Evolve
Date: August 27, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Robert Stone, Peter Rosenberg

The Women’s Title is getting the focus again as we have multiple challengers wanting to come at Kali Armstrong. That can make for an interesting situation and odds are we’ll find out some more this week. On the other side, Kenau Carver is pretty clearly next up for the Evolve Title so let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Kendal Grey vs. Wendy Choo

Choo crawls around to start the mind games before getting waistlocked. Grey’s boot to the face is blocked (with Choo looking a bit nuts) so she grabs a headlock instead. The ensuing armbar is broken up and Choo gets in a kick from the apron as we take a break. We come back with Choo hitting a dropkick in the Tree of Woe for two, followed by a running superkick for the same. Grey quickly fights out of a neck crank and it’s a double clothesline to put both of them down.

Back up and Grey strikes away before having to break a quick Dirt Nap attempt. Choo drops her with a superplex and a brainbuster gets two. Back up and Grey grabs a powerslam for two, followed by a failed cross armbreaker attempt. Grey goes to the corner and dives into a full nelson slam, setting up the Dirt Nap. Choo pulls her down but Grey backflips over for the pin at 10:22.

Rating: C+. This got a lot of time and it’s good to see Grey getting a win over someone with some name power. Grey might be someone who is set to move up to the next level and that is something that has potential. On the other hand you have Choo, who is still all creepy and weird and doing the same stuff to the same result that she’s done for a long time now.

Post match Grey is out cold from the Dirt Nap despite getting the pin. That’s a different way to go.

Ice Williams talks about giving Sean Legacy six months to prove he is the face of the WWE ID Program and Legacy has failed. If Legacy has a problem with that, they can fight. Pretty simple there.

Brooks Jensen vs. Jordan Oasis

They take turns backing each other into the corner to start until Jensen takes him down with an armbar. Back up and Oasis works on the arm as well, followed by a backsplash for two. Oasis sends him outside for the suicide dive but Jensen posts the arm and we take a break. We come back with Jensen staying on the arm…and staying on it even longer as this is a rather lengthy armbar. Oasis finally fights up to send him into the corner and they trade some forearms on the apron. They go up and Jensen hits a clothesline to knock him back down, followed by the Southern Lariat for the pin at 8:12.

Rating: C. The result shouldn’t be the biggest surprise as Oasis was released from the ID Program earlier this week. At the same time, there is only so much you can do with this dull of a match. This was an exchange of armbars and then a finish, as Jensen being this old school southern style wrestler isn’t working on its own and it’s not getting any better.

Post match Jensen says he wants the Evolve Title. If that means going through the Vanity Project, so be it.

The Vanity Project talks about being back on the same page and knows that they’re running Evolve…but here is Stevie Turner to interrupt. She’s looking for Jackson Drake’s next challenger and the team doesn’t seem to care who it is. With Turner gone, it seems Swipe Right finds her rather fetching, with Zayda Steel having to say Turner isn’t interested.

Masyn Holiday isn’t sure what is next for her around here but she has the athletic background. Eventually she settles on Kylie Rae.

Women’s Title: Nikkita Lyons vs. Chantel Monroe vs. Karmen Petrovic vs. Kali Armstrong

Armstrong is defending. Armstrong and Petrovic clear the ring to start before we get a weird four way submission with various chokes and locks. That’s broken up so Armstrong fires off shoulders in the corner, followed by a powerslam to Petrovic. Another one plants Monroe so Lyons breaks it up. The break up is broken up as well and everyone is down as we take a break.

We come back with Petrovic and Lyons exchanging missed kicks until Lyons switches to a sitout powerbomb for two on Monroe. Petrovic fires off some kicks and reverses a powerslam into a small package for two on Armstrong. Monroe starts flipping around a bit, including a headscissors to send Armstrong into a spear to Lyons. Petrovic gets planted for two so it’s time to head to the corner for the Tower Of Doom.

Back up and they trade strikes, with Petrovic and Monroe heading out to the floor. Cue Kylie Rae to shove Monroe and get in a fight as they brawl to the back. Armstrong powerbombs Lyons out of the corner and Petrovic sends Armstrong outside for two. Back up and Lyons misses a Vader Bomb, leaving Armstrong to hit the Kali Connection for the pin to retain at 8:41.

Rating: B-. This was ok enough but it was mainly there to give Armstrong another title defense, which is a good way to go. She is getting somewhere with that Kali Connection and beating three challengers at once (even with one of them leaving before the ending) is only going to help her. I’m not sure who is next for Armstrong, but she is probably ready for NXT right now, which is quite the feat. Petrovic is still developing and getting more well rounded in the ring, which is a good sign. Monroe got to showcase herself in the ring a bit here and Lyons…yeah you know what you’re getting with her.

Overall Rating: C+. The main event is the big focal point of the show here (as it’s supposed to be) and that part worked. The other two matches didn’t do much, though the opener was the better of the pair. The women’s division gets a lot of focus around here and so far it has lived up to the hype, which could be a nice thing to see in the future.

