Evolve
Date: June 25, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Robert Stone, Peter Rosenberg

It’s time to get violent as this week features a Last Woman Standing match between Wendy Choo and Kylie Rae. The two of them have been feuding for a few months now and it is time to blow everything off. That should make for something interesting, but the rest of the show will need to fill in the gaps. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video is about Choo vs. Rae, which does make it feel like a big deal.

Opening sequence.

Keanu Carver doesn’t like the WWE ID talent taking food off his table.

Ice Williams vs. Keanu Carver

Carver jumps him from behind to start and knocks Williams outside before the bell. Back in and Williams gets in a knockdown of his own, with Carver being knocked outside for a baseball slide. Back in and Carver runs him over for two and hits a reverse AA for two (oh that should have been the fall). The chinlock doesn’t last long as Williams fights up and hits the Ice Breaker (superkick) for two of his own. The Pounce cuts Williams back down though and the spinning powerslam finishes for Carver at 5:13.

Rating: C+. Williams is someone who impressed me enough over Wrestlemania Weekend but that was about the last time I thought of him. Oddly enough, it’s also about the last time I thought of the ID Titles, which makes me wonder if they’ll ever actually happen. Other than that, Carver gets to look like a beast again, though he should go with that reverse AA as a finisher.

Cappuccino Jones and Jack Cartwheel talk about their journey to get here.

The Vanity Project was at a Beyond Wrestling event over the weekend and don’t think much of the LWO. They’ll face off next week.

Zara Zakher vs. Kendal Grey

Both have been accused of being the backstage attacker and they argue over it to start. Grey takes her down into an armbar but it’s broken up. That earns Zakher a cross armbreaker, sending her over to the rope. What looks to be an Angle Slam is escaped so Grey goes with a spinning belly to back suplex for the pin at 3:36.

Rating: C. Grey continues to feel like a project around here, though I could go for seeing her having some more development. At the moment, she’s just another athletic woman who only has so much making her stand out. Zakher had a Wolverine style to her gear here, which made sense given her smaller stature. That’s more than Grey has and that needs to change.

Edris Enofe can’t get Stevie Turner’s attention….and Aria Bennett has been attacked. Zara Zakher and Kendal Grey both come in from the ring, meaning they’re both innocent.

Video on the awesomeness that is the WWE ID Program.

Stevie Turner announces the newest Evolve signing: Dante Chen. The fans do Chen’s pose before he talks about getting to join such a great roster. Earlier this year, Ethan Page injured Chen’s ankle and it put him in some dark times. Now he is ready to come back but here is Edris Enofe to interrupt.

Chen is glad to see him, but Enofe says all of the hype for Chen isn’t special. A few weeks ago, Enofe was in this spot and got a lot of attention, but now he can’t get ten seconds of Stevie Turner’s time. And for who? Dante Chen? Enofe is sick of doing things the right way and just getting ignored. Chen isn’t hearing this and gets hit in the face.

Layla Diggs is glad she has evolved but Jin Tala interrupts, saying she’s replacing Aria Bennett in their match next week. Works for Diggs.

Remember how Tate Wilder was coming? He still is.

Lince Dorado thanks the LWO for help. We pan over to Jamar Hampton yelling at Edris Enofe, who doesn’t like it. Hampton tells him to do something about it, but Enofe isn’t doing anything for anyone else anymore.

Wendy Choo vs. Kylie Rae

Last Woman Standing. Rae starts fast and hammers away before kicking Choo outside. A suicide dive connects and Rae picks up a table, which takes too long. Rae is back up with a trashcan to put over Choo and strikes away with a broom. They get back inside with Rae grabbing a suplex, only to miss a Cannonball into the trashcan in the corner. It’s time for a toolbox as commentary makes various monster/slasher movie comparisons. Choo tapes Rae’s legs to the corner and hits her in the ribs with a wrench.

We take a break and come back with Choo tying her in the ring skirt for a beating, only for Rae to get in a fire extinguisher blast. Rae hits a Cannonball against the steps but Choo is back up at 8 and they get back inside. The crossface has Choo in more trouble but she gets out and drops Rae again.

It’s time for the pillow case full of Legos (I don’t like having to write that) but Rae hits her with a teddy bear….which apparently has a brick inside. Rae didn’t know it was in there and panics, earning herself a half nelson slam onto the Legos. They go to the apron where Choo gets the Dirt Nap, only for Rae to drop backwards through the table at ringside. That’s enough for Rae to beat the count for the win at 12:39.

