Evolve
Date: May 13, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

We’re coming up on another Evolve Title match and in this case we have a four way to crown a new #1 contender. That should make for a good main event and I’m curious to see which way they go. Other than that, we might be seeing some of the names who are on their way to NXT wrapping things up around here. Let’s get to it.

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

Kam Hendrix and Harley Riggins arrive and talk about how it’s time for Hendrix to get the Evolve Title. I kind of like these little recaps as done by the wrestlers, as it’s a bit of a change of pace from the usual narrated versions or just showing clips.

Opening sequence.

Nikkita Lyons vs. Karmen Petrovic

Lyons drops outside at the bell before coming back inside so they can both miss some kicks. Legsweeps miss for both of them as well so Petrovic kicks Lyons’ hand. Petrovic grabs a headlock to cut off the kicks, only to get hit in the stomach. Back up and Petrovic hits her in the stomach as well, followed by a hair takedown, allowing Petrovic to mock the hand licking thing.

The headlock goes on again, with Lyons going down to the mat this time. A double arm crank keeps Lyons in trouble as Petrovic is getting a lot of control here. Petrovic switches to a full nelson with her legs but Lyons gets up for a fall away slam. We take a break and come back with Lyons working on Petrovic’s ribs and dropping the splits splash. A running shoulder in the corner stays on the bad ribs and Lyons bends the back over her knee.

Petrovic fights up and grabs a suplex, followed by the sliding kick to the chest. A Sling Blade gives Petrovic two but Lyons knocks her down, only to miss a Vader Bomb. Cue Sloane Jacobs for a distraction but Laynie Luck runs out to cut her off. Wendy Choo pops up to trip Lyons and the Petrifier gives Petrovic the pin at 9:06.

Rating: C+. This was mainly a bunch of strikes and that’s what it should have been, as it’s their signature styles. At the same time, the ending gives Choo some revenge on Lyons and hopefully it wraps up their story. Petrovic doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, but at least she got a win here.

Brooks Jensen comes up to Dorian Van Dux, who offers to take Jensen’s advice…and throw it in the trash. Dux says something in French but Jensen doesn’t care where Dux is from because Jensen just wants to beat someone up. Jensen still does not feel remotely important.

Here is Harlem Lewis who calls out Braxton Cole for awakening something inside of him. Cole lost the Evolve Title match so he wants the loser out here right now. Cue Cole, with Lewis getting ready to go after him. The security guards come out and get between them, leaving Cole to mock Lewis for not having as wealthy of an upbringing.

Tate Wilder comes up to a depressed Romeo Moreno. Wilder doesn’t like the mindset and says Evolve is about developing and growing. Wilder lost a lot when he got here and look at how far he has come. It’s just a matter of time before Moreno rises up as well. Moreno seems to appreciate the kind words.

Tristan Angels is ready to become #1 contender because he’s an Englishman facing some Americans and a Belgian. Why would he be worried about someone from a country famous for chocolates and waffles? The Americans are nothing to worry about either because he’s tough and handsome.

CJ Valor vs. It’s Gal

Valor’s friends are here too as he misses a charge into the corner to start. Gal strikes away and wrestles him down to the mat, meaning it’s time for some posing. A running hurricanrana and enziguri drop Valor, setting up a double legdrop for two. Valor fights out of a waistlock and judo throws Gal down for two of his own.

Gal gets whipped hard into the corner and we hit the chinlock. That’s broken up and Gal fights back, including throwing Valor out of the corner. A springboard dropkick gives Gal two but valor pulls him into an ankle lock. That’s broken up and Gal forearms away, drawing Max Abrams to the apron. Jacari Ball chop blocks Gal and a pop up spinebuster gives Valor the pin at 5:25.

Rating: C. Gal as a good guy is still a new experiment but he was so over the top that he had to go in this direction. On the other hand you have the new evil group and it makes perfect sense for them to get a win by cheating. This went fine, though the action was just pretty ok all things considered.

Post match the group gets in the ring, with Abrams bragging about all of their skills and what they bring to the team. Apparently they are the Mog Squad. Howard: “I don’t get it.”

Cappuccino Jones is filmed from behind a bush and is heard on the phone, seemingly bringing in reinforcements.

