Evolve
Date: September 30, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

We’re rapidly approaching Succession IV and there is a good chance that some of the card will be set up tonight. In this case we’re going to be seeing a #1 contenders match for a shot at the Evolve Title. That should be enough for a main event but we also have a few grudge matches. Let’s get to it.

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

It’s Gal declares himself a superhero and he’s ready to beat Harley Riggins to become #1 contender. Riggins is a big guy but Gal is parking him in the junkyard.

Elijah Holyfield vs. Braxton Cole

Holyfield starts with the jabs so Cole reverses him into a headlock takeover. Back up and Cole fires off some right hands in the corner, which just earn him a side slam. Cole knocks him down again and drops a leg for two, followed by a catapult into the ropes. The chinlock doesn’t last long and they go to the floor, with Holyfield missing a charge into the post. Cue Marcus Mathers to go after Cole, but Holyfield punches Mathers by mistake. Cole grabs a chair, which is punched back into his face and grabbed by Holyfield…which is enough for the referee to DQ Holyfield at 5:56.

Rating: C. Holyfield is starting to become more of a wrestler than someone who throws punches and does a few moves. It’s still too early for him to be in a long match but that’s the point of Evolve. Let him be out there in front of a small crowd in short matches with relatively low stakes. It makes sense to have a show like this and this is the kind of development that can help someone a lot.

Harley Riggins is ready to take out It’s Gal and move on to Succession.

Gianna Capri vs. Wendy Choo

Capri takes her into the corner to start and gets shoved down, with Choo grabbing a headlock. Some running shots in the corner have Capri in more trouble but she pulls Choo down by the hair. A choke in the corner just wakes Choo up enough for a boot to the face but Capri spinebusters her for two. Choo is up with the clothesline comeback until she can’t get a full nelson. Capri misses a high crossbody though and the Dirt Nap finishes her off at 4:41.

Rating: C+. This was all about getting Choo back in the ring after her return last week. That’s not a bad idea as Choo is on the way to a title rematch with Nikkita Lyons and needs a few wins to set it up. Capri feels like a jobber to the stars at this point and given that she’s called the Sauce Boss, that’s about what you would expect.

Post match Choo says she wants a rematch with Lyons at Succession IV in a Last Woman Standing match.

Sloane Jacobs isn’t convinced but Lyons is in.

Timothy Thatcher congratulates Ulka Sasaki on his first win. Laynie Luck comes in and isn’t sure if she’s good enough to be around here. Thatcher thinks they both love wrestling though and gives Luck a match against Vanta The Unknown at Succession.

Shido Ash vs. Cappuccino Jones

Jones, with his bad shoulder, strikes away to start and hits a dropkick. Ash is right back with some shoulders in the corner and a rather logical shoulderbreaker. The arm is wrenched around the rope and Ash grabs a Fujiwara armbar. Back up and Jones is sent shoulder first over the corner and then into said corner to make it worse.

Jones manages to get to the middle rope but dives into a powerslam as we take a break. We come back with Jones explodering him into the corner and connecting with a high crossbody. A top rope splash is countered into a Koji Clutch, with Jones popping out. That just earns him Fade To Ash for the pin at 7:12.

Rating: C+. Ash looked better here as he was picking apart the injured body part and wore Jones down until he could finish him off. That’s a simple, basic story and Ash did it well. Jones continues to fall apart and I’m expecting him to go bad soon, as coffee tends to do when it is around too long. The match was nice enough here, with Ash getting better in the ring match by match.

Post match here is the Mog Squad, with Max Abrams livid over his nose being injured again. Jones is going to go to TAP WATER! The Squad comes in to go after Jones but Chazz Hall runs in, getting taken out as well. The team wants to be on Succession but Timothy Thatcher comes in, saying the Squad is getting a special surprise next week.

We recap It’s Gal and Harley Riggins being told to fight for a shot at the Evolve Title. To recap: Gal and Riggins were told to fight for a shot at the Evolve Title. Therefore tonight, Gal and Riggins will fight for a shot at the Evolve Title.

It’s Gal vs. Harley Riggins

They’re fighting for a shot at the Evolve Title and Riggins jumps him from behind during the entrances. They get inside and the bell rings so Riggins gives him a running boot for an early two. The chinlock doesn’t last long and Gal knocks him off the top, setting up a high crossbody. Riggins sends him outside though and we take a break.

We come back with Gal still in trouble and getting twisted down by the arm. Gal manages to spin around for a Codebreaker and they head outside, with Riggins being sent into the steps. Back in and Riggins breaks up an Iconoclasm and a TKO gets two on Gal. A chokeslam into a knee to the face finishes for Riggins at 5:29.

Rating: B-. This was one which could have gone either way but Riggins vs. Harlem Lewis should be a heck of a hoss fight. Riggins has come a long way on his own and it should be interesting to see what he can do, assuming he and Jax Presley aren’t teamed up again. Good main event here and we should have the Succession main event set.

Post match Harlem Lewis comes out for the staredown to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. There were four matches on the show and it felt like there were four stories being advanced in the span of about forty five minutes. It continues to astound me that they have this set up so well and know how to make it work. They did it again here and I want to see Succession, which is looking like a good card. The whole show might already be set, which shouldn’t be a surprise with two weeks before the event. More Evolve goodness here.

Results
Braxton Cole b. Elijah Holyfield via DQ when the referee accused Holyfield of using a chair
Wendy Choo b. Giana Capri – Dirt Nap
Shido Ash b. Cappuccino Jones – Fade To Ash
Harley Riggins b. It’s Gal – Chokeslam knee to the face

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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NXT
Date: September 29, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s time for an NXT Title shot…but it’s not the one that was planned. Mason Rook was the scheduled challenger for the NXT Title shot but is not medically cleared, meaning that Grayson Waller will defend the title in an open challenge. Other than that, the Dusty Cup continues its first round matches so let’s get to it.

