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: December 3, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

It’s the holiday season for the first time ever around here as we’re back after a week off for the day before Thanksgiving. This week features a title match as Kendal Grey is defending against Chantel Monroe in a match that has been built up for a few weeks now. Hopefully Grey can live up to her incredible hype so let’s get to it.

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

As she arrived to the arena earlier today, Grey said she can focus on Chantel Monroe, who is talented but full of excuses.

Opening sequence.

Carlee Bright vs. Arianna Grace

Bright slaps her in the face to start and hits a dropkick, only to miss a second attempt. They head outside with Bright being sent into the apron, allowing Grace to offer fans some photos. Back in and Grace knees her in the ribs, followed by an Arn Anderson eye rake across the top rope. Bright tries to elbow away but gets forearmed in the face. A Wasteland (Graceland) finishes for Grace at 4:28.

Rating: C. This was basically a squash as Grace continues to do a variety of things. She’s one of the bigger names involved in the NXT vs. TNA feud, plus making occasional appearances in NXT. I’m not a bit surprised that she’s getting this kind of a chance given her father, but I’m not sure how far she’s going to go. As for Bright….dang it’s not the brightest future and this was not a good sign for her.

Video on Yayne Harrison, who has been signed to an ID contract.

Video on the ID Program.

We look at Evolve wrestlers being in action at NXT Gold Rush.

We look at Kendal Grey being added to the NXT Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge. This is feeling rather fillerish.

Layla Diggs and Masyn Holiday come up to Nikkita Lyons, who doesn’t like their negative vibes. Lyons mocks them for her recent victory over Holiday but Diggs wants to face her next. That’s fine with Lyons, who loves charity work.

Marcus Mathers/Aaron Rourke vs. Cappuccino Jones/Mike Cunningham

Mathers goes after Jones’ leg to start but gets taken down for some grappling on the mat. Jones’ crucifix gets two and a flying headscissors takes Mathers down again. Cunningham comes in to stay on the arm before it’s quickly off to Rourke. Another dropkick puts Rourke down and Cunningham throws some lefts to keep him in trouble. It’s back to Mathers for a Backstabbber, with Rourke adding a top rope backsplash as we take a break.

We come back with Rourke dropping Mathers onto Cunningham’s raised knees. A basement superkick brings Cunningham right back down but he dropkicks Mathers off the top. Rourke is back in with a Prism Trap (Stone: “That’s a unique hold.” No, it isn’t.), which is broken up as well and it’s Jones coming back in to clean house. A big right hand sends Mathers into the corner for a running clothesline.

Mathers knocks him back down though and Jones gets dragged into the corner. That’s broken up rather quickly with some shots to the face, allowing Mathers to come in with a double missile dropkick. Rourke headbutts Cunningham and Mathers hits a middle rope Stunner. A Molly Go Round gives Rourke two and Jones comes back in with the Decaffinator, with Mathers making a save of his own.

Jones dives onto Rourke, leaving the other two to trade rollups. Mathers knocks him into the corner but Cunningham is back with a jumping elbow to the face. Cunningham gets a heck of a running start and is blasted with a clothesline for his efforts. And then Jax Presley and Harley Riggins run in to jump them both for the no contest at 13:20.

Rating: B-. I did like the action, but having such a long match for the sake of showcasing people and then the monsters running in for the no contest didn’t help. Cunningham did feel like he belonged on such a level, though the ID Program still feels like something being wedged into this. I’m not sure how much fans are going to care about which wrestlers have a glorified check mark next to their names compared to the regular ones, but it seems to be a big deal.

Post match the beatdown is on and Keanu Carver comes out to join in (with commentary wisely pointing out that Carver was who Riggins and Presley called a few weeks ago). It’s Gal, in the VIP section, applauds.

Women’s Title: Chantel Monroe vs. Kendal Grey

Grey is defending and Karmen Petrovic is in the VIP area. They fight over a lockup to start and go into some corners without much of an advantage being gained. Grey wrestles her to the mat a few times and it’s already time for Monroe to get a breather on the floor. Monroe gets back in to take over and grab a Hennig necksnap.

Back up and tries some more grappling but gets forearmed in the face to cut that off. Grey slides between the legs in the corner and a basement dropkick knocks Monroe down. Monroe is able to send her outside for a crossbody off the apron but Grey kicks the leg out. They trade chops on the floor and we take a break. We come back with Grey backsliding her for two but walking into something like a TKO for the same.

Monroe takes forever to go up (commentary even gets on her for it), allowing Grey to belly to belly superplex her down. Grey hits some running elbows and counters a hurricanrana into a sitout powerbomb for two. Monroe’s superkick seems to hit Grey in the throat and the Perfect Ending….sends Grey outside. Cue Wendy Choo to post Monroe but she blocks the cross armbreaker. A powerslam gives Grey two but Monroe knocks her off the top. The top rope Meteora gives Monroe two and frustration is setting in. Grey fights back though and knocks her down, drops the straps, and hits Shades Of Grey to retain at 12:14.

Rating: C+. It wasn’t bad, but dang this felt long. It came off like a match that was designed to fill in time rather than two people fighting over a title. At the same time, it didn’t help that Monroe didn’t feel like she had a chance as Grey is the new star. Throw in a rather weird and unnecessary interference from Choo and it was kind of a weak match.

Tate Wilder and Sean Legacy want the Evolve Title match so they’re set for a #1 contenders match next week. They’re both ok with that, though Wilder points out that Legacy has lost lately. Wilder is new around here but he’s getting some wins together. Legacy brings up that he had to talk Wilder out of quitting a few weeks ago. Wilder says he has grown so much since then and they get in an argument over the PC vs. the ID Program. Legacy leaves and someone puts a (rather large) hand on Wilder’s shoulder to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. The wrestling was mostly fine and I liked the Carver deal, but it was a show that felt like they didn’t have enough material for a full episode. There were some good enough moments, but it was one of the weaker shows they’ve had in a little while. The good thing is there are points that are set up for the future and I’m curious to see what happens. Call it a weak show and hope that it’s just a one off.

Results
Arianna Grace b. Carlee Bright – Graceland
Marcus Mathers/Aaron Rourke vs. Mike Cunningham/Cappuccino Jones went to a no contest when Harley Riggins and Jax Presley interfered
Kendal Grey b. Chantel Monroe – Shades Of Grey

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: November 19, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

We’re back to the title picture again as there is a #1 contenders match between PJ Vasa and Kali Armstrong for the next shot at Kendal Grey. Well next after next week’s Gold Rush edition of NXT but close enough. Other than that, Jackson Drake has to get ready for Sean Legacy next week so let’s get to it.

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

Kali Armstrong says she’s going to remind PJ Vasa show the real star is around here.

Opening sequence.

