Evolve
Date: October 21, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Robert Stone, Blake Howard

We’re done with the latest Succession and both titles were retained, albeit in quite the quick fashion with the men’s version. It should be time to start looking for new challengers, but Harley Riggins doesn’t seem to be done with Harlem Lewis and the Evolve Title just yet. That just might be a problem as Riggins attacked Lewis with the steps last week and left him bleeding. At the same time, you have no idea what you might see around here so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Succession recap.

Opening sequence.

Chazz Hall/Cappuccino Jones vs. Mog Squad

Jones rolls Ball up for an early two and it’s off to Hall for a headscissors. Ball powers him into the corner and it’s off to Rivera, who is taken down rather quickly. A double dropkick has the Squad on the floor but Ball gets in a cheap shot from behind and the stomping ensues.

We take a break and come back with Hall still in trouble thanks to some alternating shoulders to the ribs in the corner. The armbar goes on for a bit, followed by a wheelbarrow neckbreaker for two. Ball kicks Hall in the head a few times and gets two off a snap suplex. The chinlock doesn’t last long as Hall gets up and dives out of the corner, allowing the tag off to Jones.

A double springboard high crossbody hits the Squad and a Michinoku Driver gets two on Rivera. The Froggy Brew misses though and it’s a Codebreaker into a German suplex to Jones, with Hall having to make the save. Jones crossbodies Rivera outside and a pair of dives takes the Squad out. The Froggy Brew and shooting star press give Jones and Hall the double pin at 11:19.

Rating: B-. This was a long match for Evolve and that’s not exactly a bad thing. They all got some time to showcase themselves and it’s nice to have Jones actually win a match for a change. He was red hot at the start of Evolve and then just kind of stopped mattering. There’s a good chance this means nothing, but it’s better than what he was doing.

Post match Jones and Hall are glad to be done with the Mog Squad and it’s time to go to the top of Evolve. Everyone seems to dig it.

Aaron Rourke talks about how he and Kale Dixon have cost each other matches. He isn’t letting Dixon make a name for himself at the sake of his own name so tonight, Dixon is in the wrong ring.

Elijah Holyfield is ready for Marcus Mathers and Braxton Cole. The triple threat appears to have been made.

Skylar Raye vs. Sloane Jacobs

Jacobs powers her down to start but Raye is back up with a headscissors. A running dropkick has Jacobs in more trouble but she gets in another knockdown of her own. Jacobs drops an elbow to the back and gets two off a backbreaker. Raye’s comeback is quickly cut off and a springboard elbow gives Jacobs two more. Raye is right back up with Starfall out of the corner for the pin at 4:51. It’s as sudden as it sounds.

Rating: C. That ending had me so surprised that I went back to make sure I didn’t stop to pet my cat. The fact that I don’t have a cat makes this all the stranger. Raye continues to feel like someone the company wants to push and she’s at least off to a start. Beating the champion’s lackey is often a good start, but I’m curious if something was edited out here, because it really does just come that out of nowhere.

Post match Raye says she wants Nikkita Lyons, not the puppet.

Monica Monroe won the Women’s ID Title.

Alix Brooks and Kale Dixon can’t stand Aaron Rourke and are ready to show Evolve why they’re the stars this place needs.

Kale Dixon vs. Aaron Rourke

Alix Brooks is here with Dixon. Rourke jumps him to start and strikes away in the corner. A clothesline puts Dixon on the floor so he gets back inside, where another clothesline puts him on the floor again. The dive connects for Rourke but Brooks offers a distraction so Dixon can take over. We take a break and come back with Dixon working on a reverse chinlock. That’s reversed into a half crab, with Dixon quickly escaping for a backbreaker.

Dixon gives him a suplex but gets cocky, allowing Rourke to do an Undertaker situp. Rourke headscissors him off the top and they slowly slug it out. Dixon gets knocked around and it’s Eat Defeat into a middle rope Codebreaker. Back up and Dixon’s big wind up shot to the face (the 96) gets two but Rourke gives him a pop up powerbomb for two more. Rourke goes up and gets shoved down by Brooks, meaning another 96 can give Dixon the pin at 10:41.

Rating: B-. Yeah that makes sense, as Rourke is going to want revenge and might need a friend to help him take care of Brooks. This is a good sign for Dixon (though it’s only going to go so far when his name is still Kale), who is starting to get a little somewhere around here. Rourke is still being featured, though it’s not a great sign that he hasn’t spent much time in NXT.

Harlem Lewis calls in to commentary and says that the only way he loses the Evolve Title is when he gets called up to NXT with the title around his waist.

