Popular WWE duo set for major name change - Reports
WWE Superstars are often subject to name changes or alterations of their characters. The modifications are made for various reasons, and for just about every talent group on the roster, from rookies to established stars. Sources have just revealed a change to the rules and a potential name change for two veterans.
Legado Del Fantasma has run rampant on SmackDown since being called in October 2022. There was a 2023 babyface turn, but LFD's current version features Angel, Berto, Elektra Lopez, and Santos Escobar. Zelina Vega, Cruz Del Toro, and Joaquin Wilde were previous members, but that changed with the November 2023 heel turn. Angel and Berto were recruited one month later, and then Lopez returned to the faction in January 2024 to replace Vega, who was also booted last November.
Angel and Berto worked a dark match before Friday's SmackDown, losing to Apollo Crews and Baron Corbin in just over six minutes. A report from Fightful Select notes that the third-generation WWE Superstars were listed as "Los Garza" instead of "Legado Del Fantasma" on internal run sheets.
Sources noted that many superstar ring names are used interchangeably now, especially on the backstage run sheets. Regarding internal operations, it was said that rules were not as "hard and fast" as they once were.
A similar example comes from recent RAW episodes where Otis and Akira Tozawa were only referenced by their names internally, despite using Alpha Academy logos and music. Akam and Rezar have been named internally as The AOP, AOP, and Authors of Pain as of late, but sources say this is not a sign of a bigger name change in the works for The Final Testament members.
This potential name change is fitting for the tag team formerly known as Los Lotharios. Berto is the son of Humberto Garza Jr., grandson of Humberto Garza Sr, and nephew of former WCW star, Hector Garza. Angel was named after his great-uncle, Humberto Sr., and is nephew to Hector and Humberto Jr. They are related to other wrestlers, including El Ninja, El Ninja Jr., El Sultan, and Mascara Purpura, among others.
Angel and Berto looking to spoil WWE SmackDown title match
LA Knight will defend his United States Championship against Santos Escobar on Friday's WWE SmackDown. This will be The Megastar's first title defense since dethroning Logan Paul at SummerSlam.
Last Friday's episode saw Legado Del Fantasma dine at a restaurant. Escobar promised to take the title from Knight while advising Angel, Berto, and Elektra Lopez to do what it took to send the current United States Champion back to the trailer park that he came from. The speculation is that Angel and Berto will rough the 41-year-old up before the match, if not interfere in the bout itself to cost him the title.
The Emperor of Lucha Libre and The Megastar have shared the WWE ring sixteen times, and two of those matches have been televised singles bouts. Escobar defeated Knight on the June 16, 2023, episode of SmackDown, while Knight got the win back on the July 26 edition of the blue brand this year.