Jax Presley/Harley Riggins vs. OTM

OTM are a surprise set of opponents, as chosen by Timothy Thatcher. Price slams Riggins down to start so it’s quickly off to Presley vs. Nima. An exchange of shoulders goes to Presley, who takes Nima into the corner. It’s back to Riggins for a middle rope ax handle to the shoulder but Nima gets over to Price to fight back. A shinbreaker cuts Price off and it’s time to start kicking at the banged up leg.

Price tries to use one leg to get over for the tag, which works as well as you would expect. A shot to the back cuts him off again but a missed charge allows the needed tag off to Nima for the house cleaning. The running knee gives Nima two with Presley makes the save. Presley is sent outside and Paid In Full finishes Riggins at 6:53.

Rating: C+. This was a pair of hoss teams having a fight and that’s what it should have been. OTM getting the win here is fine as they’re certainly the bigger names of the four, though I could go with Riggins and Presley not losing as often. They’re the kind of big guys who shouldn’t be taking many losses so hopefully they can pick things up a bit.

Post match Timothy Thatcher comes out to point and talk some trash.

Video on PJ Vasa vs. Kali Armstrong.

Zena Sterling vs. Karmen Petrovic

Sterling is from LFG and rather young. She’s trained in a lot of ways, including 24 straight hours on a Stairmaster. She speaks a bit of Ukrainian and we’re ready to go. Hang on as Petrovic says she’s ready and NOW we can get started. Petrovic wins a test of strength to start and grabs a headlock, which is reversed into a wristlock. A suplex sends Petrovic flying and Sterling grabs a chinlock. Back up and Petrovic reverses a tilt-a-whirl slam into a crossbody for two. Eat Defeat staggers Sterling again and a running kick against the ropes connects. The Petrifier finishes Sterling off at 4:58.

Rating: C-. I wasn’t feeling this one and while Sterling isn’t exactly a seasoned veteran, there wasn’t much to see here. It was a dull match with little in the way of emotion and just kind of came and went. Petrovic is someone who has some cool stuff but it needs something to pull it together.

Tate Wilder is talking to Trill London and wants to be in the Evolve Title picture. They’re ready to go after Swipe Right. Sean Legacy comes in to ask why he wasn’t the partner, but Wilder says London wanted in on things around here, with Legacy saying he understands. With the other two gone, Legacy says he’s going to watch in the VIP section.

We look at Kendal Grey and Lainey Reid getting in a brawl last week on NXT, setting up their Women’s Title match next week at Gold Rush. We also see Sean Legacy being announced as the #1 contender for the Evolve Title.

Tate Wilder/Trill London vs. Swipe Right

Sean Legacy is watching in the VIP Lounge. London jumps over Smokes to start and takes him down with a headlock takeover. Wilder comes in with a slingshot ax handle to Baylor’s arm, followed by the arm being snapped over the top. It’s already back to London, who stays on the arm before a dropkick gets two. Smokes gets in a cheap shot to take London off the top though and Baylor gets to hammer on the chest.

A boot to the face gets two on London and Baylor pounds him down in the corner. London gets an elbow up in the corner though and it’s back to Wilder to clean house. The villains cut him off with a dropkick Hart Attack as everything breaks down. With Swipe Right on the floor, London hits a big flip dive and Wilder adds a top rope trust fall onto all three of them. Back in and the Wildest Ride finishes Baylor at 6:56.

Rating: C+. Wilder seems to be getting a push up the ladder and while that’s a bit of a strange way to go, at least they’re doing something with someone. At the same time, you have the Legacy factor, which is starting to lose a lot of its impact. He doesn’t win much in the way of big matches and that’s going to need to change or having him around isn’t going to mean much for very long.

Arianna Grace is in the VIP Lounge and is here to watch the main event while giving the fans a thrill.

Kali Armstrong runs into Kendal Grey in the back and they seem cool, with Armstrong saying she’s winning tonight and then coming for the title. Works for Grey.

Drake Moureaux is from the swamps of Louisiana and is coming to Evolve.

There’s no show next week but we’ll be back on December 3.

Timothy Thatcher hopes that Harley Riggins and Jax Presley will respect the Evolve talent after what happened earlier. Those guys go out there and work hard, which is what Riggins and Presley will see in two weeks in an ID showcase.

Kali Armstrong vs. PJ Vasa

For a future shot at Kendal Grey, who is in the VIP Lounge with Carlee Bright, as Arianna Grace leaves. They fight over the lockup to start until Vasa runs her over with a shoulder. Armstrong anklescissors her out of the corner and a dropkick sends Vasa outside as we take a break.

We come back with Armstrong hitting a running shoulder to the ribs in the corner, followed by quite the powerful suplex. Vasa drops her again for a quick two and it’s a Samoan drop into a chinlock. Armstrong fights up and strikes away, setting up a powerslam for two. Vasa gets backed into the corner but walks into a poke to the eyes. Something like an AA powerslam finishes Armstrong at 6:20.

Rating: B-. It worked in 2014 with Kevin Owens as Vasa, Pac as Armstrong and Jerry Mathers as Kendal Grey. Vasa is the new force who took out the former champion on her way to a title match. Now just let Grey find a way around the monster and it should make for a nice situation for everyone.

Post match Kendal Grey glares at Vasa but gets jumped by Chantel Monroe, who is challenging her in two weeks.

Jax Presley and Harley Riggins aren’t happy with what happened and make a phone call to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This is starting to feel like one of those older shows as they set things up week to week and find a way to keep you coming back. They’ve got something going here and I continue to enjoy this show more than just about any other weekly series. Now just keep that going with all of the people they have available and it should work for a good while.

Results
OTM b. Jax Presley/Harley Riggins – Paid In Full to Riggins
Karmen Petrovic b. Zena Sterling – Petrifier
Tate Wilder/Trill London b. Swipe Right – Wildest Ride to Baylor
PJ Vasa b. Kali Armstrong – Fireman’s carry powerslam

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

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Evolve
Date: October 29, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

It’s time for another week of Bigg Jahh being around because…well someone has to. The big story here is Kendal Grey getting to celebrate winning the Women’s Title a few weeks back. That should be a nice way to set up her next challenger, which Jackson Drake is going to need as well. We also have some new ID Prospects this week so let’s get to it.

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

Masyn Holiday vs. Jin Tala

Tala kicks her hand away to start and then takes her down into a wristlock. That’s escaped into a headlock, allowing Holiday to grind away on the mat. Holiday misses a dropkick though and Tala kicks her in the back of the head. The full nelson with legs has Holiday in more trouble until she powers out, only to get kicked down again. The chinlock goes on for a bit with Holiday fighting up and hitting a quick neckbreaker. Holiday Season (standing splash) finishes Tala at 4:13.

