Evolve
Date: May 27, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Peter Rosenberg

Last week saw another new face show up as Elijah Holyfield made his debut. That’s quite the impressive looking start and now we get to see where it goes from here. Names have a tendency to start picking up in a hurry on this show and that could be the case again with Holyfield. Let’s get to it.

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

Aaron Rourke previews tonight’s show, including a big announcement from Timothy Thatcher and Harlem Lewis vs. Braxton Cole. Rourke is ready for Tristan Angels too.

Opening sequence.

Harlem Lewis vs. Braxton Cole

Lewis jumps him during his entrance to start fast and the bell rings. The beating doesn’t last long though as Lewis misses a charge into the corner and gets neckbreakered for two. Cole stomps him down in the corner, followed by a backbreaker for two more. It’s time to work on Lewis’ arm, including Cole sitting on it and grabbing something like a Fujiwara armbar. That’s broken up and Lewis strikes away, setting up a release German suplex. They fight to the floor and Cole hits him with a chair for the DQ at 4:54.

Rating: C+. This felt like a preview for a bigger match later, hopefully with Lewis getting to go nuts on Cole in a rather violent way. The match only had so much of a chance to get going, but it wasn’t supposed to be the final showdown, which is a fine way to go. Lewis getting angrier is a good thing for him and the rematch should be a step up.

Post match the beating continues but the security comes out to carry Lewis away.

Tate Wilder comes in to see Timothy Thatcher, who announces that Wilder is officially on NXT full time. Wilder talks about his time on Evolve and how happy he has been around here. What a wild ride. Thatcher still has a big announcement for later tonight.

Chazz Hall talks about how he plays the air guitar but becomes the Denim Dragon when the straps come down. He’s ready to be a star.

Sloane Jacobs/Nikkita Lyons vs. Laynie Luck/Wendy Choo

Lyons works on Luck’s arm to start so Luck flips up for a standoff. A slam puts Luck down and Jacobs comes in for a legdrop. The double elbow gets two on Luck, who rolls away for a kick to Lyons’ face. It’s off to Choo for a running boot in the corner before Luck comes back in to strike away. Lyons gets crotched in the corner and the villains are knocked down on the floor as we take a break.

We come back with Luck being catapulted throat first into the bottom rope. Jacobs plants Luck for two and pulls her out of the corner for two more. Luck hurricanranas and enziguris out of the corner and it’s back to Choo to clean house. A hammerlock lariat puts Jacobs down and a high crossbody gives Choo two. Back up and Jacobs sends her face first into the corner a few times, with a German suplex dropping Choo again. Luck is back in for the save but Jacobs kicks Choo down and dumps Luck, allowing her to pin Choo at 7:17.

Rating: C+. That’s a good way to set up the next title match and it is something that has worked for the better part of ever in wrestling. Jacobs is still relatively new around here so she’s off to a good start in getting into the title picture. Rather efficient match here and that’s a fine way to go.

Post match Jacobs brags about the win and thanks Lyons as well. They hug, with Lyons rolling her eyes.

Elijah Holyfield is in Timothy Thatcher’s office, with Thatcher welcoming him to the roster. Thatcher says Holyfield has to put in the work, with Holyfield saying line them up and he’ll knock them down. Works for Thatcher, who says the first match is next week. With Holyfield gone, Thatcher makes Succession III for June 24. Kam Hendrix and Harley Riggins come in to demand Romeo Moreno, with Thatcher making Moreno vs. Riggins for next week.

Video on PJ Vasa.

It’s Gal is in the VIP area.

Evolve Title: Aaron Rourke vs. Tristan Angels

Rourke is defending and, after the Big Match Intros, grinds away on a headlock. That’s broken up and Angels knocks him down into a chinlock. Rourke isn’t having that either and hits some running boots in the corner, followed by a missile dropkick for two. The flipping chop connects in the corner but Angels knocks him back down for two more.

Rourke is back with a quickly broken half crab as Angels knocks him into the corner. That’s shrugged off as Angels is sent outside for a Meteora from the apron so Gal starts the cheerleading. Rourke tells Gal to get out and gets dropkicked by Angels as we take a break. We come back with the two of them holding hands and trading some hard strikes.

Rourke gets the better of things with some clotheslines, including a cartwheel version. The Molly Go Round misses so Rourke goes after the leg again. A kick to the head sends Rourke to the apron, where Angels superplexes him back inside for another near fall. Back in and Rourke goes right back to the leg, this time with a Figure Four into a Figure Eight. Angels makes the rope so Rourke grabs a backslide and flips onto Angels to retain at 11:18.

Rating: B-. This was another nice title showcase from Rourke, but it never quite got to that next level. Rourke was on offense more than I would have expected as well, though Angels doesn’t have the longest track record around here anyway. It was a good enough main event though, especially with Succession in less than a month.

Post match the Mog Squad comes in to go after Rourke but the ID stars run in for the save to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Another fine show here, even with the focus already shifting over to next month’s Succession III. You can probably guess a lot of the card from here and that’s not a bad thing this far out. Hopefully they build it up well, and they certainly have time to make that work. It’s not some all time must see show, but it was more about previewing things for later.

Results
Harlem Lewis b. Braxton Cole via DQ when Cole used a chair
Sloane Jacobs/Nikkita Lyons b. Wendy Choo/Laynie Luck – Spinning kick to Choo
Aaron Rourke b. Tristan Angels – Flipping backslide

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: May 13, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

We’re coming up on another Evolve Title match and in this case we have a four way to crown a new #1 contender. That should make for a good main event and I’m curious to see which way they go. Other than that, we might be seeing some of the names who are on their way to NXT wrapping things up around here. Let’s get to it.

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

Kam Hendrix and Harley Riggins arrive and talk about how it’s time for Hendrix to get the Evolve Title. I kind of like these little recaps as done by the wrestlers, as it’s a bit of a change of pace from the usual narrated versions or just showing clips.

Opening sequence.

Nikkita Lyons vs. Karmen Petrovic

Lyons drops outside at the bell before coming back inside so they can both miss some kicks. Legsweeps miss for both of them as well so Petrovic kicks Lyons’ hand. Petrovic grabs a headlock to cut off the kicks, only to get hit in the stomach. Back up and Petrovic hits her in the stomach as well, followed by a hair takedown, allowing Petrovic to mock the hand licking thing.

The headlock goes on again, with Lyons going down to the mat this time. A double arm crank keeps Lyons in trouble as Petrovic is getting a lot of control here. Petrovic switches to a full nelson with her legs but Lyons gets up for a fall away slam. We take a break and come back with Lyons working on Petrovic’s ribs and dropping the splits splash. A running shoulder in the corner stays on the bad ribs and Lyons bends the back over her knee.

Petrovic fights up and grabs a suplex, followed by the sliding kick to the chest. A Sling Blade gives Petrovic two but Lyons knocks her down, only to miss a Vader Bomb. Cue Sloane Jacobs for a distraction but Laynie Luck runs out to cut her off. Wendy Choo pops up to trip Lyons and the Petrifier gives Petrovic the pin at 9:06.

Rating: C+. This was mainly a bunch of strikes and that’s what it should have been, as it’s their signature styles. At the same time, the ending gives Choo some revenge on Lyons and hopefully it wraps up their story. Petrovic doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, but at least she got a win here.

Brooks Jensen comes up to Dorian Van Dux, who offers to take Jensen’s advice…and throw it in the trash. Dux says something in French but Jensen doesn’t care where Dux is from because Jensen just wants to beat someone up. Jensen still does not feel remotely important.