Rating: B-. Good enough here and while the weapons use was getting silly, they didn’t go too insane for the most part. What matters the most is that Rae gets a big win, which she has been needing around here since she debuted. Hopefully it also ends things with Choo, as this feud has been needing to wrap up already.

Natalya is in Stevie Turner’s office and wants to help build Evolve. Turner thanks her but Natalya wants to face Kali Armstrong. Turner isn’t sure to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This show has found its groove and that is very impressive for a show about three and a half months old. They have done a nice job of putting everything together and making this feel like something rather logical most weeks. You have people coming in and stories that make sense. I’m finding myself liking this show more and more each week, which is a nice feeling to have as it never burns out its welcome. Another perfectly watchable show this week and it worked well.

Results
Keanu Carver b. Ice Williams – Spinning powerslam
Kendal Grey b. Zara Zakher – Spinning belly to back suplex
Kylie Rae b. Wendy Choo when Choo couldn’t answer the ten count

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

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Evolve
Date: May 21, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

The title matches are drawing closer and that makes things all the more interesting around here. What matters the most right now is getting some people into those matches, with one spot in the men’s match being determined tonight. I’m curious to see how that goes and who gets in so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a video on Harlem Lewis vs. Keanu Carver, who face off tonight in a title match qualifier. Also tonight: a four way for the final spot in the Women’s Title four way.

Opening sequence.

Chantel Monroe vs. Aria Bennett vs. Kylie Rae vs. Zayda Steel

For the final spot in the Women’s Title match next week and the Vanity Project is here with Steel. They pair off to start and Monroe is sent to the apron, where Rae forearms her to the floor. Bennett flips over Rae and armdrags her into a quickly broken armbar. Steel is back in to take Rae into the corner, with Bennett snapmaring both of them out. A double basement dropkick to both of their backs connects but Monroe is back up to take Bennett down.

Steel’s springboard tornado DDT plants Bennett and a Codebreaker gets two on Rae. Back up and Rae takes over on Steel, with the Project helping with the save. That’s enough for a mass ejection and Monroe is back in to clean a bit of house. Bennett fights up and wrecks everyone, including a dive tot he floor onto Steel and Monroe. Rae’s crossface goes on but Bennett rolls out, only for Rae to hit a superkick for the surprise win at 6:33.

Rating: C+. The match was a bit messy but Rae winning is the feel good story that makes sense. Rae has felt like a star since the show started but she hasn’t had a win coming into this match. This gives her the chance to become champion, though it would be a stretch to see her win the title. At least she took a big step though, even if I was expecting Steel to be involved somehow.

A more serious looking Rae promises to win the title next week.

Keanu Carver is ready to beat up Harlem Lewis and move on to become the Evolve Champion.

Oro Mensah wants in the title match too.

Oro Mensah vs. Edris Enofe

Mensah chops away to start but Enofe is right back with some shots of his own. A dropkick into some elbows and a standing moonsault give Enofe two but Mensah is back up to plant him on the floor. Back up and Mensah hits a tornado DDT to send Enofe throat first across the top rope. A springboard kick to the chest gets two on Enofe and we hit the chinlock with a bodyscissors. That’s broken up and Enofe fires off some clotheslines, setting up a spinebuster for two. A dragon suplex gives Mensah two more and they both go up, with Enofe knocking him off the top. The Epitome Of Excellence finishes Mensah at 6:03.

Rating: B-. This is one thing that is good about Evolve, as you have two people with nothing else going on and now they are getting the chance to show what they can do. Enofe isn’t a big star but he is someone who could get somewhere if given the chance. This is a win that could set such a thing up and now we get to see where he can go with his next step. It came after a hard fought match too and that’s good to see.

Post match Enofe puts Mensah over as a tough competitor but he’s glad he’s back. Stevie Turner comes out and puts Enofe in the Men’s Evolve Title match. Hold on though as Dani Palmer has been attacked.

Harlem Lewis is ready to take out Keanu Carver and go on to the title match.

We look at Brinley Reece having been attacked last week.

Here is the Vanity Project to say no one cares about the women being attacked.

Swipe Right vs. Timothy Thatcher/Sean Legacy

Thatcher goes after Baylor’s arm to start with a variety of cranking before handing it off to Legacy for some more of the same. Thatcher and Legacy take turns working on the arm even more as they’re certainly focused thus far. Baylor manages to get away so it’s off to Smokes, who gets beaten up as well Swipe Right realizes this isn’t working and bails to the floor as we take a break.