Results
Kendal Grey b. Wendy Choo – Rollup
Brooks Jensen b. Jordan Oasis – Southern Lariat
Kali Armstrong b. Nikkita Lyons, Chantel Monroe and Karmen Petrovic – Kali Connection to Lyons

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: 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 9, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

Things are shaping up around here as we have a big Women’s Title match between Natalya and Kali Armstrong. That is the kind of challenge that Armstrong needs as it could set up some things for her future. Other than that, Jackson Drake is likely getting ready to deal with Lince Dorado coming for his Evolve Title. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at the Women’s Title match, with Natalya making a save but Armstrong not respecting her. The title match was set up as a result.

Opening sequence.

Timothy Thatcher vs. Keanu Carver

Thatcher grabs him to start but gets powered into the corner. That’s broken up so Thatcher takes him down by the leg, allowing him to go after the arm. As usual, Thatcher switches to the leg, even grabbing a bow and arrow. Carver breaks out and sends Thatcher flying with a standing fall away slam before hammering him down.

A hard clothesline gives Carver two and a World’s Strongest Slam gets the same. Back up and Carver misses a charge into the corner, allowing Thatcher to uppercut away. Thatcher pulls him into a Fujiwara armbar but Carver is back up. One heck of a Pounce sends Thatcher into the ropes, where Carver chokes away for the DQ at 6:53.

Rating: C+. This was a way to get Thatcher into something going forward as he hasn’t win much around here (if at all). Carver gets to run Thatcher over and leave him laying, which means either Thatcher or perhaps Sean Legacy will be fighting back. It makes Carver feel like a monster and that’s a good way to go.

Stevie Turner comes in to see the Vanity Project, saying that Lince Dorado does indeed get the next title shot at Jackson Drake. The contract signing is tonight. Jordan Oasis strolls in to say Drake needs to make sure he signs the contract properly.

Chantel Monroe vs. Masyn Holiday

Layla Diggs is here with Holiday. Monroe takes her down by the arm to start but Holiday is back up with a quickly broken armbar. Back up and Monroe sends her into the corner a few times, until Holiday reverses a shot into a rollup for two. Monroe grabs the chinlock, which doesn’t last long as Holiday is back up with a dropkick into a splash for two more. That’s shrugged off and Monroe grabs a Codebreaker for the pin at 3:54.

Rating: C. I’m still not feeling much from either of these two, but at some point they have to get in the ring and show what they can do. Neither of them really stood out here, though it was a perfectly fine match. Monroe winning clean is a bit of a surprise, but at least she is doing something other than sitting in the locker room working on her makeup.

Post match Monroe says she’s leaving Holiday and Diggs in the past, meaning it’s time to focus on the Women’s Title. She wants the next title shot but here is Kylie Rae to interrupt. Rae says she’s in the title picture, which brings out Tyra Mae Steele. She is VERY excited to be here and she wants her first match to be for the Women’s Title.

Rae says she’s getting the title but would be glad to give Steele a shot. Monroe says the title is hers and the brawl is on, with Rae being dropped and Steele grabbing a German suplex to put Monroe down. Steele feels like she is going to be a star as soon as she gets the chance and this might be the start.

Stevie Turner is about to give an update on Timothy Thatcher but Ridge Holland pops in. Holland calls himself the Ghost Of Wrestling Future because he’s going to hurt everyone around here. Turner isn’t impressed but Tate Wilder pops in, saying his medical records are all good so he’s ready to get in the ring. Holland doesn’t want to hear from him and words are exchanged but Turner leaves without making the expected match.

Here is Stevie Turner to run the contract signing between Lince Dorado and Jackson Drake, who has the Vanity Project with him. Turner hypes up the match but Drake says he talks first. He doesn’t understand why Dorado is getting a title shot after winning one match, which he won with help from the LWO, but there will not be a lucha house party for him. Dorado says he was originally here for the sake of helping the future, but now he wants to shut up the cocky, arrogant Drake.

That doesn’t work for Drake because he’s on top and likes the view from there. Drake signs and an excited Dorado calls that a mistake. The thing is, Drake didn’t see a clause in there: the Vanity Project is banned from ringside and if they interfere, Drake loses the title by DQ. Dorado sings the Goodbye Song to wrap it up. Simple and to the point here, though it really shows how little Drake stands out. The Vanity Project is fine as a heel stable, but Drake, as the singles star, doesn’t do anything that makes him feel like a much bigger deal than the other members.

Kendal Grey and Carlee Bright are in the back and Bright is struggling with her rehab. She’s cleared this weekend though and they’ll find the attacker.

Sean Legacy is ready to get revenge on Keanu Carver for the sake of Timothy Thatcher.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Women’s Title: Natalya vs. Kali Armstrong

Armstrong is defending. An early lockup doesn’t work so Armstrong powers her down. A trip takes Armstrong down as well though and Natalya grabs a headlock takeover. Back up and Armstrong gets in another big knockdown and we take a break. We come back with Armstrong hitting a hard running shoulder in the corner. They trade abdominal stretches until Natalya drops her with a discus lariat for two.

A Russian legsweep gives Natalya two more, followed by a legsweep for the same. The slingshot belly to back drop and a kick to the chest gets two more as these kickouts are making Armstrong look good. Armstrong is back with an Oklahoma Stampede of all things for two but Natalya pulls her into an ankle lock.

Armstrong pulls her into a choke, which is reversed into a cradle for two more. The crossface has Armstrong in more trouble and she misses the Kali Connection. Natalya gets the Sharpshooter but Armstrong makes the rope. Back up and the Kali Connection is enough to retain the title at 11:08.

