WWE Evolve – November 11, 2026: Another First Time
Evolve
Date: November 11, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Robert Stone, Blake Howard
We continue along down here with another show that was probably taped back in June or so. As a result, there are wrestlers who are still on these shows who are already wrestling elsewhere, including Marcus Mathers, who is now in AEW. That is quite the odd situation and it is probably only going to get weirder. Let’s get to it.
Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.
Harley Riggins, after running into Jax Presley for a quick positive reunion, promises to take out Harlem Lewis tonight.
Opening sequence.
Sloane Jacobs vs. Anya Rune
Jacobs gives Nikkita Lyons a big introduction as Lyons goes to the VIP area. Rune grabs a headlock to start before they trade some waistlocks. A running uppercut to the back has Jacobs in more trouble but she catches Rune in the corner with a face first drop onto the buckle. The rams into the corner and a big clothesline give Jacobs two, followed by the double arm crank. Rune is back up with a forearm and German suplex, setting up the flashing strike for the pin at 5:54.
Rating: C. I still can’t get over the Rune stuff and it’s not her fault. The gimmick isn’t the greatest, but there is pretty much nothing that you can do when your finishing move is a special effect. It doesn’t feel like something that belongs around here and there is no way around it, no matter what Rune is doing in the ring.
Rune is set for a title shot on December 2.
Kale Dixon and Alix Brooks are happy to be in the main event where they belong.
We look at Cutler James’ issues with Sam Holloway.
Cutler James vs. Sam Holloway
They power each other around to start and James’ running should her no effect. Another shoulder knocks Holloway down for one whole second and he easily breaks up a chinlock. Holloway sends him into the ropes for a knee to the back, only to get shouldered in the corner. A release German suplex sends Holloway flying and a spear sends him outside. Holloway gets thrown down out there too, followed by a crash over the announcers’ table for the double countout at 3:50.
Rating: C+. There were some nice power moves here but as usual, Holloway got beaten up for the most part and it doesn’t make him feel like anything more than a big guy. James is a higher level star, but someone of Holloway’s size should be able to do a bit more than this. It’s like he doesn’t know how to wrestle like a big man, which is a tricky skill to pull off.
Post match the brawl continues until commentary throws us to a video.
Vanta The Unknown wants to take out Wendy Choo. You should fear the unknown.
The Mog Squad isn’t impressed by Charlie Dempsey, who will be facing one of the team next week. For some reason Santi Rivera isn’t mentioned as an option. As they’re talking, someone is seen watching from behind but I couldn’t quite tell who it was. It looked a bit like Dorian Van Dux but that doesn’t really fit.
We look at Harlem Lewis being attacked last month.
Timothy Thatcher says we can’t have an injured champion but here is Elijah Holyfield to interrupt. He wants a title shot when this is figured out but Thatcher says we can talk about that later. With Holyfield gone, here is Lewis to say Harley Riggins tried to end his career and it has been hard. Thatcher says he understands the idea of being injured and if Lewis needs time, that’s fine, but the title can’t just sit on the shelf. Cue Riggins to say he wants the title and the brawl is on. Lewis says he can do this and the match seems to be set.
Post break the title match is announced for next week.
Cappuccino Jones tries to calm down a zen-less Chazz Hall, who wants revenge on Shido Ash and Viktor Zanov.
Kale Dixon/Alix Brooks vs. Laynie Luck/Aaron Rourke
Niko Vance is in the VIP area. Rourke and Dixon start things off with Dixon knocking him into the corner. Rourke takes him down so it’s off to Brooks, who gets in Rourke’s face. That means Luck comes in to take Brooks down and drop an elbow to her back. Everything breaks down and the villains are taken out on the floor as we take a break.
We come back with Dixon grabbing a chinlock on Rourke, who fights up rather easily. A Codebreaker staggers Dixon but Brooks gets Luck off the apron to start the chase. That means Rourke gets caught in the wrong corner again but he suplexes his way to freedom. Now the tag brings in Luck to shout a lot and hit a springboard Swanton for two. Rourke’s Backstabber drops Dixon and Luck gives him a springboard hurricanrana. Brooks rakes the eyes and gets two off a rollup but Luck hits a Death Valley Driver for the pin at 8:16.
Rating: B-. It was the first mixed tag match in Evolve history and while I appreciate them doing something different every so often, the match was just pretty good. What matters the most here is Luck getting a win, which is something we could use more often. At the same time, Brooks was fine in one of her early in-ring appearances, but she feels more like a valet than a wrestler so the loss doesn’t mean much.
Overall Rating: C+. The action was just ok for the most part here, but this show was a good example of the benefit of having such a short show. The first two matches were just kind of there, but the mixed tag was the big focus. One thing that helps Evolve so much is that they can get away with building towards a singles match rather than a bunch of stuff week to week. Good enough show here, but it’s going to get bigger next week.
Results
Anya Rune b. Sloane Jacobs – Flashing strike
Sam Holloway vs. Cutler James went to a double countout
Aaron Rourke/Laynie Luck b. Alix Brooks/Kale Dixon – Death Valley Driver to Brooks
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