Rating: C. This was mainly Tala beating Holiday up and then getting caught with a quick loss in the end. I’m not sure how well that splash is going to work for Holiday as it doesn’t exactly do much for her, but at least she won. There’s something to Holiday and it’s nice to see someone new getting a chance.

Post match Holiday dances and Bigg Jahh joins her.

Tate Wilder is happy with his win at Succession and now he’s ready for a triple threat with a star from AAA, the Performance Center and the ID Program each.

Wendy Choo is in therapy (because of AJ Lee mentioning it on Raw) and says she is starting to feel like herself. She’s feeling free and is connected to herself. Now it’s time to take care of Chantel Monroe.

Chuey Martinez is in the ring with the new ID Prospects. First up is Mike Cunningham, who has a cowboy hat and was trained by Cody Rhodes. He’s only had about fifty matches so this is a dream come true. Next is Jha’Quan McNair, who is from North Carolina and was trained by…Lodi. He’s ready to prove himself around here.

Finally we have Eli Knight, who was trained by Booker T., who has made him ready for this opportunity. Cue Brooks Jensen, who accuses the prospects of trying to take his spot. He’s heard things about Cunningham being the guy (Cunningham: “YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!”) and Cunningham is ready to go. Jensen leaves before getting physical.

Aaron Rourke talks about learning to love performing in middle school and he has turned that into a love of competition. He loves the pageantry of the whole thing and cites Trish Stratus and Lita as inspirations. Then he started changing his style and it looked like he had a place around here after all. These videos have been helping Rourke a good bit, just for the sake of letting us get to know him.

The Vanity Project talks to Stevie Turner and wants her to deal with Keanu Carver and the cast situation. Jackson Drake refuses to face Carver, but Turner says Carver is set to get his title shot in two weeks.

Marcus Mathers vs. Tate Wilder vs. Laredo Kid

Mathers is rather pleased to represent the ID Program. They trade rollups to start and Wilder runs them both over with shoulders. Wilder is sent outside, leaving Kid to strike away at Mathers. Kid takes Mathers down for two with Wilder running back in for the save. Mathers is back up to kick Wilder down, followed by a spinning high crossbody to drop Kid.

We take a break and come back with Kid chopping Mathers down before knocking both of them to the floor. The big dive drops Mathers and Wilder but Mathers is back up with a hard kick from the apron to put Kid down. Wilder shooting stars onto both of them on the floor and they head back in, with Kid hitting something like a Tower Of Doom for a near fall of his own.

Kid’s moonsault misses though and Mathers superkicks him into a suplex for two. Wilder is back up and tries a reverse springboard Spanish Fly but he and Mathers both land on their feet. Wilder’s spinning suplex takes Kid down and Mathers adds a quick 450 but Wilder breaks it up. A powerbomb drops Mathers and the Wilde Ride is enough to give Wilde the pin at 8:23.

Rating: B. While I could go for Mathers not losing nearly as often, it’s nice to see Wilder getting another win. Even if he’s not the next big thing, he’s a good example of “let’s see what we’ve got here”. Wilder is getting some focus around here and it seems to be working well enough now that he’s found his a bit of his footing.

Post match respect is shown.

Chantel Monroe is ready to slap some sense into Wendy Choo, which will make her Choo’s new therapist.

This week on the Stud-O-Meter, we have some famous tag teams. We’ll start with the Steiners, who will be ranked with….It’s Gal’s Geometry. Sure why not. Anyway, they get a 9.3 but the Dudley Boyz are only a 6.8 as they spent too much time getting the tables rather than getting gains. Now It’s Gal needs a new partner.

Video on Adrenaline Drip vs. Jax Presley/Harley Riggins. They’re 1-1 against each other and the rubber match is next week.

We look at Kendal Grey winning the Women’s Title at Succession.

Here is Grey, with Carlee Bright, for her championship celebration. She’s not going to give you some sob story, but calls the title proof that all the work she has put in has paid off. Grey praises Kali Armstrong and talks about dragging her into the gray area. We hear about Grey’s time in amateur wrestling and now she knows that there is a target on her back.

If you want to come after her, you better be ready. Cue PJ Vasa from LFG to lay Grey out with a powerbomb and powerslam to end the show. That’s one of the perks of this show, as you can just debut new people at any time. It’s not like there is anyone else ready for Grey at the moment so points for doing what made sense.

Overall Rating: B. This show did a very good job of freshening things up a bit. On occasion you need some new blood, especially with the amount of people who are leaving the ID Program in the first place. Let these people get out here and see what they have, which is mostly the point of Evolve in the first place. This show feels like it’s actually put together with a plan going most of the time and that’s nice to see, as it’s making Evolve the easiest show to watch at the moment.

Results
Masyn Holiday b. Jin Tala – Holiday Season
Tate Wilder b. Laredo Kid and Marcus Mathers – Wilde Ride to Mathers

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: Succession
Date: October 15, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

It’s time for the first Evolve special since the series debuted back in March. This week features a three match card, with both titles on the line and a big grudge match which should become violent. That’s a good way to hook in some fans and the card has been built up pretty well. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a look back at the original Evolve and what it can mean to be a star around here. This leads us into a look at tonight’s show.

We recap Bryce Donovan challenging Jackson Drake for the Evolve Title. The two of them have been part of the Vanity Project with Donovan as the team’s enforcer. Drake started taking advantage of Donovan though and even insulted him, eventually causing Donovan to snap. Donovan signed the contract for the title match and quit the team, promising to take the title here.

Evolve Title: Bryce Donovan vs. Jackson Drake

Drake, with the Vanity Project is defending and slaps Donovan in the face to start. That earns him a Black Hole Slam before Donovan sends him flying into the corner. A flapjack sets up some forearms to Drake’s chest, with Donovan pointing down at the Project. Donovan goes outside to yell at the Project, allowing Drake to hit a suicide dive to take over. Cue Keanu Carver, with security holding him back as we take a break. We come back with Donovan working on a half crab. That’s broken up and Donovan fights back, including a pop up powerbomb for two.

Drake goes back to the knee and dropkicks him to the floor, where Donovan grabs a chokeslam onto the apron. Donovan’s running charge hits the steps though and Drake drops the knee into those steps. Back in and a Swanton (possibly onto the knee) gets two on Donovan, who hits a hard clothesline of his own. A middle rope chokeslam plants Drake but the cover sends his feet in the ropes. Drake goes back to the knee though and a pair of Unalivings retain the title at 8:23.

Rating: C+. The match was a nice back and forth fight and I’m glad Drake won, as the Donovan turn was a last minute thing. It would have been odd to see Drake win the title only a week after his turn, which wasn’t so big in the first place. The title change should come at a bigger moment so the match going this way makes sense. At the same time, that’s quite the death knell in Donovan for the time being, as he’s going to need a change to come back from that kind of a loss.