Rating: B. All things considered, this was a heck of a match with Armstrong looking like a star who survived everything Natalya threw at her, including the Sharpshooter. This was a great example of how to use a veteran like Natalya to boost someone up and it was a heck of a showcase. Armstrong was being walked through the match but she did her part as well. Rather impressive showing here and it worked well.

Post match respect is shown and Natalya leaves but Jin Tala runs in to jump Armstrong. Tala reveals that she is the attacker and promises to do anything to get to the title to end the show. Well that’s as to the point as it can get, and it’s nice to see it explained so simply.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a good show, with the main event as a highlight. You can tell that the show has been put together well with the stories standing on their own and having different people involved. It’s a well structured show and that’s a great sign with everything that they have been doing lately.

Results
Timothy Thatcher b. Keanu Carver via DQ when Carver choked on the ropes.
Chantel Monroe b. Masyn Holiday – Codebreaker
Kali Armstrong b. Natalya – Kali Connection

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 18, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

We’re back to the developmental’s developmental and as usual, we have a guest star or two. In this case, Natalya is here for a tag match and there is a good chance that someone else will be around as well. Other than that, we’re going to need some challengers for the inaugural Evolve Champions so let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap sets up tonight’s tag match between Natalya/Kali Armstrong vs. Zayda Steele/Nikkita Lyons.

Opening sequence.

Zayda Steel/Nikkita Lyons vs. Natalya/Kali Armstrong

Armstrong and Lyons start things off with Lyons winning an exchange of strikes. Natalya comes in and it’s way too early for a Sharpshooter, meaning Armstrong tags herself back in. Armstrong knocks Lyons into the corner and it’s off to Steel, who is pulled into the wrong corner. Steel blocks the Sharpshooter as well (Natalya seems to be a fan of that one) and Lyons gets in a boot to the side of the head to take over.

Commentary hypes up Lyons vs. Natalya as something you never thought you would get to see, which would be better if we hadn’t seen it about a minute and a half ago. Lyons kicks away in the corner and we take a break. We come back with Lyons chinlocking Natalya, who armdrags her way out rather quickly. Natalya gets sent into the wrong corner though as commentary makes sure that you know how much Natalya gives back.

A snap suplex gives Lyons two and we hit the chinlock again. It’s back to Steel to stomp away in the corner but Natalya slips away and brings in Armstrong to clean house. Everything breaks down and Armstrong doesn’t like Natalya helping her, allowing Steel to get a quick two. The Kali Connection connects…but Natalya tags herself in for the Sharpshooter and the win at 8:06.

Rating: C+. The match told a fine story and if it leads to Natalya putting Armstrong over, it will make up for a good bit of what we’ve had to sit through here. There is only so much “Natalya is just so amazing” that I can take and sweet goodness were they pounding that concept in during the match. It’s a fine enough story though and that’s what Armstrong needs to get her title reign off on the right foot.

Post match Natalya looks at the title.

Stevie Turner is with Sean Legacy and Timothy Thatcher, the former of whom wants the first Evolve Title shot. He’s even willing to run a Vanity Project gauntlet to get the chance. Thatcher: “You want to do what?”

Jordan Oasis and Marcus Mathers are ready for their showcase match. Oasis has worked to get here and is ready for the win, but Mathers doesn’t like the sound of that. Mathers is ready to get his first win.

Masyn Holiday and Layla Diggs aren’t happy that Carlee Bright was attacked and accusations are made. The result seems to be Kendal Grey vs. Zara Zakher.

Marcus Mathers vs. Jordan Oasis

Oasis grabs a headlock to start but Mathers is back up with a crucifix for two. Mathers dropkicks him into the corner for a running elbow but a middle rope crossbody is pulled out of the air. A fall away slam gives Oasis two and we hit the chinlock. Mathers fights up again but gets planted with a brainbuster for a quick two. Oasis hits a Cannonball but has to duck an enziguri. Instead Mathers slips out of a belly to back suplex and wraps a kick around to the face. The big running flip dive to the floor takes Oasis down again and it’s a 450 to give Mathers the pin at 5:05.

Rating: C+. Mathers is someone who has caught my eye elsewhere and it’s no surprise that he has wound up in WWE. They didn’t have much time here but they had a perfectly fine modern story match. I could go for more of both of them and that is a good sign for what is hopefully a long road each.

Post match respect is shown but Keanu Carver comes in to wreck both of them. Carver promises to send them both back to the bingo halls.

Tate Wilder, a cowboy, is coming soon.

Video on Kylie Rae vs. Wendy Choo, setting up next week’s Last Woman Standing match.

Sean Legacy vs. Vanity Project

Legacy has to win the gauntlet to earn a title shot against Jackson Drake (here at ringside with Zayda Steel). Ricky Smokes starts for the team and is quickly taken down for a standing moonsault. Legacy takes him out of the corner for a big kick to the back but Smokes is back up with right hands in the corner.

A spear gives Smokes two and we hit the chinlock. That’s broken up without much trouble and Legacy knocks him down for a needed breather. Some strikes into a release German suplex set up Shambles to give Legacy the first fall at 3:39. Brad Baylor is in second and takes out the leg as we go to a break. We come back with Baylor elbowing him in the face for two but Legacy avoids a charge. Legacy kicks him down and hits a springboard missile dropkick for two of his own. Back up and Legacy misses a charge into the corner as commentary talks about Tommy Dreamer running the gauntlet in 1995 ECW.