Overall Rating: C+. This was more of a “let’s get to next week” show, with only Rourke vs. Dixon feeling like part of an important story. The ending was little more than Lewis saying he wasn’t hurt despite seemingly being hurt last week. That’s not much of an update but it’s at least something, which is where Evolve does well. I’ll take a small update over ignoring it, as it keeps the interest going. Passable show here, though the whole place is feeling a bit cold at the moment.

Results
Chazz Hall/Cappuccino Jones b. Mog Squad – Double pin
Skylar Raye b. Sloane Jacobs – Starfall
Kale Dixon b. Aaron Rourke – 96

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Evolve
Date: October 7, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

We’re closing in on Succession IV and as of last week, the Evolve Title match is officially set. Harley Riggins will challenge Harlem Lewis for the…well silver actually but it should be a heck of a fight. The Women’s Title is ready to go as well with Wendy Choo getting her rematch with Nikkita Lyons. We’ll probably need another match or two so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Harlem Lewis is ready to meet Harley Riggins tonight.

Harley Riggins is ready to meet Harlem Lewis tonight.

Opening sequence.

Here is Marcus Mathers for a chat. He’s been here long enough that if he has something to say, he’s stepping up and doing it. Mathers is tired of everyone running over him and calls them all out. This brings out Cutler James, as Braxton Cole is in the VIP section.

Marcus Mathers vs. Cutler James

Mathers strikes away to start but gets taken down with a headlock takeover. Mathers slips out of a chinlock so James spears him into a stretch muffler. That’s escaped as well and Mathers gets in a missile dropkick but gets pulled out of the air. James tosses him hard to the floor and Mathers is holding his leg as we take a break.

We come back with Mathers’ leg in trouble but he’s able to hit a jumping spin kick to the face (right). Dark Matter doesn’t work for James and Mathers is able to get a DDT. James rolls outside so Mathers uses the bad leg for a kick from the apron, followed by a running hurricanrana. Cole offers a distraction so here is Elijah Holyfield to chase him off. That’s enough for James to hit Dark Matter for the pin at 6:52.

Rating: C. Dang it stop beating Mathers so often. The story of the match was ok, but there’s only so much I can handle of Mathers’ leg being the target and him doing all of the jumping and flipping anyway. If you’re doing a leg injury, stop using so much leg based offense. That really shouldn’t be too complicated but here we are.

Quick recap of Veronica Haven vs. Anya Rune.

Veronica Haven vs. Anya Rune

Haven gets in a quick cutter for two and is already annoyed at the kickouts. The double arm crank goes on but Rune is back up with some running elbows in the corner. Rune’s special effects shot to the face sets up the modified Nightmare On Helm Street for the pin at 2:02. That’s a short match on this show but yeah Rune isn’t working. The gimmick just isn’t there and that’s not changing. Even commentary is pointing out that the fans don’t seem to get it so how much of a future does it have?

Post match Sloane Jacobs and Nikkita Lyons run in for the beatdown, including pouring trash on Rune. They count to ten and that’s enough to accept Wendy Choo’s challenge for a Last Woman Standing match.

PJ Vasa is not impressed.

Earlier this week, AJ Styles came up to Conan Lycan and Nathan Frazer in the gym. If you don’t know Lycan, it might be because Styles is here to offer him a WWE ID contract. Lycan is ready to start today.

The Mog Squad is ready to win, even if they don’t know who Max Abrams is facing.

Cappuccino Jones is going to come after the Mog Squad as soon as he’s medically cleared.

Kale Dixon vs. Aaron Rourke

Alix Brooks is here with Dixon, who starts fast with a clothesline and a slam. Rourke gets in a superkick and some running shots in the corner but Brooks grabs Rourke’s foot. That and a choke are enough for Brooks to draw the DQ at 1:19.

Post match Dixon lays him out with a chair.

Wendy Choo talks about returning after her title loss at Succession III. Now she’s back to regain her title in a Last Woman Standing match. She’s been in a variety of gimmick matches around here and this is how she’s evening the stakes.

Vanta The Unknown is ready to end Laynie Luck’s dream run.

Max Abrams says his nose is too banged up so CJ Valor is taking his place.

CJ Valor vs. ???

The mystery opponent is….the returning Jasper Troy. Valor dodges away to start and tries a waistlock, which really doesn’t work so well. Troy takes him down by the arm and gets two off a splash but Valor kicks Troy into the corner. Valor knocks him to the floor and we take a break. We come back with Valor stomping away until Troy powers him into the corner. The powerslam and a running splash set up a powerslam to give Troy two. A rake to the eyes has Troy in trouble and rolling Chaos Theory gives Valor two more. Troy gets back up for a sitout chokeslam and Into The Abyss finishes Valor at 7:01.