Back with Legacy fighting back on Baylor and kicking him in the back as commentary makes bets on the Vanity Project interfering. Baylor cuts Legacy off though and it’s back to Smokes for some knees to the ribs. An assisted kick to the back sets up Baylor’s jumping elbow but Legacy dives away for the tag to Thatcher. Everything breaks down and a jumping knee to Thatcher sets up the Super Swipe for the pin at 10:51.

Rating: C+. Swipe Right are in the weird position where they are a good heel act but they are only so good when the bell rings. That was the case here as there just wasn’t much to be seen with the match itself. That made this feel rather long and that’s not the kind of feeling you want to have. At the same time, Thatcher is only going to mean so much if he puts everyone over, and that was the case again here.

Kali Armstrong isn’t happy with Kendal Grey for attacking her last week. She doesn’t want Wendy Choo or Kylie Rae trying to stop her either, as she’s going to be the first Women’s Champion.

Kendal Grey isn’t impressed and brags about her wrestling skill to the women’s locker room. Chantel Monroe isn’t impressed and leaves. Masyn Holiday isn’t impressed with Monroe either.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Harlem Lewis vs. Keanu Carver

For a spot in the Men’s Evolve Title match. They talk trash during the Big Match Intros and then start slugging it out at the bell. Lewis knocks him into the corner but gets dropped with a running clothesline. Carver’s threat of a Pounce sends Lewis bailing to the floor and they brawl outside again. Carver is sent hard into the steps and Lewis hammers away back inside.

Back up and Carver knocks him to the apron, where Lewis is hung over the top rope for a heck of a right hand. A Pounce sends Lewis, who is favoring his knee, crashing out to the floor but he’s back with a heck of a clothesline. Back in and Lewis hits the Boom Slam but the knee gives out. They go back outside where Lewis grabs a belly to back suplex, followed by a powerbomb back inside. The bad knee means it’s only a two count though and they slug it out again. Carver blocks a suplex and another Pounce connects. Carver’s spinning powerslam is enough for the pin at 5:54.

Rating: B. This was a good example of a match where it wasn’t about a technical masterpiece or even wrestling for the most part. Instead, this was two guys beating the fire out of each other until one of them couldn’t get up. That doesn’t make for the highest quality match, but dang does it make for something fun, which is pretty much exactly as advertised.

Carver looks at the title to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. There is something about having titles coming up soon that makes a show that much better and that is what we’re seeing here. The titles being on the line soon makes the matches feel that much more important as wrestlers have a goal in mind. Most of these matches had something to do with the title picture (with even the tag match including someone in the Men’s Title match). This is good booking coming together in a logical way and that is great to see.

Results
Kylie Rae b. Aria Bennett, Chantel Monroe and Zayda Steel – Superkick to Bennett
Edris Enofe b. Oro Mensah – Epitome Of Excellence
Swipe Right b. Timothy Thatcher/Sean Legacy – Super Swipe to Thatcher
Keanu Carver b. Harlem Lewis – Spinning powerslam

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

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Evolve
Date: April 30, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

We’re back to developmental’s developmental, which happens to be a fairly consistent show. Hopefully that continues this week, as the show has done well enough with keeping things fresh. The wrestlers around here have started to become established and if that continues, we could get some interesting stuff going forward. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Kylie Rae says the teddy bear that Wendy Choo gave to Zara Zakher last week belongs to her son. Rae’s son has been up crying because it has been missing and this ends tonight. Well that took a turn.

Zayda Steel vs. Layla Diggs

Bryce Donovan and Aria Bennett are here too. Steel takes her down and grabs an armbar to start. That’s reversed into a variety of flips into some arm cranking from Diggs, who fires off a handspring shoulder in the corner. A powerslam gives Diggs two but Steel sends her to the apron for a Codebreaker. Steel slaps her in the corner and gets taken down for some not great looking forearms. A stomp out of the corner gives Steel two and we hit the seated abdominal stretch. Diggs comes back with some kicks to the face for two but misses a handspring…something in the corner. Back up and the ZDT finishes Diggs at 4:52.