Gianna Capri blames her first loss on Anya Rune. Veronica Haven doesn’t like the disrespect but Rune gets up to say she’s going to get a match against Layla Diggs. Capri still isn’t impressed.

Dorian Van Dux vs. Kam Hendrix vs. Tristan Angels vs. Brooks Jensen

For a title shot against Aaron Rourke, who is in the VIP area. Dux and Jensen jaw at each other but get jumped and sent outside. Hendrix backslides Angels for two and Jensen rolls Hendrix up for the same. Dux is back up with a double missile dropkick and snaps off a running hurricanrana to Angels.

A flipping clothesline causes Jensen to DDT Hendrix and Angels sends Jensen outside. Dux’s clothesline to the back of Angels’ head gets two but Angels crotches him on top. Hendrix dives onto Dux on the floor and Jensen hits a dive off the top to Hendrix and Angels. Dux moonsaults onto all of them and we take a break.

We come back with Dux tossing Jensen onto Hendrix and powerbombing Angels onto the two of them. They fight up until a 3D gives Jensen two on Angels. Dux and Jensen slug it out until Jensen hits a running lariat. Dux’s Stundog Millionaire gets him out of trouble and a shooting star press hits Angels for two, with Hendrix making a save.

Cue Tate Wilder to go after Hendrix and Jensen removes his boot to knock Dux silly. A Neutralizer hits Dux but Angels steals the cover for two. Dux half crabs Angels until Jensen kicks Dux…to no avail. Jensen hammers away to break it up but gets dropped with a clothesline. Angels’ rollup gets two and Dux gives him a springboard cutter. Jensen knocks Dux outside but gets small packaged to give Angels the pin at 9:12.

Rating: B-. This was a bunch of good action and it had the Jensen vs. Dux feud to keep the match going. Dux got to show off some athleticism here, with the flips and fast paced offense looking impressive. Angels has been treated as an important deal and it makes sense to have him get the title shot. It wouldn’t shock me to see him win the title, which very well may be where we’re going from here.

Rourke and Angels stare each other down to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. I love this kind of show, as it felt like they had a bunch of stuff to cover and they made it work. It was an effective show and covered a few different stories, including setting up Rourke’s next challenger for the title. That’s all you need sometimes as the big show is probably coming soon. It’s not a must see show, but it kept things moving for another week.

Results
Karmen Petrovic b. Nikkita Lyons – Petrifier
CJ Valor b. It’s Gal – Pop up spinebuster
Tristan Angels b. Brooks Jensen, Dorian Van Dux and Kam Hendrix – Small package to Jensen

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

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NXT
Date: May 12, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

We’re on the way to some big show which I don’t think has been announced yet but you can see some of the stories coming together from here. This includes Tony D’Angelo likely facing Naraku, who is the new big villain on the show. Other than that, it turns out that Keanu Carver is rather smart, which he revealed last week. Let’s get to it.

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

Tatum Paxley/Lizzy Rain vs. Nikkita Lyons/Zaria

Zaria and Rain start things off with Zaria easily shoving her down. A sunset flip doesn’t work for Rain either and Zaria hits a hard clothesline. Paxley comes in and gets to face Lyons, who makes a blind tag. Lyons puts her down but misses a splits splash and everything breaks down. Rain and Paxley hit stereo dropkicks through the ropes and we take a break.

We come back with Rain fighting out of a chinlock but getting caught in a tiger bomb for two. Zaria misses a charge though and it’s back to Rain to make the comeback. Lyons punches her down though and it’s back to Paxley, whose Cemetery Drive is reversed into a spinning kick to the head. That’s enough for Lyons to get over to the rope…and Zaria walks out. Rain comes back in for Thunderstruck for the pin at 9:24.

Rating: C+. Rain seems to be sticking around and while I’m not big on her thus far, she’s at least someone unique enough to stand out and that’s a good start. At the same time, Lyons took the pin here as she should have and I can’t blame Zaria for walking away from her. Paxley can get ready for whomever is next for her, which very well may wind up being Zaria anyway.

Kendal Grey insists that Wren Sinclair isn’t a distraction to her, despite Sinclair’s injury. Lola Vice comes in and Grey is ready to show her that wrestling is better than MMA. Tempers flare.