Rating: C+. Troy being back is a good thing as he’s a big guy who can move fairly well, which is enough to give him a chance. It would be nice to see what he can do around here as he’s still new enough to feel fresh. Having him run through the Squad is a nice way to start, as you can imagine Timothy Thatcher is going to be mad at Abrams for changing the plans.

Aaron Rourke swears revenge on Kale Dixon. As he rants, Harlem Lewis and Harley Riggins brawl out to the arena, with Riggins getting in a low blow to end the show. I didn’t recognize Lewis with his hair down.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was about getting things ready for Succession and that was a good job. The wrestling here wasn’t much, but that wasn’t the point of this show. Succession is feeling like it’s an important show, which is more than would be said about a few of the more recent editions. This was just the big warmup, but it was a good warmup.

Results
Cutler James b. Marcus Mathers – Dark Matter
Anya Rune b. Veronica Heaven – Nightmare On Helm Street
Aaron Rourke b. Kale Dixon via DQ when Alix Brooks interfered
Jasper Troy b. CJ Valor – Into The Abyss

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Evolve
Date: September 23, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

It’s a special night here as we have an all women’s showcase, headlined by the Women’s Title match between Skylar Raye and Nikkita Lyons. Other than that, we’re coming up on Succession and that should be getting some focus this week, as the build hasn’t really started yet. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Skylar Raye is ready for her big chance tonight and has to follow the paths of people who came before her and made their own ways.

Opening sequence.

Sloane Jacobs vs. PJ Vasa

Before the match, Jacobs offers a tribute to Nikkita Lyons and says she’s taking care of Vasa before Vasa can get to Lyons. Vasa runs her over to start and throws her into the corner by the hair. Jacobs manages a headscissors and pulls Vasa into the corner a few times for a smart counter. We take a break and come back with Vasa Hulking Up and getting two off a Samoan drop. Another Samoan drop is escaped though and Jacobs grabs a victory roll (and the rope) for the pin at 4:07.

Rating: C. They didn’t have much time here but Jacobs getting a win is more than a bit of a surprise. Vasa getting cheated out of a win isn’t the biggest surprise as she has been gone from WWE for the last month or so, but there is a good chance she’ll have one more big showdown before leaving. I’m not sure what is next for Jacobs, but a win is a win.

Post match Vasa runs Jacobs over and calls out Lyons again. Uh maybe win a match first?

Alix Brooks and Kale Dixon aren’t happy about how they’ve been treated, especially by Aaron Rourke. They need a new plan, and he has their attention now.

Here is Zena Sterling for a chat and she says this is the real her. She doesn’t need to smile and pretend to be someone she’s not. The reality is she has always been superior and tonight she’s watching two women fight for a title that should rightfully belong to her.

Anya Rune isn’t sure why no one believes in her but she is ready to prove that she is the main character around here. Yeah good luck with that.

We look at Vanta The Unknown appearing about a month ago and looking rather…intense?

Vanta The Unknown vs. Veronica Haven

Vanta powers her around to start and flips away from a La Mistica attempt. Haven avoids a charge in the corner but gets sent throat first into the middle rope. An arm crank has Haven in more trouble and Vanta kicks her down into an armbar. Haven tries to get up and gets pulled into something like a Disarm-Her (with Vanta pulling back on the arm rather than sitting on it) for the tap (with the foot) at 3:18.

Rating: C. I’m still not sure what exactly Vanta is about (ok so the name fits) but the finish looked good and she could wind up being something around here, just based on how strong of a debut she has had thus far. I’m not sure how long the weird creepy stuff can last, but at least its starting well. Just let her snap a few more arms and she should be fine.

Post match here is Laynie Luck to go after Vanta….who dodges like she’s in the Matrix and knocks Luck down instead. Well that was cool enough.

Video on the history of Succession.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Kali Armstrong is happy to see the Women’s Title match because she knows how much it means to be champion.

Women’s Title: Skylar Raye vs. Nikkita Lyons

Lyons is defending and insists that Giana Capri give her a special introduction. Capri doesn’t quite know how to do that and calls her a declawed feline and Nikkita Multivitamin. After the Big Match Intros, Lyons grabs an armbar, which has Raye flipping away and…well getting headlocked actually. Raye can’t trip her down but can kick Lyons away and grab a headlock of her own.

A run up the corner lets Raye get in a headlock takeover and Lyons is frustrated. Raye tries another corner run but gets suplexed this time. Back up and Raye sends her to the floor for a dive and we take a break. We come back with Raye being catapulted throat first into the bottom rope and Lyons gets to choke in the corner. Something like a dragon sleeper stays on Raye’s neck until she manages to roll her way out.