Rating: C. Steel is a case where it’s absolutely obvious why WWE wants to push her, but she is still at that point where nothing is coming naturally to her. It’s like you can see her working out every single thing she’s supposed to do in the ring. I get why she’s on this stage, but it’s not making for the most impressive showings. Diggs is another name on the long list of really athletic stars who have very little that makes them stand out. That’s going to need to change or she isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont vs. Aaron Rourke/Freedom Ramsey

Igwe and Rourke start things off, with the glittery Rourke being shoved down. Rourke slips out of a slam and seems to embarrass Igwe so it’s off to DuPont vs. Ramsey. DuPont actually gets taken down into the corner and it’s back to Rourke for a handspring double slap to the chest.

That just annoys DuPont, who hammers on Rourke and grabs a shoulder breaker. A running corner clothesline rocks Rourke again but a missed…something lets Rourke grab a rollup. Rourke enziguris his way to freedom and tags, uh, Freedom, to clean house. A middle rope ax handle is punched out of the air though and Rourke is knocked outside. The Heartstopper finishes Ramsey at 4:29.

Rating: C. Not much to see here, with Igwe and DuPont getting to establish themselves on their new show. They’re a team who could go somewhere if they’re given a chance and they’re not quite good enough to be regulars in NXT. Instead let us see what they can do here and it might be an improvement. If nothing else it gets them reps and that could be useful.

Wendy Choo vs. Kylie Rae

Choo wrestles a charging Rae down to start and grabs a headlock. Rae fights up and gets a smile from Choo, setting up a backslide for two. Choo takes her down again and spins her neck around, only to get taken down again. A basement superkick puts Choo down and it’s time to go after the teddy bear. Choo sends her hard into the post though and we take a break.

Back with Rae grabbing a Russian legsweep and hitting some clotheslines, setting up the crossface. That’s broken up so Rae drops her again and goes up, where Choo gets in a slam off the top. A brainbuster gives Choo two and she grabs the bear. Choo rips the bear’s head off and Rae goes into rage mode. A bunch of forearms have Choo rocked but Rae goes for the beat, meaning Choo can grab the Dirt Nap for the win at 7:25.

Rating: C. The stuff with the teddy bear is fine as it goes into a different world of psychological warfare, but the way Choo is being presented brings it so far down. Choo has shown she can make other things work, but this whole evil sleep demon or whatever she is supposed to be isn’t working. At the same time, it feels like they are setting Rae up for something bigger, as they keep pointing out that she hasn’t won anything yet.

Post match Choo draws black lines on Rae’s face, making it look like she’s frowning.

Kali Armstrong is happy with her win and wants to become the first Women’s Champion. She knows she’s getting better and she wants to be the first so she can be the best.

Haze Jameson is in the VIP section.

Keanu Carver/Harlem Lewis vs. Swipe Right

The rest of the Vanity Project is here with Swipe Right. Lewis shoves Baylor down without much trouble to start and it’s off to Carver vs. Smokes. Carver takes him down as well and forcefully hands it back to Lewis. Baylor gets beaten down rather quickly and the makeshift team takes turns slamming him. Everything breaks down and Carver throws Smokes outside.

Back in and Lewis gets caught in the corner for a running shot to the face in the corner. Baylor hammers away and hands it off to Smokes for more of the same. Lewis suplexes both of them at once and brings Carver back in to wreck Baylor. A double Pounce takes out Swipe Right so it’s back to Lewis, with a Boom Slang and a powerslam getting the double pin at 5:50.

Rating: C+. This was exactly what it should have been as Carver and Lewis came off looking like a pair of bulldozers. They smashed through Swipe Right, who couldn’t do anything to hold them back. It was just a few steps above a squash, which is surprising as Swipe Right has been a big deal, but there seem to be some plans for Carver and Lewis.

Stevie Turner is impressed with the main event but Gallus comes in. They want to fight Lewis and Carver.

Overall Rating: C+. This might not have been a great show full of awesome matches, but what we got was good enough and added in some new names with Igwe and DuPont. At the same time, it gave us some stuff to look forward to as some stories are growing. I want to see where that goes and I’ll take that as a sign they are doing something right. If you keep the fans wanting to come back for more, everything should be fine.