Here is Harlem Lewis who calls out Braxton Cole for awakening something inside of him. Cole lost the Evolve Title match so he wants the loser out here right now. Cue Cole, with Lewis getting ready to go after him. The security guards come out and get between them, leaving Cole to mock Lewis for not having as wealthy of an upbringing.

Tate Wilder comes up to a depressed Romeo Moreno. Wilder doesn’t like the mindset and says Evolve is about developing and growing. Wilder lost a lot when he got here and look at how far he has come. It’s just a matter of time before Moreno rises up as well. Moreno seems to appreciate the kind words.

Tristan Angels is ready to become #1 contender because he’s an Englishman facing some Americans and a Belgian. Why would he be worried about someone from a country famous for chocolates and waffles? The Americans are nothing to worry about either because he’s tough and handsome.

CJ Valor vs. It’s Gal

Valor’s friends are here too as he misses a charge into the corner to start. Gal strikes away and wrestles him down to the mat, meaning it’s time for some posing. A running hurricanrana and enziguri drop Valor, setting up a double legdrop for two. Valor fights out of a waistlock and judo throws Gal down for two of his own.

Gal gets whipped hard into the corner and we hit the chinlock. That’s broken up and Gal fights back, including throwing Valor out of the corner. A springboard dropkick gives Gal two but valor pulls him into an ankle lock. That’s broken up and Gal forearms away, drawing Max Abrams to the apron. Jacari Ball chop blocks Gal and a pop up spinebuster gives Valor the pin at 5:25.

Rating: C. Gal as a good guy is still a new experiment but he was so over the top that he had to go in this direction. On the other hand you have the new evil group and it makes perfect sense for them to get a win by cheating. This went fine, though the action was just pretty ok all things considered.

Post match the group gets in the ring, with Abrams bragging about all of their skills and what they bring to the team. Apparently they are the Mog Squad. Howard: “I don’t get it.”

Cappuccino Jones is filmed from behind a bush and is heard on the phone, seemingly bringing in reinforcements.

Gianna Capri blames her first loss on Anya Rune. Veronica Haven doesn’t like the disrespect but Rune gets up to say she’s going to get a match against Layla Diggs. Capri still isn’t impressed.

Dorian Van Dux vs. Kam Hendrix vs. Tristan Angels vs. Brooks Jensen

For a title shot against Aaron Rourke, who is in the VIP area. Dux and Jensen jaw at each other but get jumped and sent outside. Hendrix backslides Angels for two and Jensen rolls Hendrix up for the same. Dux is back up with a double missile dropkick and snaps off a running hurricanrana to Angels.

A flipping clothesline causes Jensen to DDT Hendrix and Angels sends Jensen outside. Dux’s clothesline to the back of Angels’ head gets two but Angels crotches him on top. Hendrix dives onto Dux on the floor and Jensen hits a dive off the top to Hendrix and Angels. Dux moonsaults onto all of them and we take a break.

We come back with Dux tossing Jensen onto Hendrix and powerbombing Angels onto the two of them. They fight up until a 3D gives Jensen two on Angels. Dux and Jensen slug it out until Jensen hits a running lariat. Dux’s Stundog Millionaire gets him out of trouble and a shooting star press hits Angels for two, with Hendrix making a save.

Cue Tate Wilder to go after Hendrix and Jensen removes his boot to knock Dux silly. A Neutralizer hits Dux but Angels steals the cover for two. Dux half crabs Angels until Jensen kicks Dux…to no avail. Jensen hammers away to break it up but gets dropped with a clothesline. Angels’ rollup gets two and Dux gives him a springboard cutter. Jensen knocks Dux outside but gets small packaged to give Angels the pin at 9:12.

Rating: B-. This was a bunch of good action and it had the Jensen vs. Dux feud to keep the match going. Dux got to show off some athleticism here, with the flips and fast paced offense looking impressive. Angels has been treated as an important deal and it makes sense to have him get the title shot. It wouldn’t shock me to see him win the title, which very well may be where we’re going from here.

Rourke and Angels stare each other down to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. I love this kind of show, as it felt like they had a bunch of stuff to cover and they made it work. It was an effective show and covered a few different stories, including setting up Rourke’s next challenger for the title. That’s all you need sometimes as the big show is probably coming soon. It’s not a must see show, but it kept things moving for another week.

Results
Karmen Petrovic b. Nikkita Lyons – Petrifier
CJ Valor b. It’s Gal – Pop up spinebuster
Tristan Angels b. Brooks Jensen, Dorian Van Dux and Kam Hendrix – Small package to Jensen

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: April 29, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

So about half a dozen Evolve names showed up this week on NXT and that means their time in Evolve is likely numbered. At the same time though, there is not likely to be much in the way of change here, as this show, which features a triple threat for the Evolve Title, was likely taped weeks ago. In other words, enjoy these people while you can. Let’s get to it.

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

Harlem Lewis is ready to finally win the Evolve Title.

Opening sequence.

Kali Armstrong vs. Tyra Mae Steele

The fans certainly seem to think positively of Armstrong and this is fallout from Steele causing Armstrong to be eliminated from the Women’s Title gauntlet match. They go with the grappling to start and shockingly enough, the Olympic gold medal winning wrestler easily takes over. Armstrong gets back up to shoulder her down but Steele is right back with a headscissors. That’s reversed back into the headlock before Armstrong snaps off some right hands.

A headscissors attempt out of the corner results in Steele being tossed out to the floor, where she blocks a baseball slide. Steele starts cranking on the ankle and we take a break. We come back with Steele snapping off some gutwrench suplexes before going back to the ankle. Armstrong fights up and hits some shots to the face but Steele pulls her down into the ankle lock. That’s broken up but Steele gets it right back on, which is broken up again. This time Steele tries the Angle Slam so Armstrong reverses it into a powerslam. The Kali Connection finishes Steele at 8:37.

Rating: C+. Armstrong winning is hardly a surprised as Steele was released earlier this week. Maybe it’s because she’s yet another Olympian/amateur wrestler who does the same Kurt Angle style offense. That stuff feels so lame, as it has been done multiple times and just feels like a played out concept. Find something new, which might be in a different promotion going forward.

Post match we get a THANK YOU KALI graphic and she talks about how she grew up around here and she’s the first ever Evolve Women’s Champion. She built this place, and now it’s time to let others live in it. Until she gets hers, it’s all gas, no brakes.

It’s Gal talks about how he is treated as a machine but he has feelings too. He’s lost partners, been ignored by the teams and been misunderstood by the new boss. Is he the dummy? Where does he go from here with these feelings? It’s time to peak like no stud has peaked before.

Romeo Moreno vs. Chazz Hall

Hold on though as here are Max Abrams and his new team from last week. Abrams mocks Hall and even takes off his sunglasses before offering Hall a spot on the new ID squad. Hall isn’t feeling that but Santi Rivera isn’t feeling his lack of feeling. Moreno tells the team goodbye and Jacari Ball jumps him from behind. Hall comes in to break it up but CJ Valor beats him down as well. No match.

Timothy Thatcher offers congratulations to Kali Armstrong (not here) for moving up to NXT. He moves on to the new ID talent but someone knocks on the door. Two men come in and say they would like an opportunity. Thatcher does have a job he needs to get done and that’s security, mainly dealing with Max Abrams and company. They’re in.

Tristan Angels talks about the pressure of being the future of WWE. No one has the shoulders to carry that weight but he is from Dorset, England and ready to do it.

Masyn Holiday/Layla Diggs vs. Ayna Rune/Gianna Capri

Diggs and Rune start things off and go to the mat, with Holiday coming in for a dropkick. It’s off to Capri, who knocks Diggs down for two and grabs the chinlock. That’s broken up so Diggs gives Rune a fall away slam. Everything breaks down and Diggs ax kicks Rune for the pin at 4:35.