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

In Memory Of Adrian Neville. He was one of the original NXT stars.

We see Robert Stone telling Grayson Waller about Mason Rook being swapped out of the NXT Title match in exchange for an open challenge. He’s not happy, but he’s in.

Women’s North American Title: Zaria vs. Thea Hail

Hail is challenging and immediately goes for the Kimura, with Booker calling her a “one trick pony”. That’s broken up and Hail is tossed down a few times, followed by the hard shoulders in the corner. Hail can’t get a sunset flip but can get a quickly broken Fujiwara armbar. An armdrag and dropkick work a bit better with Zaria rolling out to the floor. The suicide dive is elbowed (and elbowed hard) out of the air though and Hail is in trouble as we take a break.

We come back with Hail striking away until a headbutt knocks her down. Hail is able to send her outside for a suicide dive and a high crossbody connects back inside. A World’s Strongest Slam looks to set up the springboard backsplash but Zaria is up with a suplex. The spear is countered into a Kimura and Zaria is in trouble until she kicks Hail into the ropes. Another spear and the F5 retain the title at 9:19.

Rating: C+. Zaria gets another win as she should, as it’s a good idea to pile up victories over various challengers. At the same time, I have no idea where Hail is supposed to go. It feels like she is trying to come up with something to make her stuck but it often comes off like she’s cosplaying as a wrestler and just doing whatever she thinks a wrestler should do. If that doesn’t change, she’s not likely going to get much better.

Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno are with Los Wagners and seem happy about their efforts in the Dusty Classic. Fraxiom comes in to say they’re coming for Dar and Moreno. Los Wagners are ready too but the Vanity Project comes in to brag about being the #1 seed for a reason.

Here is Myles Borne for a chat. He says he had no master plan for Tavion Heights but he never wanted it to be a team. All Borne wanted was to be his own man but then they won the Tag Team Titles. Borne thought he could have it all and then he lost both the Tag Team and North American Tag Team Titles on the same day. Ethan Page told him to have his killer instinct though, because there can only be one face of the brand.

So was he going to be one half or be the star he should be? That’s why he smashed Heights’ ankle, even though he was only being himself. People only liked him because they felt sorry for him for being the deaf guy. He was the one who made Heights a champion and he feels sorry for everyone here. Yeah he might be the deaf guy but you’re all here watching him. Sure you might not be able to understand him but he’s going to show you instead. He knows we’re not deaf so hear him when he says this: go to h***. Not bad at all here, as Borne sold the story well.

Lizzy Rain is in Robert Stone’s office and is going to get some good news tonight. Mini Vikingo and Chazz Hall come in and are told they should do well in the Dusty Classic.

Grayson Waller is ready for anyone in the open challenge.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: Birthright vs. Mini Vikingo/Chazz Hall

Vikingo grabs an early rollup but gets slammed down by a rather cocky Connors. Back up and Vikingo flips away from Birthright, allowing Hall to come in and clean house with the kicks. Birthright is sent outside for the stereo dives but get caught and whipped into metal things as we take a break.

We come back with Connors coming off the top to crush Hall for two but Hall gets in a double Pele. Vikingo gets to come in and pick up the pace, including a tornado DDT to Connors. Everything breaks down and Vikingo is sent crashing outside and Stacks drops a top rope headbutt to Hall.

Vikingo makes the save off the top and everyone is down. Back up and they strike it out until Vikingo’s crucifix bomb sends Connors out to the floor. Hall starts firing off the kicks and Vikingo dives onto Connors. A victory roll gives Hall two and he tornado DDTs Stacks, allowing Vikingo to hit a….we’ll say Phoenix Swanton for the pin at 12:13.

Rating: B. Vikingo and Hall are probably just a team being thrown together so we can have some high fliers in the tournament but they did that rather well. They’re two smaller guys who can do some incredible looking stuff in the air. Have them beat up a couple of goofs like Birthright and then lose to a bigger team.

Post match Birthright goes after Vikingo and Hall but Zilla Fatu runs in for the save. Fatu says he’s tired of dealing with Birthright so he’s going to take them out one by one. That’s for later though, because he’s going to take the open challenge and win the NXT Title tonight.

We get a special sitdown interview with Cruz Montana, who is ready to answer the open challenge too. He recently dropped his daughter off at school and was so glad that she has a better life than he had. The reality is he didn’t get to go to school very often because he had to help his mom raise four kids.

Yes she was a drug dealer but she wasn’t proud of it and had to do things she didn’t want in order to take care of her family. Then there is his father, who was told at 12 that he would be blind by the time he was 25. His father drowned in his demons and wasn’t there all the time but he was there to hear Montana say that his father’s presence was the greatest present. Montana would go on to have his own struggles and he had to tell his daughter that he was a drug addict and an alcoholic.

Then he went to rehab and got clean and now he’s a story of going from the bottom to the top. He wants Dion Lennox to understand that his past is his superpower and he’ll finish this. As usual, Montana talking about his past and his family is great stuff and it worked very well again here. You can tell this means the world to him and you want to see him succeed.

Zaria goes into the locker room and finds a bunch of stuff mocking her appearance in Wicked. She insists she’s not that person anymore.

Here is Kelani Jordan for a chat. She’s glad to not be the afterthought anymore and now that we’re on the way to Halloween Havoc, she isn’t sure who her next challenger will be. Everyone is either gone or not very good and while she hasn’t been a champion very long, she has cleared the division out.

She’s not going to be like Grayson Waller with his open challenges because no one has handed her anything. Instead she’ll wait for a proper challenger, but it won’t matter how long it takes. Robert Stone comes out to interrupt and next week it’s a battle royal for a title shot, with challengers from various promotions, including TNA. Cue Reina Vulcan to jump her from behind, saying she’s in the battle royal.

