Santos Escobar discusses LDF joining SmackDown with Zelina Vega.
After losing a Street Fight Match against Tony D'Angelo on the August 16, 2022 edition of NXT 2.0, Santos Escobar joined the WWE Main Roster on the October 7, 2022 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, alongside Legado Del Fantasma stablemates Joaquin Wilde, Cruz Del Toro, and new member Zelina Vega. Since his debut, he spoke about what led to his debut on WWE's Blue Brand.
Speaking with Quetzalli Bulnes on WWE Español's show "El Brunch", Escobar spoke about LDF's call-up and some personal goals he has for himself on the faction, including making an appearance on WrestleMania 39in Los Angeles, California. Escobar said the following:
"I am happy. I feel that this moment had to come at some point. We discussed it before WrestleMania and everything started coming together little by little so this could happen and I believe the moment was ideal. We have about six months before WrestleMania 39. You (Quetzalli) already know my objectives, everyone knows them. I wanted to be a star in NXT, move to any of the two brands, SmackDown or Raw, and make it to WrestleMania. That last one is the most important because it is the grandest stage of the industry, maybe in the universe. In our sport, it is the biggest stage. I am no stranger to the great stages. The company sent me to promote WrestleMania in Los Angeles about a month ago as an NXT Superstar and that, in my head, was indicative that there were plans ahead. What was the surprise? About 5-6 weeks later, I received a call inviting me to participate in SmackDown. We are still settling into the environment, but the idea was to arrive and plant our flag and declare who we are, our reason for being here, and why we are here."
One of the more surprising aspects of LDF's debut on SmackDown was the absence of Electra Lopez, who was a part of the act on NXT. Instead, Zelina Vega joined LDF in the attack on Hit Row and has been shown with the act since. Escobar discussed the addition of Zelina Vega, while also discussing the influence he wants Legado Del Fantasma to have in the business as a Faction. He stated the following:
"All great family businesses grow and you have to grow with acquisitions, with joining other companies and other corporations to build Empires. Zelina Vega is a superstar that knows the roads of Raw, SmackDown & WrestleMania. This union favors her and it favors us. Together, like all great companies, we will go far. As long as our interests are aligned, there will not be anyone that can stop us. You gave me a great picture. Santos Escobar, Zelina, Joaquin (Wilde) & Cruz (Del Toro). A group that I feel is unstoppable, very powerful, and dominant, and that the world tends to take for granted. They say "Meh, they are too small or too heavy", but we are warriors and we do not care to die on the line. Others do not have that. Anyone that underestimates us is committing a grave mistake because we are here with an unstoppable hunger. I reiterate, we have the backing of a lot of people that come from the bottom, that are oppressed, and that is adjusted to hearing people say "Not you". We are not that small and we know how to talk, which is why they have me. I know how to express myself in the ring and out of the ring. All of the weaknesses that our minority group may have, which I believe is now a majority, are the strengths we will present, including our legacy and our heritage. That is what makes the group, including myself in particular."
Escobar is set to appear on the October 29 & 30th House Shows in Monterrey & Mexico City as a part of WWE's Weekend tour in Mexico, being in the corner of Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro against Los Lotharios (Angel & Humberto), though there is no conformation in regards to Vega's involvement on the tour and if Escobar would have a match on those shows.
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