Naraku vs. Lince Dorado

Naraku starts in on the arm to start and grinds away on a headlock. Dorado slips out and hits a springboard spinning crossbody but gets suplexed into the corner. A hard clothesline puts Dorado down again and we hit the chinlock. Dorado gets up and hits a Golden Rewind, only to get caught in a release fisherman’s suplex. The Abyss (STO/Everything Is Evil) finishes for Naraku at 4:32.

Rating: C. This was a debut and Naraku looked good enough, with Dorado’s offense not getting him very far. It wasn’t exactly a squash but it did what it needed to do, as Naraku looks like he could be a threat to some top stars. He has a long way to go, but at least he started off fairly well.

Post match Naraku says he is pure evil.

EK Prosper is glad to have Tate Wilder and Sean Legacy there to help him. Wilder is still trying to find his spot around here. Dorian Van Dux comes in and is ready to go as well.

Jaida Parker interrupted Natalya’s LFG video earlier today and they got into it again.

EK Prosper/Tate Wilder/Sean Legacy vs. Birthright

Wilder takes Stacks into the corner to start and gives him an armdrag, followed by a dropkick. A shot to the throat allows the tag off to Dempsey, who gets to uppercut Legacy. Prosper comes in for a dropkick and does the same thing to Connors, who crashes out to the floor as we take a break. We come back with Legacy kicking Connors in the corner, allowing Wilder to get the tag. Everything breaks down and Wilder gets caught on top and butterfly superplexed back down.

Prosper makes the save and we get a rather loud NXT chant. Wilder hits a TKO for two more as Stacks makes the save. That means Wilder gets to hit a big running flip dive but looks at Legacy rather than tagging him in. Wilder’s frog splash gets two but Wilder STILL won’t tag. Instead, Wilder misses the Wilde Ride (moonsault), allowing Stacks and Connors to come in with a pair of running boots for the pin at 12:58.

Rating: B. This got wild in the middle and it was rather entertaining, with Wilder getting the chance to stand out. At the same time, it’s interesting to see him not wanting to tag and instead going for everything he could. That’s a curious way to go for him and hopefully it leads to something, as he’s grown on me a lot during his time in Evolve.

Tatum Paxley is so happy with the win earlier tonight that she’ll give Lizzy Rain a title shot next week. Shiloh Hill comes in and says he’s been researching Tristan Angels. Cue Angels, who doesn’t like Hill suggesting he could outclass him.

The Culling wants to get rid of some people, with Izzi Dame focusing on Lola Vice.

Here is Robert Stone to bring in Mason Rook to sign his NXT contract. Rook talks about turning heads around the world, including getting John Cena’s attention. That’s not enough for him though because he’s about to crush people but here is Tony D’Angelo to interrupt. D’Angelo is paying attention to Rook…and here is Kam Hendrix to jump D’Angelo from behind. Rook dives onto them all and then signs his contract as the fans sing about him being big and bad (though it might have been “fat” instead of bad) and something about a hat.

Romeo Moreno praises Noam Dar’s abilities as Dar is ready for his match.

Emily Agard’s newest assignment is to get to know OTM, who are having a cookout. They have some hot dogs and talk to Lucien Price’s brother. Price and his brother had to work to get here and both know how to put in the effort. Apparently Nima plans things out and is also quite the artist. These little vignettes/interviews are a REALLY good idea as they’re letting fans get to know some of these wrestlers who have never had a chance before. That’s great to see and hopefully they keep going.

Jackson Drake vs. Noam Dar

The rest of the Vanity Project is here with Drake. Dar chops him away to start but Dar is back with a shove into the ropes. That just earns him a trip to the floor, where Dar hits a running boot as we take a break. We come back with Dar getting crotched on top and Drake adding a handspring cutter.

Dar grabs a suplex though but enziguried into a fireman’s carry gutbuster. They go to a pinfall reversal sequence until Dar gets two off a European Clutch. Back up and they trade forearms until Dar kicks him in the ribs to break up a handspring. Myka Lockwood offers a distraction though and Drake gets in a kick of his own. The 450 finishes Dar at 10:22.

Rating: B-. Drake needed a win like this just for the sake of building himself up a bit. He hasn’t done much on his own since showing up in NXT so a simple win is a good way to go. Dar is still finding his footing after his return and now we get to see what he can do after his long absence. I like him on his own a lot more and hopefully we get to see how it goes for a bit.