Stevie Turner is on the phone with someone from AAA and is excited to have an up coming guest start. A celebrity (seemingly from some series) Bigg Jahh comes in to say the title match was fire. They’ll watch the rest of the show together.

Video on Adrenaline Drip vs. Harley Riggins and Jax Presley.

Masyn Holiday and Layla Diggs are in the back with Wendy Choo. As Choo is about to talk, Chantel Monroe comes in to mock the idea of Choo talking and then leaves. Choo says AJ Lee says therapy works. They’re off to find Bigg Jahh, who apparently makes movies.

Tate Wilder vs. Brooks Jensen

Bullrope match with pinfall or submission to win. They pull at the rope to start until Jensen misses a kick and gets tripped down. Wilder misses some whips with the rope and gets forearmed in the corner. Jensen gets tied up in the rope again though and Wilder pulls him down, followed by a dropkick to the floor. That lets Jensen pull him into the ropes for a knockdown as we take a break.

We come back with Jensen missing a bell shot to the face but dropping Wilder over the top rope. A middle rope elbow to the head gets two on Wilder and the rope is pulled across Wilder’s mouth. Jensen whips him with the rope, which helps wake Wilder up to start the comeback. Wilder whips him down for a change and they slug it out until Jensen knocks him out of the air with a bell shot. Jensen goes up and gets pulled back down, setting up a powerbomb into the Wilde Ride for the pin at 6:18.

Rating: B-. Nice match here and Wilder got the win that he needed. It was another result that needed to happen as Wilder would be absolutely done if he lost here. Jensen isn’t exactly a top name but he’s a big enough deal that Wilder gets something out of beating him. At some point you need to move someone up the ladder and that’s what we’re getting here.

Video on the WWE ID Program, with new names arriving soon.

We recap Kendal Grey challenging Kali Armstrong for the Women’s Title. Armstrong is the monster while Grey has been rising up the ranks and is ready to challenge for the top spot.

Quick video on Aaron Rourke.

Sean Legacy is in Stevie Turner’s office and wants to face Edris Enofe next week. Bigg Jahh says he should so Turner makes….Jah the GM next week. Layla Diggs and Masyn Holiday come in and try to get parts in his new movie.

Women’s Title: Kendal Grey vs. Kali Armstrong

Grey is challenging and after the Big Match Intros, takes Armstrong down and hammers away. Armstrong powers her into the corner to hammer away but gets fireman’s carries back down. A missed charge in the corner lets Grey score with a dropkick out to the floor. Grey hits a nice dive and they fight up to the apron. Armstrong cuts off a slingshot though and Grey gets driven back first into the apron over and over.

We take a break and come back with Armstrong dropping an elbow for two, followed by a reverse slam. The chinlock goes on but Grey fights up and sweeps the leg. A DDT gives Grey two and a moonsault press connects for the same. Armstrong is back with a pop up powerslam for two of her own and a top rope superplex gets two more. They slug it out with Armstrong getting the better of it and loading up the Kali Connection, which is countered into a powerslam to give Grey the pin and the title at 9:36.

Rating: B. This was a well put together match and I liked what we got out of it, with Armstrong going with with what worked to get her here, only to get caught going too far. Grey was built up well in the last few weeks and it makes sense for her to be the one to slay the monster champion. Good stuff here and well worthy of the main event slot on this show.

Wren Sinclair and Carlee Bright run in for the celebration to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. They nailed this one pretty well, with all three matches going as they should have and the quality going up as the card moved along. I liked this rather well and it was nice to have it be the length of a regular episode rather than making it some kind of big elongated special. As usual, Evolve is well produced and structured, which makes the show that much easier to watch.

Results
Jackson Drake b. Bryce Donovan – Unaliving
Tate Wilder b. Brooks Jensen – Wilde Ride
Kendal Grey b. Kali Armstrong – Powerslam

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

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

Evolve
Date: October 1, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

We are on the way to Succession and that means it is time to start getting the card ready. Things are already starting to come together and now we need to get the rest of the stuff set up. Tonight is about finding out the #1 contender for the Evolve Title, with Jackson Drake sending Bryce Donovan to solve the problem. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Adrenaline Drip vs. Harley Riggins/Jax Presley

During their entrance, Presley and Riggins brag about their abilities and mock the idea of “indy workers”. Jones slugs away at Presley to start but Presley drags him into the corner to cut that off. Riggins comes in to miss a big boot, allowing the tag off to Cartwheel. A headscissors and armdrag bring Riggins down…and hang on as Riggins seems to have hurt his leg.

A frustrated Riggins takes his shirt off…and of course it’s goldbricking, with Riggins kicking Cartwheel in the face to put him down. Presley hammers away as well before it’s back to Riggins for a nice Backstabber. Cartwheel cartwheels away from Riggins but hurts his back, only to get over to Jones a few seconds later. A springboard clothesline and high crossbody put Presley down but there’s no count.

Everything breaks down and Cartwheel hits a great looking springboard spinning splash on Riggins, only to get caught with a heck of a backbreaker from Presley. Riggins is sent into the post and Cartwheel hits the springboard moonsault, leaving Presley to get caught with Flip N Sip (Downward Spiral/top rope flipping cutter combination) for the pin at 5:58.

Rating: B-. I was surprised at how short the match was as they packed a lot into this thing. Riggins and Presley continue to impress me with everything that they’re doing, as they are one of those classic archetypes of a team that can work in any era. They’re both long, long term prospects but they’re off to a nice start. Adrenaline Drip will likely be in the Tag Team Title picture and there is a good chance those belts are announced soon.

Tate Wilder is ready to take the path of learning after his recent failures. Sean Legacy comes in and tells him to stay ready for Edris Enofe before he faces Ridge Holland.

Jackson Drake again tells Bryce Donovan that he needs to lock in around here, with Donovan not being pleased. Donovan tells Drake to stop talking to him like a child, which is the thing that Drake wanted to see. Apparently this was his idea.

Edris Enofe vs. Tate Wilder

Enofe hammers him to start and manages a neck snap across the buckle in the corner. They head outside where Enofe forearms him in the face but Wilder uses the post to jump up for a dropkick in a nice move. Back in and Enofe knocks him out of the air and grabs Wilder by the arm for some clotheslines.

Wilder tries to fight up from his knees and gets kicked in the face for his efforts. A belly to back suplex actually gets Wilder out of trouble but Enofe dropkicks him back down. The turnbuckle pad is taken off for a distraction, allowing Enofe to grab a chair. Cue Sean Legacy to cut that off and Wilder hits a heck of a dive to the floor. Wilder strikes away and grabs a spinning suplex, followed by the Wilde Ride (moonsault) for the pin at 5:34.

Rating: C+. I’m still not sure I get it with Wilder as The Modern Day Cowboy isn’t exactly a top level gimmick, but they certainly seem to be trying with him and he does have a story going on. At some point you have to just try with someone and he’s a young, new star. That dive looked good too so the athleticism is absolutely there. Now just make it work.