Naraku wants to answer the open challenge but Saquon Shuggars comes in to say the same thing. Instead Robert Stone gives him Tristan Angels in two weeks. Shuggars thinks Naraku is evil.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: Darkstate vs. Fraxiom

Axiom and Griffin start things off and it’s Frazer coming in for some rapid fire dropkicks. The right hands in the corner have Griffin in trouble but Frazer is knocked down rather quickly. James comes in to take over but Frazer flips off of the ropes and gets in an enziguri. That’s enough for the tag off to Axiom and everything breaks down in a hurry. Darkstate runs both of them over and a spinning backbreaker has Axiom down as we take a break.

We come back with Axiom still in trouble but he avoids a charge into the post. Frazer gets the tag and strikes away at Griffin in the corner, followed by a big running flip dive onto James. Fraxiom’s double missile dropkick gets two on Griffin, who pops back up with a torture rack neckbreaker for two on Axiom. Griffin is cleared out and the super Spanish Fly hits Cutler into the Phoenix splash to give Frazer the pin at 10:48.

Rating: B-. It’s nice to see Fraxiom get to showcase themselves as they’re one of the most successful teams in NXT history and they got to look good again here. If nothing else, they’re not exactly getting much TV time on the main roster so let them get a bit reheated around here. Darkstate losing is hardly a surprise, as that’s kind of their thing.

Kendal Grey is still in therapy and says that wrestling is all she does. She tried to learn Spanish and playing the guitar which didn’t go well. The therapist asks if the lack of balance is what has gotten her here but Grey doesn’t know how to stop. She’s asked what happens if working harder isn’t enough, which she says is a good question. These segments have been, shall we say not great.

We look back at Zaria’s annoyance at the Wicked dress.

Izzi Dame comes in to see Robert Stone and laughs about the dress. She’s in the battle royal next week….and Zaria is too.

NXT Title: Grayson Waller vs. ???

Waller is defending against….well we’ll find that out in a second, as first he says that he’s here at work, unlike Mason Rook. He doesn’t care who is coming out to face him and the first person in the ring gets the shot. We see different groups of people trying to get to the ring and they brawl into the aisle. Zilla Fatu gets out in front of them but stands there until Cruz Montana gets in as well for the brawl. They both stop the other from getting in the ring and then get jumped. As Waller watches, EK Prosper sneaks in from behind and is in the ring for the opening bell and the title shot.

Prosper hits a springboard missile dropkick and Waller slides to the floor for a moonsault from the apron. Waller is down on the floor and we take a break. We come back with Prosper reversing a suplex into a rollup for two. A victory roll gives Prosper two more but Waller gets in a knockdown of his own. The cravate holds Prosper down, followed by an electric chair suplex for two.

Prosper gets back with a Stundog Millionaire but is knocked out to the apron. Waller gets the pad off of the turnbuckle rod and drops Prosper throat first across the steel as we take a break. We come back with Waller grinding away on a chinlock until Prosper fights his way up. Prosper hits a superkick but his super hurricanrana is broken up. Waller takes too long going up as well though and gets hurricanranaed back down.

A Michinoku Driver gives Prosper two, with Waller getting in a running stomp for the same. Prosper is sent outside for a running clothesline but gets in a superkick to put Waller onto the table. A great looking Asai moonsault puts Waller through the table and a top rope Rough Ryder gets two back inside. Prosper’s knee is hurt though and Waller hits a pair of rolling Stunners to retain at 20:34.

Rating: B+. Yeah this was really good and a heck of a main event. Prosper is a great underdog and someone who can make you believe that he could pull off the miracle title win. At the same time, sweet goodness what in the world has happened to Waller? The guy was a goof for years and now he’s having one impressive performance after another. This was a great match and I was digging it the whole way, especially that outstanding Asai moonsault.

Zilla Fatu says they don’t want to see him win and he blames Birthright for not getting the title shot. I’d think it was more standing at ringside instead of getting in the ring but that’s just me. Anyway he promises to CENSORED Lexis King up next week.

Overall Rating: B. That main event was more than good enough and the tournament matches were fine. I’m not overly thrilled with the Dusty Classic thus far but this week’s matches worked. You also had the really strong Montana promo and Borne’s promo was more than good enough. Solid show here, with Waller’s improvements deserving all of the praise.

Results
Zaria b. Thea Hail – F5
Mini Vikingo/Chazz Hall b. Birthright – Phoenix Swanton to Stacks
Fraxiom b. Darkstate – Phoenix splash to James
Grayson Waller b. EK Prosper – Rolling Stunner

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

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

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

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

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

Opening sequence.

Giana Capri vs. Anya Rune

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

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

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

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

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

September 23 is an all women’s ID showcase.

Team ID vs. Mog Squad

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rourke and Mathers hug Gal and pose with him.

Harley Riggins is not pleased to end the show.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Opening sequence.

Commentary runs down the card.

Laynie Luck vs. PJ Vasa

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

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

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

Chazz Hall vs. Kale Dixon

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

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

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

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

Layla Diggs vs. Zena Sterling

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Elijah Holyfield vs. Brooks Jensen

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

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

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

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

Holyfield celebrates to end the show.

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

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

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

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Evolve
Date: August 12, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

As usual around here, it’s hard to say what to expect and that makes for a more interesting show. There are a lot of people coming after Harlem Lewis and the Evolve Title, while Thea Hail seems to be next in line for a Women’s Title shot against Nikkita Lyons. That should be enough to get us somewhere, with the ID prospects filling in the gaps. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Charlie Dempsey vs. Ulka Sasaki

Dempsey wrestles him to the mat to start and grabs some headlock takeovers. Back up and Sasaki takes his shirt off so the slugout has more of an impact. They trade some armdrags until Sasaki snaps the arm back to take over. Some forearms to the chest don’t get Dempsey out of trouble as Sasaki drops him with a suplex. Sasaki’s running kick to the chest gets two and they lock hands for some rolling flips.