Rating: C. I’m getting close to giving up on Holiday and Diggs. They’re good enough in the ring, but the TikTok dancing stuff has lost the limited charm and still feels like their main trait. They have talent, but I’m going to need something a bit more interesting than “they dance a lot” to care about them. Rune and Capri are still finding their footing, though at least they’ve started.

Post match the winners dance and Capri yells at Rune for ruining this.

We get a sitdown interview with Laynie Luck and Wendy Choo. Luck talks about how this is the biggest chance of her career and people, like luck, can turn on you in an instant. She doesn’t know which version of her you’ll get out there but she’s not letting her guard down. Choo says her past has been all over the place and yes it was questionable, but she isn’t changing anytime soon. Choo meant what she said when she wanted Luck to get the first shot, but the title isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Cappuccino Jones apologizes to Romeo Moreno and Chazz Hall. He wanted to see them have a match and is sick of everyone thinking they can do whatever they want around here. They need to do something, maybe like a six man tag next week. Hall: “Oh Hall yeah!”

Evolve Title: Aaron Rourke vs. Harlem Lewis vs. Braxton Cole

Rourke is defending and says he’s build from pressure and thrives in it, so now all eyes are on him. Kam Hendrix and Harley Riggins are in the VIP section and we’re ready after the Big Match Intros. Cole jumps Lewis to start fast and slams Rourke as well. That earns Cole a trip out to the floor so Rourke gives Cole La Mistica into a Russian legsweep. Lewis is back in to take Rourke out but Cole sends both of them outside as we take a break.

We come back with Cole hitting a suplex neckbreaker for two on Rourke as things slow down a bit. Lewis is back in and Rourke gets dropped ribs first over the top rope. Cole sends Lewis into the corner and neckbreakers him for two more. Lewis comes out of the corner with a clothesline and hits a basement dropkick for two of his own. Rourke is back in to assist Lewis on a DDT before going after Lewis’ knee. There’s a Backstabber to Cole and a middle rope Codebreaker drops him to give Rourke two more.

Rourke goes up and gets caught on top, meaning it’s a Tower Of Doom to bring everyone down. Back up and Rourke kicks Cole in the face, leaving him to slug it out with Lewis. A flip leaves Rourke on his face though and the Boom Slang connects, with Cole pulling Lewis to the floor for the save. Rourke sends Cole back inside for the Molly Go Round to retain at 11:12.

Rating: B. That’s pretty much the only way this could have gone, as you don’t want Rourke losing in his first really big defense and Cole was there to avoid Lewis from taking the fall. That’s all they needed to do and the match was a good, back and forth triple threat. Rourke feels like a champion, and that’s a great sign for his status.

Post match Brooks Jensen comes out for the staredown, with Rourke telling him to bring it. Hendrix and Riggins get on the apron and slowly come after Rourke to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The Armstrong sendoff and main event were good, though I’m a bit hesitant to get into another stable war. The catch though is that with so many people on this roster and how fast everyone moves in one direction or another, having stables make sense as a way to present a bunch of people as fast as possible. I’m not sure if it’s going to make for the best show, but Evolve has earned the benefit of the doubt.

Results
Kali Armstrong b. Tyra Mae Steele – Kali Connection to Steele
Masyn Holiday/Layla Diggs b. Ayna Rune/Gianna Capri – Ax kick to Rune
Aaron Rourke b. Harlem Lewis and Braxton Cole – Molly Go Round to Cole

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: April 15, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Peter Rosenburg

It’s Wrestlemania Week and in this case that means we have a special show around here as well. The big story is the Gauntlet Eliminator match for the vacant Women’s Title. That should be enough to carry the show and there is a good chance that it eats up most of the show. Let’s get to it.

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

Karmen Petrovic runs down the list of competitors in the Gauntlet Eliminator, which she is apparently in too. They treated it as something of a surprise and…Petrovic isn’t the biggest shock.

Opening sequence.

Here is Aaron Rourke to get things going. He talks about how he is getting used to being champion and doesn’t want anyone thinking that he’s not working as hard as he can. Rourke doesn’t like Harlem Lewis saying Rourke is ducking him so come say it to his face. Cue Lewis, who says he won’t get in the ring and beat him down because it just keeps him from getting what he wants. Rourke says they can do it for the title right now but here is Braxton Cole to interrupt. Cole says he should be the one getting the title shot and Rourke is fine with a triple threat. Lewis isn’t happy with that and Cole jumps both of them to stand tall.

Tristan Angels talks about growing up on a goat farm and then getting into beauty pageants. He’s ready to be amazing here.

Lince Dorado/Mike Cunningham vs. Santi Rivera/Jacari Ball

Hold on though as Cunningham has changed his name to Max Abrams. Yeah that’s a good move, as Mike Cunningham isn’t getting him anywhere. It’s Gal is here with Rivera and Ball. Dorado kicks at Rivera to start but Rivera takes him down, much to Gal’s happiness. Ball comes in but the double team is broken up, allowing Abrams to come in and grab the armbar. Abrams gets taken into the wrong corner so the villains can take turns striking away.

That’s broken up and it’s back to Dorado, who gets to clean house. Abrams even puts on the sunglasses and holds the ropes open so Dorado can hit a heck of a suicide dive. Back in and Dorado’s moonsault hits raised boots, allowing Rivera to grab a Sling Blade for two. Abrams makes a save so Dorado goes up, with Abrams tagging himself in, knocking Dorado off the top anyway. Apparently Abrams’ tag doesn’t count though (need both feet on the mat) and it’s Rivera getting a rollup for the pin at 9:00.

Rating: C+. This worked well enough as you would expect the goofy heels to lose so It’s Gal would have another thing to complain about. At the same time, you have Abrams (thank goodness for the name change) screwing up and costing Dorado the match. This was a nice enough surprise, as we continue the slow build towards Tag Team Titles.

Dorian Van Dux vs. Kai Kavari

Kai speeds around and slugs away to start, which staggers the bigger Dux. That earns Kai a shot to the face and a spinning gutwrench powerbomb. A shooting star press finishes Kavari at 1:41. Well that worked.

Brooks Jensen isn’t sure what Cappuccino Jones was trying to prove last week so he wants a bullrope match.

Women’s Title: Gauntlet Eliminator

For the vacant title and it’s basically a Royal Rumble/Gauntlet match with two minute intervals, eight participants and pin/submission/DQ for eliminations. Laynie Luck is in at #1 and Karmen Petrovic is in at #2. Luck takes her down by the leg to start before they run the ropes for a standoff. They trade rollups for two each and knock each other down as Kali Armstrong is in at #3 (with commentary getting in an important line of the clock not starting until she is in the ring).

We take a break and come back with Armstrong cleaning house until some double teaming slows her down. A double cover only gets two as Armstrong nips up. With Petrovic and Luck knocked down, Wendy Choo is in at #4. Choo whips Luck into Armstrong in the corner and hits a high crossbody on the latter. Petrovic is back up with a superkick for two on Choo and everyone is staggered as Tyra Mae Steele is in at #5. Steele gets to clean some house but picks Armstrong up for some reason, earning a shove away. The Kali Connection gets rid of Petrovic at 7:45.