Legacy and Wilder are rather happy, while Enofe glares.

Layla Diggs and Masyn Holiday try to get Wendy Choo to do TikTok dances with them. It actually seems to work but Nikkita Lyons comes in to say Choo was better when she didn’t talk. Choo: “What a b****.”

Carlee Bright vs. Kali Armstrong

Non-title and Kendal Grey is here with Bright. Armstrong knocks her down to start and cranks on the arm but Bright gets in a knee to the ribs. Back up and Armstrong just tosses her outside, followed by a running powerslam inside for two. Bright fights up and gets a running headscissors, followed by another out of the corner. A top rope bulldog and small package give Bright two but Armstrong plants her with the powerslam. The Kali Connection drops Bright but Armstrong hits another (with Bright flipping on the contact) for the pin at 5:38.

Rating: C. The second Kali Connection helped a bit, as Armstrong had simply won rather than doing any special damage. The idea here would seem to be Armstrong destroying Grey’s friend before their title match and while she didn’t quite do that, the big shoulders were devastating. Bright was good as the sacrificial lamb here and this is feeling like a big time title match.

Brooks Jensen only needs three seconds to get a singles title shot. He knows the rage that Keanu Carver has inside of him but Jensen the same. We see some of Jensen’s issues over the years but all he has ever wanted is an opportunity.

Video on the WWE ID Program, including some wrestlers going to Malaysia.

It’s Gal needs a new tag partner but no one is good enough for him. Dante Chen comes in and wishes him well, but Gal doesn’t want to hear it. The match seems to be set for later.

Keanu Carver vs. Brooks Jensen

For the Evolve Title shot at Succession. Carver shoves him around to start before Jensen tries to strike away. That goes nowhere as Carver grabs some slams and a Samoan drop for two. We cut to the back where the Vanity Project sends Bryce Donovan to deal with this before Carver misses a charge into the post.

We take a break and come back with Jensen hitting a middle rope knee to the arm, followed by the armbar. The bad arm is sent into the buckle but Carver is able to send Jensen’s arm into the post for a change. A fall away slam sends Jensen flying and a pop up Samoan drop gives Carver two. Jensen is back with a big clothesline for two and the middle rope legdrop gets the same. Carver gets annoyed at the kicking though and grabs the leg, only to get belly to back suplexed. Back up and Carver hits a big shoulder, followed by the spinning powerslam for the pin at 8:45.

Rating: C+. Jensen is someone who knows how to do things in the ring, but he’s only so interesting. At the same time, Carver feels like the big threat to the title and that should be enough to get him into the title match. This worked well enough, though I never bought Carver as being in danger.

Post match Bryce Donovan comes in with a chair to lay Carver out. The arm is crushed with the chair and the Vanity Project comes out to stomp and pose. Jackson Drake and Donovan shake hands to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show is finally in the mode where they have to build towards something. That hasn’t been an idea around here in its history so far and it’s a nice change of pace. If nothing else, we have the two title matches already set up and that should be enough to carry us for the next few weeks. I’m not sure what else is going to be on the rest of the show, but for now the top of the card is strong enough.

Results
Adrenaline Drip b. Harley Riggins/Jax Presley – Flip N Sip to Presley
Tate Wilder b. Edris Enofe – Wilde Ride
Kali Armstrong b. Carlee Bright – Kali Connection
Keanu Carver b. Brooks Jensen – Spinning powerslam

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

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

Evolve
Date: September 17, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

It’s time to get violent around here as we have an I Quit match between Wendy Choo and Kendal Grey. That’s likely to be the main event, but we also need to see what is next for both of the champions around here. It’s almost like this place has become a real show with stories and characters and that’s awesome. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Here is the Vanity Project to get things going. Jackson Drake brags about his win last week and says no one wants a piece of them. They’re in their gear for a reason though. Drake went to Stevie Turner earlier today and got them an eight person tag match. Now bring out these “dusty a** opponents”.

Vanity Project vs. Dante Chen/Drako Knox/Tyra Mae Steele/Sean Legacy

Steele and Mae start things off with Steele easily taking over. Knox comes in to run Smokes over and it’s off to Chen to strike away on Baylor. It’s off to Donovan to take over though and we go to an early break. We come back with Knox still in trouble and getting hammered in the corner, with Donovan pounding him down and dropping an elbow for two. Smokes comes in to stomp away but Knox ducks a clothesline and gets the tag off to Legacy.

A few rooms of the house are cleaned but Legacy gets taken into the wrong corner so the beating can begin again. Smokes kicks him down for two and goes after Legacy’s partners, including yelling at Steele. That’s enough for Legacy to backdrop his way out of trouble, allowing the tag off to Chen to really clean house. Everything breaks down and Steele starts throwing people around with German suplexes (including Smokes landing on the back of his head). The Gentle Touch drops Donovan for the pin at 11:49.

Rating: C+. This is another bad night for the Vanity Project and it wouldn’t be a shock to see Donovan going after Drake as a result. Drake needs a new challenger and it isn’t like there is anyone ready to come after the title at the moment. Steele continues to feel like she has a lot of potential and Legacy is likely going to become a star. Knox and Chen….eh not feeling it yet but stranger things have happened.

Post match the winners get to pose as Jackson Drake yells at Bryce Donovan.

Aaron Rourke and Marcus Mathers don’t like It’s Gal/Jamar Hampton and are ready to beat them down.

Carlee Bright gives Kendal Grey a pep talk before the I Quit match with Wendy Choo…but it might be difficult because Choo doesn’t talk. Grey has this and even practices an armbar on Bright.

Earlier today, Tate Wilder was upset at his losses but Sean Legacy came in to say this is a tough business. Wilder can keep getting up and this is just the beginning of his story. Wilder appreciates the kind words and Legacy says be more ready the next time he faces Ridge Holland. Legacy seems ready for Edris Enofe too.

Aaron Rourke/Marcus Mathers vs. It’s Gal/Jamar Hampton

Gal and Rourke trade wrist cranks to start with Rourke taking him down to the mat. Gal reverses into a headscissors with some pushups, which earns him a slap to the face. A flipping double slap to the chest lets Rourke bring in Mathers, who hits something like Poetry In Motion. Gal fights back and brings in Hampton to take over on Rourke, with Gal getting in a neck snap over the rope.

A double delayed vertical suplex lets Gal and Hampton do pushups on Rourke’s chest before Gal gets two. Hampton jumps over Gal’s back to crash onto Rourke, who enziguris his way out of trouble. Mathers comes back in to pick up the pace, including some kicks in the corner to Hampton. A spinning high crossbody gives Mathers two and Rourke kicks Gal to the floor. Mathers hits a heck of a running flip dive but Rourke bangs up his knee. That means a double powerbomb can finish Rourke off at 6:53.