Results
Zayda Steel b. Layla Diggs – ZDT
Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont b. Aaron Rourke/Freedom Ramsey – Heartstopper to Ramsey
Wendy Choo b. Kylie Rae – Dirt Nap
Keanu Carver/Harlem Lewis b. Swipe Right – Double pin

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

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Evolve
Date: April 23, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

We’re done with Wrestlemania Weekend and that means the ID Title Tournaments have officially begun. That could go in a few different ways as it might take some time to catch up with the taping cycle. Other than that, we have some grudge matches around here and that could make for some interesting options. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Here is Stevie Turner to announce that she will be making an announcement. Cue the Vanity Project to interrupt (as Drako Knox is in the VIP section). Brad Baylor brags about how awesome they are and how everyone wants Zayda Steele so the Vanity Project name is perfect for them. Ava isn’t impressed and announces a match right now (which was announced in the show’s opening.

Sean Legacy vs. Jackson Drake

The rest of the Vanity Project is here as Legacy knocks him into the corner to start. A snap powerslam gives Drake a fast two but Legacy fights back. A standing moonsault gets two but the Project offers a distraction, earning a mass ejection. We take a break and come back with Legacy forearming away as commentary argues over who named the Vanity Project.

A reverse sitout gordbuster drops Drake and some running forearms into a German suplex makes it worse. Legacy hits a springboard missile dropkick for two but Drake is back with a Lethal Injection for two. A double knockdown gives us a double breather before Drake hurricanranas him into a running knee to the face. Back up and Drake strikes away until a poisonrana gets two. Legacy fights up and hits him in the face, setting up the torture rack suplex neckbreaker (thankfully named the Shambles) for the pin at 9:05.

Rating: C+. Legacy continues to feel like the big star around here and that should give him a good future. He’s backing it up well enough in the ring too and that was the case again here. It wouldn’t stun me to see him getting up to NXT sooner than later as he has all of the tools to get there soon.

Post match Legacy talks about being ready for everything in Evolve.

Kylie Rae isn’t scared of Wendy Choo, even if the darkness started to overtake her. They’ll face each other again.

Harlem Lewis and Keanu Carver have a face to face showdown, talking about how they know the title is coming through them. Ava comes in to make the two of them against Swipe Right next week.

Aria Bennett vs. Zara Zakher

Layla Diggs is here with Bennett. An early rollup gives Zakher two and a suplex is good for the same. We hit the armbar but Bennett is up with some headscissors. A high crossbody gives Bennett two but Zakher’s super hurricanrana gets the same. Zakher grabs a neckbreaker (with kind of a weird cover) for two. Back up and a quick Control Z finishes for Zakher at 3:58.

Rating: C. This didn’t have much time get anywhere but Zakher continues to look like someone with potential. Her size issues might be a problem going forward but at least she’s getting some wins to make her seem like a more important star. Bennett is decent as well, but this wasn’t a place where she was going to get much shine.

Post match Zakher is interviewed by the lights dim and a bear, with a note, are left on the mat. The note says “KYLIE, I ACCEPT”.

The Vanity Project is in the VIP section and Brad Baylor’s parent’s lawyer says they have every right to be here.

Carlee Bright vs. Kalyx

Kendal Grey is here with Bright and since I had it drilled into my head for not mentioning it last time, Kalyx is referee Jessika Carr under a mask. Kalyx stomps away but gets kicked in the mask, only to come back with a clothesline. Grey gives Bright a pep talk and it seems to work as the comeback is on, with Kalyx breaking out of a Black Widow. Kalyx’s fireman’s carry is countered into a sunset flip for the pin at 2:30.

Timothy Thatcher vs. Bryce Donovan

Thatcher reverses an early waistlock into an armbar but gets taken into the corner for an elbow to the face. A belly to belly sends Donovan flying and we take an early break. Back again with Thatcher grabbing a half crab and then cranking on the leg, with the Vanity Project not being pleased.

A surfboard is broken up though and Donovan hammers away, setting up a front facelock. The chinlock goes on for a bit before they go outside, where Thatcher is sent into the post. Donovan plants him again for two more but Thatcher fights back and headbutts the arm. A jumping enziguri sets up a butterfly suplex but Swipe Right offers the distraction. Donovan hits a swinging Boss Man Slam for the pin at 8:15.

Rating: B-. These two beat each other up and the interference keeps Thatcher looking like a big deal. He’s the kind of guy who can give some credibility around here and that is a good thing to see. Hopefully he gets to win a match or two without being beaten into the ground, which would kind of defeat his purpose.

Ava isn’t happy with the Vanity Project but Keanu Carver and Harlem Lewis are ready for them.