Luck kicks Steele down but Armstrong is back up to go after both of them. Sloane Jacobs is in at #6 and sends Steele face first into the corner. Jacobs teases working with Luck and then rolls her up for the pin at 10:08. Armstrong isn’t having this and Kali Connections Jacobs for the pin at 10:40. Choo gets back in and Dirt Naps Steele, only for Armstrong to make the save. Nikkita Lyons is in at #7 and suplexes Steele before pulling Lyons in the way of the Kali Connection. Lyons drops Armstrong and a spinning kick to the face gets rid of Steele at 12:31.

They go to the corner for a Tower Of Doom and everyone is down as PJ Vasa completes the field at #8. Choo gets crushed in the corner and Vasa suplexes Choo and Lyons. Armstrong puts Vasa down and tries the Kali Connection, only for Steele to pop up for a distraction. Lyons kicks Armstrong in the face for the pin at 15:51. Lyons tiger bombs Choo for two but can’t do the same to Vasa. The Dirt Nap is broken up and Vasa Samoan drops Choo but misses a splash. Choo hits a DDT and Lyons’ splits splash gets rid of Vasa at 18:14.

We’re down to Choo vs. Lyons for the title with Lyons getting two off a Michinoku Driver. Choo hits a full nelson slam but Lyons drops her, setting up the Vader Bomb for two. The Dirt Nap goes on but Lyons flips out, only for Choo to grab a hurricanrana for the pin and the title at 21:05.

Rating: B-. First and foremost, having this be elimination rules makes it SO much better. Ultimately, Choo survived and got a pin over the only remaining competitor to win. It’s better than having her win off a fluke pin and makes her feel like a winner. I’ll absolutely take this version of Choo as champion, as her issue was always the weird gimmicks rather than talent. Nice main event here and Choo has challengers waiting on her.

We get a bunch of replays and Timothy Thatcher comes out to present Choo with the title to end the show in a nice moment.

Overall Rating: B. This show was about getting a new Women’s Champion and they pulled that off. That’s in addition to the opener and a squash, with the triple threat for the Evolve Title being set up as well. That is a rather efficient use of just shy of an hour and I had a good time with this show. Evolve continues to feel like they know what they want to do week to week and this was no exception.

Results
Santi Rivera/Jacari Ball b. Lince Dorado/Max Abrams – Rollup to Dorado
Dorian Van Dux b. Kai Kavari – Shooting star press
Wendy Choo won the Gauntlet Eliminator last eliminating Nikkita 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:

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Evolve
Date: March 25, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Peter Rosenberg

For the first time in a good while, we have a new Evolve Champion as Aaron Rourke beat the departing Jackson Drake to win the title last week. That means Rourke will need a new challenger and we might find out who that is this week. Other than that, we need a new Women’s Champion and the process should begin soon. Let’s get to it.

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

Tate Wilder is in the ring and calls out Kam Hendrix for attacking him a few weeks ago. Cue Hendrix, with Harley Riggins and Kai Kavari. None of them like Wilder and find him despicable, but a lot of people want to get his hands on Wilder. For now, Kavari can get his chance. Kavari runs in and gets dropkicked so let’s have a referee in there too.

Kai Kavari vs. Tate Wilder

Wilder is in street clothes and stars fast with a running shot in the corner. Kavari is sent into the corner and knocked to the apron, where he gets in a neck snap over the top rope. A suplex gives Kavari two and we’re off to the chinlock. Wilder fights up and hits some running clotheslines into a spinning suplex. The Wild Ride finishes for Wilder at 3:28.

Rating: C. They didn’t have time to do much here but this was just a quick win for Wilder as he is on his way to getting his hands on the other two. At the same time, Wilder looked a lot better here and that’s a good idea. They seem to think they have something with him and it’s interesting to see getting a more serious push.

Post match Wilde throws Kavari outside in a heap.

Mike Cunningham vs. Lince Dorado

Cunningham is looking a lot cockier than usual here. Dorado takes him down with a flying mare to start so Cunningham runs him over and does something of a dance. Back up and Dorado armdrags him into an armbar but Cunningham takes over on the arm as well. Cunningham dropkicks him off the top and out to the floor, where it’s a twisting dive to take Dorado down again. Back in and Cunningham runs him over, meaning it’s time to go after the arm again.

A spinebuster plants Dorado for two but he’s right back up with a springboard, which is countered into a faceplant. Cunningham works on the arm again but Dorado knocks him outside for the running flip dive. Back in and a cross armbreaker doesn’t work for Dorado so he kicks Cunningham in the head. A handspring Stunner gives Dorado two so he goes up, where it’s a super Falcon Arrow to bring him back down. Cunningham loads up a powerbomb but Dorado reverses into a rollup for the pin at 8:15.

Rating: B-. Cunningham looked better here than he has before but it’s not a big loss to get beaten by someone with this kind of experience. If nothing else, Dorado is someone who can be used to help boost up the younger generation. I could go for more of both of them, as this was a nice surprise.

Post match Dorado thanks Cunningham for the match and is impressed by his skills. Cunningham thanks him for the lessons and promises to learn to get better. They shake hands and everything seems ok.

Timothy Thatcher is annoyed at someone on the phone before hanging up and praising Kendal Grey for setting the standard for the women’s division. In three weeks, it’s an Eliminator Gauntlet to crown a new Women’s Champion. Next week, we have a four way to determine who gets the final spot. In addition, some new prospects debut next week. That should be fun.

Kali Armstrong vs. Masyn Holiday

Layla Diggs is here with Holiday. Armstrong drives her into the corner to start and hits a heck of a running shoulder to the ribs. The powerslam cuts off a comeback attempt and the Kali Connection finishes Holiday at 1:12.

Braxton Cole is rather rich but has to deal with rough things like getting the ice off his Bentley, flying commercial to Cabo and having his lobster be too buttered.

Cappuccino Jones vs. Brooks Jensen

Jensen seems rather annoyed and shoves him out of the corner to start, only for Jones to come off the middle rope with a Stunner. Jones dropkicks him outside and we take a break. We come back with Jensen tying him in the ring skirt and hammering away. Back up and Jones tries to go up top, only to get knocked out to the floor. Jensen’s clothesline gets two and he chokes Jones on the ropes.

A weird stomp, with Jensen’s feet wrapped around Jones’ head as he jumps up, has Jones in more trouble and we hit a full nelson on the mat. That’s broken up and Jones misses a charge into the ropes, allowing Jones to…well slip on the ropes actually. An elbow out of the corner works a bit better for Jones and he strikes away, followed by a Cactus Clothesline. They brawl on the floor and knock the referee away for the double DQ at 8:29.

Rating: B-. It’s another nice match with a result you don’t see that often. Jones is someone who seems like he should be a comedy goof but he’s smooth enough in the ring to rise above that level. On the other hand you have Jensen, who is little more than a middle of the road villain who doesn’t have much to do. Then again they need bodies around here so Jensen does at least have a place.

Post match Jensen lays him out with the cowbell.

Kali Armstrong wants back in the Women’s Title picture and wanted to beat Kendal Grey to get it back. Timothy Thatcher says the goal is to get up to NXT, where she can face Grey again. He does give her something to calm the situation though: she can be in the four way for the final spot in the Gauntlet Eliminator.

Here is Aaron Rourke for his championship celebration. He can’t believe he’s here and while you know him as this confident guy, it wasn’t always the case. When he was a kid, he just wanted to bring his action figures to school rather than play football. People called him names and they made him hate who he was. Wrestling has been his escape since he was five years old, including people like Ric Flair, who inspired him to wear the robe.

Then there is his favorite wrestler, Charlotte, and he’ll be chasing her title record for his entire career. He wants to show people that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from because you can be a success. Don’t be anyone else but yourself because you are good enough and you are great.