Rating: B-. It took me a bit to get the idea that Rourke and Mathers were the good guys here, or at least the less bad of the two, as it wasn’t exactly clear at first. I still like Mathers and Hampton a good bit so I’ll take one of them getting something to do. There was a mention of Evolve Tag Team Titles and….that’s actually not a terrible idea.

Post match Gal and Hampton bust out the matching sunglasses.

Kali Armstrong gets to sit back and be a fan in the main event, but she doesn’t know how Wendy Choo can quit when she doesn’t talk. Choo comes in and smiles.

Someone who works at the Performance Center talks about how exhausting it is to work with Sean Legacy, who talks about wrestling all the time. He appreciates the effort, but Legacy pops in to knock on the window and say there is ice cream. This Is Evolve.

Jackson Drake yells at the Vanity Project again and suggests that it was all Bryce Donovan’s fault. Donovan doesn’t like being blamed for the loss and seems to suggest he’s coming after Drake.

Wendy Choo vs. Kendal Grey

I Quit match. Grey (with Carlee Bright) jumps Choo before the bell to start fast but Choo fights back in the corner. Choo is knocked to the floor and tied in the ring skirt for a sliding dropkick. Grey goes after her and gets choked, followed by a drag underneath the ring. Back out and Grey is wrapped around the post, with Choo pulling at some limbs to cause the screaming. A catapult sends Grey throat first into the bottom rope and we take a break.

We come back with Grey standing up for a slugout, followed by a ram into a chair in the corner. Some chair shots to the back set up a Fujiwara armbar to put Choo in more trouble. Grey lets that go but misses a slingshot dive, allowing Choo to hit a brainbuster. Choo chokes with a chair but Grey rolls her into an ankle lock.

That’s broken up as well and Choo chairs her down again. The chair is wrapped around Grey’s neck and she gets sent into the corner, setting up the Dirt Nap. Grey flips out into a cross armbreaker but Choo rolls out for a crash to the floor. Back in and Choo tries a suplex but Grey reverses into a DDT onto the chair. A slingshot stomp onto the arm onto the chair sets up the cross armbreaker to make Choo quit at 11:35.

Rating: B. Ignoring the fact that Choo has spoken before on WWE TV, this was a good story being told with Grey fighting against the evil and winning in the end. Grey seems like she is being built up for a title shot and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her slay the monster champion. This was a smart way to go and Grey is feeling more and more like a star every week.

Bright and Grey (Is that supposed to be some kind of opposite name thing?) celebrate as Choo asks what is left for her to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Nice show here, with the main event being a highlight. You can pretty much pencil in the next two challengers for the titles and that should make for an interesting future. Evolve continues to feel like a well written and planned out show and I’ll take that every time. Good show this week, which tends to be the case.

Results
Dante Chen/Drako Knox/Tyra Mae Steele/Sean Legacy b. Vanity Project – Gentle Touch to Donovan
It’s Gal/Jamar Hampton b. Aaron Rourke/Marcus Mathers – Double powerbomb to Rourke
Kendal Grey b. Wendy Choo – Cross armbreaker

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

Evolve
Date: September 10, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

It’s a bad time for the Vanity Project, as they have managed to get Jackson Drake into a triple threat match for the Evolve Title. Both Keanu Carver and Brooks Jensen are getting title shots at the same time and that isn’t likely going to end well. Other than that, Sean Legacy is going to have to deal with Edris Enofe so let’s get to it.

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

We open with the Vanity Project talking about the triple threat match with Jackson Drake being ready to face both challengers, because the team is awesome.

Carlee Bright vs. Layla Diggs

Kendal Grey and Masyn Holiday are here too. Both get insert promos, with Bright talking about how she wants to show she can be serious and Diggs saying this is absolutely not personal but she wants to win. Bright takes it to the mat to start but Diggs reverses into an armbar. Back up and Diggs cartwheels out of a headscissors and we get a respectful handshake.

Diggs ties up the legs with a rollup for two but Bright is back with a jumping neckbreaker for the same. They go back to the mat, with Diggs hitting a flipping splash into a powerslam. A standing moonsault “misses” despite landing on Bright, who goes up but misses a middle rope moonsault. Diggs hits a heck of a side kick for two but misses a charge into the corner. Brights’ tornado DDT gets two and Bright Side (Overdrive) finishes Diggs at 5:01.

Rating: C+. The ending isn’t a great way to go but Bright getting a win is a good move. She’s getting somewhere after months of just kind of floating around so this should help her a bit. At the same time, Diggs continues to be rather athletic, though she’ll need more to really make her stand out.

Post break Bright and Grey are still in the ring, with Grey praising Bright for her win. Grey is ready to take out Wendy Choo and slap the smile off her face. After that, she’s ready for Kali Armstrong and the Women’s Title. Cue Armstrong to say bring it, but Ridge Holland and Tate Wilder brawl to ringside. Stevie Turner pops in to make the match for right now, with the women being forgotten.

Ridge Holland vs. Tate Wilder

Holland knees away in the corner but Wilder hits some dropkicks to send him outside. The dive to the floor connects with Holland, who posts Wilder to cut things off fast. We take a break and come back with Holland sending him into the corner for a German suplex. Wilder fights back and kicks away but walks into a spinebuster.

The half crab goes on for a bit before Wilder fights out and hits a middle rope crossbody. Wilder adds a springboard Swanton for two and can’t believe the kickout. Holland is back with a powerslam into a Cannonball, followed by a gutwrench powerbomb for the pin at 7:24.

Rating: C. I’m liking Holland getting a chance to be the powerhouse and focusing more on his rugby style offense. He’s someone who has experience and he can be turned into a solid monster heel in a hurry. On the other hand you have Wilder, who isn’t winning yet but he’s getting a lot of ring time lately and that might be a good sign for his future.

Aaron Rourke and Marcus Mathers talk about having a lot in common, like wrestling for various independent promotions. And grit and determination! Hence them being a team.

It’s Gal and Jamar Hampton are proud of their work in the gym but they aren’t impressed by Rourke and Mathers.

Keanu Carver is NOT going back to the streets so he’ll win the Evolve Title here.

Wendy Choo has attacked Kendal Grey and choked her out.

Evolve Title: Keanu Carver vs. Brooks Jensen vs. Jackson Drake

Drake is defending. Carver throws Drake around to start and a big clothesline puts Drake on the floor. That leaves Carver and Jensen to slug it out but Drake sends them into each other. Drake hits a running forearm to Jensen, who is right back with some chops in the corner. A powerslam drops Drake and Carver is back in to slam both of them at once. Drake manages to send both of them outside for the running flip dive and we take a break.