Post match here is Darkstate to stare at the Vanity Project but they don’t come to the ring.

Myles Borne comes up to Tavion Heights and talks about a tag match next week. Heights thinks he and Borne will be teaming together but it’s actually with Tony D’Angelo. Heights takes this as Borne thinking he’s not good enough as a partner anymore, even if Borne denies it. Either way, heights storms off.

Back in the arena and Darkstate is in the ring while the Vanity Project is in the aisle. Darkstate want a title shot but get shot down, with Brad Baylor bragging about taking the titles from Darkstate in the first place. That’s fine with Darkstate, because they’ve already gotten the match made. Hold on though, as Darkstate has a huddle and say the team has to get the title back or it might be time for a change. Either way, the Project runs in from behind and are quickly dispatched.

Robert Stone meets Naraku, who gives him a very intense handshake. Stone leaves and runs into Kam Hendrix and Mason Rook, who aren’t happy with the tag match. They’re basically told to get over it, but here is Tate Wilder, who wants a match next week. Keanu Carver comes in to say he wants one too so Stone makes Wilder vs. Carver. Simple enough.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Kali Armstrong wants to scout the women’s division around here. Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair pop up for a staredown. For you non-fans, Grey beat Armstrong to win the Evolve Women’s Title.

Kendal Grey vs. Kelani Jordan

Wren Sinclair is here with Grey. They fight over a lockup to start until Grey double legs her down. The threat of a cross armbreaker sends Jordan bailing over to the ropes. Back up and Jordan misses a charge into the corner, allowing Grey to hit a dropkick. They head out to the apron, where Grey sweeps the legs and hits a slingshot double stomp back inside

The ankle lock is broken up though and Grey is sent outside, with Jordan hitting a dive. An apron 619 gets Grey out of trouble and she hits a big dive to the floor as we take a break. We come back with an exchange of shots to the face leaving both of them down. An overhead belly to belly drops Jordan again and Grey strings together some suplexes. A hurricanrana out of the corner gives Grey two but Jordan is back with a powerbomb for the same.

Grey snatches the ankle but can’t get a cross armbreaker. Back up and a powerslam gives Grey two as we see Izzi Dame attacking Lola Vice backstage. Jordan catches her up top with a super Spanish Fly as Vice and Dame fight to ringside, with Sinclair being knocked down. That’s enough of a distraction for Jordan to knock Grey off the ropes and hit One Of A Kind for the pin at 12:48.

Rating: B. They were going a bit better before the bell but it was nice to see these two getting a chance to showcase themselves. Grey more than hung in there with the established Jordan and already feels like she belongs in this division. That’s hard to do but she’s making it work rather early on in her NXT run.

Post match Grey and Vice argue but Dame takes Vice out to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. The most impressive thing that NXT has done in recent weeks is introduce these new stars and turned them into regulars that fast. That’s hard to do and they’ve managed to make it work this well. These new names still have a long way to go, but they’re off to a good start and that is more than I was expecting. That was on display here, as there were a lot of new names on the show and it didn’t feel out of place. It’s far from the days of NXT 2.0 when everyone was just thrown in there with no particular idea. This feels more planned out and that is helping quite a bit.

Results
Lizzy Rain/Tatum Paxley b. Nikkita Lyons/Zaria – Thunderstruck to Lyons
Naraku b. Lince Dorado – Abyss
Birthright b. EK Prosper/Sean Legacy/Tate Wilder – Double boot to Wilder
Jackson Drake b. Noam Dar – 450
Kelani Jordan b. Kendal Grey – One Of A Kind

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

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Evolve
Date: May 6, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

We’re in a bit of a transition period here as a bunch of stars are on their way up to NXT but haven’t quite gotten there yet. As a result, some people here are probably finishing up what they’re doing, which could take a few weeks. We need a new #1 contender to the Evolve Title, with Harlem Lewis being a real possibility after not getting pinned in last week’s triple threat. Let’s get to it.

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

We look at what happened last week after the show went off the air. Kam Hendrix and Harley Riggins went after Aaron Rourke, who fought back for a bit and then bailed from the numbers’ advantage.

Wendy Choo is nervous about her first title defense and previews the show.

Opening sequence.