Dempsey reverses a Kimura into a Boston crab before shifting to a German suplex. Sasaki pops back up for a discus forearm and they’re both down. The Rings Of Saturn send Dempsey to the ropes and he’s up with some suplexes, including a weird pushup bridging northern lights suplex (as in he bridged backwards and then did a kind of reverse pushup for the cover) for two. Sasaki is back up with a sleeper, which is reversed into a reverse fisherman’s suplex to give Dempsey the pin at 8:48.

Rating: B. This was the kind of match that works well on Evolve as they were doing some unique stuff and making it feel different. There are too many times where things get too similar and this stood out, with the physicality and the submission work. Nice start to the show, as both guys looked good.

Brooks Jensen complains about young wrestlers, including ones like Elijah Holyfield who use their parents’ names to get over. Then the elevator door opens and Holyfield is there to chase him off. Obvious payoff and it worked perfectly well.

Wren Sinclair vs. Sloane Jacobs

Hold on though as Jacobs introduces Nikkita Lyons to watch from the VIP section. Sinclair takes her down with an armbar to start and grinds away on a headlock. Back up and Sinclair shoulders her down into a running facebuster for two. Jacobs cuts her off on the apron though and grabs a neckbreaker over the ropes as we take a break.

We come back with Jacobs grabbing a headscissors and using it to ram Sinclair head first into the buckle over and over (that looked cool). Jacobs ties up the arm but Sinclair pops up with some running shots of her own. An X Factor gives Sinclair two but Jacobs is right back with a hanging swinging suplex (Nikki Cross’ old move). Jacobs tries an O’Connor roll, which is reversed into the Final Wrench in a slick counter for the tap at 8:17.

Rating: B-. The ending alone bumps it up a bit and that’s cool to see, as Sinclair outwrestled her for the win. Sinclair continues to have that kind of weird charm to her and it’s good to see her getting some more success. It’s a nice match, and Sinclair going after the Women’s Title isn’t crazy.

Post match Lyons gets in the ring and says Sinclair didn’t beat her so no one is worthy of a title shot. Cue Thea Hail to go after Lyons and announce the title match for next week. And apparently Hail is now “Dad”. Ok then.

Brooks Jensen gets to his truck, leaving just in time to avoid a charging Elijah Holyfield.

Laynie Luck is upset by her loss in her title match but she’s madder about PJ Vasa attacking her. Vasa has two weeks until Luck is cleared and it’s time for revenge. You can tell Luck isn’t the strongest promo but she was showing some emotion here and that’s good.

Harlem Lewis is in the VIP section to scout for potential challengers. He also gives Adrianna Rizzo a cigar but she’ll pass on smoking inside.

It’s Gal vs. Cappuccino Jones vs. Chazz Hall

Jones is sent outside to start but comes back inside, with Gal taking both of them down for some pushups on their back. Shockingly that earns him a double team before Jones decks Hall in the corner. Gal suplexes Jones and gets shooting star pressed by Hall for a quick two. Jones’ headscissors out of the corner takes Hall down and a dropkick catches Gal. A running crossbody hits Gal to send both he and Jones out to the floor. Hall is of course right there with the running flip dive and we take a break.

We come back with Hall’s corkscrew moonsault hitting Gal, with Jones coming in for the save. Gal gives Jones a spinning slam for two of his own, only for Hall to grab a standing Sliced Bread, while kicking Jones down at the same time. Gal is put up top, where he elbows both of them down and hits a double missile dropkick. As usual, Gall takes too much time yelling and gets sent outside, leaving Jones to Froggy Brew Hall, only for Gal to steal the pin at 7:47.

Rating: B-. Gal is the definition of “this is kind of dumb but I like him anyway” and I can go for him going nuts over winning a few matches in a row. He’s a rather quirky guy and it could be interesting to see where he goes. Jones is being a bit more over the top lately and it’s only kind of working, but you can only get so far with the coffee stuff. Hall is…well he’s about the same as he’s always been.

Post match Gal calls out Lewis (who apparently doesn’t have great abs) because Gal is on the winning streak of a lifetime (Two matches!). Hall and Jones beat Gal up like sore losers and, after teasing a brawl of their own, dance to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. I had a good time with this show, as they mixed things up enough and did one of the most important things possible: presenting whatever was in front of them as all that mattered at the moment. You can have a hierarchy of stories and wrestlers, but it makes a big difference to have commentary act like what they’re seeing matters. That’s what they did here and it makes a big difference. Good show this week, and they didn’t really touch on the top stories.

Results
Charlie Dempsey b. Ulka Sasaki – Reverse fisherman’s suplex
Wren Sinclair b. Sloane Jacobs – Final Wrench
It’s Gal b. Cappuccino Jones and Chazz Hall – Froggy Brew to Hall

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

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Evolve
Date: August 5, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

It’s title night as Harlem Lewis is defending the Evolve Title in a four way against Tristan Angels, Max Abrams and former champion Aaron Rourke. That should be more than enough to carry the show, but Women’s Champion Nikkita Lyons is already having to deal with the likely new #1 contender Thea Hail. Let’s get to it.

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

Harlem Lewis, Aaron Rourke, Tristan Angels and Max Abrams are ready for the title match.

Opening sequence.

Here is the Mog Squad to get things going. Max Abrams is rather pleased with his teammates who got him a new pair of sunglasses! It’s time to work on the Hot Boy Summer and tonight, Abrams is going to win the Evolve Title. That’s going to make everyone acknowledge them as the supreme Moggers. All they need is the Evolve Title and Jacari Ball and Santi Rivera have to praise themselves. Abrams doesn’t get how anyone could dislike them, so it’s time to strike a group pose. They take credit for the announcers having jobs but here are Shido Ash and Viktor Zanov to interrupt. And apparently it’s time for a scheduled match.