He wants to be like the heroes he watched growing up and for people to see him as being outlandish but also himself. We get a rather nice thank you for all of the love and support he has received. He is privileged to be champion and enjoy the ride. Rourke can talk and that’s a rather positive message to be sending. I’ve liked the things he’s been saying in his promos since the beginning and this was rather good again.

Harlem Lewis is in the back and says that title will be his.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was designed to help establish some of the newer stars around here and it’s worked well enough. People like Wilder, Cappuccino and Rourke felt like big enough deals and I like where their stuff is going. At the same time you have Thatcher fitting into his role perfectly and that gives me hope for this show’s future. The next few weeks will show us where things are going, but they’re off to a nice enough start.

Results
Tate Wilder b. Kai Kavari – Wild Ride
Lince Dorado b. Mike Cunningham – Rollup
Kali Armstrong b. Masyn Holiday – Kali Connection
Cappuccino Jones vs. Brooks Jensen went to a double DQ when they both hit the referee

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: March 18, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Peter Rosenberg

It’s time for another title match and one way or another, the title is changing hands tonight. Jackson Drake is defending the Evolve Title against Aaron Rourke in Drake’s last match as part of Evolve and either loses the title or vacates it after winning. That’s quite the big deal for Rourke so let’s get to it.

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

The Vanity Project is in the back and talk about how they feel like they were just formed a few days ago. They go over the people that Jackson Drake has defeated to retain the Evolve Title and say Aaron Rourke will be light work tonight.

Opening sequence.

Kam Hendrix vs. Dante Chen

Harley Riggins is here with Hendrix. Chen shoves his way out of the corner to start but Hendrix takes him down by the arm. Hendrix cranks on an armbar, which doesn’t last long as Chen snaps off about a dozen armdrags in a row to send Hendrix outside. Back in and Hendrix drops him with a rolling clothesline and we hit the chinlock.

Another rolling clothesline is countered into a German suplex though and Chen gets a breather. Chen knocks him outside for a suicide dive, followed by a springboard chop to the head back inside. Riggins offers a distraction though and it’s Lights, Kam, Action for the pin on Chen at 4:39.

Rating: C. Well at least Hendrix won. Hendrix really got my attention when he helped run the show and hopefully that leads to some better things for him. He certainly has charisma and can talk rather well so it would be nice to see something else. A win is a start, and having Riggins as a sidekick is far from a bad idea.

Post match Hendrix and Riggins call out Tate Wilder.

Timothy Thatcher is in his office and messing with a lamp but he has some updates. The Women’s Title will be addressed next week, but in two weeks, we’ll have some new talent being showcased. It’s Gal comes in to ask about himself and gets a wad of paper thrown in his face. Thatcher asks if Gal wants attention, he can be on the April 1 show. Gal: “It’s Gal. It’s Gal. It’s Gal.” Thatcher: “I’ve got to get a lock for that door.”

Braxton Cole reads Aristotle and says he is the epitome of privilege with an education from Brown University. He is the perfect combination of brains and brawn and you’ll see why he is straight A’s all the way. That’s more than we’ve ever heard about him so I’ll take it.

Laynie Luck vs. Zena Sterling

Sterling works on a headlock to start but gets her leg swept out for a fast two. An armbar works a bit better for Sterling and she drops Luck with a shoulder. Luck is back up to send her to the apron for a Codebreaker, followed by a top rope double stomp onto the apron (ouch). The seated abdominal stretch goes on for a bit until Sterling escapes, setting up a big slugout. Sterling gets in a reverse DDT but Luck is right back with the Death Valley Driver for the fast pin at 4:45.

Rating: C+. Neither of these two have much of anything going on at the moment but it’s nice to see Luck getting a win. She’s been around the independent scene for such a long time and it’s awesome to see her finally getting a chance on a bigger platform. This win isn’t much but much like the opener, it’s certainly better than nothing.

Mike Cunningham talks to Lince Dorado in the parking lot and talks about growing up watching him. Dorado isn’t overly impressed but agrees to a match with Cunningham.

Here is Cappuccino Jones for a chat. Jones is ready to see Aaron Rourke take the Evolve Title tonight and bring it home with everyone in his corner. On his own side though, he’s tired of dealing with Brooks Jensen, who can remember any match but not the time when Jones beat him in the gauntlet match. Now he wants to fight so here is Jensen, who agrees to the match for next week.

Luca Crusifino gives Chuey Martinez a friendship bracelet and explains how inspired he was to roll all the way through Evolve. He is most effective when his energy is vibrating with love and it’s all “plur”. That means Peace, Love, Unity and Respect, which needs to be used more in Evolve. This is….I don’t know actually and I think I’d rather keep it that way.

Evolve Title: Aaron Rourke vs. Jackson Drake

Drake is defending. They fight over wrist control to start with Rourke rolling him up for two. Rourke flips out of a belly to back suplex and dropkicks him to the floor as we take a break. We come back with Drake still in trouble but Brad Baylor offers a distraction on the floor. That’s enough for Drake to grab a headlock on the mat, which is quickly reversed into a headlock.

Drake slips out of that and stomps away to take over, setting up a knee drop for two. A Russian legsweep gives Drake two and we hit the chinlock. That’s broken up so Drake goes up, where he blocks a super hurricanrana attempt. Drake’s brainbuster gets two but Rourke ducks a superkick and hits a German suplex. Now the super hurricanrana connects and Eat Defeat gets two. A spinning Vader Bomb elbow gets two more and they go to the apron, where Drake manages a fast suplex.

We take another break and come back again with Rourke taking over and grabbing a half crab. Rourke stomps away at Drake, who comes back with a penalty kick for one. Rourke gets fired up but the referee is bumped, meaning Swipe Right can come in for the Super Swipe. That’s only good for two so Drake hits a Burning Hammer, followed by the Unaliving…for two more. Drake goes up but gets speared out of the air. Over The Rainbow gives Rourke the title at 14:08.

Rating: B. This is where Evolve feels different. On the surface, Rourke is not someone who feels like he would be the top star anywhere. It feels like a less than serious character that we’ve seen for years and would mostly be relegated to bad comedy. The difference is that Rourke was treated differently and it started with those vignettes and interviews with him a few months ago. They let you get to know him and made you want to like him, which wound up being the case. Without that kind of stuff, this doesn’t work, but because they put in the groundwork earlier, this is a pretty awesome moment.

As for the match itself, it was another chance for Drake to show what he could do, as he has come a VERY long way during his title run. After basically being just another guy at first, he wound up having a rather nice title reign and that makes Rourke being the one to beat him feel that much more important. This felt like a big time match and that is rather impressive as it wouldn’t seem likely on paper.

Post match the locker room comes in to celebrate with Rourke, who accidentally drops the title before posing with it to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This was obviously all about the main event and that worked rather well. That was pretty much the only thing that felt important here, which is why it was nice for this show to be a bit shorter. They didn’t stretch it out longer than necessary and that made things a bit easier. I liked the title change a good bit and Thatcher’s stuff was amusing as usual, so call it enough of a success this week.

Results
Kam Hendrix b. Dante Chen – Lights, Kam, Action
Laynie Luck b. Zena Sterling – Death Valley Driver
Aaron Rourke b. Jackson Drake – Over The Rainbow

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: February 18, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Peter Rosenberg

We’re coming up on the season finale and then Succession II, which can make for some interesting building. We already have some big matches set up, with both the Evolve and Evolve Women’s Title matches ready to go. There are going to have to be some other things added as well so let’s get to it.

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

Nikkita Lyons and Arianna Grace recap the Women’s Title match, with Kendal Grey defending against PJ Vasa at Succession II. The rest of the women’s division gets some attention as well, with Lyons getting angrier and angrier over Grace not bringing up the two of them. Finally Lyons brings up Masyn Holiday and Layla Diggs, which Grace had tried to block out.