A crossbody hits Lyons but Raye can’t follow up, meaning it’s off to the slugout from their knees. Some running clotheslines have Lyons in trouble but she blocks a tornado DDT and gets two off a Batista Bomb. Lyons’ Vader Bomb misses and now the tornado DDT gives Raye two. Back up and a running headscissors drops Lyons but Starstruck misses. The spinning kick to the head (Divine Alignment) retains Lyons’ title at 11:33.

Rating: B. For someone still pretty new around here, Raye held her own in there against a more established name. While a title change felt like a long shot, it was nice to see a match so competitive, with Raye feeling like she has the tools to turn into something much better down the line. It’s not a classic, but for the experience level, this was better than expected.

Post match Wendy Choo runs in and gives Lyons the Dirt Nap to end the show. There’s your big moment/return.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a passable enough show, with the main event being the highlight and Vanta definitely standing out with her unique movements. It was nice to have a themed show like this and it kept my interest throughout. As usual, one of the reasons Evolve works so well is that it’s not a long show every week, making it hard to get that annoyed. In other words, get in, draw some interest, and get out before next week. It’s a nice change from the other shows and it worked again here.

Results
Sloane Jacobs b. PJ Vasa – Victory roll
Vanta The Unknown b. Veronica Haven – Pulling armbar
Nikkita Lyons b. Skylar Raye – Divine Alignment

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Evolve
Date: September 16, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

It’s title week here as Harlem Lewis is defending the Evolve Title against Cutler James, who got the title shot by winning a four way a few weeks back. Other than that, Skylar Raye is coming for the Women’s Title, with the title on the line next week Finally, the ID Program is coming off a big win last week, thanks to the help of It’s Gal. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Harlem Lewis talks about how important the title is to him and he’s not ready to let it to go. Darkstate doesn’t matter to him and tonight, Cutler James is just another victim.

Opening sequence.

Kale Dixon vs. Ulka Sasaki

Alix Brooks is here with Dixon. Sasaki works on the arm to start and then drops down to let Dixon have some free kicks. Instead he trips Dixon down for two but Sasaki takes him down and hammers away on the apron. A backbreaker puts Sasaki down and the big chop to the back gets two. The chinlock doesn’t last long and Sasaki is back up with a spinning kick to the head for two of his own. Cue Aaron Rourke to put a jacket over Brooks to distract Dixon, with Sasaki getting a nice flipping rollup for the pin at 5:38.

Rating: C+. The match only had so much time but that tends to be the case around here as the matches aren’t always that long. In addition though, Sasaki is a talented star who is at least getting some time, with that flipping rollup being a cool finish. Rourke has a new feud it seems and that should go well for both of them.

The ID Program is happy with their win last week but Braxton Cole comes in to interrupt. Mathers doesn’t seem happy but is held back.

Succession IV is on October 14.

Vanta The Unknown doesn’t like Laynie Luck and isn’t going to let her succeed.

Harley Riggins wants the Evolve Title and has the winner after tonight.

Elijah Holyfield vs. Milosh Jovic

This is Jovic’s debut and he talks about bringing speed and power. Holyfield knocks him down to start and grabs a suplex, setting up the spinebuster and uppercut for the win at 1:34. Total squash.

Post match Holyfield says he’s here to win the Evolve Title but Braxton Cole interrupt. Cole wants the title but Marcus Mathers comes in to go after Cole, with the referees breaking it up.

Video on Cutler James.

Here is Sloane Jacobs to bring out Nikkita Lyons for a chat. Lyons seems to think she’s better than most of the rest of the division, which brings out Skylar Raye to interrupt. Raye calls out Lyons for mocking her for being a cheerleader when Lyons has her own cheerleader in Jacobs. Cue PJ Vasa to interrupt, saying she has the winner of whomever comes out of this next week. Jacobs actually goes after Vasa, leaving Raye to take Lyons out.

Elijah Holyfield gets to face Braxton Cole in two weeks. He’ll knock Marcus Mathers out too if he has to.

Harley Riggins tells Timothy Thatcher that he’s getting the next title shot and he’s going to watch the title match tonight. Thatcher says no, citing how Harlem Lewis and Riggins tend to create chaos. Get involved and deal with consequence.

Evolve Title: Harlem Lewis vs. Cutler James

Lewis is defending. James grabs a headlock to start and takes Lewis down, with the hold staying on for longer than you might expect. It’s finally broken up and Lewis gets in a middle rope stomp to the arm. James counters a dive off the apron though and hits a backbreaker as we take a break.

