Evolve
Date: October 22, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

We’re done with Succession and the big story is the crowning of a new Women’s Champion in Kendal Grey. This week marks the beginning of a new era as we have some fresh stars joining the ID Program. We’ll get to meet some of them this week, along with Bigg Jahh as guest GM. Let’s get to it.

Here is Succession if you need a recap.

Here is the Vanity Project to get things going. They brag about Jackson Drake retaining the Evolve Title last week but here is Keanu Carver to interrupt. Bigg Jahh and security cut him off and a six man tag is set for the main event. Cue OTM to back up Carver and lay out the Vanity Project.

Video on Sean Legacy vs. Edris Enofe.

Wendy Choo is in therapy and talking about feeling lonely. She tried to be different but along the way, she lost her identity. This included not talking and she’s not sure who she is anymore.

Chantel Monroe says there’s no way to fix someone like Choo. If Choo gets in her face, Monroe will knock her back to Spirit Halloween.

Sean Legacy vs. Edris Enofe

Legacy hammers away at the bell and kicks him in the chest, setting up a standing moonsault for two. Enofe is back up with a running clothesline for two and stomps away, but spends a bit too much time yelling. A middle rope knee to the head (which is not innovative despite what commentary says) and a top rope elbow give Enofe two but Legacy is back up. Legacy kicks away and hits an enziguri, followed by Shambles for the fast pin at 3:55.

Rating: C+. That was a quick match for what had been built up as a fairly big showdown. Legacy still feels like one of the biggest names around here and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him getting into the title picture sooner or later. He still needs a better finisher though, as Shambles isn’t something that is going to work on everyone.

Post match Legacy says he isn’t happy with being left off Succession, but he’ll be on the next one, maybe even going after the Evolve Title. He also brings up Timothy Thatcher, who has been missing lately but Legacy wants him back.

Next week: a new prospect debuts.

Masyn Holiday and Layla Diggs give Bigg Jahh a headshot but he’s in GM mode tonight. They leave so Stevie Turner says Laredo Kid will be here next week and in a triple threat. Holiday and Diggs are back in with another photo, though Jahh isn’t sure why it’s in black and white. They’re on Instagram though! Jahh isn’t impressed.

Harley Riggins and Jax Presley are ready for another shot at Adrenaline Drip and seem to name themselves Necessary Roughness.

Zayda Steel vs. Thea Hail

Hail kicks her down to start and hits a standing moonsault (must be a Sean Legacy fan), with Steel bailing into the corner. Steel tries to escape but gets dropped face first, allowing Hail to go up. Hail gets kneed in the face to cut things off though and Steel chokes on the ropes. The chinlock doesn’t last long as Hail is back up with a knee to the face. A World’s Strongest Slam and bottom rope springboard backsplash hit Steel but Hail has to cut off some Vanity Project interference. The Kimura makes Steel tap at 4:25.

Rating: C. That was a pretty dominant win from Hail, which isn’t a great sign for Steele. Hail felt like someone who would be brought in to give Steel a victory over a bigger name but instead Hail shrugged off the numbers game and won. I can go for Hail winning, though I don’t exactly see her going very far anytime soon.

It’s Gal is back with a new Stud-O-Meter, this time talking about the Prototype, who gets a 9.5. The Prototype inspired him to get the never seen 17 reps of 315. Next up is the Ringmaster, who gets an 8.7, with the lack of a tan keeping him away from a 10. It’s Gal 3:16 says he just ranked your pale a**.

Aaron Rourke talks about growing up in New York and being bullied while he was growing up. People tried to make him feel wrong for being who he was but he knew who he was and couldn’t change it. Wrestling became an escape for him and he knew that’s what he wanted to be. That’s an awesome story.

Brooks Jensen wants a title shot but is told Keanu Carver is next in line. Stevie Turner asks him to leave so she can talk to Bigg Jahh about the three new prospects who will be here next week. Jahh implies he’ll be here too.

Vanity Project vs. OTM/Keanu Carver

Nima backbreakers Drake to start and it’s off to Carver vs. Smokes. A big slam drops Smokes fast and Price comes in to no sell Baylor’s chops. Baylor tries some forearms to no avail and a powerslam cuts him off again. Nima comes in but some quick double teaming cuts him off, including a ram into the post. We take a break and come back with Smokes choking on the rope and Baylor’s springboard DDT gets two. Drake gets in a cheap shot from the apron and Smokes grabs a front facelock.

Nima powers him into the corner but Drake pulls Carver off the apron for a superkick. No one takes out Price though and he comes in to clean house. A springboard missile dropkick cuts him off though and Drake gets two off a Swanton. That’s shrugged off and it’s Carver coming in to clean house. One heck of a Pounce cuts Drake off but he snaps Carver’s bad arm over the top rope. Smokes hits a dive but gets dropped onto the apron. Carver uses the cast to knock Drake out for the pin at 9:37.

Rating: B-. This wound up being a much better match than I was expecting, as Swipe Right has turned into a totally decent annoying heel team. They don’t have to do much in the ring to back that up and it worked well enough here. This was about Carver beating Drake though and the title shot should be set up soon.

Overall Rating: C+. I was hoping for some better fallout from last week but we only got a bit here. The big story here was of course Carver getting the pin on Drake and that worked well enough. At the same time, they set up the prospects deal for next week, which is a nice bonus. The wrestling was just ok though and the show felt more like a preview for everything else.

Results
Sean Legacy b. Edris Enofe – Shambles
Thea Hail b. Zayda Steel – Kimura
Keanu Carver/OTM b. Vanity Project – Cast shot to Drake

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 8, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

We’re rapidly approaching Succession and it’s time to find out what we’re going to have to push towards the two title matches. I’m not sure if anything else is going to be added to the show but it should be interesting to see how Kali Armstrong and Jackson Drake get ready for their defenses. Let’s get to it.

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

Stevie Turner tells us that Keanu Carver is injured and unable to wrestle at Succession. A new challenger will be named tonight.

Opening sequence.

Chuey Martinez brings out Kali Armstrong and Kendal Grey for their face to face meeting. Grey is tired of Armstrong looking so confident after she hurt Carlee Bright last week. Armstrong says bright is full of sunshine and bubbles but there is no room for that in Evolve. As good as Grey may be, Armstrong is just better.

Grey lists off her amateur credentials and Armstrong talks about her own resume in track and around here. Armstrong was one of eight children and was born with drugs in her system but here she is. They stare each other down again to wrap it up. Pretty simple and to the point stuff here and the match is feeling like a showdown.

Tate Wilder is happy with his win but now he wants to be on Succession. Brooks Jensen jumps him from behind to lay him out.

It’s Gal vs. Dante Chen

Feeling out process to start with Gal taking him down and doing some pushups on Chen’s back. The posing seems to get on Chen’s nerves and he makes the comeback, including a dropkick. The threat of the Gentle Touch sends Gal out to the apron so Chen clotheslines him back over the top.

Gal hits a hard clothesline of his own but again takes too much time posing and gets rolled up for two. A half nelson slam and superkick send Gal outside for the suicide dive. Back in and Gal gets caught up top for a spinning powerbomb, followed by the Gentle Touch for the pin at 5:48.

Rating: C+. This boils down to one issue: Gal is goofy fun and Chen isn’t interesting. I’m not sure what WWE sees in Chen as he has been around for a long time but isn’t exactly showing much in the way of standing out. In theory this is moving Chen towards title contention, and I really don’t get why.

High Ryze is ready to show what they can do.

The Vanity Project isn’t sure what’s going on with Succession and thinks the management is messing with them by not naming an opponent. Jackson Drake credits Bryce Donovan for getting rid of Keanu Reeves and everyone seems happy. Well not Donovan, though he does smirk a bit.

High Ryze vs. Aaron Rourke/Marcus Mathers

Wes Lee is here with High Ryze. Igwe shoulders Rourke in the corner but Rourke jumps over him and brings Mathers in for a running dropkick. DuPont tags himself in though and a big boot puts Mathers down so the villains can take over. A double forearm drops Mathers again and we hit the chinlock, only for Igwe to miss a charge into the post. Rourke comes back in to clean house, including an elbow to Igwe. Mathers hits a middle rope Stunner into Rourke’s Molly Go Round for two. Rourke misses a moonsault though and gets Heartstoppered for the pin at 7:01.

Rating: C+. We’re going to need some Tag Team Titles around here and that’s not a bad idea. There are several tag teams around here (though Rourke and Mathers aren’t among the best) but they don’t have much to fight over. It’s only about seven months into Evolve though so we very well could see such an announcement, even at Succession.

Jax Presley and Harley Riggins want one more match with Adrenaline Drip. They tell Stevie Turner that Robert Stone would give them the match, which is enough for Turner to make it happen.

Wendy Choo vs. Nikkita Lyons

Lyons backs her into the corner to start but gets taken down with a headlock takeover out of the corner. A crucifix gives Choo two and she hits a dropkick. Lyons shrugs that off and they head outside, where Choo gets kicked down. Back inside and Lyons chokes on the ropes, followed by some hip drops in the corner.

A suplex gives Lyons two and she grabs the reverse chinlock. That’s broken up and Choo grabs an anklescissors into some running shots in the corner. Lyons tries a quick sunset flip but gets pulled down into a rollup for two. A tiger bomb gives Lyons two more and she breaks out of a Dirt Nap attempt. The Vader Bomb misses though and Choo gets the Dirt Nap to make Lyons tap at 7:00.

Rating: B-. Not a bad match at all here, as Choo having something of a personality and not doing a bunch of weird glares at the camera while holding a pillow. She has the talent in the ring and do fine if she’s able to drop all of the weird stuff. Thankfully that’s what she seems to be doing and Lyons lost as a bonus.

Brooks Jensen says Tate Wilder is why he hates Evolve. Jensen should be rising up the ranks here but Wilder wins one match and thinks he should be something special. They’ll fight next week and this time it’s a bullrope match. Wilder has to win that and while he’s not the most interesting person, at least he’s getting a coherent story.

Here is the Vanity Project to find out who will be facing Jackson Drake for the title. Cue Sean Legacy, who says his issues with Drake have gone back to the first episode of Evolve and even before. The perfect way to go would be to have Legacy take the title. Legacy looks into the camera and promises Keanu Carver a title shot but here is Edris Enofe to jump Legacy from behind. Legacy is sent into the video board to mess it up. Drake: “That sucks. Bye Sean!”

Drake says there is no next challenger so next week, it can be the Vanity Project Appreciation Night. He lists off his teammates and praises everyone but Bryce Donovan, who picks up the contract and tells Drake to shut up for once. Donovan calls them all the worst human beings he has ever met. Drake can solve his own problems because Donovan is done with the Vanity Project. Donovan says he’s coming for the title at Succession and clears the ring, including a chokeslam to put Drake through a table. That lets Donovan sign the contract. Not the most thrilling story, but they have a connection and that’s a good idea.

We run down the Succession card to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. They’ve done a nice job to set up a three match show and I want to see where things go at Succession. The big matches are feeling important and hopefully they live up to their hype. There was only so much in the way of good matches here though, as the build was the important part. They’ve set next week up and that’s what matters even more, so the action can be excused at least a bit.

Results
Dante Chen b. It’s Gal – Gentle Touch
High Ryze b. Marcus Mathers/Aaron Rourke – Heartstopper to Rourke
Wendy Choo b. Nikkita Lyons – Dirt Nap

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 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:

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Evolve
Date: September 3, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

Last week saw Kali Armstrong retain the Women’s Title in a four way match, meaning it’s time for her to have a fresh challenger. On the other hand, Keanu Carver is getting closer to the Evolve Title and Jackson Drake. That might not go well for the champion and we might see something new here. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Sean Legacy vs. Ice Williams

Williams takes him down by the arm to start but Legacy is back up with a hammerlock. With Williams down, Legacy pulls him into a surfboard, which doesn’t last long. A dropkick legs Williams hammer away but Legacy sends him outside, followed by a dive. We take a break and come back with Williams posting him for two but Legacy hits a dropkick. Shambles is blocked and Williams plants him down for two more.

Legacy pulls him into a quickly broken STF but misses a springboard 450. The Ice Breaker gives Williams two and Legacy catches him on top with a super Spanish Fly. Now the springboard 450 connects for two so Legacy tries another springboard, which is broken up instead. Another Ice Breaker connects but Legacy kicks him into the corner and hits Shambles for the pin at 11:32.

Rating: B. They were rolling near the end there and that’s a good thing, as Legacy has needed a win after a few months of pretty much just sitting in one place. I’m sure he’s going to be fine in the long run, but the last little bit hasn’t been kind to him. Granted it helps that Williams is leaving, which is a shame as he has some potential, but it’s not going to be showcased here.

Post match Legacy says he’s working on getting ready to come after the Evolve Title. Cue Edris Enofe to interrupt, saying he doesn’t think Legacy is ready to carry Evolve. That’s why Stevie Turner needs to make Enofe #1 contender. Shoving ensues.

Kylie Rae talks about how different she is than Chantel Monroe. She is impressed by Masyn Holiday though.

The Vanity Project is still not in the best of moods as Jackson Drake isn’t happy with finding out his next challenger when everyone else finds out. They consider who the challenger might be and mock the options. Kali Armstrong comes in to mock Drake’s nerves. Zayda Steel suggests Armstrong is going to lose her title first but Armstrong brushes her off.

Kylie Rae vs. Masyn Holiday

Layla Diggs is here with Holiday for a dancing entrance. We get a handshake to start and they fight over arm control, with Holiday pulling her into an armbar. Rae reverses into one of her own but Holiday stomps her down and dances a bit. Back up and Rae knocks her into the corner for a Cannonball but Holiday catches Rae on top.

Holiday’s half crab doesn’t last long and Rae gives her a basement superkick for two. The middle rope moonsault gives Rae another near fall and Holiday is in a lot of trouble. Rae slips out of a fireman’s carry and pulls on the crossface for the tap at 7:21. Diggs is far from pleased.

Rating: C. The match was ok enough, with Holiday showing some potential. She’s still a long way from being ready for a bigger spot, but there is something to her that is worth at least a chance. On the other hand you have Rae, who isn’t the biggest star in the world, but she’s a lot better now that she’s away from Wendy Choo.

Post match respect is shown.

Jax Presley and Harley Riggins are ready to debut against Adrenaline Drip.

Tate Wilder is ready to face Ridge Holland because he’s tired of being treated this way. Drako Knox isn’t sure but supports Wilder anyway.

Adrenaline Drip vs. Jax Presley/Harley Riggins

The villains are making their in-ring debuts. The rather large Presley powers Jones around to start and gives him a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, allowing Riggins to send him into the post. Back in and a facebuster into a Backstabber gets two as It’s Gal and Jamar Hampton are watching backstage.

Jones gets up and manages a pop up dropkick to put Riggins down, meaning it’s off to Cartwheel vs. Presley. Cartwheel springboards in with a forearm into a Sling Blade but Flip and Sip is broken up. Riggins and Presley are sent outside, where they pull a diving Jones out of the air. Jones is sent at Cartwheel, who gets tossed into the air for a spear and the pin at 5:41.

Rating: C+. A guy I know was training for independent wrestling and was given a biker gimmick. The promoter said he wanted him to feel like he hadn’t been to wrestling school, but he had been to a** kicking school. That’s what I got from Presley and Riggins, who were as smash mouth as you can get here and felt like two big raw brawlers in the right way. That stands out and they looked like a couple of monsters out there. Fun stuff.

Video on the ID Program.

Here is Stevie Turner to talk about the #1 contender to the Evolve Title. Cue the Vanity Project, who say this isn’t the right way to go. They want Drake to have an easy opponent but cue Keanu Carver to say just make him #1 contender already. This brings out Brooks Jensen to say he can get the job done, so here is Ridge Holland to…get in a fight with Tate Wilder. They brawl to the back, leaving Drake to say he can beat Carver and Jensen. The result? A triple threat next week. The brawl is on with Vanity Project beating the challengers down but Jensen and Carver fight back and take them out to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Kind of an all over the place show this week but not in the worst way. The ending segment was every “and then this person wants in and this person wants in” segment, but at least it set up the match. What stood out to me the most was that tag match, as Presley and Riggins felt different. That’s a hard thing to do but they pulled it off here. I’m not saying they’re the next Demolition, but they made a good first impression and that’s very important. Nice show here, with some moments standing out.

Results
Sean Legacy b. Ice Williams – Shambles
Kylie Rae b. Masyn Holiday – Crossface
Jax Presley/Harley Riggins b. Adrenaline Drip – Pop up spear to Cartwheel

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 13, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Robert Stone, Peter Rosenberg

The title pictures are starting to heat up around here, with the big story being Keanu Carver setting his sights on the Evolve Title. That isn’t going to go well for Jackson Drake and the rest of the Vanity Project as they have their hands full. Other than that, a few women are coming for the Women’s Title and that could cause some problems for Kali Armstrong. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Tate Wilder vs. Brooks Jensen

Jensen’s headlock doesn’t get him very far so they trade shoulders, with Wilder getting the better of things. Jensen is sent outside and Wilder hits a quick moonsault, followed by a sunset flip for two back inside. Back up and Jensen forearms him down, including some shots to the chest. A chinlock doesn’t last long and Wilder sends him into the corner. Another moonsault misses though and Jensen hits a pair of lariats for the pin at 4:59.

Rating: C-. I kind of like the fact that Wilder isn’t going out there and winning everything to start, as the point seems to be bringing him along slowly. At the same time, I’m not sure how much there is about having two cowboy/southerner characters facing off. Odds are this is just a one off, but it wasn’t the most interesting start.

Post match Jordan Oasis runs in to brawl with Jensen, knocking him out to the floor.

Wendy Choo laughs about her win last week.

Adrenaline Drip is in the gym when Jax Presley and Harley Riggins (they’re new and much bigger than Cartwheel and Jones) are bragging about their own strength. A match is set for later.

Earlier today, Jackson Drake yelled at Bryce Donovan about his loss last week. Donovan doesn’t care for his tone but everything seems to be ok, with Donovan apologizing for his loss. Donovan has even gotten the team some matches, but he doesn’t reveal the opponents, which has the rest of the team annoyed.

Dante Chen vs. Edris Enofe

During his entrance, Enofe pulls a turnbuckle pad off but can’t send Chen into it. The referee sees the exposed buckle and goes to fix it, meaning Chen’s rollup gets a delayed two. A Rock Bottom plants Enofe but Chen is sent into the exposed buckle. Enofe misses a Stinger Splash into the buckle and gets kicked out to the floor. Back in and Chen hits a suplex into a suplex drop but Enofe sends him outside again.

Enofe rams into various things, setting up a top rope elbow for two back inside. Chen slaps him in the face, earning himself some knees to the jaw. Chen’s top rope superplex gets two but the Chentle Touch misses. Instead Enofe grabs a rollup with trunks for two but gets caught, only to walk into the Chentle Touch for the pin at 6:27.

Rating: C. The match itself was ok, but at the same time, there is a reason these two have never really made it that far up the ladder. It was completely acceptable wrestling, but that doesn’t mean it’s overly interesting. Both of them are fairly dull, though there is a good chance that we’ll be seeing a rubber match. It’s not a terrible idea, but it’s nothing I’m thrilled to see.

Tate Wilder is banged up when Ridge Holland comes in to mock him over two losses. Wilder sees them as lessons instead of losses but Holland is focused on Sean Legacy next week.

Kylie Rae rants to Stevie Turner about Chantel Monroe and gets a match with her last week. Jordan Oasis comes in so Turner yells at him over his recent actions. Turner will figure out this thing with Oasis and Brooks Jensen.

Layla Diggs vs. Zayda Steel

Masyn Holiday is here with Diggs and Bryce Donovan is here with Steel. They fight over arm control with neither being able to get very far. A quick takedown sets up a headscissors on Steel, who gets dropped with a running Blockbuster. Back up and Steel starts in on the arm, including a half crab. Diggs fights up and hits a running shoulder in the corner, followed by a suplex for two. Donovan tries to get involved and is quickly ejected, allowing Diggs to hit Diggity Splits (egads) for the pin at 4:03.

Rating: C+. Sweet goodness it really is called Diggity Splits. Diggs is someone who has gotten my attention a few times and while she is still very new at this, she has the athleticism to be worth another look. At the same time, things are not going well for the Vanity Project and there is a good chance that things are going to be getting worse in the coming weeks.

Jamar Hampton doesn’t like It’s Gal coming out to watch his match recently. Gal suggests he was just watching but Hampton is off to train. Gal offers to show him a workout, with Hampton seeming intrigued.

Sean Legacy is upset with his recent loss but wants to see Keanu Carver go after the Vanity Project because he doesn’t like either of them. Then he’s coming after the Evolve Title. We see Ice Williams calling out Legacy at a recent independent event, which Legacy calls “just noise”. For now, Williams wants to go after Ridge Holland.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Tyra Mae Steele vs. Karmen Petrovic

Steele wastes no time in sending her flying with a release German suplex and we take a break. We come back with Steele hitting more suplexes before tying up Petrovic’s legs. Back up and Steele misses a charge into the corner, allowing Petrovic to strike away. Some Sling Blades put Steele down and the Petrifier finishes for Petrovic at 4:40.

Rating: C. Uh….ok then. Steele has already been appearing on NXT and has felt like one of the bigger prospects around here, but she just loses to Petrovic? It’s not like Petrovic is bad, but she hasn’t been doing anything in recent months and here she is beating Steele. I’m not sure I get that, as putting Petrovic closer to the title match is fine, but why do that to Steele?

Kali Armstrong comes out for the staredown with Petrovic to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This wasn’t the show that seemed to matter but rather the show that was setting up the bigger show. The Vanity Project seemingly falling apart is the biggest story and that should make for a big shift around here, whenever it happens. Other than that, Armstrong and Drake both seem to have their next opponents, with the title matches likely coming sooner than later. The wrestling wasn’t exactly great this time, but at least some stuff was set up for the future.

Results
Brooks Jensen b. Tate Wilder – Lariat
Dante Chen b. Edris Enofe – Chentle Touch
Layla Diggs b. Zayda Steel – Diggity Splits
Karmen Petrovic b. Tyra Mae Steele – Petrifier

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

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

Last week saw Jackson Drake survive against Lince Dorado, but now he might have to deal with the freshly debuted Brooks Jensen. Other than that, Kali Armstrong is going to need a new challenger and some people are already lining up for the shot. Things have been getting more interesting around here and it’s making the show that much better. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Dante Chen vs. Edris Enofe

Chen knocks him down for an early two and Enofe is already asking for a time out. Back up and Enofe uses the rope to avoid being taken down again, allowing him to stomp away on Chen. A DDT sets up choke but Chen is back up with a neckbreaker. Some right hands and an enziguri set up a running boot to drop Enofe again. The Gentle Touch is blocked so Enofe rolls him up and grabs the trunks for the pin at 5:14.

Rating: C. Totally fine match between two people who are trying to find their spot in Evolve. Enofe is further along at this point with the whole “I deserve it” deal. On the other hand you have Chen, who is pretty much the same thing he was in NXT LVL Up without the weird protection that he received. Not bad, but they both need something to make them more interesting.

Jordan Oasis is looking for a partner and asks It’s Gal and Sam Holloway. They don’t care about Keanu Carver going after the ID Program and would never want to team with a nomad. Cappuccino Jones and Jack Cartwheel come in to say Oasis has earned his stripes. They accuse Gal and Holloway of forgetting what it took to get here. A tag match seems to be made, albeit not involving Oasis.

Video on the WWE ID Program.

Adrenaline Drip vs. Sam Holloway/It’s Gal

Jones grinds away (like beans) on a headlock before firing off a dropkick to rock Gal. Cartwheel comes in and it’s another dropkick from Jones into a running shooting star press to give Cartwheel two. Gal manages to knock Cartwheel outside for a big boot from Holloway, who also crotches Jones against the post. Back in and a middle rope elbow gives Holloway two on Cartwheel and Gal adds the double legdrop for two more. The villains take turns tossing Cartwheel around for two before Holloway grabs a chinlock.

Cartwheel fights up and cartwheels his way over to Jones for the tag. Holloway crashes into Gal to send him outside and it’s a top rope flipping cutter/Downward Spiral combination (cool) for two (not cool) on Holloway. With everyone else on the floor, Holloway hits a big no hands dive to take the three of them down. Back in and Holloway hits a top rope splash on Cartwheel, with Jones making the save. Jones dives onto Holloway and a corkscrew top rope splash gives Cartwheel the pin at 6:41.

Rating: B. Annoyance of that kind of a double team move only getting two aside, this was a heck of a match as they all went nuts out there for the time that they had. Holloway is a big guy whose size makes him stand out and he was using that advantage here. Really fun stuff here, with one of the more exciting matches in Evolve thus far.

Jordan Oasis continues looking for a partner and Brooks Jensen comes up to offer his services. Jensen offers to help, if Oasis will help him against the Vanity Project. Deal.

Marcus Mathers is in Stevie Turner’s office and wants a match with Keanu Carver. Turner can’t do that because Carver is busy with Sean Legacy, but Turner will give him another match. With that out of the way, Kali Armstrong comes in to demand Jin Tala, which Turner will work on for her.

Kendal Grey vs. Zayda Steel

Steel takes her down by the hair to start and grabs a headlock takeover. Back up and Grey grabs her own headlock takeover, followed by a running crossbody, with Steel bailing out to the floor. Steele catches her with a Codebreaker on the way back in and it’s time to choke away in the corner. A whip into the corner has Grey in more trouble but she’s able to grab a German suplex to put both of them down. Grey hits a middle rope spinning crossbody before snapping off a powerslam to drop Steel again. Back up and Grey grabs a rollup for the quick pin at 5:41.

Rating: C. Not much to see here, though the result was a nice surprise. Grey is someone who has the potential to go somewhere and she needs the wins to get closer. On the other hand you have Steel, who feels like someone WWE wants to be a big star (which makes sense) but she’s going to need some more reps in the ring to make that happen.

Post match Grey says she doesn’t get what the deal is with Wendy Choo but they can deal with it in the ring.

Sean Legacy doesn’t know what Keanu Carver’s problem is with the ID Program and it would be much harder without people like Timothy Thatcher. They’re ready to fight.

Chantel Monroe doesn’t think much of Kylie Rae but she’ll lower herself to deal with her.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Swipe Right vs. Brooks Jensen/Jordan Oasis

Baylor grabs a headlock on Jensen to start but gets reversed into Jensen’s headlock takeover. Oasis comes in for a suplex so it’s off to Smokes to pick up the pace. Everything breaks down and Swipe Right avoids crashing into each other, only for Oasis to backsplash Smokes for two. A quick distraction lets Smokes stomp away though and we take a break.

We come back with Baylor hammering on Oasis and elbowing him in the face. Smokes pulls Oasis back into the corner and Baylor drops an elbow, earning quite the celebration. Oasis gets in a backbreaker but a distraction pulls Jensen off the apron so there’s no tag. The chinlock goes on but Oasis suplexes his way to freedom.

Rather than tagging though, he hits a running flipping cannonball to Baylor’s back. Jensen comes in without a tag and drops Smokes before pulling Oasis to the right corner. Now Jensen comes in to clean house but tags Oasis and throws him back in before walking out. The Super Swipe finishes Oasis at 10:12.

Rating: C+. Good storyline based match here with Jensen going all evil, which does seem to suit him better. He doesn’t have much in the ring to back up his limited appeal so this is the better move for him. It gives both Jensen and Oasis something to do while also boosting Swipe Right up a bit. Swipe Right is still not great to see in the ring, but they’re being established, which is a good move.

Overall Rating: B-. Nice show again here, as they covered some of the stories which were already set up and set things up for the future. You can tell that Evolve has been set up well with good attention being paid to the details along the way. It makes for an easy to watch and follow show, which is what we got again here.

Results
Edris Enofe b. Dante Chen – Rollup with trunks
Adrenaline Drip b. Sam Holloway/It’s Gal – Corkscrew top rope splash to Gal
Kendal Grey b. Zayda Steel – Rollup
Swipe Right b. Jordan Oasis/Brooks Jensen – Super Swipe to Oasis

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

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Evolve
Date: 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

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

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Evolve
Date: July 2, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

We’re back to the developmental’s developmental and that means we should be seeing someone new coming after the Evolve Title. While Sean Legacy couldn’t quite get through the Vanity Project, someone else is probably going to be coming for the shot instead. That opens up some doors and now we get to see where it goes. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of the Vanity Project wrecking people, leading to Lince Dorado and the LWO stepping up to face them this week.

Opening sequence.

Jamar Hampton vs. Edris Enofe

This is fallout from last week when Enofe interrupted Dante Chen’s Evolve debut. Hampton shoves him around to start and grabs a headlock but Enofe powers out. A jumping ax handle to the back hits Hampton, who is right back with a crossbody. Enofe avoids a dropkick though and stomps on Hampton’s chest for two.

The chinlock goes on, followed by a headscissors to keep Hampton in trouble. Hampton gets up and powers his own way out, with the dropkick connecting this time. A running splash gives Hampton one but Enofe kicks him into the corner. They wind up on the apron, where Enofe snaps him throat first across the top. A Regal Cutter finishes Hampton at 5:49.

Rating: C. Hampton feels like someone who could go somewhere and putting him in there with one of the slightly more experienced hands is a good sign. The loss isn’t as good of a sign, but it’s so early in Hampton’s run that this shouldn’t be much of a setback. Hampton is crazy athletic and has an awesome look, but he’ll need a lot more than that to get anywhere. Granted that’s why he’s here, so he’s hardy out of place.

Lince Dorado and the LWO are in Stevie Turner’s office. She’s happy that the LWO is here but Dorado wants to get into Evolve Title contention.

Cappuccino Jones and Jack Cartwheel talk about bonding over coffee. Their name is now Adrenaline Drip. I’m not so sure on that one. They want some Evolve Tag Team Titles. Well those are all but guaranteed at this point.

Layla Diggs vs. Jin Tala

Feeling out process to start until Diggs takes over and hits a powerslam for two. Back up and Tala sends her to the apron, where Diggs’ arm is snapped over the top rope. Tala works on the arm, including a full nelson with the legs to send Diggs face first to the mat. Diggs gets out and hits a quick ax kick for two but the arm gives out on a slam attempt. Tala takes her down and ties up the arm in kind of a crossface with the leg for the tap at 4:34.

Rating: C. There’ something to Tala as she has a nice mixture of submissions and simple logic to what she does. Give her some more time and that could work out well. At the same time, Diggs is another on the list of very athletic people with a good look who could turn into something if she gets some development so she at least has some potential.

Post match Tala is accused of a hair pull (she did it) but she’s just doing what she was taught on LFG. The wins are all that matter.

The Vanity Project is ready for Lince Dorado and the LWO.

It’s time for a contract signing between Natalya and Kali Armstrong. Armstrong knows who she’s about to face and immediately signs. Natalya respects Armstrong but doesn’t like her rudeness. That’s not how Armstrong sees it, because she had to fight to get to the title (Natalya: “Cry me a river!”). Then Natalya looked at the title was a bit disrespectful, just like when she got the pin in their tag match.

Natalya is a legend but this is Evolve and that means it’s Armstrong’s show. Natalya goes on a rant about carrying a division on her shoulders for eighteen years (that is one heck of a stretch) so Armstrong tells her to sign. That’s exactly what Natalya does and they go nose to nose. Armstrong swings at her but gets put in the Sharpshooter in a hurry. This is a rather simple story and it should benefit Armstrong rather well.

Timothy Thatcher and Sean Legacy are in the back, with Thatcher saying Legacy put himself in a no win situation (er, yeah there was a way to win). Legacy wants to be a champion and Thatcher says use that motivation. Thatcher is ready to stand up to Keanu Carver for disrespecting the ID Program next week and isn’t scared of him.

Keanu Carver is lifting weights and doesn’t want to hear from Thatcher. Violence is promised for next week.

Chantel Monroe doesn’t like the women’s locker room and she’s now lowering her standards for the women’s division.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Vanity Project vs. LWO/Lince Dorado

Smokes backs Dorado into the corner to start and then runs him over with a shoulder. Dorado elbows his way out of trouble and grabs an anklescissors so it’s off to Wilde vs. Baylor. Wilde kicks him into the corner rather quickly and an assisted springboard splash crushes Baylor again. Del Toro adds a splash for two and everything breaks down as we take a break.

We come back with Baylor kneeing Wilde down and handing it off to Drake for the corner stomps. Wilde gets dragged back into the corner so Baylor can whip Wilde into a big boot for two. A belly to back suplex is broken up though and the rolling tag brings in Dorado to pick up the pace. The Golden Rewind hits Drake and the big running flip dive to the floor takes him down again.

Back in and Dorado misses a charge in the corner and a moonsault hits raised boots to put him down again. Del Toro comes in off a blind tag and a springboard high crossbody hits Drake. A rather spinning la majistral gets two on Drake but he’s fine enough to come back with a hot shot. Something like a Hart Attack (with a dropkick) hits del Toro and a Swanton gives Drake two.

Wilde fights up and hits a tornado DDT but Baylor puts him down rather quickly. Drake is back in with a gorilla press gutbuster for two on del Toro but he catches Drake on top. Dorado’s super hurricanrana sends Drake into Baylor and Smokes, leaving the LWO to hit stereo dives. Dorado hits a shooting star press to pin Drake at 11:06.

Rating: B-. Much like Armstrong and Natalya, they aren’t being subtle about what they’re going for with this story. Dorado should get an Evolve Title shot out of this and Drake can get a win over a main roster name. Commentary kept hyping up how important it was to have the LWO around here and that’s fair enough, as bringing any main roster stars down here feels like a big deal. This was a good use of them as well, as you don’t want the Vanity Project running over everyone, but at the same time, it hardly crushes the up and coming heels.

Overall Rating: B-. This show has come such a long way in just a few months and while it might not be the best series in the world, it does things exactly as it should be. You’re seeing these names get some experience in the WWE style and the work in the ring is good enough. It’s also letting some main roster wrestlers get some reps, which is a good idea if they’re just sitting on the sidelines. Nice show here, as tends to be the case with Evolve.

Results
Edris Enofe b. Jamar Hampton – Regal Cutter
Jin Tala b. Layla Diggs – Arm lock
LWO/Lince Dorado b. Vanity Project – Shooting star press to Drake

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

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

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

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

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

Opening sequence.

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

Ice Williams vs. Keanu Carver

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

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

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

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

Zara Zakher vs. Kendal Grey

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

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

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

Video on the awesomeness that is the WWE ID Program.

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

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

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

Remember how Tate Wilder was coming? He still is.

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

Wendy Choo vs. Kylie Rae

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Evolve
Date: June 4, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

It’s time for another big show this week, with the first Men’s Evolve Champion being crowned in another four way elimination match. That should make for a big time match, but we also might be finding out what is going on with the first ever Women’s Evolve Champion, as Kali Armstrong won the title last week. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at the four participants in the men’s title match and teases fallout from last week’s title match.

Opening sequence.

Here is Kali Armstrong to brag about her title win. She’s happy with how things went and now she wants to see how hard this can get. So who is first to come after the title? Cue Zayda Steele, who says they are both history makers. Armstrong is the first Evolve Champion and Steele is the first official WWE ID prospect. Cue Nikkita Lyons to say she should get the first title shot because she’s not afraid to pounce. She should be getting the first title shot and the brawl is on. Armstrong gets double teamed down so here is Natalya to make the save. Natalya goes to help Armstrong, who snatches the title away from her again.

Carlee Bright has been attacked backstage. Post break, Bright says it was someone in a black hoodie but she couldn’t see their face. She’s cleared to compete, with Stevie Turner not sure what to do.

Keanu Carver is ready to win the title because he wants a ticket to avoid going back to the streets of Washington DC.

Sean Legacy, with Timothy Thatcher, says he’s been waiting eight long years for this.

Jin Tala vs. Carlee Bright

Bright has a bad shoulder coming in so Tala goes right for it, with an early takedown getting two. Bright fights up with an armbar of her own and a knockdown gets two. Tala goes after the arm again but Bright is right back up with a Codebreaker. The standing moonsault misses though and Tala ties up the arm for the tap at 4:19.

Rating: C. That was short and to the point, though Tala didn’t exactly blow anyone away. The problem here was the focus being on Bright’s injury more than Tala, making her feel secondary. She beat a low level star who came in injured. That’s not exactly a great way to make your debut, though at least she did get the win.

We look at Wendy Choo attacking Kylie Rae after last week’s title match.

Rae wants to fight Choo and wrap it up but Chantel Monroe comes in to call Rae annoying.

The Vanity Project gives Jackson Drake a pep talk.

Edris Enofe talks about his shoulder injury, but what hurt him worse was having to be out of the ring for so long.

Here is High Ryze for a chat. Wes Lee talks about seeing people with dreams and potential in the locker room, and maybe they can become the next big thing. Lee loves that these people think they can take his spot but it’s not happening. He has a lot more that he wants to accomplish but here are Cappuccino Jones and Jack Cartwheel to interrupt. They’re not here for a rematch though, but rather because Jones wants to face Lee one on one. Jones wants to prove himself and Lee agrees, though he thinks Jones is in over his head.

Je’Von Evans is here to present the first Evolve Men’s Title and runs into Jordan Oasis, who he likes.

Marcus Mathers is coming and is very excited.

Evolve Men’s Title: Keanu Carver vs. Jackson Drake vs. Sean Legacy vs. Edris Enofe

Elimination match for the inaugural title. They start fast with Legacy and Drake being sent outside. Enofe hits a huge flip dive and follows with a high crossbody to Carver. That’s not working for Carver, who is back with his spinning powerslam for the pin on Enofe at 1:49. Well thanks for coming man. We take a break and come back with Legacy and Drake taking turns on Carver, with a missile dropkick into a moonsault getting two. A running knee into a springboard 450 finishes Drake at 4:16, leaving us with Legacy vs. Drake for the title.

They immediately start trading shots to the face before exchanging German suplexes. A super Spanish Fly gives Legacy two but Shambles is broken up. Drake drapes him over the top and gets two off a Swanton, followed by a kick to the head for the same. Legacy pulls him into the STF but Drake makes the rope. Another Shambles is broken up and the running knee gives Drake the pin and the title at 10:06.

Rating: C+. Much like last week, this was actually pretty disappointing. At the end of the day, it felt like a match that was totally rushed. The first two eliminations didn’t mean anything and it was basically Drake vs. Legacy for the title. That’s a fine way to go, but when you build this up as being some epic showdown, you kind of expect more out of such a monumental moment. That being said, Drake needed to win here as the Vanity Project needs some success given how prominently they’re being featured.

Post match the Vanity Project comes in to celebrate and Je’Von Evans presents Drake with the title. Drake is thrilled and hugs Evans to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. Well, the main event wasn’t great and Tala’s debut was just ok, with Jones and Lee’s showdown not being much better. There wasn’t much to see on this show and I’m hoping they can pick up the pace next week. Just not much to see here, on a show which should have been huge given the nature of the main event.

Results
Jin Tala b. Carlee Bright – Arm lock
Jackson Drake b. Sean Legacy, Keanu Carver and Edris Enofe last eliminating Legacy

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