Opening sequence.

Chuey Martinez is in the ring for a contract signing between PJ Vasa and Kendal Grey. First up, Grey talks about how she’s been told how hard it is going to be to beat Vasa. Grey laughs off the idea of being scared of a challenge, because she beat the boys on her high school wrestling team. Vasa cuts her off, saying she knows Grey can’t win. She wants this match signed on her terms, meaning a street fight. Vasa: “Come getcho issue.” (that’s how it’s spelled on her shirt). That works for Grey, who signed but then gets taken out by Vasa.

Cappuccino Jones talks about being underestimated all the time and doesn’t get why other prospects are called up before them. Good for those people, but why not him? He’s a different flavor, and it’s the boldest and one of one. Simple themed promo here and I still like this guy.

Dante Chen vs. Brooks Jensen

Jensen grabs an early nerve hold as Harley Riggins, Braxton Cole and Kam Hendrix are in the VIP area. The chinlock is broken up and Chen is back with an armbar. Jensen fights up but gets backdropped down, meaning the armbar goes on again. A big boot puts Chen down and he gets whipped hard into the corner.

The chinlock goes on for a bit, followed by an elbow drop to keep Chen down. Chen is back up with a clothesline and dropkick, setting up a nice superkick. Jensen manages to send him into the corner though and a suplex into a backstabber 9Roderick Strong’s End Of Heartache) finishes Chen at 8:19.

Rating: C-. This wasn’t exactly interesting or thrilling stuff, as they wrestled a slow paced match and it didn’t feel overly important. Jensen feels like someone who has been trying to find something to do for a long time now and I don’t know if there’s anything else he can do. On the other hand you have Chen, who thankfully is little more than a warm body around here.

Wendy Choo talks about how much therapy has helped her so she tried to share it with Kali Armstrong. That earned her a beating and Choo is not going to be disrespected like that.

The Vanity Project is recovering from a wild party (the place is rather messy) when Team ID comes in. They’re ready to carve their own paths in NXT and that’s because of the ID Program. They want to pay it forward, but want the Vanity Project to help them fight off Team PC. The teams chatter among themselves and Swipe Right is in.

Drake Morreaux vs. It’s Gal

Morreaux shoves him down to start and then drops Gal again with pure power. Gal’s suplex is reversed into one from Morreaux, who is offended when Gal tries a chop. Gal finally comes back with a shot on the apron but of course stops to pose before working on the leg. A running DDT gives Gal two and the chinlock goes on. Morreaux powers up and hits a discus lariat, followed by a chokeslam for the pin at 4:29.

Rating: C. I’m surprised in both ways here, as Morreaux if a unique enough monster and I could see him being something of a new project. At the same time, Gal had seemed like someone who was going to become a bigger deal and now he’s just losing over and over. Granted he might not be everyone’s taste, but he certainly has charisma.

Post match Kam Hendrix comes in to offer Drake Morreaux a spot on Team PC as Jax Presley is injured. Morreaux says he knows which side of history he wants to be on and leaves, with commentary suggesting that’s a no. It’s Gal wants to be on the team too but the team doesn’t seem thrilled.

Kali Armstrong doesn’t have anything against Wendy Choo personally, but she doesn’t want any help. She’s found her motivation and is ready to send Choo back to mute.

Nikkita Lyons/Arianna Grace vs. Masyn Holiday/Layla Diggs

Holiday rolls Grace up for an early two and it’s off to Diggs for a double arm crank. Holiday’s headlock doesn’t last long so she goes with a crossbody for two. Lyons comes in and gets caught in a headlock from Diggs but Grace breaks up a double suplex. A pair of dropkicks put the villains on the floor and we take a break. We come back with Holiday in trouble on the floor and Lyons dropping a sitdown splash back inside. This time Chantel Monroe is watching in the VIP area and approves as Lyons knocks Holiday down again.

The chinlock goes on for a bit, followed by a suplex to give Lyons two more. Grace’s diving forearm gets two and Lyons drops her with a running clothesline. Holiday fights up for a double clothesline and it’s back to Diggs to crush Grace in the corner. A Pele gets two, with Lyons making the save. Everything breaks down and Grace gives Holiday a Codebreaker, followed by Lyons kicking Holiday in the head. Grace’s fireman’s carry slam (Graceland) is good for the pin at 9:24.

Rating: C. This is a match that has been built up for a bit but I’m not exactly interested in the TikTok team. They’re fine enough in the ring, but it’s kind of hard to care about two women who seem to show up to do dances. I’ll take them over the villains who have spent weeks being nice because of a random fortune teller though. This hasn’t been a great feud, but this might wrap it up.

Tate Wilder isn’t happy with the PC vs. ID war and doesn’t like what either side has been doing. He won’t stand for backstabbing though and that’s why he’s the guest referee in next week’s ten man tag.

Overall Rating: C-. Even Evolve has off weeks and this seemed to be one. The whole show felt like it was filler that would take place at the end of a really long taping cycle, featuring the bottom group of the roster. At the same time, the next two weeks are more than big enough to make up for this. I’ve been impressed enough with Evolve to believe that this was just a one off miss, which does happen every so often. Just get back to normal next week, which they likely will.

Results
Brooks Jensen b. Dante Chen – Suplex into a backstabber
Drake Morreaux b. It’s Gal – Chokeslam
Arianna Grace/Nikkita Lyons b. Masyn Holiday/Layla Diggs – Graceland to Holiday

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: February 4, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

It’s a big night as the Evolve Title is on the line, with Jackson Drake defending against Kam Hendrix. This comes after Hendrix had Drake go up against a bunch of monsters last week in a rather smart move. Other than that, it’s time to find whomever might be next for the Women’s Title so let’s get to it.

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

Team PC is ready for Kam Hendrix to win the Evolve Title. Braxton Cole comes in after things got, ahem, messy in the back. Apparently Sean Legacy

Opening sequence.

IMG Credit: WWE

Tyra Mae Steele vs. Carlee Bright

Steele wrestles her down with no trouble to start but Bright picks the leg a few times. That doesn’t get Bright very far as Steele pulls her into a bow and arrow. The chinlock goes on but Bright is back up with a headscissors. That’s broken up and Steele reverses into something like an STF. Back up and they collide for a double down before Bright hits a swinging neckbreaker. Steele pulls her out of the air though and hits Mae Day (Samoan drop) for the pin at 4:38.

Rating: C. Steele continues to be someone with all of the background in the world and some charisma to back it up. If she can put that together with the pro style, she has all of the potential. As for Bright…uh….I’m not sure what she has, though I would have said the same thing about Kendal Grey a year ago so things can indeed change.

The Vanity Project welcomes Team ID in because they need to band together to fight off Kam Hendrix. That doesn’t work well, though Aaron Rourke thinks the Project might have a point. After a huddle, Team ID is actually in, with Rourke hitting on Jackson Drake a bit. Swipe Right doesn’t think much of Mike Cunningham and Eli Knight though and a match is set for next week.

Arianna Grace and Nikkita Lyons are still freaked out by the séance and think they need to be really nice. Layla Diggs and Masyn Holiday come in, with Grace and Lyons trying to play nice. They’ll even do a new TikTok dance with them! This….yeah this isn’t working.

Drake Morreaux vs. Sam Holloway

Morreaux powers him down to start and a running hurricanrana does it again. Holloway is knocked down again for something like a bottom rope Vader Bomb for two but he’s back up with a big boot. Another knockdown gives Holloway another two but Morreaux sends him to the apron for a big boot to the floor.