Shido Ash/Viktor Zanov vs. Mog Squad

Zanov wastes no time in powering Rivera over the top for a crash out to the floor. Back in and Ball and Zanov fight over an armbar until Zanov drops him with a clothesline. Ash comes in and vets slammed onto Rivera as it’s time for the Squad to have a meeting on the floor. We take a break and come back with Zanov caught in the wrong corner for some shoulders to the ribs. That’s broken up and Ball hits a nice dropkick but Zanov has had enough of this. It’s off to Ash to wreck the Squad as everything breaks down. The Dead End finishes Rivera at 6:01.

Rating: B-. This worked well, with Ash and Zanov getting to showcase what they can do. Their judo backgrounds are more than enough to make the stand out and it helps when they can smash through all kinds of people in the ring. As usual, I could go for some Tag Team Titles around here, but I do appreciate Evolve taking their time before (likely) introducing them.

Post match here is Timothy Thatcher to bar the rest of the Squad from ringside for tonight’s title match.

Marcus Mathers talks to Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno, saying the original class of the ID Program is falling apart. It’s Gal comes in to say he’s on a roll right now but Cappuccino Jones isn’t impressed. Mathers and Jones mock Gal so Gal says Mathers should face Kale Dixon while he can face Jones. Works for them, though Jones isn’t overly sure.

Skylar Raye vs. Anya Rune

They go to the mat to start, with Rune escaping a quick headscissors and we take an early break. We come back with Raye spinning out of a wristlock but Rune strikes her down for two. Back up and Raye hits a running bulldog out of the corner but Rune is right back with another knockdown. Rune tries something like La Mistica and it doesn’t quite connect, though she gets in a crossface anyway. With that broken up, Rune grabs a neckbreaker for two and goes up, allowing Raye to slam her down. A good looking frog splash finishes for Raye at 4:43.

Rating: C. That frog splash looked rather good and that’s more than some people around here can do. Raye is someone they seem to be building up and that’s not a bad idea. She hasn’t gotten very far yet but that’s the point of a place like Evolve, as she needs to get some ring time and development.

Post match Giana Capri runs in to jump Rune.

Elijah Holyfield doesn’t think much of Brooks Jensen

Timothy Thatcher announces Wren Sinclair vs. Sloane Jacobs for next week. Chazz Hall comes in to say he wants to fight Cappuccino Jones. Thatcher isn’t sure why this is his problem but Hall talks him into being added to Jones vs. It’s Gal next week.

Evolve Title: Aaron Rourke vs. Max Abrams vs. Tristan Angels vs. Harlem Lewis

Lewis is defending and gets knocked outside to start. Rourke beats on the other two until Lewis is back in with a double clothesline. The Boom Slay is broken up though and Rourke dives onto Abrams, with Angels adding a dropkick tot he back to put them both down. We take a break and come back with Rourke firing off some kicks to Abrams. Lewis sends Abrams and Angels flying at the same time but they double team Rourke down. That’s enough for Abrams and Angels to get into a brawl until Rourke is shoved down onto Abrams for a crash. They all go to the corner and that means a Tower Of Doom for the massive crash. Rourke is up with the Molly Go Round for two on Abrams, with Lewis making the save. The Boom Slay to Abrams retains the title at 6:17.

Rating: B-. They didn’t have a ton of time here and there was only so much they could manage to do in there. At the same time, there was no reason to have Lewis lose here, as he just won the title a few weeks ago. Having him smash through some talented opponents should make for a good win and this worked out well enough.

Post match Lewis gets in a staredown with Harley Riggins to end the show. There’s your promising power match.

Overall Rating: B-. There was nothing on here that jumped off the page, but it’s a great example of a show that had a bunch of stuff going on and everything got some attention. That’s often the best kind of wrestling show and it’s something that Evolve tends to do well. You knew who everyone was and as usual, the matches went by quickly. Good, efficient show here as Lewis gets to start his title reign looking strong.

Results
Viktor Zanov/Shido Ash b. Mog Squad – Dead End to Rivera
Skylar Raye b. Anya Rune – Frog splash
Harlem Lewis b. Aaron Rourke, Max Abrams and Tristan Angels – Boom Slay to Abrams

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

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Evolve
Date: July 15, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

Things are getting interesting around here and we have another title match this week. In this case, we have the Evolve Title on the line as Aaron Rourke defends against Harlem Lewis. Other than that, a bunch of women are gearing up to come after Nikkita Lyons and the Women’s Title so let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at the Evolve Title match. They’re both respectful of each other but they’re ready to fight.

Opening sequence.

Chazz Hall vs. Max Abrams

Hold on though as Abrams tells the rest of the Mog Squad to hit the spa while he hits Hall. They fight over a top wristlock to start so Hall grabs a waistlock on the mat. That’s broken up, leaving Hall to send him into the corner for a monkey flip. A nice dropkick gives Hall two and he grabs a front facelock to slow things down. Abrams escapes and gets kicked in the head for a crash out to the floor. That’s fine with Abrams, who counters a dive into an apron powerbomb as we take a break.

We come back with Hall still in trouble, including a jumping back elbow to give Abrams two. A Disaster Kick gives Abrams two and we hit the chinlock. Back up and Abrams misses a splash in the corner but is right back with a Falcon Arrow for two. Hall’s comeback bid is cut off but he avoids a frog splash. Hall snaps off a headscissors out of the corner and a standing Sliced Bread gets two.