Baylor works on the leg but Legacy fights up, only for the leg to give out before he can hit Shambles. Legacy’s leg is fine enough to grab a suplex and backdrop Baylor out to the floor. Naturally the leg is fine enough to hit a running flip dive, with the leg giving out on the landing. Back in and Baylor catches him with a superplex, only for Legacy to reverse into a cradle for the pin at 9:00 total. Bryce Donovan is the last opponent and comes in with a big boot to finish Legacy at 9:19 total.

Rating: C+. This was about how the match should have gone and that’s not a bad way to go. The biggest thing here was having Legacy come close but not quite be able to pull it off, which made for a logical ending. There is a good chance that Legacy winds up getting a title shot, but at the same time, Legacy jumping straight to NXT is not out of the question either.

Post match the beatdown is on with Jackson Drake saying the Vanity Project calls the shots. Lince Dorado runs in with a chair for the save. Dorado says this isn’t how we do things around here…and he didn’t come alone. The LWO runs in and cleans house to end the show. Nothing wrong with that, as the LWO feel like big deals around here.

Overall Rating: C+. Evolve is starting to click, with one of the best aspects being that the stories are easy to follow. The show has only been around for a few months now but you can easily jump into things and know just about everything you need. It makes for an easy show to watch, which is what we got here. Nothing on here was complicated but it all made sense and they took steps forward with all of the stories. Nice, effective show here and I’ll take that every week.

Results
Kali Armstrong/Natalya b. Zayda Steel/Nikkita Lyons – Sharpshooter to Steel
Marcus Mathers b. Jordan Oasis – 450
Vanity Project b. Sean Legacy – Big boot

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 11, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

We’re into a new era around here as we officially have Men’s and Women’s Evolve Champions. Last week saw Jackson Drake bring the men’s version to the Vanity Project, who I’m sure will have a calm, respectful celebration as a result. There are other things around here to address as well though so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Jackson Drake winning the title last week.

Opening sequence.

Here is the Vanity Project for their celebration. They aren’t ones to tell you “we told you so”, but that’s what they did. They are the future NXT main eventers and now Jackson Drake himself gets the mic. Drake talks about Buddy Rogers, Finn Balor and Seth Rollins being the first holders of various titles and now his name has been added. They have the best man, woman and tag team in Evolve and at this point, it isn’t even bragging. When you’re this good, you can only be called the Vanity Project, and now they make V signs with their fingers because they’re turning into a real stable.

Lince Dorado knows that he’s going to need help to come after the Vanity Project and he has an idea.

Wes Lee, with the rest of High Ryze, is ready for Cappuccino Jones.

Cappuccino Jones is with Jack Cartwheel and is heavily caffeinated for Wes Lee. The problem is Lee has forgotten what it’s like to be thirsty and it’s time for a fresh brew. Jones has one bit and he is getting everything he can out of it.

Zayda Steele/Nikkita Lyons vs. Layla Diggs/Masyn Holiday

Diggs and Holiday have a dance during their entrance and their opponents are….impressed? Steele takes Diggs down and poses to start but gets her leg swept for a fast two. Diggs dances some more and it’s off to Holiday for a dancing ax handle to the arm. Lyons comes in and fights out of the armbar before bending over so Holiday can jump over her.

Diggs comes back in and gets taken into the wrong corner but manages to powerslam Steele down for two. Holiday runs Steele over with a shoulder but stops to look at Lyons, which allows Lyons to come in for some shoulders to the ribs. The ZDT gives Steele two and Lyons grabs a chinlock, which works as well as you would expect.

Holiday avoids a charge in the corner and it’s off to Diggs to pick up the pace. A handspring shoulder to the ribs in the corner drops Steele and a splash gets two, with Lyons making the save. Cue Chantel Monroe to sit on the apron for a distraction, which allows Lyons to kick Holiday in the head for the pin at 7:52.

Rating: C-. This wasn’t the best stuff, with the dancing from Diggs and Holiday feeling like something that has been done to death. At the same time, having Monroe come in to do her one thing for a distraction wasn’t the most thrilling twist. The action wasn’t terrible as they all need time in the ring, but I wasn’t feeling this one for the most part.

Troy Yearwood likes to lift weights and write poetry, including one about how he’s going to take over Evolve and NXT. He likes lifting people in the ring with him…and now his name is Jamar Hampton. Sure.

Kali Armstrong comes up to tell Natalya that she doesn’t need her help. Natalya says she might, because they’re teaming together next week.

Jamar Hampton vs. It’s Gal

Hampton has some weird intro music, sounding like it would be playing in the opening scene of a romantic comedy while someone we just met is walking down the street. Hampton drives him into the corner to start so Gal (now pronounced as it would traditionally be, rather than gaul, as in rhyming with Paul) wants a test of strength. That goes fine for Hampton, who takes him down and does pushups on Gal’s back. An atomic drop sets up a running dropkick (and a high one at that) for two on Gal.