Holloway goes with the idea of hitting Morreaux in the face, with a springboard elbow connecting for two. A big charge misses for Holloway in the corner though and Morreaux kicks him right back down. Holloway dropkicks him out to the floor, which of course means a big running dive to take Morreaux down again. Back in and Morreaux hits a discus lariat (not exactly a clean one), followed by a regular clothesline for the pin at 6:17.

Rating: B. This was the Big E. Langston special as you had two big men getting in there and hitting each other until one of them couldn’t get up again. That’s exactly what you would have wanted to see out of a match like this and they more than delivered. I had a great time with this and I was even surprised at the result so well done all around.

Post match Morreaux says Team PC doesn’t represent the Performance Center, but he’s coming for the Evolve Title.

Next week: Karmen Petrovic challenges Kendal Grey for the Women’s Title.

Team ID gives Sean Legacy a hard time with his cleaning but Team PC interrupts to help him clean. With the ID guys gone, It’s Gal comes in to mock Team PC but Aaron Rourke stands up for the team and challenges Gal to a match next week.

IMG Credit: WWE

Dante Chen vs. Trill London

Chen works on the arm to start so London reverses into a wristlock of his own. Back up and Chen knocks him down a few times before London dives over Chen, only to possibly hurt his leg. It’s fine enough for London to grab an armbar but it’s a half nelson slam to put him down again. Chen gets two off another slam but misses a boot, allowing London to hit a Whisper In The Wind. A middle rope sunset flip gets two on Chen, who drops London with a superkick. Chen boots him down again though and the Gentle Touch finishes London at 5:31.

Rating: C-. Huh? I’m sorry what now? You build London up as someone interesting with the great athleticism and he gets pinned clean by DANTE CHEN? Maybe it’s that I watched LVL Up for years but I still don’t get what Chen is supposed to offer. London feels like someone interesting with potential and he just….loses here. Odd indeed. On top of that, the match didn’t exactly feel smooth, as it came off more like a tumbling routine than a match, which isn’t a great way to go.

We get a face to face showdown between Kendal Grey and Karmen Petrovic. Grey doesn’t want this to get too personal but she’ll face anyone to keep her title. Petrovic thinks Grey is looking past her when Petrovic has all the momentum. Grey isn’t underestimating her but promises to walk in and out as champion.

The Season Finale will air on February 25 but the season premiere, Succession II, will be the following week.

Kali Armstrong is disappointed by her recent losses and needs to get that dog back in her. Maybe she needs to go back home for a bit and find her old self.

Evolve Title: Kam Hendrix vs. Jackson Drake

Hendrix, with Jax Presley and Harley Riggins, is challenging while Drake has Swipe Right with him. Drake goes for the leg to start but gets put down with a running shoulder. Riggins and Presley trip Drake so Swipe Right does the same to Hendrix, meaning it’s the rare quadruple ejection. We take a break and come back with Hendrix striking away for two and grabbing the chinlock. Drake fights up and hits an enziguri but gets punched in the face for going up top.

Hendrix’s powerbomb doesn’t work and Drake grabs a German suplex for two. The referee gets bumped and Drake hits a jumping knee to put Hendrix down. Cue Team PC to beat Drake down but Team ID runs in for the big brawl. Swipe Right is back in as well as I wonder how fragile the referee must be to not notice about ten people interfering. Legacy hits a big flip dive and Swipe Right takes Hendrix down. The Unaliving retains the title at 8:38.

Rating: B-. The ending was the kind of wild brawl that makes for an interesting situation, though I’m rather surprised that Hendrix didn’t win. Drake has held the title for a long time now and it’s odd to see the team seemingly changing over to the good side. At the same time, Hendrix and company had been built up fairly well, though I’m not sure what is next for them. It’s a good match, even with a bit of a surprising result.

Post match Cappuccino Jones holds up the title and says he’s coming for this because Drake owes him one.

Overall Rating: B-. Good show here, albeit with a few surprising results. The thing that stuck out to me here was something that made the glory days of NXT work so well: it felt like there was a focus on everything taking place in the ring. The matches and segments were made to feel important and that helps when they come back around later. This is still the most enjoyable show every week and this worked again, even with me being rather surprised more than once.

Results
Tyra Mae Steele b. Carlee Bright – Mae Day
Drake Morreaux b. Sam Holloway – Clothesline
Dante Chen b. Trill London – Gentle Touch
Jackson Drake b. Kam Hendrix – Unaliving

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: January 21, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

We’re coming up on a big show as Team PC is getting to run the show, with Kam Hendrix challenging for the Evolve Title. Before we get there though, Jackson Drake has to run a heck of a gauntlet match. That’s going to have Drake more than a big scared and he has some reacting to do. Let’s get to it.

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

Karmen Petrovic wants to start the new year by coming after the Women’s Title. She’ll start tonight by beating Kali Armstrong.

Opening sequence.

Here is Wendy Choo for a chat. She says it’s a new year and a new her, so she wants to be unbothered, unfiltered and unapologetic. The thing is it’s been almost a year since she didn’t win the Women’s Title and she never got a rematch. Therefore, she calls out Kendal Grey, who is willing to defend the title right now. And it’s on.

Women’s Title: Kendal Grey vs. Wendy Choo

Grey is defending and wrestles her to the mat to start. The cross armbreaker is blocked but Grey stacks her up to escape the Dirt Nap. Choo hits some running shots in the corner but Grey is right back with a dropkick to the floor. That doesn’t go so well for Grey as Choo knocks her right back down and we take a break. We come back with Grey in the Tree Of Woe for a running dropkick and a near fall. They trade rollups for two each before an exchange of kicks leaves both of them down.

Grey is up to take the straps down but Choo kicks her in the head, followed by a swinging neckbreaker for two. The Dirt Nap is broken up again and Grey goes for the cross armbreaker, which is stacked up for two more. Back up and Grey’s superkick lets her go up top. Choo catches her with a superplex and rolls through with a brainbuster for a rather near fall. Another neckbreaker is loaded up but Grey reverses into Shades Of Grey to retain at 7:37.

Rating: B-. Nice match here as Grey gets to stack up another win, though I’m not sure why you would have the new version of Choo lose so soon. After getting rid of the silence stuff, her biggest negative is gone and now she’s just losing in an impromptu match. It’s hardly some devastating loss, but I’m not sure it needed to happen here.

Kali Armstrong wants Grey to keep the title so their paths will cross again. Tonight she has Karmen Petrovic, who keeps complaining about Armstrong getting shots. Well what has Petrovic done? Violence is suggested.

Lola Vice and Arianna Grace go to a psychic, who reads their palms and sees darkness in their life lines. They go to the tarot cards, which promise darkness, suffering and destruction. They scream a lot and promise to change their ways. This was like one of the skits between cartoons on Hulk Hogan’s Rock N Wrestling but without any of the positives.

We congratulate Eli Knight, Keanu Carver, Sean Legacy and the Vanity Project for being signed to NXT.

Marcus Mathers vs. Braxton Cole

Mathers fires off some dropkicks to start but a springboard is broken up. Cole neckbreakers him down and elbows away, followed by a clothesline for two. Mathers’ arm is snapped over the top and another neckbreaker gets two more. The neck crank goes on to keep Mathers in trouble but he blocks another neckbreaker.

Back up and Mathers hits a spinning high crossbody, followed by a middle rope Stunner. The German suplex gives Mathers two but Cole is back with a Crash Landing for the same. An enziguri and superkick drop Cole but cue Kam Hendrix, meaning the top rope double stomp misses. Cole grabs a rollup for the pin at 6:27.