Overall Rating: C. This show was VERY focused on the Vanity Project and your mileage may vary as a result. The team is fine for what they are, but they don’t feel like the biggest deal. For a team you want to see get taken out, I can go for them, but that doesn’t make them seem like the big bads. Other than that…well there wasn’t much outside of that, with only the two women’s matches really being unrelated. I wasn’t feeling this show as much, as I could go for a bit more variety.

Results
Sean Legacy b. Jackson Drake – Shambles
Zara Zakher b. Aria Bennett – Control Z
Carlee Bright b. Kalyx – Sunset flip
Bryce Donovan b. Timothy Thatcher – Swinging Boss Man Slam

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

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Evolve
Date: March 26, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

We’re getting firmly into the standard operation procedure around here and that includes some matches and stories being set up. Now that so many wrestlers have been introduced, we can see what happens when those wrestlers are put together. That is what we should be seeing this week, likely with a few other big (well, bigger) names included. Let’s get to it.

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

Ava is proud of Stevie Turner’s efforts recently and has her taken to the ring for a big announcement: Turner is officially the General Manager of Evolve. At least they kept this short, as the show doesn’t really need a boss. She is thrilled to get the job and is happy to have been selected over Robert Stone. Everything is up for grabs around here and someone is going to become the first face of Evolve. To get those spots, you have to impress both her and the fans, so we can start with a match. Stone: “We’re doomed.”

As the wrestlers (who were around the ring), Luca Crusifino and Keanu Carver have to be held apart.

Wolfgang vs. Sam Holloway

They fight over a lockup to start and then trade big shoulders to no avail. A headbutt off goes to Wolfgang, who hits a running splash in the corner to really take over. Holloway gets in a shot of his own to send Wolfgang to the apron, where a hard slam has Wolfgang in even more trouble. An elbow drop gets two back inside and Holloway slams him again for the same.

Holloway grabs an abdominal stretch to stay on the ribs but Wolfgang fights out and hits a middle rope elbow. For some reason Wolfgang tries a slingshot flip and hurts his back again, allowing Holloway to suplex him into the corner. Holloway drives in shoulders to the ribs but Wolfgang knocks him off the top and hits the Howling (Swanton) to the back for the pin at 7:35.

Rating: C+. Simple, to the point match here with Wolfgang fighting through an injury to win. That being said, I’m not sure why you would want Wolfgang, who has been presented as a villain in Gallus, to wrestle that way. It’s weird to cheer for him when he’s not the most likable guy, but Holloway did at least look decent in defeat.

Post match Joe Coffey says send anyone who wants some of Gallus.

Aria Bennett and Layla Diggs seem to be friends and perhaps partners.

Carlee Bright, with pom poms, is in the VIP area.

Kendal Grey vs. Zara Zakher

Zakher takes her down and they fight over waistlocks. That goes nowhere so they switch to fighting over wrist control. Zakher gets in an armdrag into an armbar, followed by a handspring elbow in the corner for two. Back up and Grey grabs Eat Defeat onto the shoulder and then sends it into the buckle a few times. Zakher fights up again and hits some shots in the corner, followed by a nice spinebuster for…one as she rolls off of Grey for no apparent reason. They trade rollups for two each but Zakher misses something off the top. Grey kicks her in the face and grabs a cross armbreaker for the tap at 6:09.

Rating: C. This is the kind of showing that makes Grey look like a bigger star as she won a fairly hard fought match against someone who has been built up at least a little bit in the first few weeks. Grey might not be a big star but she’s a bigger deal than Zakher so this isn’t a terrible way to go. Now just do something with Grey in the coming weeks.

Post match Kylie Rae comes out to check on Zakher, but the teddy bear from Wendy Choo is sitting in the corner.

Drako Knox comes to commentary and talks about liking the feeling of putting fists to faces last week. He doesn’t like Swipe Right being in the VIP section and mocking him last week though so he wants to get in the ring.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Ice Williams and Swipe Right are in the VIP section.

Layla Diggs/Aria Bennett vs. Haze Jameson/Kalyx

Diggs takes Kalyx down to start and flips over into an armdrag. Jameson is seemingly flirting with Swipe Right as Bennett comes in with a moonsault for two on Kalyx. Back up and Kalyx takes over on Bennett and hands it off to Jameson, who has to be reminded to come in. Jameson’s wristlock on Bennett doesn’t do much but she gets in another takedown and grabs a chinlock. It’s back to Kalyx for a running elbow but Jameson goes over for a drink in the VIP section. Diggs comes back in with a sitout gordbuster for the pin on Kalyx at 2:47. They packed a good deal of stuff in there.