We come back with Lewis getting whipped hard into the corner and another backbreaker giving James two. Back up and Lewis is able to wrap the arm around the post, setting up a crossface. That’s reversed into a side slam and James hits a pop up uppercut to the back. Shell Shock connects but the arm is too banged up, allowing Lewis to roll out to the floor.

James follows him to the floor and clotheslines the post by mistake. A spear drops James and they head back inside, where he’s able to counter the Boom Slang into a spinning backbreaker. The arm gives out on another Shell Shock attempt and now the Boom Slang can retain the title at 10:09.

Rating: B. I can go with Lewis as the guy who might not be the most talented in-ring star, but he’s a good, strong brawler. It worked well here and that’s the kind of thing that could get him through quite a few title defenses. James felt like a challenger there for the sake of giving Lewis a win over an NXT name and that’s a fine way to go, especially with Lewis breaking him down and winning in the end.

Post match Harley Riggins comes out to say he’s next but It’s Gal interrupts, saying it’s his shot. Lewis tells them to fight to see who gets the next shot and the brawl is on to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Evolve continues to stick with the style that has worked for them thus far: focus on one big thing a week (most of the time) and have some other stuff there to fill in the show which also sets up some stuff for later. You can see where a lot of stories are going here and the Evolve Title was on the line. That’s a good use of about 45 minutes and I liked this show quite a bit.

Results
Ulka Sasaki b. Kale Dixon – Flipping rollup
Elijah Holyfield b. Milosh Jovic – Uppercut
Harlem Lewis b. Cutler James – Boom Slang

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Evolve
Date: September 9, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

Last week saw a big change of everything as we now have new #1 contenders for the two Evolve Titles. That should be more than enough to carry us for a few weeks and now we get to build towards the title matches. Other than that, we are getting more of the ID Program fighting against their future versions so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The Mog Squad is ready to beat up the other ID Program stars. Jacari Ball will be starting the gauntlet match. Note that Max Abrams doesn’t have the mask on to hide whatever work he had done.

Opening sequence.

Giana Capri vs. Anya Rune

Capri kicks her in the face to start fast but gets elbowed in the face. Rune gets sent face first into the bottom buckle and Capri elbows her in the corner. Another kick to the head staggers Rune in the corner but she’s back with a sliding forearm. The anime shot to the face, with a flash of some kind, sets up a Nightmare On Helm Street for the pin at 4:00.

Rating: C. What do you want me to say here? Having the special effect when Rune hit her big move told you everything you needed to know about Rune, and why she was released. The gimmick wasn’t going to work and that was on full display here. It reminds me of Sareee in NXT with her transforming entrance, which just comes off as silly more than anything else. Rune might not have been great, but she was running with an anchor the entire time she was around.

Sloane Jacobs is stunned by the result and warns Skylar Raye (not here) on behalf of Nikkita Lyons. PJ Vasa comes in to say she’s coming after Lyons next week.

We get a quick tribute to stars who have gone from Evolve to NXT as part of the ID Program.

Chazz Hall fires up Team ID but Kale Dixon and Alix Brooks cut through them and head to the VIP Lounge. They’re here to bring some star power to the show. Brooks says they’re here to put some hot people on TV.

September 23 is an all women’s ID showcase.

Team ID vs. Mog Squad

Team ID: Aaron Rourke, Cappuccino Jones, Sam Holloway, Marcus Mathers
Mog Squad: Jacari Ball, Max Abrams, CJ Valor, Santi Rivera

This is a Team Gauntlet Series, which is basically a Survivor Series match but under gauntlet rules, meaning it’s elimination rules and the members enter in a certain order and can’t tag. After a recap of how we got here, it’s Rourke vs. Ball to get things going. Ball takes over on the arm to start but gets sent into the corner for an exploder suplex.

Ball dropkicks him right back down and drops an elbow, setting up a quickly broken chinlock. A gutwrench suplex gives Ball two but Rourke is back up with some shots to the face. They go outside with Rourke hitting a pump kick, only to get caught with the same thing back inside. Ball takes him up top and is shoved away, setting up the Molly Go Round to give Rourke the first elimination at 3:42.

Valor is in next and we take a break, coming back with Valor throwing Rourke down. A clothesline sets up the chinlock but Rourke sends him crashing into the corner. Valor gets dropkicked into the corner but Dixon throws a pillow in for a distraction. That’s enough for Valor to knock him off the ropes and roll Rourke up with trunks for the pin at 7:39.

Holloway is in next and boots Valor in the face to start fast. A big elbow gets two but Holloway misses a charge into the corner and gets suplexed for two. Valor’s flying shoulder connects for two more, earning himself a suplex into the corner. The chokeslam is loaded up and quickly reversed into a cross armbreaker. Back up and a rolling Chaos Theory gives Valor two more but now the chokeslam gives Holloway the pin at 12:15.

Rivera is in next for the Squad and we take a break. We come back with Rivera working on Holloway’s back, setting up the chinlock. Holloway is right back up with a shot of his own and another chokeslam gets rid of Valor at 15:24. So it’s Abrams left for the Squad and he has his mask on to hide the work he’s had done as he grabs a sleeper. Abrams is sent outside so here is Cutler James to kick Holloway in the face, meaning the Main Objective can give Abrams the pin at 16:53.

Mathers is in next and hits a springboard Stunner but Abrams elbows him in the face. Another Main Objective is countered and Mathers hits a hook kick to the face, with Abrams falling out to the floor. Of course Mathers hits a big running flip dive onto the pile and we take another break.

We come back with Shido Ash attacking Cappuccino Jones in the back, with Chazz Hall chasing him off. Back with Abrams having lost his mask (which is slid back in to him) and getting caught with a super Spanish Fly for two. Mathers adds a 450 so the Squad makes a save, earning themselves a group ejection. Abrams kicks him out of the air though and another Main Objective finishes Mathers at 22:02.

Timothy Thatcher is here to say Jones is out so the Squad wins, but IT’S GAL is here to take Jones’ place! Some kicks to the head and an Iconoclasm, followed by a discus lariat. A running Blockbuster gets Abrams out of trouble but Gal is back up with a very spinning Blue Thunder Bomb for the final pin at 24:08.

Rating: B. This worked well enough and I can go for more of Gal, who is quite the charismatic star and it’s nice to see him getting a chance to do something. Hopefully he gets elevated somewhere after this, as it could make for a nice future. The Squad will be fine as they’re more than annoying enough to stick around. This felt like a big deal and it’s nice to see Evolve having something of a specialized team match.

Rourke and Mathers hug Gal and pose with him.

Harley Riggins is not pleased to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. As usual, Evolve continues to do a great job of making itself feel different than so many other weekly shows. Outside of a quick opening match, this show was all about the gauntlet tag and not much else. I liked the main event pretty well too and we can move on to the other things in the coming weeks. This show does a great job of juggling a bunch of stuff and featuring it all, which we saw again here. Good show here, with the presentation being quite the feature.

Results
Anya Rune b. Giana Capri – Nightmare On Helm Street
Team ID b. Mog Squad last eliminating Max Abrams

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Evolve
Date: August 26, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

We’re going with the grudge match focus this time, with the first ever Evolve lumberjack match as Elijah Holyfield vs. Brooks Jensen. I’m not sure how that’s going to go, but Evolve has done a good job with its previous first time situations. Hopefully they have something else to make the rest of the card work so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Brooks Jensen promises to destroy Elijah Holyfield, who is only here because of his famous name. We get some visuals of trees falling as Jensen promises to make him into a colossal failure.

Opening sequence.

Commentary runs down the card.

Laynie Luck vs. PJ Vasa

Luck slugs away to start and hurricanranas her out to the floor, where a suicide dive connects. Back in and Vasa easily slams her down, followed by a spear for two. The bearhug goes on for a bit but Luck avoids a charge in the corner. A Shining Wizard and middle rope dropkick have Vasa on the apron for a hard stomp. Back in and a hurricanrana is countered into a sitout powerbomb to give Vasa two but Luck reverses a suplex into a DDT. A Death Valley Driver actually gives Luck the clean pin at 4:07.

Rating: C+. I’d call that a surprise, as I haven’t gotten the appeal of Vasa since she debuted but Luck is often there to put people over. It wasn’t a particularly great match but Luck is more interesting to watch most weeks. I’m not sure what is next for Vasa, but this isn’t a good sign for her future.

Gianna Capri isn’t waiting in line around here like she’s at a deli. She’s been to JAPAN. Anyway, she’s sick of Anya Rune, who is like a tourist trying to park in the city.

Chazz Hall vs. Kale Dixon

Dixon, with Alix Brooks, grabs a slam to start but Dixon sunset flips his way out of a powerbomb for two. Hall is back with a jumping kick to the face and the springboard wristdrag sends Dixon flying. Back up and Dixon gets in a throat first drop over the rope and the hanging reverse DDT.

The reverse chinlock doesn’t last long so Dixon faceplants Hall with a kind of reverse powerbomb. Dixon’s springboard splash misses and Hall kicks him in the face, setting up the standing corkscrew moonsault for two. Brooks cuts Hall off on top though and the 96 gives Dixon the pin at 5:24.

Rating: C+. I like some of the things that Dixon is doing and his pairing with Brooks works, but, and I can’t emphasize this enough, the man’s name is Kale. How seriously am I supposed to take him no matter what he does? That being said, at least he got a win over someone who is higher up on the food chain, as it’s probably a good sign for his future.

Elijah Holyfield is ready to finish it with Brooks Jensen, who is running out of time.

Layla Diggs vs. Zena Sterling

Diggs powers her into the corner to start and is wrestled to the ground so Sterling can work on a waistlock. Sterling’s cravate has Diggs in some more trouble and a standing chinlock makes it even worse. Diggs finally knocks her down for an early two, followed by a sitout gordbuster for the same. Back up and Sterling gets in a tilt-a-whirl slam for two and they go into a pinfall reversal sequence, with Sterling putting her foot on the rope for the pin at 4:12. The fans are not pleased with that one.

Rating: C. I’m not sure what to think of this one either. I like both of the women involved and Sterling feels like she could be something, but the ending was weird as Diggs is already a heel but lost to another apparent heel. That’s an odd way to go and I’m not sure how well it’s going to go.

The Unknown loves letting people believe they are in control because she can sneak in to peel away the unconsciousness. Uh yeah. Anyway she’s coming.

Here is Harlem Lewis for a chat. In the four way, he had Timothy Thatcher set up the challengers and then knocked them down, which is how this title reign is going. For now, he wants a new #1 contender and doesn’t care how it’s crowned. This brings out Harley Riggins, who says he should just get the title shot. The brawl is on and security tries to break it up.

Hang on though as we cut to the back where the Mog Squad is beating up Aaron Rourke. This is called a message to the Evolve roster.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Elijah Holyfield vs. Brooks Jensen

Lumberjack match. Holyfield catches a big boot to start and Jensen is a bit surprised. Jensen looks afraid of the lumberjacks so he walks into a headlock, which feels a bit out of place. Jensen’s headlock doesn’t work either so Holyfield scares him out to the floor. The lumberjacks rough Jensen up before throwing him inside, with Jensen rolling right back outside.

Back in and Jensen’s middle rope ax handle connects so Holyfield plants him with a half nelson slam. Holyfield tosses him outside but makes the mistake of giving chase, allowing Jensen to get in a running knee. We take a break and come back with Holyfield punching him to the apron but getting clotheslined from behind. Jensen slaps on a headlock and hits a hard clothesline but gets caught holding the rope.

Holyfield gets in a hard shot of his own but is more than a bit winded. That earns him a Saito suplex for two and Jensen gets in a lariat for a bonus. Holyfield is fine enough to powerslam him out of the air for two so Jensen bails to the floor. That’s enough for the lumberjacks to get into a big brawl of their own so Jensen teases leaving, only for Sam Holloway to cut him off. Back in and the uppercut finishes for Holyfield at 10:38.

Rating: C+. Holyfield is still clearly green but he has a great look and the family name behind him so it makes sense to try him out. Having the lumberjacks out there helped, as it let them keep the match moving without the two of them having to do anything. That’s a good way to protect Holyfield and the match wound up working.

Holyfield celebrates to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This was a show where they kept things moving and the card worked out well enough. The main event felt like a big deal and now we can move back into the title picture next week. It makes this show feel more like a pit stop more than anything else, but it was still a rather decent show, with the main event working out. It’s always nice to see things go well with a less than top level show and they got something out of the fairly weak card. Nice job.

Results
Laynie Luck b. PJ Vasa – Death Valley Driver
Kale Dixon b. Chazz Hall – 96
Zena Sterling b. Layla Diggs – Rollup with foot on the rope
Elijah Holyfield b. Brooks Jensen – Uppercut

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Evolve
Date: August 19, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

The title situation around here continues to be the main focal point, but that is the kind of thing that can go in a different direction in any given week. Harlem Lewis needs a new challenger while Thea Hail is coming after Nikkita Lyons and the Women’s Title. That’s enough for the time being, along with the rather active midcard stuff. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Thea Hail knows Nikkita Lyons is in touch with her spirit guides or something but Hail doesn’t care who Lyons brings with her.

Opening sequence.

CJ Valor vs. Sam Holloway

The Mog Squad is here with Valor, who jumps Holloway from behind to start. Holloway shoulders him down without much effort and then hits the big dive to take out the Squad. The distraction works though as Valor is back up with a spear on the floor, followed by a top rope shoulder back inside.

Valor gets Holloway up for a pretty impressive spinebuster and we hit the chinlock. Holloway is back up with a clothesline into a heck of a running dropkick to knock Valor silly. Valor is able to reverse a big boot into a powerbomb though and a rolling Chaos Theory gives Valor two. Back up and Holloway tries a powerslam but has to deal with the Squad. That actually works for a change and a sitout chokeslam finishes Valor at 6:38.

Rating: B-. They had a good match here and it’s nice to see Holloway getting a win for a change. I don’t remember the last time he actually got a win so he needs to do something like this every so often, just to keep his value a bit stronger. The Squad continues to be some of the bigger heels around here, but at least someone got to them for a change.

Harlem Lewis talks about how everything changed after winning the Evolve Title. He didn’t expect to get emotional when his brother was proud of him winning the title. His relationships around here have changed because they want the title too. This belt means more to him than any friendship, which is why he had no problem winning the four way a few weeks back. Get used to him being champion.

Cutler James vs. Marcus Mathers

James backs him up against the ropes to start and works on the arm as It’s Gal is in the VIP Section. Mathers gets up and hits a dropkick but gets his legs swept out. That means a giant swing for Mathers, who is right back with a pop up hurricanrana. We take a break and come back with James working on the arm again, followed by a pop up uppercut.

James’ clothesline gets two and we hit the neck crank as this isn’t exactly lighting up the ring. Mathers gets up and sends him to the floor for a rather needed running flip dive. Back in and James pulls him out of the air into a spinning backbreaker, setting up Dark Matter for the pin at 10:44.

Rating: C. I liked the ending, but I wasn’t feeling a lot of this one, as James hasn’t done much for me on his own. I get the idea of giving him something to do around here but it isn’t anything that has stood out. At the same time, I keep holding out hope for Mathers to go somewhere and he hasn’t gotten crushed, though it’s getting harder to believe that he’s going to turn into a top star.

Post match James says Darkstate is for Tuesday but Wednesday is for him alone. He’s coming for the Evolve Title sooner or later.

PJ Vasa doesn’t care if Laynie Luck doesn’t want to be a stepping stone.

Harley Riggins doesn’t like being on a team and is ready to do things on his own.

Aaron Rourke is back next week.

Video on Shido Ash/Viktor Zanov.

Kale Dixon and his blonde friend (apparently named Alix Brooks) don’t like various promises being broken to him. Timothy Thatcher doesn’t want to hear this and gives him Chazz Hall for some hard work next week. With Dixon and Brooks gone, Thatcher isn’t happy with Brooks Jensen driving away from Elijah Holyfield, so next week it’s the first ever Evolve lumberjack match. Zena Sterling comes in to say she thinks she deserves a singles match so she can face Layla Diggs. Sterling seems a bit upset but says ok and leaves. As usual, Thatcher is one of the best things about this show because he does stuff that makes sense.

Women’s Title: Nikkita Lyons vs. Thea Hail

Lyons, as introduced by Sloane Jacobs, is defending. Hail goes right for the Kimura to start and Lyons has to go to the ropes. Back up and they trade big right hands until Hail DDTs the arm. Hail cranks on said arm and snaps off a hurricanrana to take Lyons down again. Lyons is back up to knock her out to the floor with a crash and we take a break.

We come back with Lyons hammering away and a Samoan drop getting two. The reverse chinlock doesn’t last long so Lyons hits a rather rough running clothesline for two more. Hail gets up for another failed Kimura attempt but Lyons misses a charge into the post. Now the Kimura can…well almost go on, as Lyons reverses into a backbreaker for two. The spinning kick to the head gets two on Hail, who is back with a takedown of her own.

Veronica Haven and Giana Capri come out of the VIP section for a distraction so Anya Rune tries to use her anime powers. When that doesn’t work, Rune turns her back on them to panic, leaving Wren Sinclair and Skyler Raye to run in and take them down. The referee yells a lot as Hail gets the Kimura to make Lyons tap. Jacobs makes the save and another spinning kick tot he head retains the title at 10:33.

Rating: C+. This was a main event where they were trying really hard but Hail has lost so many times that I’m not going to buy into her as a champion here. It also doesn’t help that she’s falling into the Nattie/Alberto Del Rio mode of “I have one move and it’s all I try to do”. That’s not exactly great to see and it makes her feel like a one trick pony, which isn’t going to work.

Post match the winning villains celebrate, with Wendy Choo’s face flashing on the screen to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. The best thing about this show is it felt like they covered quite a few stories and stars in less than fifty minutes. Evolve continues to feel very well structured and put together, which isn’t something you get with various other weekly shows. The main event did feel big enough, though the Choo tease at the end feels even bigger. Good enough show here, but the more important things to be on the horizon.

Results
Sam Holloway b. CJ Valor – Sitout chokeslam
Cutler James b. Marcus Mathers – Dark Matter
Nikkita Lyons b. Thea Hail – Spinning kick to the head

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6