Rating: C+. Gah I like Mathers and it’s frustrating to see him lose all the time. That being said, at least he had some kind of an out here, even if it’s on another loss. Cole doesn’t really stand out very well, though tying him together with the #1 contender isn’t a bad idea whatsoever. Just do something else with it, along with something for Mathers.

Post match Hendrix chop blocks Mathers and Cole hits a fireman’s carry slam. Team ID is locked in their dressing room and Mathers’ ankle is Pillmanized.

Team PC seems to be afraid of Keanu Carver but they agree that they’re in charge next week. Brooks Jensen is willing to hurt Cappuccino Jones and knock his head off. They seem in.

Harlem Lewis doesn’t care that Team PC is in charge next week because he’s the next Evolve Champion.

Kali Armstrong vs. Karmen Petrovic

Armstrong throws her down to start but Petrovic is back with a bodyscissors. A full nelson with the legs has Armstrong in trouble as Tyra Mae Steele is in the VIP section. Petrovic switches to an armbar, which is broken up with raw power. Armstrong misses a charge though and gets taken out with a suicide dive as we take a break. We come back with Armstrong hitting a running shoulder in the corner but Petrovic hits eat defeat. The slam puts Petrovic down but she avoids the Kali Connection. A pair of Petrifiers finishes Armstrong at 6:36.

Rating: C+. Well that was a surprising result as Armstrong was so dominant for such a long time and Petrovic was pretty much nothing for such a long time. I can go for having Petrovic move up the ladder a bit as she doesn’t have much further to fall. This very well may be her last chance though, as she’s been around for a long time now without getting very far.

Post match Petrovic says she wants the Women’s Title so here is Kendal Grey to accept the challenge.

Team PC is ready for next week, and the week after.

Overall Rating: C+. This was a show that was mainly about setting things up for later, which is the kind of week that you have to have every so often. It should be interesting to see where things go, as those titles have to change hands sooner or later, which might be the case within the next few weeks. Other than that, Grey continues to look like a major star and it’s easy to see why she is getting this kind of a push. Good enough show here, with the bigger stuff on the way.

Results
Kendal Grey b. Wendy Choo – Shades Of Grey
Braxton Cole b. Marcus Mathers – Rollup
Karmen Petrovic b. Kali Armstrong – Petrifier

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: January 14, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

Things are changing in a hurry around here and it’s rather interesting to see where they are all going. With a bunch of Evolve names now officially part of NXT, some changes are going to need to be made around here. That could be a good thing, but it’s definitely a thing of some description. Let’s get to it.

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

Team PC arrives and are ready to take over.

The Vanity Project arrives and runs into Aaron Rourke, Cappuccino Jones and Eli Knight. They argue a bit and a six man tag is set for later.

Opening sequence.

Video on the Women’s Title match, with Kendal Grey being ready to face the monsters PJ Vasa and Kali Armstrong.

Women’s Title: Kendal Grey vs. PJ Vasa vs. Kali Armstrong,

Grey, with Wren Sinclair, is defending and Karmen Petrovic is in the VIP section. Vasa powers both of them into the corner to start so Grey slides between her legs to pick up the pace. Some running dropkicks stagger Vasa and a double dropkick sends her outside. That leaves Grey to suplex Armstrong and then kick the returning Vasa back outside. Armstrong spears Grey but gets speared by Vasa, who stands tall as we take a break.

We come back with Vasa cleaning house, including booting Grey down while holding Armstrong in a fireman’s carry. Grey gets the ankle lock on Vasa but Armstrong makes the save. Armstrong drops Vasa with the powerslam and loads up the Kali Connection, only for Grey to springboard in with Shades Of Grey to retain at 5:08.

Rating: B-. Well it was eventful while it lasted, but I was expecting a far longer match than what we got here. At the same time, I was expecting Grey to lose here as it’s pretty clear that she’s getting elevated in the near future. That being said, her holding the title even longer isn’t a bad thing and she got a solid win here.

Post match Petrovic doesn’t think much of Armstrong, who wants to put the sword, uh, somewhere.

Trill London talks about his time in the NFL and is ready to leave you wondering who he is.

Timothy Thatcher vs. Charlie Dempsey

Shockingly enough they go to the grappling to start, with Dempsey getting a cravate, which is broken up without much trouble. A knee to the arm has Dempsey in trouble and Thatcher knocks him outside as we take an early break. We come back with Thatcher still on the arm until Dempsey takes the leg down to switch control. Dempsey ties up the leg and then goes with something close to an STF.

A gutwrench suplex drops Thatcher again and it’s back to the legbar. With that broken up, Dempsey just cranks on the leg for a change. Back up and Thatcher just hits him in the face, which is quite the logical comeback. Dempsey gets something like a dragon screw legwhip but Thatcher pulls him into a Fujiwara armbar.

That’s rolled into a leglock, which is reversed into a cross armbreaker as this is a technical clinic. Dempsey knocks him to the floor and matches Thatcher with a shot to the face back inside. A bridging butterfly suplex (nice) gets two on Thatcher, as does a bridging German suplex. Dempsey switches over to a Fujiwara armbar for the tap at 13:10.

Rating: B. This was a lot of fun as you can tell both of them know this style very well. Dempsey winning is of course the right call as Thatcher is just there to make others look good. That’s what he did here and it came in a rather entertaining match. This isn’t something that works all the time, but when you see this style every so often, it’s pretty awesome.

Video on Harlem Lewis.

Vanity Project vs. Eli Knight/Cappuccino Jones/Aaron Rourke

Rourke frustrates Baylor to start and it’s quickly off to Jones for a nice dropkick. Knight comes in and gets headlocked by Drake but comes back with a nice leg lariat. The villains are cleared out to the floor and, after a quick spank from Rourke, Knight hits a big flip dive over the top. Baylor gets in a jumping knee to the face though and we take a break. We come back with Knight in trouble, including Drake raking his back.

A fisherman’s suplex gives Drake two and he knocks Rourke and Jones off the apron. The villains take turns beating Knight up in the corner, with a variety of stomps. Knight manages a high crossbody and that’s enough for the tag off to Jones. Everything breaks down and Rourke hits Eat Defeat on Smokes. The Decaffinator takes Baylor down but Smokes shoves Jones off the top. Drake comes back in with the Unaliving to pin Jones at 9:40.

Rating: C+. Pretty standard six man tag here with Drake getting to look like a star in the end. That’s a good thing, as Baylor and Smokes aren’t exactly must see stuff in the ring. I can see why they make for good background people, but that only gets you so far once the bell rings. At the same time, Knight got to showcase himself well here, but it was only for so long.

Post match Team PC comes out, with Kam Hendrix saying they’re running Evolve in two weeks. That’s not when Hendrix wants his title match though, because that’s going to be Drake vs. Carver, Riggins and Presley in a handicap match. Then Hendrix will get his title match the next week. That’s rather brilliant.

Tate Wilder is in the back and says he feels like he’s walking this road alone.

Overall Rating: B-. I still love the way this show is put together, as it feels like every show is designed to keep things moving. This show had a variety of different stuff going on and I wanted to see all of it. That’s not something you often see and the differences make it stand out that much more. Good stuff here, and they kept things moving for the future as well. Nice work, as is almost always the case.

Results
Kendal Grey b. PJ Vasa and Kali Armstrong – Springboard Shades Of Grey to Armstrong
Charlie Dempsey b. Timothy Thatcher – Fujiwara armbar
Vanity Project b. Cappuccino Jones/Eli Knight/Aaron Rourke – Unaliving to Jones

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