WWE Evolve – July 29, 2026: Return To Form With Something New
Evolve
Date: July 29, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone
As tends to be the case, there are multiple people wanting to get their hands on the Evolve Title. That is the case at the moment, as Aaron Rourke wants his rematch with Harlem Lewis, but Tristan Angels and Max Abrams are out there as well. Nikkita Lyons needs a new challenger as well and we might start finding that person this week. Let’s get to it.
Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.
Thea Hail, Skylar Raye and Wren Sinclair need a fourth partner since Laynie Luck isn’t here. Zena Sterling offers her services and she’s in.
Harley Riggins vs. Tate Wilder
Wilder grabs a headlock takeover to start before switching over to an armbar. Riggins sends him throat first into the rope but Riggins gets clotheslined out to the floor. Instead of diving, Wilder knocks him onto the apron for a splash and we take a break. We come back with Riggins running Wilder over and whipping him hard into the corner.
The chinlock goes on and it works so well that Riggins grabs the same thing again. Then it’s off to a reverse chinlock as Riggins gets to mix things up a bit. Back up and they collide for a double down, followed by Wilder grabbing a Sling Blade into an Orton backbreaker for two. The Wilde Ride gets two but Riggins blocks a second attempt with the raised knees. A lifted knee to the face finishes Wilde at 9:07.
Rating: B-. Good match here, with the ending being a bit of a surprise. I like that Riggins is getting a chance to show what he can do on his own and beating someone like Wilder, who has already moved up to the next level, should help him a bit. Riggins is a good choice for the big midcard monster and he’s doing well in that role thus far so let’s see what he can do around here.
Sloane Jacobs is proud of PJ Vasa for her recent acts of violence and offers her a spot on the Nikkita Lyons team. Vasa isn’t interested and wants the Women’s Title.
The Unknown talks about various issues going on around here lately, ala Elijah Holyfield vs. Brooks Jensen and Laynie Luck vs. Nikkita Lyons. She’s coming, and her name might be Vanta.
Sam Holloway isn’t sure what is going on with his friends as of late but it reminds him of his football days. Sometimes his teammates needed to step outside and settle it and that led to success. For now though, he wants CJ Valor.
Kale Dixon vs. It’s Gal
Dixon’s still unnamed female friend is with him. They fight over a lockup to start with Dixon backing him into the corner for some shelling. Gal slams him down and does some pushups on Dixon’s back and a running headscissors takes Dixon down again. The woman gets on the apron for a distraction so gal poses a lot, allowing Dixon to go after the leg. A reverse suplex lets Dixon hammer away but Gal is right back with the hard chops.
Dixon pulls him right back down for the chinlock but Gal reverses into a Codebreaker of all things. A rake to the eyes cuts Gal off again though and a superkick connects for Dixon. The spinning middle rope splash misses though and Gal scores with a discus clothesline. Gal’s fireman’s carry gutbuster finishes at 6:45.
Rating: B-. I was surprised by the result here as Gal has been on a downward trend in recent months while Dixon has felt like he was on the way up. At the same time, Gal needed a win to get him back on track, as those losses have piled up. The match went back and forth as well, making for a good effort from both.
Viktor Zanov and Shido Ash talk about their success in judo and how they are training the same here in Evolve to smash through everyone.
Brooks Jensen is asked about cheating both times to beat Elijah Holyfield. Jensen doesn’t see it that way because he’s 2-0. Cue Holyfield and Jensen runs for his life.
Timothy Thatcher makes a four way for the Evolve Title next week, with Harlem Lewis defending against Aaron Rourke, Tristan Angels and Max Abrams.
Zena Sterling/Skylar Raye/Thea Hail/Wren Sinclair vs. Nikkita Lyons/Sloane Jacobs/PJ Vasa/Giana Capri
Jacobs gives Lyons a rather enthusiastic entrance. It’s a big brawl to start with Jacobs and Sinclair starting things off. That’s quickly shifted off to Raye vs. Capri, with Raye knocking her down so Sterling can slam Raye onto her for two. Sterling is backed into the corner so Vasa can come in and hammer away. Hail gets the same treatment and it’s off to Lyons, who gets caught in a quick Kimura. Everything breaks down and Raye hits the big dive onto the pile at ringside.
We take a break and come back with Raye in trouble but she flips out of a belly to back suplex. Raye fights back but gets chopped down by Vasa, who hits a swinging Boss Man Slam for two. Capri takes Raye down for the same and it’s back to Jacobs for an armbar. Back up and Jacobs misses a boot in the corner and it’s back to Sterling to clean house. Everything breaks down and Capri gives Hail an X Factor but she’s able to grab a double DDT.
Vasa comes back in but gets taken down by a high crossbody. Hail headbutts Lyons down and Sinclair dropkicks Jacobs under the bottom rope. The two of them brawl to the back but Capri grabs the belt. Cue Anya Rune to offer a distraction, leaving Hail to Kimura Lyons for the tap at 10:51.
Rating: B-. This got going near the end though the heat segment on Raye went on for a long time. The good thing here was this felt like another unique main event style, as they did something other than the same old regular stuff. It had me wondering where this was going, though Hail getting the next title shot is only so interesting as she doesn’t have the best win/loss record in title situations. Either way, nice match here and a good change of pace.
A lot of yelling ends the show.
Overall Rating: B. I liked this one rather well and it felt more like the old style of this show. What matters the most is that they kept things moving and it was interesting throughout. This show had me a bit surprised more than once and I’ll take that rather than the same old stuff week after week. Good show here and it was a bit of a return to form around here.
Results
Harley Riggins b. Tate Wilder – Lifting knee to the face
It’s Gal b. Kale Dixon – Fireman’s carry gutbuster
Skylar Raye/Zena Sterling/Wren Sinclair/Thea Hail b. Nikkita Lyons/Giana Capri/PJ Vasa/Sloane Jacobs – Kimura to Lyons
Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at: