Evolve – October 1, 2025: How To Succession In Wrestling

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

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

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Adrenaline Drip vs. Harley Riggins/Jax Presley

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

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

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

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

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

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

Edris Enofe vs. Tate Wilder

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

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

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

Legacy and Wilder are rather happy, while Enofe glares.

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

Carlee Bright vs. Kali Armstrong

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

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

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

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

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

Keanu Carver vs. Brooks Jensen

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

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




Evolve – September 24, 2025: The Secret Of Their Success

Evolve
Date: September 24, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

We’re back in the Performance Center and things are not going well with the Vanity Project. Bryce Donovan is not liking the idea of Jackson Drake blaming him for the team’s recent losses and might be coming for him. Other than that, Kali Armstrong might have to deal with Kendal Grey so let’s get to it.

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

Stevie Turner gets us going and has a few announcements. First up, Chase U is here tonight to face Swipe Right. In addition, on October 15, Evolve will hold its first special with Succession, where both titles will be defended. Challengers to be announced.

Opening sequence.

Here is Kendal Grey for a chat. Last week, she made Wendy Choo quit for one of the biggest wins of her career. It means her hard work is starting to pay off. She’s in Evolve to find out who she is and she’s getting more and more comfortable every week. There is no woman here on her level, including Kali Armstrong. With Succession coming up, she wants a title shot.

Cue Armstrong to say Grey is feeling herself and that she knew Grey would be coming for the title. Grey says everyone is the same when they’re locked in an armbar but here is Chantel Monroe to interrupt. She wants the title, but Grey says Monroe has already dropped the ball in her title shots. Monroe blames the loss on Kylie Rae, which brings out Stevie Turner to interrupt. Before she can say anything though, Armstrong says she wants to defend the title in a singles match because she wants everyone to know she won because she’s better. Turner gets it and makes Monroe vs. Grey later tonight for the title shot.

Someone seems to be filming the Vanity Project when Stevie Turner comes in. Jackson Drake wants to know who he’s facing at Succession. Ricky Smokes hits on Turner, which doesn’t work for her, as she makes Brooke Jensen vs. Keanu Carver for the title shot tonight. As for Swipe Right, they have something to do.

Swipe Right vs. Chase U

The rest of the Vanity Project and Andre Chase are here too. Dixon and Smokes lock up to start and Connors has to come in to break up a double suplex attempt. Connors comes in as Dixon kicks Baylor’s leg out, setting up Connors’ Fameasser. Smokes saves Baylor from a double suplex but their double dropkick misses. Baylor kicks Dixon down on the floor though and we take a break.

We come back with Smokes slipping out of a slingshot suplex and ducking an enziguri. Baylor hits a running knee for two on Dixon but he’s able to fight up and bring Connors back in. Everything breaks down and Connors hits a big running flip dive, followed by a Swanton for two on Smokes. An exchange of kicks to the head sets up a double powerbomb for two on Baylor but Dixon gets knocked to the floor. We get a big seconds staredown on the floor but Dixon is taken out. That leaves Smoke to grab Connors’ leg, setting up the Super Swipe to finish Connors at 8:34.

Rating: B-. This is the second match in a row where Chase U has looked good so maybe they’ve got something as the young, up and coming team. There’s always room for something like that and if Chase can get a bit of his old self back, I’m more than all for it. Swipe Right continues to be ok for around here, but I can’t picture them having much of a chance on a higher level.

Post match the Vanity Project celebrates with Jackson Drake mocking Bryce Donovan about last week’s loss. With that out of the way, Drake says he doesn’t want to face Keanu Carver or Brooks Jensen. That’s a problem, so it’s time for Donovan to fix things. Donovan doesn’t seem thrilled.

Jax Presley and Harley Riggins are happy with their recent workouts and think everyone is scared of them. They might be up for the Tag Team Titles (which almost have to be coming now that they’ve been mentioned twice) but Stevie Turner sends them a text, saying Adrenaline Drip wants a rematch. They’re in.

Various women talk about their picks for tonight’s #1 contenders match. Nikkita Lyons thinks she should be in the match and Wendy Choo says this is going to be harder than she thought.

It’s Gal is in Stevie Turner’s office. Apparently Jamar Hampton has cracked his hip and is out for a bit. Ridge Holland comes in and wonders why he isn’t in the #1 contenders match. Tate Wilder comes in to say you don’t speak to women like that so Turner makes Holland vs. Wilder. Actually that’s not what Wilder wanted. Not yet anyway, but he will. So why were you there? Then Turner throws Gal out.

Keanu Carver doesn’t think much of Brooks Jensen and doesn’t want to know him, but it’s time to hurt him.

Chantel Monroe vs. Kendal Grey

For the title shot at Succession. Monroe takes her down to start and points a lot so Grey grabs a waistlock to take over. A forearm sends Grey into the corner and Monroe chops away but stops to dance. Grey is back up with a crossbody and some armdrags into an armbar. Monroe reverses into an armbar of her own, which Grey reverses right back. A basement dropkick sends Monroe to the floor, only for her to come back with a neckbreaker over the ropes as we take a break.

We come back with Monroe hitting a knee to the face for two and choking on the rope. A Hennig necksnap gives Monroe two and she grabs a triangle choke. Grey fights back and slugs away, including some running elbows to the face. An overhead belly to belly connects but Monroe superkicks her out of the air. Something like a TKO gets two but Grey catches her on top with a super Spanish Fly for two of her own. Monroe gets two off a rollup (and a close one at that) but gets caught in the cross armbreaker for the tap at 9:55.

Rating: B. Grey is absolutely feeling like a prospect and it wouldn’t shock me to see her slay the monster to get the title. They’re turning the armbar into something and that’s a smart idea. At the same time, this was easily Monroe’s best match ever and that is great to see. Hopefully she can build on it, as she’s been needing the upgrade.

Post match Carlee Bright comes out to celebrate and Kali Armstrong comes out to stare to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. One of the things that I like about this show is that they mix up the format almost every week. You might get a bunch of matches or you might get something like this, with a pair of talking but some things being set up for later. It’s making things easier to watch week after week and I’m curious to see how Succession goes. Nice job here, as Evolve is becoming one of my favorite shows of the week.

Results
Swipe Right b. Chase U – Super Swipe to Connors
Kendal Grey b. Chantel Monroe – Cross armbreaker

 

 

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 – September 3, 2025: They Impressed Me

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 – August 20, 2025: The Slow Process

Evolve
Date: August 20, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

The big story around here is Keanu Carver coming after the Evolve Title, as he is smashing his way through the Vanity Project on his way to Jackson Drake. On the other side, Karmen Petrovic seems to be coming to after Kali Armstrong and the Women’s Title. Throw in Sean Legacy and Ridge Holland being on a collision course and we should be in for a good show. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of the Women’s Title situation.

Opening sequence.

Kylie Rae vs. Chantel Monroe

Monroe takes her down by the arm to start and goes to cranking. Rae reverses into a wristlock of his own, followed by some armdrags into the armbar. That’s broken up so Rae gets two off a basement dropkick and the armbar goes on again. Back up and Rae kicks her in the head out of the corner, setting up a top rope armdrag.

Monroe gets in a knee lift though and a neckbreaker over the apron connects as we take a break. We come back with Monroe getting two off a Hennig necksnap and the neck crank going on. Rae fights up and knocks her into the corner, where Monroe is right back out with reverse DDT. Monroe sends her throat first into the top rope and a Codebreaker finishes at 9:28.

Rating: C. I’m not sure I get the appeal of Monroe as she feels like quite the one note character. At the same time, Rae won the ID Title a few weeks ago and loses clean here. It’s kind of a weird way to go and I’m not sure what is next for both of them. Monroe has been protected well enough though and if that’s who Evolve wants to push, even in a small way, it’s better than nothing.

Keanu Carver is ready to keep smashing through everyone and win the Evolve Title.

Jackson Drake is with the Vanity Project and is nervous about Carver. Zayda Steel is upset over her loss to Layla Diggs and Bryce Donovan tells her to be better. The team realizes things haven’t been going great lately and it’s time to fix it.

Kali Armstrong is ready for the next challenger. Stevie Turner says that Karmen Petrovic and Chantel Monroe have both won their matches and deserve title shots. Nikkita Lyons comes in to say that she deserves a shot too so Turner makes the four way title match for next week.

Swipe Right vs. Aaron Rourke/Marcus Mathers

Smokes takes Rourke to the mat with a headlock to start but Rourke is back up to send him into the corner. Mathers comes in with a step up tornado DDT and a nice kick to the face gets two. Baylor’s clothesline out of the corner gets two and a double belly to back suplex drops Mathers for two more. A big boot gives Baylor another near fall and Mathers is sent into the corner, allowing Baylor to get in a hip swivel.

Mathers manages to flip over though and it’s off to Rourke to clean house. Smokes Downward Spirals Rourke into the buckle though and it’s back to Mathers, who trades some loud kicks with Baylor. Mathers sends the villains into each other and Rourke drops them with a dive on the floor. A spinning powerslam gives Mathers two on Baylor but the Super Swipe finishes Mathers at 8:22.

Rating: B-. Nice match here, though I’m not wild on Mathers taking another fall. Swipe Right needed a win here, but both they and the Vanity Project seem to be in trouble. There is a very good chance that we are in the beginning of the end of the group, but they should be able to win a match against a makeshift team like Rourke and Mathers.

It’s Gal and Jamar Hampton train in the gym together and while Hampton seems to do better, they appear to bond a bit.

Kendal Grey is sick of Wendy Choo and is ready to fight her next week.

Jax Presley and Harley Riggins are ready to beat up Adrenaline Drip.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Sean Legacy vs. Ridge Holland

The bigger Holland powers him down to start and drops an early elbow for two. Legacy slips out of a powerslam attempt and kicks him down, setting up a standing moonsault for two. We take a break and come back with Legacy chopping his way out of trouble. An overhead belly to belly suplex drops Legacy again though and Holland hammers him down.

Back up and Legacy manages a superkick into a rolling DDT to leave them both down. A German suplex gives Legacy another breather but Holland catches him on top. Holland’s kick to the face gets two but Legacy dropkick him into the corner. A moonsault into something like a side slam gives Legacy two more but Shambles is blocked. Holland is sent into the corner for a cannonball and a gutwrench powerbomb finishes for Holland at 9:18.

Rating: B-. The action was good but there was something missing here, with Legacy starting to feel as someone who should be moved up to the next level but seemingly stalling. Legacy certainly seems to have all of the tools, but he might need something to make them come together. On the other hand you have Holland, who could be getting somewhere if he can put things together, which might be when he’s doing with his focus on the rugby background.

Post match Legacy goes to the back and runs into Ice Williams, who is tired of Legacy being handed everything. Shoving ensues.

Overall Rating: C+. I wasn’t feeling this one for some reason, as it might be due to the idea of having so much of this show being about setting things up for later. Legacy seems to be falling down the ladder, while Carver is on his way to the title match in the near future. It’s not the worst show, but there was nothing here that had my interest.

Results
Chantel Monroe b. Kylie Rae – Codebreaker
Swipe Right b. Aaron Rourke/Marcus Mathers – Super Swipe to Mathers
Ridge Holland b. Sean Legacy – Gutwrench powerbomb

 

 

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 – August 13, 2025: Uh…Ok Then.

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:

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