Back up and Gal starts taking over on the leg and hammers away in the corner. A pushup cover gives Gal two and he drops a Kofi Kingston double legdrop for two more. Gal stays on the leg with a half crab, with Hampton fighting out but not being able to stand. The one good leg is enough to German suplex Gal and an overhead belly to belly takes Gal down again. Hampton can’t quite get a fireman’s carry as Gal grabs a rollup for two of his own. Back up and Hampton hits an AA (landing on Gal, ala Keith Lee’s Big Bang Catastrophe) for the pin 6:30.

Rating: C+. This was a showcase for Hampton and that worked well enough, as he has a good look and some very impressive athleticism. That being said, the leg stuff being somewhat ignored so he could throw Gal around wasn’t the best look. On the other hand, Gal continues to not do much for me, as “he’s in good shape” and “looks like a human action figure” is only going to get him so far.

Marcus Mathers talks about how he has trained as hard and often as he can because this is what matters the most to him.

Jordan Oasis talks about how hard he has worked to get here, often walking the streets and living on busses. He doesn’t remember the last time he was in a hotel room. It’s hard to have to order the cheapest thing on the menu at a fast food restaurant so he can use the restroom or sneak into the gym after someone so he can use the shower. But now it’s worth it because he is making it here. That’s a heck of a way to make me care about someone and it did a nice job.

Wes Lee vs. Cappuccino Jones

The rest of High Ryze and Jack Cartwheel are here too. After the Big Match Intros, Jones takes him down by the arm to start but gets reversed into a headlock. Jones sweeps the legs out for two before going with back to back leapfrogs. Lee gets sent outside for a running flip dive and we take a break.

Back with Lee dropping Jones out of the corner and hitting a basement dropkick to the side of the head. A superkick lets Lee slam him head first into the mat a few times while shouting a lot as well. Jones tries to fight back but gets powerslammed down for two, leaving Lee frustrated. A quick backslide and rollup give Jones two each and he hits an enziguri to send Lee into the ropes.

The Half And Half gives Jones two so High Ryze gets involved, with Cartwheel going after them. That means a three way ejection, allowing Lee to hit a tornado DDT. The running knees give Lee two and Jones is back up with the Decaffinator for two and now it’s Jones’ turn to be stunned. Jones misses the Froggy Brew (these names are great) so Lee rolls him up but gets caught with his feet on the ropes. A rollup gives Jones a close two but Lee superkicks him in the back of the head. The Cardiac Kick finishes for Lee at 11:04.

Rating: B. Dang they had me into this one at the end, as I thought they might actually give Jones the big upset. I can get why they didn’t, but that would have been a heck of a way to give Jones the push. That being said, this absolutely did not hurt Jones, who looked great in defeat. Pretty awesome main event here, with both guys working rather hard.

Overall Rating: B-. This was the show that kind of reset things a bit, as they spent about a month setting up the title matches and now we have to see where things go from here. The main event was quite good and they have some people who seem ready to move up to the next level, which is what we might be seeing soon. This show didn’t exactly do anything big, but it moved a few things forward and wrapped up a thing or two as well. Evolve is turning into a regular show and I’m liking it more often than not so well done.

Results
Zayda Steele/Nikkita Lyons b. Layla Diggs/Masyn Holiday – Kick to the head to Holiday
Jamar Hampton b. It’s Gal – Attitude Adjustment
Wes Lee b. Cappuccino Jones – Cardiac Kick

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 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

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: May 28, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

It’s a big show this week, with the first Women’s Champion being crowned. That means a four way elimination match for the inaugural title and that means we should be in for a big time main event. Other than that, the Men’s Title is being crowned next week so it’s time for a big push. Let’s get to it.

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

The four women in the title match (Kendal Grey, Kali Armstrong, Wendy Choo and Kylie Rae) are ready to win. Well Choo doesn’t talk because of course she doesn’t.

Opening sequence.

Jackson Drake vs. Lince Dorado vs. Jordan Oasis

The Vanity Project is here with Drake and the winner is in the Evolve Title match next week. Drake elbows both of them down to start and Oasis is sent outside. A top rope ax handle gets two on Dorado with Oasis coming back in for the save. Oasis hits a gutbuster for two on Drake and it’s time for a three way strike off.

Dorado gets the better of things but gets sent outside, leaving Drake to hammer on Oasis in the corner. Oasis plants him down for two but Brad Baylor makes the save. Dorado hits a big dive to the floor and goes to the back with the Vanity Project. Back up and Drake avoids a charge in the corner, setting up a running knee to pin Oasis at 5:52.

Rating: C+. This was a fine enough way to get the Vanity Project into the title match, as it would have been strange to not have them around in one way or another. I like the idea of bringing in a veteran like Dorado as well, as the fans are going to respond to someone they know. He’s still more than good enough in the ring to hold his own out here too, even if he isn’t likely going to win much.

Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont are ready to take out Cappuccino Jones and Jack Cartwheel.

It’s Gal is by the pool but he can’t have as much fun as he wants because people are saying Troy Yearwood has a better physique. That doesn’t work for Gal, so Yearwood needs to stay out of his way.

Jackson Drake is back in the ring and brags about his success, promising to win the title next week. Cue Edris Enofe to interrupt, saying Drake shouldn’t brag while he’s around. Cue Sean Legacy to interrupt, saying he’s going to win. Drake isn’t impressed but cue Keanu Carver to interrupt, with Drake getting beaten down.

