner in a Falls Count Anywhere match, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  26. Wells, Kelly (August 9, 2022). "8/9 NXT 2.0 REPORT: Wells's report on Zoey Stark vs. Cora Jade, Wes Lee vs. Trick Williams in a Rounds match, Santos Escobar vs. Tony D'Angelo, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  27. Moore, John (August 16, 2022). "8/16 NXT 2.0 Heatwave results: Moore's review of Bron Breakker vs. JD McDonagh for the NXT Title, Mandy Rose vs. Zoey Stark for the NXT Women's Title, Carmelo Hayes vs. Giovanni Vinci for the NXT North American Title, Tony D'Angelo vs Santos Escobar in a Street Fight, Cora Jade vs. Roxanne Perez". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
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  33. "Rhea Ripley will defend her SmackDown Women's Title against Zelina Vega in Puerto Rico". WWE. April 21, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
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