Post match Kalyx is annoyed and the winners dance a bit.

Video on former Evolve Champion Timothy Thatcher, who is back for what appears to be one night only.

Video on Sean Legacy, who has wanted to be a wrestler for a long time and got mocked as a result. Now he is proving that he can do it.

Timothy Thatcher vs. Sean Legacy

Legacy hits a dropkick at the bell and adds a standing moonsault for two only ten seconds into the match. Thatcher is up with the uppercuts but Legacy kicks leg out and hits another dropkick for another two. They go outside with Legacy hitting a suicide dive and we take a break. Back with Thatcher knocking him out of the air and hitting a belly to back suplex for two. Thatcher grabs a surfboard before just wrenching on the fingers for some pain. Legacy fights back and is quickly belly to bellied right back down.

The chinlock goes on to keep Legacy down and a knee to the back does the same. Legacy fights up and sends him to the floor, followed by a suplex back inside. Legacy strikes away and grabs a German suplex to leave Thatcher shaken up. A missile dropkick gives Legacy two more as the VIP stars aren’t impressed. Legacy grabs his torture rack into a neckbreaker (that needs a name) for the win at 8:49.

Rating: B-. This is where things can get interesting, as Legacy seems to be one of the people that WWE wants to get behind on the new show. If that’s who they want to go with, they did something smart here by having him beat someone that fans likely recognize. That’s what you need to do to build someone up as Legacy is still brand new around here. Good main event, with Legacy showcasing himself well.

Post match Thatcher gives some sarcastic applause before leaving. Legacy glares at Swipe Right and Ice Williams. Cappuccino Jones and Jack Cartwheel come out to even the odds but Williams switches to the good guys, sending Swipe Right bailing to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. You really wouldn’t realize that this was the fourth week of the show, as this felt like it was a show that has been around for a good while longer. What mattered here was getting things going at a more steady pace and they made that happen fairly well. The main event was good and they advanced the stories, with quite a few things getting some time. It’s still as low level as you can get in WWE, but it’s a lot more engaging than I was expecting.

Results
Wolfgang b. Sam Holloway – Howling
Kendal Grey b. Zara Zakher – Cross armbreaker
Layla Diggs/Aria Bennett b. Haze Jameson/Kalyx – Sitout gordbuster to Kalyx
Sean Legacy b. Timothy Thatcher – Torture rack neckbreaker

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

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Evolve
Date: March 12, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

We’re back with the second episode after last week’s premiere and that could make for something interesting. Last week’s show was more about getting to know some people and the concept of the show so maybe that is what we will be seeing more of here. The point is getting these people in the ring in front of a camera so there can only be so many expectations. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Stevie Turner hypes up the main event of Oro Mensah vs. Riley Osborne, both of whom are now part of the Evolve roster. We get a tease of some surprises as well.

It’s Gal, Kendal Grey and Carlee Bright are in the VIP section.

We meet Harlem Lewis, who grew up fighting and played football. He can’t stand soft and lazy people.

Braxton Cole went to Brown University and played football, then he tried out for WWE. His mind sets him apart from the rest.

Harlem Lewis vs. Braxton Cole

Lewis hits a clothesline to start and gorilla presses Cole before shouting about getting paid to beat Cole up. A powerslam finishes Cole at 1:15. Total destruction.

Post match Lewis says no one can beat him. Cue Keanu Carver for a showdown but It’s Gal (pronounced Gaul) to say he is the human action figure and he’ll be facing Carver next week. Carver wants to do it now so ring the bell.

It’s Gal vs. Keanu Carver

Carver drives him into the corner to start, setting up a heck of a fall away slam. A pop up faceplant and the Sky High finish Gal at 1:25.

Kylie Rae is all about positive energy and has watched wrestling for a long time. She’s really, really, really excited to be here.

Carlee Bright wants to see the competition. Kendal Grey says there is no competition for her around here. Bright: “You mean how good we are right?” Cue Zayda Steel to ask why she doesn’t have a match.

Zara Zakher is the petite powerhouse but she has overcome the odds her entire life. She has a background as a gymnast and did some things on TV, which is where she got her nickname.

Kylie Rae vs. Zara Zakher

We get a tentative handshake to start before Zara pulls her into a quickly broken headscissors. Some rollups give Rae two and she grabs a crossface, sending Zara straight to the ropes. Back up and Zara backs her into the ropes before hitting a clothesline in the corner. Rae is back with a running shot in the corner, setting up a cannonball for two.