Cappuccino Jones and Jack Cartwheel say it’s their speed against Tyson DuPont and Tyriek Igwe’s power.

Cappuccino Jones/Jack Cartwheel vs. Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont

Igwe powers Cartwheel down to start but Cartwheel is back up to work on the arm. DuPont comes in for a side slam but misses a charge into the corner. It’s off to Jones for a basement dropkick and a double clothesline puts DuPont on the floor. Cue Wes Lee to check on DuPont and Igwe, with the distraction letting DuPont get in a cheap shot to take over.

The double teaming is on but Jones gets over for the tag to Cartwheel. As we get a graphic saying Cartwheel is friends with Frank Frontroll and John Backflip, Cartwheel hits a big flip dive to take DuPont down, followed by a spinning moonsault for two on Igwe. DuPont runs Jones over on the floor though and it’s a Heartstopper for the pin on Cartwheel at 5:08.

Rating: B-. Power vs. speed very well may be the most basic story in wrestling and it went rather well here. They made the story clear and didn’t veer to one side or another with it, which is exactly how this needed to go. I liked this more than I was expecting, and Jones/Cartwheel as a regular team could be worth a try.

Stevie Turner signs Jin Tala to the roster. Carlee Bright comes in and is told she can’t be at ringside. Next week: Tala vs. Bright, and they’re both fine with it.

Natalya is here to watch the title match.

High Ryze (Wes Lee/Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont) are happy with their win and acknowledge that Jack Cartwheel and Cappuccino Jones have potential.

Women’s Title: Kylie Rae vs. Kali Armstrong vs. Kendal Grey vs. Wendy Choo

Elimination rules for the inaugural title. They start fast and everyone but Grey goes to the floor, meaning it’s time for the big dive to take them out. Back in and Armstrong is rammed into Rae for two each, followed by Grey crossbodying Choo for the same. Choo pops up and gets all creepy, including a running shot to all three in various corners. A high crossbody hits Rae but Grey runs Choo over. The Kali Connection hits Choo and Rae adds a superkick to get rid of Choo at 2:54.

We take a break and come back with Rae hitting a pair of Cannonballs for two. Armstrong suplexes them both at the same time but Grey fights up and cleans house. Grey goes for a cross armbreaker on Armstrong but Rae grabs a rollup to pin Grey at 6:05 total. We’re down to Armstrong vs. Rae, with Armstrong making a quick comeback.

The Kali Connection is countered into a crossface in the middle of the ring but Armstrong powers up anyway. A powerslam doesn’t work for Armstrong and Rae gets two off a small package. Back up and Armstrong hits the powerslam followed by the Kali Connection for the pin and the title at 8:45.

Rating: C+. Uh, where’s the rest of this? They hyped up the match as being this huge deal and then it’s over in less than nine minutes? I was expecting this to go a lot longer than this and it was actually disappointing. That being said, Armstrong is the right choice for the win, as she has had the hot hand in recent weeks. Someone is going to have to overcome the power and athleticism and that is going to make them a big deal.

Post match Rae is distraught and Wendy Choo looks on, because that still needs to be a thing.

Natalya comes in to present the title, which Armstrong snatches away from her.

Overall Rating: C+. This show was focused on the titles for the most part, with the tag match in the middle adding a bit of variety. The men’s title match is feeling huge, though the women’s version didn’t quite live up to expectations. I’ll take the step forward though, as this is starting to feel like a more traditional wrestling show week by week.

Results
Jackson Drake b. Jordan Oasis and Lince Dorado – Running knee to Oasis
Tyson DuPont/Tyriek Igwe b. Cappuccino Jones/Jack Cartwheel – Heartstopper to Cartwheel
Kali Armstrong b. Kendal Grey, Kylie Rae and Wendy Choo last eliminating Rae

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

FSW WWE ID Championship Tournament
Date: April 18, 2025
Location: FSW Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: Jake Black, Trevin Adams

It’s pretty much what the name says, as we started the tournament on Wednesday and now we get the second day here. There is a men’s and women’s version, which means we are going to be seeing some of the prominent ID names getting their chance. The first night wasn’t bad at all and hopefully this lives up that standard. Let’s get to it.

Men’s WWE ID Championship Tournament: Cappuccino Jones vs. It’s Gal

This is a double elimination tournament and Gal powers him around to start. A headlock doesn’t work for Jones so Gal pulls him into a fireman’s carry. That’s broken up and Jones hits a big dropkick before chopping away. Gal shrugs that off and powers him down, meaning it’s time for some pushups with choking included. A legdrop gives Gal two and he grabs a chinlock with a knee in the back.

Back up and Gal chokes in the corner before slapping Jones in the face. That seems to wake Jones up enough to fight back, only for Gal to kick him in the face. Jones manages a quick Stunner into a springboard elbow to the face, followed by a pop up cutter for two. Hold on though as Gal comes up holding his elbow but the referee catches him using the medals. Jones hits him in the face and grabs the Decaffinator for the pin at 7:32.

Rating: B-. This was a pretty nice match actually with Gal getting in the offense but posing too much, leading to him trying to cheat to no avail. Jones is someone with a goofy but simple gimmick and it is starting to take off for him. Both of them are entertaining enough and this was a good way to open the show.