We come back with Drake’s kicks to the chest getting on Carver’s nerves. Jensen is back in with a spinwheel kick to Carver for two but Drake is up with a fisherman’s buster. Drake hits a big dive to the floor to drop Carver again but his Lethal Injection is cut off. Carver is knocked outside again, leaving Drake and Jensen to trade hard forearms. Carver is back in with a Samoan drop to Jensen, who throws Drake up for a Pounce.

A spinebuster gives Carver two but Jensen sends both of them flying at the same time. The Southern Lariat misses so Drake is put up in an electric chair for a doomsday spinwheel kick for two. Carver superplexes Jensen and Drake Swantons Carver, who goes outside. A dive is cut off though and Carver drops him with a hard forearm. Cue Bryce Donovan to take Carver out and Jensen southern lariats Drake. Donovan offers a distraction though and Drake hits the running knee for the pin to retain at 13:15.

Rating: B-. They got a good deal of time here and it was a solid showcase for Carver, with Jensen having one of his more entertaining matches thus far. Had this been a singles match I would have expected a title change but the triple threat part made it a bit more predictable. That being said, it’s nice to see Drake getting a win, as he hasn’t felt like a strong champion thus far (which is the point).

Stevie Turner is watching in her office and looks at her plans for next week, which include a note saying I QUIT MATCH. Wendy Choo wants Kendal Grey in one next week and Turner seems to agree.

Overall Rating: C+. This was mainly about the title match and it wound up going well enough, though it wasn’t some game changer. Other than that, you had the build towards Grey vs. Choo next week, plus Holland continuing to get a boost. It’s a fine enough show here, with enough stories being advanced in around 45 minutes.

Results
Carlee Bright b. Layla Diggs – Bright Side
Ridge Holland b. Tate Wilder – Gutwrench powerbomb
Jackson Drake b. Keanu Carver and Brooks Jensen – Running knee to Jensen

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

Evolve
Date: August 6, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

It’s time for another showdown here as Wendy Choo is facing Carlee Bright. In addition, Kali Armstrong is dealing with Jin Tala, who is coming for the Women’s Title. Other than that, Keanu Carver is going after the ID Program and some people are not pleased with what he has been doing. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Jin Tala coming after Kali Armstrong and the Women’s Title.

Here is Armstrong to call out Tala for a fight. Cue Tala for the brawl so the referees break it up, but Stevie Turner comes in to make the match for right now.

Women’s Title: Kali Armstrong vs. Jin Tala

Tala is challenging. Armstrong knocks her around the ring to start and hammers in the corner as commentary talks about how this match was scheduled for later tonight so Tala isn’t ready. Tala fights back and works on the arm, allowing her to kick away at the ribs. A 619 to the ribs keeps Armstrong in trouble and we take a break.

We come back with Tala staying on the ribs, including a seated abdominal stretch with some driving elbows. Armstrong Hulks Up (as commentary puts it) and hits a spinebuster to put Tala in trouble for a change. Tala avoids a charge into the post, followed by a kick to the ribs. Another 619 is cut off though and the Kali Connection retains the title at 7:03.

Rating: C+. Perfectly logical match here but it’s nice to see Armstrong get another title defense under her belt. She overcame some adversity here and should be done with Tala as a result. Armstrong has the physical stuff and the talking is starting to come around, as there is always a place for someone with her natural abilities.

Post match Karmen Petrovic comes out to say she and Armstrong have unfinished business (Jordynne Grace interfered in their match on NXT) so Petrovic wants the title.

The Vanity Project isn’t worried about Keanu Carver because he’s probably just jealous. Jackson Drake is a bit nervous though and Brooks Jensen is coming for him too. Bryce Donovan is going to take Carver out…but no one told Donovan about that. This was seemingly filmed by a hidden camera or someone hiding.

Carlee Bright and Kendal Grey both want to hurt Wendy Choo, with Bright getting the chance this week.

Over the weekend, Cappuccino Jones and Kylie Rae won the inaugural ID Titles. I still have no idea why these are necessary when there are already Evolve Titles.

Karmen Petrovic is trying to get a Women’s Title shot but Tyra Mae Steele comes in to say they can have a #1 contenders match next week.

Carlee Bright vs. Wendy Choo

Kendal Grey is here with Bright. Choo takes her down to start and crawls along on the mat for some mind games. Bright gets in a headlock takeover and works on the arm, with Choo giving some rather disturbing facial reactions. That’s reversed into a wristlock from Choo but Bright flips out and sends her to the floor. Grey offers a quick distraction so Bright can hit a flip dive off the apron.

We take a break and come back with Choo flipping her off the top for a crash. A double elbow to the chest gives Choo two and we hit the neck crank. Bright fights up and hits a neckbreaker into a standing moonsault for two. Choo rolls through a high crossbody for two but the Dirt Nap is broken up. Bright forearms away but gets dropped with a clothesline. Now the Dirt Nap finishes Bright at 8:34.

Rating: B. These two had a good, back and forth match and it’s far better than anything Bright has done before. The result sets up Choo’s next match against Grey and that’s how it should be going. I liked this more than I was expecting and I’d call it quite the success, as Bright doesn’t have the experience to make something like this work, but they pulled it off.

Tate Wilder is happy to have had his first match in Evolve but he’s disappointed in coming up short. Brooks Jensen interrupts and Wilder isn’t happy, with Jensen insulting Jordan Oasis making it even worse. Wilder challenges him and a match seems likely.

Dante Chen talks about how he’s been in NXT for a long time so now he’s taking his chance in Evolve. He didn’t expect Edris Enofe to turn into something like this. Just because Enofe says he’s great doesn’t mean he should be handed everything. Chen is fighting up the hill while someone carries Enofe up. They’re facing each other again next week. Chen was pretty fired up here and I’ve seen worse.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Bryce Donovan vs. Keanu Carver

The rest of the Vanity Project is here with Donovan, who kicks Carver into the corner to start. Some elbows to the face stagger Carver, who could out with a running shoulder. Donovan knocks him outside, where Carver gets in a knockdown of his own. Carver gets in a staredown with Jackson Drake and we take a break. We come back with Donovan booting him down for two and pounding some forearms into Carver’s chest. Back up and a hard clothesline puts Carver down again, followed by the chinlock.

Carver fights up and blocks a boot in the corner before hitting hit own hard clothesline. Donovan gets launched with a fall away slam but manages to plant Carver again. Carver is fine enough to hit a Samoan drop but Zayda Steel distracts the referee. Cue Brooks Jensen to go after the Vanity Project but Jordan Oasis comes in to brawl Jensen off. Carver gets back up and hits a Pounce into the spinning powerslam for the pin at 7:52.