The chinlock goes on as Zayda Steel is yelling about she should be in the ring right now. Zara fights up and hits a spinebuster for two, followed by a jumping knee. One fan: “BOO THIS WOMAN!” And the fans do so, though I’m not sure who they’re talking about. Rae still can’t keep the crossface on so she superkicks Zara for two, only to get rolled up for the pin at 5:15.

Rating: C+. Rae is someone who feels like she should have been a star a long time ago but there have been some issues holding her back. It’s nice to see her getting a chance in WWE, even at the bottom level, but she’s got a long way to go. Zara was fine enough out there but you can only get so much out of someone in a five minute debut.

Post match Zara says that was an upset but it won’t be next time. She shakes Rae’s hand and Rae seems touched but Zayda Steel isn’t happy. Cue Wendy Choo to hand Rae a bear with a note, which we can’t read.

Aria Bennett is a mother who has overcome a lot of obstacles with a gymnastics background.

Wendy Choo vs. Aria Bennett

Choo takes her to the match to start as the fans chant DON’T DIE. Bennett backflips over Choo out of the corner and walks on her hands, only for Choo to hit a spear to the back. Fans: “YOU DIED!” A neck crank sets up a handspring elbow in the corner to Choo, who hits a boot to the face. Bennett’s forearms and enziguri don’t do much as Choo gives her a full nelson slam. Choo chokes her out for the win at 2:07. Bennett is very athletic and did some cool stuff but it wasn’t going to get her very far here.

Post match Choo puts a blanket over her.

Brinley Reece congratulates Carlee Bright and Kendal Grey about their win last week but Grey is only so impressed.

We get a sitdown interview with Javier Bernal and Luca Crusifino, who got into it last week. Bernal has no problem with the D’Angelo Family and just wants a new start around here. Crusifino wasn’t impressed but how can Bernal get a chance when he’s already been written off? Crusifino wasn’t talking about him last week though because he doesn’t think about Bernal.

The reality is Bernal takes himself out so Crusifino doesn’t need to do it. Bernal needs to back up his words so he challenges Crusifino for next week. That’s fine with Crusifino, but remember that Bernal asked for this. Nice segment here, as it explained who these people are and gave them a reason to fight.

Video on WWE ID.

Jack Cartwheel, Sean Legacy and Cappuccino Jones are in the VIP section. Kali Armstrong comes in to ask what they’re doing here and then leaves.

Oro Mensah vs. Riley Osborne

Mensah gets in a hiptoss to start and yells a lot as they’re starting slowly. They go with the grappling on the mat before Mensah avoids an armdrag and gets two off a rollup. Osborne rolls him up for two more and Mensah is a bit surprised. They trade shoves until Mensah snaps off an anklescissors but Osborne hits a nice dropkick. Mensah kicks him to the floor and we take a break, coming back with Mensah dropping him for two more.

Osborne jawbreaks his way out of a chinlock but Mensah suplexes him right back down. A rolling hurricanrana gives Osborne two but Mensah dragon suplexes him for the same. Mensah gets sent outside for a big dive, with Stone saying he could do all of that stuff. Back in and Osborne gets two off a Michinoku Driver so Mensah takes his leg out. Osborne gets planted for two more before coming back to win a strike off. Mensah catches him on top with a flipping kick to the face before a rolling kick to the head finishes Osborne at 8:49.

Rating: C+. This got some time and you can definitely tell that the two of them are more experienced than most of the people on the show. They are capable of going out there and having a much more complete, thought out match and that’s what they did here. Either of these two could be put on NXT and do just fine, which makes them a good choice to be in this spot on the show.

Post match Mensah poses but Swipe Right runs through the curtain. The camera goes backstage to see Gallus breaking a bunch of stuff to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Odds are this is going to be more what the show is like week to week and that’s not a bad thing. This show featured a bunch of people and let us know something about them before putting them in the ring. Throw in setting up some things for the upcoming weeks and this was a fine show, even with the talent being as low level as you can get while still being in WWE.

Results
Harlem Lewis b. Braxton Cole – Powerslam
Keanu Carver b. It’s Gal – Sky High
Zara Zakher b. Kylie Rae – Rollup
Wendy Choo b. Aria Bennett – Choke
Oro Mensah b. Riley Osborne – Rolling kick to the head

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

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