Post match Jones thanks the fans for being here to support them tonight. He would have done anything to get here and now he has a big pot brewing for anyone who wants some. Cue Swipe Right, Jackson Drake and Zayda Steele to lay Jones out. Drake brags about the team’s success so far and more success is coming. He’s ready for Marcus Mathers and Ricky Smokes is ready for Sean Legacy and Brad Baylor is ready for Ice Williams. Even Zayda Williams is ready to win her match! These people don’t have much to say.

Zayda Steele/Mazzerati vs. Brittnie Brooks/Zara Zakher

Steele wants to face Brooks but immediately bails out to the floor, allowing Mazzerati to headlock Brooks instead. Brooks reverses into an armbar, which is broken up just as quickly. Back up and Brooks grabs some armdrags into a snap suplex for two. Zakher comes in for an elbow to the face and a running kick to the back for two. Mazzerati is back with a gutbuster and Steele slaps her in the back for a tag, meaning it’s time to hammer on Zakher. Steele knocks her onto the floor and stomps away but stops to blow a kiss to the camera.

Back in and a dropkick knocks Zakher out of the Tree of Woe but Steele accidentally knocks Mazzerati off the apron. It’s back to Brooks and Mazzerati tags herself back in, only to get forearmed in the face. Brooks grabs a DDT for two but Mazzerati fights up. Steele grabs her by the hair and tags herself back in though, setting up a Gory Bomb for two on Zakher. Mazzerati won’t tag in so Steele shoves her off the apron, which has Mazzerati leaving. Zakher RKOs Steele for the pin at 10:36.

Rating: C. It’s nice to see a story in a match like this, as you have Steele dealing with Mazzerati, complete with commentary pointing out how Mazzerati has recently changed her attitude. Other than that, it wasn’t much of a match but at least it got some time and they were able to showcase themselves. Steele continues to look like a star and if she can back it up in the ring, she’ll be a big deal.

Bodhi Young Prodigy vs. Freedom Ramsey

Bodhi tries a quick sunset flip for two and holds the ropes to avoid the dropkick. Ramsey comes back with an atomic drop and a middle rope faceplant gets two. A jumping legdrop gives Ramsey two but Bodhi comes back with a DDT for a needed breather. The comeback is on and Bodhi hits a high crossbody for two. A Pele drops Ramsey again but he avoids the 450. Ramsey hits a Blockbuster for the pin at 5:47.

Rating: C+. I’ve only seen a bit of these two so I didn’t have much of an idea of what is going on but they pulled me in to Bodhi making his comeback. That’s an impressive thing to do as I don’t have any reason to care about these two but it worked anyway. Bodhi’s comeback was engaging and the fans got into it, which made things even that much better.

Respect is shown post match.

Men’s WWE ID Championship Tournament: Sam Holloway vs. Aaron Rourke

They’ve both lost once so the loser is eliminated. The bigger Holloway shoves him into the corner to start so Rourke grabs a lockup and climbs the ropes. That doesn’t work either so Rourke just opts to hammer away in the corner. A running boot in the corner rocks Holloway and Rourke sends him to the floor for a dive. This works a bit better for Holloway, who crotches Rourke on the barricade and then chops the heck out of him.

Back in and we hit the chinlock to keep Rourke down, only for him to reverse into an Octopus. That’s broken up as well so Holloway cuts him off with a running dropkick (impressive given his size). A top rope splash gives Holloway two and he can’t believe the kickout. Rourke gets up again but gets caught in a powerbomb, which he reverses into a Code Red for the pin to eliminate Holloway at 9:28.

Rating: B-. Rourke got to stand out a bit more here than he did yesterday and that’s nice to see. That’s kind of the point of what you’re supposed to see from these matches as they’re still making themselves known on the bigger stages. Rourke doesn’t have much that makes him stand out but at least he was out there with a bigger guy who gave him a solid opponent.

Men’s WWE ID Championship Tournament: Aaron Roberts vs. Jordan Oasis

Oasis starts fast and knocks him outside for a suicide dive. Back in and Roberts drops him with a clothesline before ramming Oasis’ head into the mat. Roberts slowly hammers away in the corner before dropping down onto Oasis’ back. Oasis finally fights out and manages a good spinebuster. Roberts’ chokeslam gets two but a Vader Bomb is countered into a powerbomb to give Oasis two more. Back up and Roberts pulls out a foreign object for a cheap shot, setting up the Vader Bomb for the pin at 7:07.

Rating: C+. Oasis feels like someone who turn into something so while it’s annoying to see him lose, it might mean that they have a little more for him to do. Seeing him face some adversity could make for a good story and hopefully that is where they’re going. At the same time, Roberts is a pretty standard big man and hasn’t shown me much so far. There will always be a place for someone like him in wrestling, but so far he hasn’t shown me much.

Men’s WWE ID Championship Tournament: Jackson Drake vs. Marcus Mathers

They fight over a lockup to start until Drake pulls him down into a headscissors. That’s broken up and Mathers knocks him outside, followed by some leg cranking back inside. Drake fights up and is dropkicked down almost immediately. Mathers charges into a boot in the corner though and Drake gets in a middle rope knee to the arm to take over. The arm is tied up and Drake gets creative by using his wrist tape to pull back on the arm even more.