Rating: C+. Nice power brawl here, with Carver continuing to look like he is on the way to becoming Evolve Champion. The Vanity Project is a fine choice for an early heel stable, but there comes a point where it’s time for someone better to come along. That might be what Carver is doing, as he is smashing through a variety of people. Odds are the title match is coming after Carver gets rid of the rest of the team, which is a nice story to see.

Overall Rating: B. This show featured a bunch of different stories, nice action, and teasing things for the future. Evolve has gone from not existing about five months ago to being more organized than some long running shows. That’s an impressive feat and they did it in about forty five minutes this week. Nice job, as this show is finding new ways to improve week after week.

Results
Kali Armstrong b. Jin Tala – Kali Connection
Wendy Choo b. Carlee Bright – Dirt Nap
Keanu Carver b. Bryce Donovan – Spinning powerslam

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

Evolve
Date: July 16, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

Things have been picking up around here, but also in places not so much around here. In this case that was earlier this week, as the Evolve Women’s Title was defended on NXT. That’s the kind of showcase Evolve can use and it went fairly well. As for this week, Lince Dorado is getting his Evolve Title shot. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Kylie Rae vs. Chantel Monroe vs. Tyra Mae Steele

Rae and Steele throw Monroe out to start and Steele wrestles Rae down without much trouble. Monroe is back in and they trade rollups for some near falls until Rae kicks Monroe outside again. A suicide dive takes out Steele and Monroe at the same time and a moonsault gets two on Steele back inside. Steele gets up and cleans house with raw power until a spinning Codebreaker gives Monroe one. Back up and Steele rams Monroe into Rae, followed by a bridging German suplex to pin Monroe at 4:43.

Rating: C+. That’s the right result, as Steele feels like she could be a huge star down the line. She has the charisma and certainly has the athletic background, so if she can put everything together, there are some real possibilities there. For now, it’s smart to put her in the ring for a few minutes to get her feet wet, which can increase in the coming weeks and months.

Earlier today, Jin Tala sat down for an interview and talked about revealing herself as the backstage attacker. She knew that she had to be aggressive and was going to go after everyone by any means necessary. Tala was eliminated from LFG because she wasn’t eliminated and now she is going to become the next Women’s Champion. Tonight against Carlee Bright, she is going to show us what real aggression is about. Tala sounded dangerous here.

Jordan Oasis is in Stevie Turner’s office and says he wants the winner of the Evolve Title match. He wants to fight Swipe Right too so Turner says if he can find a partner, the match can be on for next week.

Jin Tala vs. Carlee Bright

Kendal Grey is here with Bright, who goes right after Tala to start the fight fast. They trade hard shots in the corner before going outside. Tala rams her into various things and then chokes on the ropes back inside. Bright’s dropkick into a jumping neckbreaker sets up a standing moonsault for two but cue Wendy Choo to glare at Grey. Tala uses the distraction to hit the Direct Effect for the pin at 3:10.

Rating: C. The result was right, but this should have been a lot more one sided. Tala should have been a smashing machine here and run through someone (not necessarily Bright) but instead she felt like just another run of the mill wrestler. That’s not a great sign, but at least she did win so it could have been worse.

Ridge Holland comes up to Tate Wilder and seems to apologize. Wilder is cool with that, but Holland is really saying that Wilder is going to prove he doesn’t belong. Wilder has a match tonight but he’d love to face Holland after that. Holland turns that down, because Wilder is beneath him.

Tate Wilder vs. Edris Enofe

Wilder is a cowboy. They fight over a lockup to start and trade slaps until Enofe works on a wristlock. That’s broken up with a dropkick and some left hands in the corner have Enofe in more trouble. Wilder flips him to the floor and hits a dive before they slug it out inside again. Enofe gets the better of things and we hit the chinlock, including some choking. That’s broken up and Wilder hits a spinning elbow but Enofe knees his way out of a suplex attempt. Wilder hits an enziguri but misses a nice looking step up moonsault attempt. Enofe grabs a neckbreaker for the win at 4:22.

Rating: C+. Wilder had a decent enough debut here, with that moonsault looking rather nice. I can get why you wouldn’t want to have him beat Enofe in his first match, but this basically just proves Holland right. That feels like a bit of a bad idea, though Wilder does at least have some potential.

Post match Dante Chen comes out and, after apologizing, decks Enofe with a right hand.

Keanu Carver tells Sean Legacy to avoid him amid threats of violence.

The Vanity Project is worried about the main event but Jackson Drake says he has this because he’s the champion for a reason.

Edris Enofe comes into Stevie Turner’s office and rants about Dante Chen. Turner says Enofe did the same thing a few weeks ago and she liked what she saw out there tonight. Enofe accuses her of being biased, which doesn’t work for Turner. She makes Enofe vs. Chen for next week and throws him out.

Evolve Title: Lince Dorado vs. Jackson Drake

Drake is defending and the Vanity Project is banned from ringside. Drake rolls him up for a fast two but Dorado gets a cradle for the same. A top rope armdrag and anklescissors have Drake on the floor but Dorado would rather pose than dive. We take a break and come back with Drake shoving him off the top for a big crash out to the floor. Drake hits a dive and hammers away before taking it back inside.

Some stomps to the hand have Dorado in pain and a powerslam has him in a near fall. Drake’s chinlock doesn’t last long but he blocks a hurricanrana. The second attempt works better for Dorado and the Golden Rewind staggers Drake. A Backstabber gives Dorado two but Drake gets out of a cross armbreaker. Instead Dorado kicks him down and goes up but the Vanity Project’s music plays.

The distraction lets Drake hit a gutbuster and powerbomb for two, with the kickout leaving Drake stunned. Dorado hits a superkick into a brainbuster, followed by a running palm strike. The shooting star press connects but Drake rolls outside in a smart move. A running flip dive connects but Ricky Smokes is underneath the ring and grabs Dorado’s leg. Drake’s running knee retains the title at 10:38.

Rating: B-. I’m really going to need an explanation for why Dorado isn’t the champion after the interference. There is no reason for Stevie Turner to not see what happened and enforce the stipulations, but there is a good chance it won’t be mentioned. Other than that, it was a good match with Drake having a nice trick with the music, but the ending hurt it a bit as the interference felt rather weak.

Post match Brooks Jensen runs in to lay Drake out, with the Vanity Project chasing Jensen off to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. There were some holes in this show and it hurt things a good bit. Stuff like Tala not not exactly dominating, Wilder losing in his debut, and the interference in the main event didn’t feel great, though the rest of the show worked out fairly well. I’m not wild on Jensen being added at the end, but I guess he needs something to do. Not a bad show, but a bit of a step down from their recent efforts.

Results
Tyra Mae Steele b. Chantel Monroe and Kylie Rae – Bridging German suplex to Monroe
Jin Tala b. Carlee Bright – Direct Effect
Edris Enofe b. Tate Wilder – Neckbreaker
Jackson Drake b. Lince Dorado – Running knee

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