Abrams crotches him up top though and a running Blockbuster gets two more. Hall kicks him down and gets two off a standing corkscrew moonsault. The tease of a dive is almost cut off but Hall kicks him down instead. Cue the Squad so here are the ID stars for the brawl, with Hall hitting the big flipping dive. Cappuccino Jones accidentally hits Hall though and the Main Objective finishes for Abrams at 12:43.

Rating: B-. This was a pretty wild match for Evolve’s standards and I wound up getting into the thing. Abrams is a good choice as the cocky heel and it’s interesting seeing him actually having some success. He has to be part of the Squad, just due to the amount of people around here, but it’s working out pretty well, especially for Abrams.

Post match Hall and Jones have to be held apart.

Timothy Thatcher wishes Harlem Lewis good luck, which he seems to appreciate.

Video on the ID Program and some of its successes.

Nikkita Lyons and Sloane Jacobs aren’t happy with so many people coming after the Women’s Title, starting with Laynie Luck. Lyons wants Luck to get the first shot at the title, just to get rid of her. She’s not worried about Wendy Choo either, and sings about it for some reason.

Layla Diggs vs. Veronica Haven

Diggs shoulders her in the corner to start and grabs a powerslam. The standing moonsault gives Diggs two but Haven snaps a hurricanrana out of the corner. Diggs fights up with some kicks to the face and a sitout gordbuster for two. Haven tries a rollup but gets kicked in the head, setting up the moonsault for the pin at 4:25.

Rating: C. This was just a step above a squash as Diggs gave Haven a bit of offense before finishing with that great moonsault. Diggs has come a long way and I’m curious to see where she goes from here. Hopefully her injury (as seen in NXT) isn’t that bad and she can get back in the ring to keep that momentum going.

The ID Program fires up Aaron Rourke when Timothy Thatcher comes in to wish him luck. Rourke says he has been tested his entire life and has always passed. He seems to appreciate Thatcher’s words though and heads to the ring. With Rourke gone, Chazz Hall blames Cappuccino Jones for the loss but Jones wants a tag match with Marcus Mathers against the former security guards. Thatcher reluctantly agrees.

Elijah Holyfield wants revenge on Brooks Jensen.

Evolve Title: Harlem Lewis vs. Aaron Rourke

Rourke is defending and gets speared into the Boom Slang for the very near fall in about fifteen seconds. Lewis misses a charge into the post and falls out to the floor, where Rourke grabs a Blockbuster off the apron. They get back in with Rourke knocking him down for two and we take a break.

We come back with Lewis working on a waistlock but Rourke fights back up. A charge in the corner is countered into a backbreaker, with Lewis bending said back over the knee. Rourke fights up and grabs a tornado DDT, followed by the running knees in the corner. A split legged moonsault gives Rourke two and they both get back up.

Lewis wins a strike off but his powerbomb is countered into a sunset flip. Back up and Lewis runs his over for one and Rourke is back with a fireman’s carry backbreaker for two. The Molly Go Round is loaded up but gets countered into a powerbomb. The Boom Slang gives Lewis the pin and the title at 8:51.

Rating: B. This turned into a heck of a fight with the two of them beating the fire out of each other. Lewis jumping him at the start is rather on point for him and the match went from there, which made for a good story. Rourke had a good run as champion and has come a VERY long way. If he gets to develop like this on NXT, he’s going to be just fine.

Lewis celebrates as Rourke looks on to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. Good, and certainly eventful show here with the title change feeling like the biggest thing that can happen in Evolve. I’m not sure where we’re going from here but it should be interesting to see what happens. If nothing else, the Women’s Title match is already set up and then we get to see a few more matches built. That’s a great mixture of what is going on here and getting ready for later, which is a thing that Evolve tends to make work every time. This was more what Evolve does well and it was nice to see them doing that again here.

Results
Max Abrams b. Chazz Hall – Main Objective
Layla Diggs b. Veronica Haven – Moonsault
Harlem Lewis b. Aaron Rourke – Boom Slang

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

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Evolve
Date: June 17, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Peter Rosenberg

It’s the week before Succession III and at least the biggest matches on the card are put together. That should make for an interesting week here as we have the final push towards the event. If nothing else we should be getting some of the hard sell for the title matches, which often works well. Let’s get to it.

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

Timothy Thatcher is excited for Succession and runs down tonight’s card. Wendy Choo (Thatcher: “Come on in champ two!”) comes in and signs the card to face Nikkita Lyons at Succession but she’ll be watching tonight to see who might be her next contender.

Opening sequence.

Elijah Holyfield vs. Brooks Jensen

Jensen backs him up against the ropes and gets punched in the ribs for his efforts. Back up and Jensen fires off some forearms before sending him throat first into the middle rope. Things slow down, with Jensen kicking him to the mat and grabbing the chinlock. That’s broken up and Holyfield hits a heck of a shoulder, followed by the clothesline comeback. A whip out of the corner is blocked but Jensen pulls the turnbuckle pad off. The spinebuster drops Jensen and Holyfield hammers away in the corner, only to get dropped onto the turnbuckle. Jensen’s rollup gets the pin at 4:25.

Rating: C. This was very basic and you could see Jensen walking Holyfield through the match. That’s how you need to treat someone like Holyfield at this point, as he’s still so brand new and has no idea what he’s doing. The only thing that is going to make that better is experience and this kind of match, plus house shows, is the way he gets better.

Chazz Hall vs. Tristan Angels

Hall takes him down to start and Angels is frustrated, causing him to walk into an armdrag. Hall sticks the landing on a monkey flip but gets caught up top with a step up enziguri. Back in and Hall is sent into the buckle, setting up the chinlock. That’s broken up and Hall hits a middle rope clothesline, setting up a standing Sliced Bread.

The standing corkscrew moonsault gives Hall two and he hurricanranas Angels outside. A Lionsault connects on Angels, who catches Hall back inside with an apron superplex for two of his own. Angels’ powerbomb is countered into a DDT but the shooting star press misses as well. The Shire’s Kiss finishes for Angels at 7:13.

Rating: C+. Angels is someone that WWE clearly wants to have around in whatever way they can and that’s an interesting way to go for him. He’s getting time both in Evolve and on NXT, which isn’t surprising given how easy it is to dis like him in general. Hall losing is a bit of a surprise but Angels feels like the bigger priority, as he should be.

Post match Angels brags about his success and calls himself the definition of elegance, excellence and class.

Zena Sterling is glad to be back after everything that she has been through.

Zena Sterling vs. Anya Rune

Rune gets an insert interview, saying she wants people to get to notice her. Rune’s wristlock doesn’t work early on as Sterling takes her down into an armbar. That’s broken up and Rune flips her over by the wrist for a nasty crash. Rune goes up top and has to break up a superplex, only to fall off with no one touching her. She was shouting about flying so I’m assuming she was supposed to slip?

Either way, with that weird deal covered, Rune gets two off a small package and kicks her into the corner. Rune goes up top and slips again, then slips a third time (with the turnbuckle pad falling off) before going to the mat and hitting a running crossbody. Back up and Sterling sends her into the exposed buckle and a spinning side slam (ala Victoria, but nowhere near as smooth) finishes Rune at 3:56.

Rating: D. I’m not sure what in the world they were going for here but it didn’t work. The slipping off the top thing didn’t make me want to see Rune more. It just made me think that she wasn’t very good, which is hardly how you want to present anyone. Sterling being back is a good thing, but this really didn’t make me want to see her again, as she almost lucked into a win over someone in over her head. This was a big miss, and that’s a rarity in WWE these days.

Post match Gianna Capri comes out to yell at Rune, saying she doesn’t belong here. Masyn Holiday and Layla Diggs comes in to scare Capri off.

Earlier today, Harlem Lewis was training in the gym and is asked about his injured arm. Apparently Lewis is medically cleared but he was scared that he was going to be done with wrestling after his injury. He can’t stand Cole being all smug and rich when Lewis is trying so hard to make it to the next level to make his family financially secure. Therefore, he wants Cole in a No DQ match. Lewis and Howard talk about boxing as we wrap this up.

Nikkita Lyons, with Sloane Jacobs, signs for the Succession title match as well. It’s written in the stars for her to be the best champion ever. KevOnStage, an actor from a Tubi series, comes in to praise Timothy Thatcher, while Lyons says the it’s Kev’s honor to meet them. Kev tries to give Lyons some advice on going viral and the women leave in a huff. Thatcher says that he’ll be on a scouting trip in two weeks and invites Kev to run the show in two weeks. That works for Kev, who makes Harlem Lewis vs. Braxton Cole in the No DQ match.

Succession rundown.

Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno vs. Harley Riggins/Kam Hendrix

For some reason commentary seems surprised that Dar and Moreno are teaming, even though the match was mentioned earlier in the night. Riggins requests and receives Moreno to start, with a big boot putting Moreno down rather quickly. Moreno flips up with a headscissors before it’s off to Hendrix, who can’t keep up with Dar’s speed. Dar gets two off a left hand but gets taken into the wrong corner.

That’s broken up and it’s back to Moreno as the good guys clear the ring. Moreno hits a big dive but gets taken down by the ankle to slow him down. We take a break and come back with Moreno still in trouble as Hendrix grabs an ankle lock. With that broken up, Riggins comes in but gets knocked away, allowing Dar to get the tag.

Dar quickly takes over and locks Hendrix’s ankle, with Hendrix making a quick save. Everything breaks down and Riggins knocks Moreno down for two, followed by a spear for the same. We settle down to Moreno in trouble with his leg messed up so Riggins grabs a trashcan. Cue Tate Wilder to cut him off and Moreno gets two off a small package. Back in and Dar’s spinning backfist finishes Riggins at 8:56.

Rating: C+. Moreno continues to do nothing for me but I can see what they’re going for with Dar as a bit of an NXT/indy legend. The match was good enough and Dar gets a win to help establish the new team. At least Hendrix didn’t lose here, as that has been happening too much as of late.

We get the official faceoff between Evolve Champion Aaron Rourke and Max Abrams. Rourke talks about how great the ID Program has been and how much they have helped him get better. Then you have Abrams knocking the title out of Rourke’s hands, with Abrams going all the way back to Sean Legacy’s farewell. Legacy ignored him and that didn’t work for Abrams, because everyone around here is useless. Outside of the Vanity Project, who are now in NXT, no one here means anything.

Abrams says that Rourke’s family knows he’s a joke, which gets Rourke out of his chair. Security comes in to hold him back and Abrams gets in a slap to the top of the head to end the show. Abrams getting underneath Rourke’s skin there was a bit of a surprise as Rourke tends to keep his cool. That’s a good way to go for the title match and this did make it feel better.

Overall Rating: C-. This was the big preview for Succession and outside of the main event promo off, which lasted about three minutes, I wasn’t overly interested in a bunch of this show. The Sterling vs. Rune match was weird and the Holyfield match wasn’t going to be good due to his inexperience. This was a miss for the most part, but Succession is what matters the most and we’ll get to that soon enough.

Results
Brooks Jensen b. Elijah Holyfield – Rollup
Tristan Angels b. Chazz Hall – Shire’s Kiss
Zena Sterling b. Anya Rune – Spinning side slam
Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno b. Harley Riggins/Kam Hendrix – Spinning backfist to Riggins

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: 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 20, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

Things are staying interesting around here, even with another change of cast members likely taking place soon. The big story for this week is Tate Wilder getting to face Kam Hendrix in a battle of two people already on NXT. Other than that, we’re coming up on Tristan Angels getting his Evolve Title shot. Let’s get to it.

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

Hendrix talks about Wilder messing with the wrong people in recent weeks.

Wilder is ready to keep fighting no matter what.

Opening sequence.

Anya Rune vs. Layla Diggs

Masyn Holiday is here with Diggs. Rune grabs a headlock takeover to start before an armdrag sets up an armbar. Diggs is back up with a shot to the face and we hit a seated full nelson. That’s reversed into a backslide to give Rune two but Diggs kicks her in the head. A running shot in the corner gets two and we’re back to the full nelson. Back up and Rune avoids a running knee in the corner and forearms her down. Diggs backflips away from a shot to the face and keeps flipping to hit a Pele kick (that was sweet). A great looking moonsault finishes Rune at 4:20.

Rating: B-. That flip into the kick and moonsault looked awesome, with Diggs having one of her best performances in all of her time in WWE. She was able to make everything look smooth and that is quite the trick to pull off. Rune is still mainly just an idea rather than someone who has really gotten to show much skill thus far. That could easily be turned around, but this was much more about Diggs and it worked rather well.

Post match Gianna Capri comes in and mocks Rune, with Diggs and Holiday glaring her off.

Timothy Thatcher talks about everything he does around here, including still wrestling on the independent circuit. He lists off some independent promotions and says he might be showing up to both wrestle and scout. This was basically an ad for the promotions the WWE works with and that’s about it.

Chazz Hall vs. CJ Valor

Before the match, Valor and the Mog Squad are ready to take out Hall and hit the town. Hall grabs a headlock to start and is easily shouldered down. Valor’s gorilla press doesn’t work as Hall is back up with a jumping spin kick to the face. Sliced Bread is countered into Snake Eyes though and Valor turns him inside out with a running clothesline. A hip check gets two on Hall and Valor yells at him, with Hall’s right hands not getting him very far.

Valor mocks Hall’s guitar playing and the neck crank goes on. Hall gets up and hits a jawbreaker, followed by a springboard headscissors. The standing Sliced Bread sets up a standing corkscrew moonsault to give Hall two and he sends Valor outside. The flip dive connects on the floor but a high crossbody is pulled out of the air. Something that was either a tornado DDT or a sunset flip gives Hall two and he kicks Valor in the head. The shooting star press gives Hall the pin at 6:48.

Rating: B-. This was good enough as Hall continues to have some pretty nice success. I’m still not wild on him for the most part, but he’s certainly capable in the ring. Valor is a big guy, though being part of the four man team doesn’t exactly let him stand out much. Then again with so many people to run through the process so fast around here, stables are the most practical way to go.

Laynie Luck and Wendy Choo are in the back with Luck thanking her for the title shot. That being said, neither of them wanted it to end with the double interference. The challenge is officially issued for next week.

It’s contract signing time so here are Tristan Angels and Aaron Rourke. Angels asks the fans if they find Rourke’s time as champion satisfactory. It’s true that Rourke became an overnight sensation and has all of his sparkles and such. If Angels had been around, none of those things would have ever happened. Now it’s time for Angels to burn Sparkle City to the ground.

Angels signs and Rourke does the same before asking if Angels is done. Rourke asks if Angels really calls himself the most beautiful man in England. Rourke finds that cool but thinks we should just call him Mr. Evolve, because it would be cute and fun. Rourke talks about how inner beauty is about bringing people up. Therefore, Angels is an ugly narcissist. Rourke offers to let Angels hit him in the face but security runs in to cut it off. Cue Harlem Lewis to announce that he’s facing Braxton Cole next week. Then Elijah Holyfield (Evander’s son) pops up to say he’s here to look at what is going on.

Sloane Jacobs and Nikkita Lyons are ready for their tag match against Wendy Choo and Laynie Luck next week. They’ll even provide the tissues for when Choo and Luck cry. When Lyons pins Choo, she’s coming for the Women’s Title.

Kam Hendrix vs. Tate Wilder

Wilder slugs away to start and knocks him into the corner but a springboard is broken up. Hendrix knocks him out to the floor, setting up a suplex onto the apron. Wilde is thrown into the VIP Area, where he pulls Hendrix inside as well to take over again. A crossbody off the barricade connects but Hendrix backdrops him onto the apron for an even bigger crash

We take a break and come back with Hendrix release suplexing him for two. Wilder fights up and hits some running elbows to the face, only to get spinebustered back down. Back up and Wilder gets a shot of his own and they pull each other up to slowly trade fists. Hendrix gets the better of things but Lights, Kam, Action is blocked. The Wilde Ride gets two and here is Harley Riggins, who is kicked in the face by Romeo Moreno. Wilde is back up with a UFO Splash for the pin at 9:12.

Rating: B-. Good stuff again here and it’s nice to see Wilder getting a chance to show what he can. He’s starting to show what he can do and it’s turned him from little more than a cowboy to someone who is getting better in general. Granted this is just in Evolve, but he has is going to have to do that on a higher level as well. Then you have Hendrix, who still feels like he could be a big deal with the talent he has but he hasn’t had a chance to do much on his own thus far.

Post match Timothy Thatcher comes out to talk to Elijah Holyfield, who will be introduced next week.

Overall Rating: B. They’re keeping things moving around here and it’s rather nice to see the stories moving around so well. Hopefully they keep the pace going as it makes for a rather fun show to watch every single week. You can see things moving from one place to another and it makes for probably the easiest show to watch week to week. We’re coming up on the big Rourke vs. Angels title match and that feels like an important showdown despite it being set up out of nowhere. I would think that’s a good sign of how things are going here, which has been the case for a long time now.

Results
Layla Diggs b. Anya Rune – Moonsault
Chazz Hall b. CJ Valor – Shooting star press
Tate Wilder b. Kam Hendrix – UFO Splash

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