The referee sees Drake using the ropes on a cover to give Mathers a breather but Drake is right back on the arm. Mathers’ arm is fine enough to slam him down, followed by a spinning high crossbody. A Blue Thunder Bomb gives Mathers two but Drake pulls him into a Kimura. That’s broken up with a quick slam but the arm gives out and Drake gets a cross armbreaker.

Mathers survives that as well and fights up for a superkick. That means it’s time to go up top, where Drake’s superplex brings him back down in a big crash. Back up and the frustrated Drake hammers away in the corner, setting up a bridging German suplex for two. Mathers blocks the running knee though and a dragon screw legwhip takes Drake down again. A middle rope Canadian Destroyer hits Drake and the Broad Street Buster (fisherman’s buster) gets another near fall. Cue Swipe Right for a distraction, allowing Sam Holloway to post Mathers. Drake adds the running knee for the pin at 18:32.

Rating: B-. Well that was…long. I’m not sure I’d say it was especially good, but it’s nice to see them being able to hold it together for a longer match. Drake is a decent enough villain and Mathers certainly feels like someone who could turn into a bigger star if he is properly developed. For now though, they had a nice match, even if it went on for quite awhile.

Post match, Drake brags about how great he and Swipe Right are. Again.

Men’s WWE ID Championship Tournament: Sean Legacy vs. Ricky Smokes

Legacy isn’t waiting here and dropkicks Smokes to the floor to start. Some chops rock Smokes even more and they head back inside where Smokes can keep chopping away. Smokes gets in a shot of his own in the corner and starts in with his own chops, followed by a kick into the ropes. Legacy fights up and goes to the top but gets dropkicked out to the floor in a heap.

Back in and Smokes drops a knee, followed by the required chinlock. That’s broken up and Legacy strikes away, setting up a middle rope Spanish Fly to leave both of them down. Legacy moonsaults into a lifting reverse DDT for two before grabbing the torture rack, only to have to go after Swipe Right. Smokes kicks him in the head but dives into a Codebreaker. The torture rack flipped into the swinging neckbreaker gives Legacy the pin at 8:32.

Rating: C+. Legacy has definitely felt like the biggest star in the ID program so far and it seems like he’s the centerpiece, at least in the early stages. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him as the first champion, but he’s almost guaranteed to at least make a deep run. Smokes is one half of the annoying heel tag team so Legacy had a reason to beat him, though I’m not sure if there was much drama.

Post match Swipe Right comes in for the beatdown but Ice Williams and Cappuccino Jokes make the save. And now, the main event.

Men’s WWE ID Championship Tournament: Ice Williams vs. Brad Baylor

Williams starts fast and hammers away, including knocking Baylor to the floor for some uppercuts. Baylor gets in a shot of his own and they head back inside, where Baylor starts going after Williams’ neck. The pace slows again as Baylor hammers away and then grabs a chinlock. That’s broken up and Williams spins around to hit a quick DDT. Williams ties him in the ropes for a kick tot he face and an elbow to the back for two.

Baylor comes back with a snapdragon for two before going up top, where he reverses a superplex into a swinging superplex (ala Kevin Owens). Back up and Williams hits a good looking superkick for two, plus a good shocked kickout face. Baylor brainbusters him onto the knee for two more and goes for a turnbuckle pad. With the referee taking care of that, it’s a low blow for two on Williams. Back up and they slug it out until Williams superkicks him down again. A brainbuster finishes Baylor off at 11:13.

Rating: C+. Baylor feels like the bigger star of Swipe Right, which is quite a big deal at this point given how much they have been featured. At the same time, Williams is another guy who might wind up becoming a star and certainly has the look. He’s already doing well with his early tournament appearances and that should give him a nice next few appearances.

Post match Williams says he’s going to be the first ID Champion and thanks the fans for coming out.

Overall Rating: C+. The show isn’t bad and the action is good enough, but the ID people are starting to lose their charm. They’ve been all over the weekend and you can only see Swipe Right and company run in so many times to do their thing before it stops working. I know we’ll get to the title stuff and some better stories later, but two long shows from these same people in a few days is a bit much. It’s not bad, but there’s a reason these people are prospects rather than the featured stars.

On top of that, the tournament is kind of all over the place. You have some people with one loss, one guy already eliminated and in theory some wrestlers who haven’t debuted yet. What we didn’t have was any kind of graphic or standings showing where people were. Maybe they don’t know all of the entrants yet or they haven’t been announced, but it doesn’t make for the easiest thing to follow, especially with the double elimination aspect. It makes the show feel all over the place and hard to keep track of, which isn’t the kind of feeling you want fans to have. Good enough wrestling, but it needs to be tightened up.

Results
Cappuccino Jones b. It’s Gal – Decaffinator
Brittnie Brooks/Zara Zakher b. Zayda Steele/Mazzerati – RKO to Steele
Freedom Ramsey b. Bodhi Young Prodigy – Blockbuster
Aaron Rourke b. Sam Holloway – Code Red
Aaron Roberts b. Jordan Oasis – Vader Bomb
Jackson Drake b. Marcus Mathers – Running knee
Sean Legacy b. Ricky Smokes – Torture rack swinging neckbreaker
Ice Williams b. Brad Baylor – Brainbuster

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