Max Abrams/Santi Rivera/Jacari Ball vs. Cappuccino Jones/Chazz Hall/Romeo Moreno

CJ Valor is with Abrams and company. Abrams starts and immediately hands it off to Ball, who gets punched in the face by Jones. Ball takes over and hands it off to Rivera who misses an elbow by half a mile, allowing Jones to work on the arm. Hall comes in and the good guys clear the ring without much trouble.

We settle down to Abrams taking over on Moreno and handing it back to Ball for the rolling gutwrench suplexes. Moreno is able to knock Rivera to the floor though and it’s back to Hall to flip around a bit. Ball hits Abrams by mistake though and Hall snaps off a springboard headscissors. Everything breaks down again and Hall hits a big dive to the floor, meaning the good guys get to pose as we take a break.

We come back with Hall in trouble and getting sent into the wrong corner. Rivera grabs the chinlock and Hall’s comeback being cut off. As usual, the real tag goes through a few seconds later, with Jones coming in to make Abrams beg off. Abrams gets knocked down and Jones knocks Ball outside. A knee to the head knocks Jones silly though and it’s a Sling Blade to give Rivera two. It’s back to Moreno, who hits a brainbuster on Rivera, setting up Hall’s shooting star press for two with everyone making the save.

Everyone gets up for the three on three showdown with Hall getting suplexed down. Abrams hits a frog splash for two with Moreno making the save. Moreno is left alone with Abrams and hits a super Spanish Fly. Valor gets up for a distraction so here is It’s Gal to go after him. The unnamed security guards drag Gal away (yes he poses while being carried off), leaving Abrams to hit the Main Objective (running Fameasser) to pin Moreno at 15:18.

Rating: B. That’s an especially long match for Evolve but it let the people involved showcase their talents a bit better. Abrams and company needed to get the big win as they haven’t been together that long and could use the boost. Finally, It’s Gal possibly turning good is an interesting way to go as I’ve been a fan of his for awhile now.

Post match the winners brag about their win because they take opportunities, unlike say Sam Holloway and Marcus Mathers.

Laynie Luck is ready for the biggest match of her life tonight. She talks about everything she has been through to get here but she never crumbled and gave up. Then she saw Wendy Choo win the Evolve Women’s Title and it was such an inspiration. Tonight is her chance.

Earlier today, Sloane Jacobs and Nikkita Lyons tried to throw Karmen Petrovic out of the gym but she challenged one of them for next week.

Here is Timothy Thatcher, who praises Wendy Choo for a bit before moving on to the Evolve Title. We need a new #1 contender to Aaron Rourke, who joins Thatcher in for the chat. Rourke is ready for anyone and calls himself the diamond because he is built from pressure. He’s ready for anyone so line them up. This brings out Kam Hendrix and Harley Riggins, with Hendrix bragging about his GM abilities and wanting a title shot next week.

Brooks Jensen interrupts, who wants a title shot based on winning his bullrope match. Rourke doesn’t look impressed but cue Tristan Angels, who says everyone’s efforts are in vane. Angels demands order but now it’s Dorian Van Dux interrupting. Tate Wilder runs in for a brawl but Thatcher cuts them off and announces Jensen vs. Hendrix vs. Van Dux vs. Angels in a four way next week for a future title shot. As for now, Wilder and Riggins can face each other.

Tate Wilder vs. Harley Riggins

Wilder plants Riggins to start fast and hits a Lionsault but stops to yell at Hendrix. Riggins drops Wilder onto the apron and starts going after the back with some heavy forearms. A swinging Side Effect gives Riggins two but a double clothesline leaves both of them down. Wilder’s twisting suplex gets two but Riggins hits a Backstabber out of the corner for two. Riggins hits him in the ribs and tries a backdrop, only to get reversed into a sunset flip to give Wilder the pin at 6:04.

Rating: C+. A sunset flip? Ok then. Anyway, the match was just a quick way for Wilder to get a win and put him on the show. Wilder feels like someone who is getting a focus and it’s working fairly well. He’s definitely in a better place than he was a few months ago and it would be nice to see what he can do if he keeps developing.

Post match Hendrix lays Wilder out.

Dorian Van Dux is ready to show what he can do and he has a chance next week.

Women’s Title: Wendy Choo vs. Laynie Luck

Luck is challenging and sends Choo down, with Choo not being thrilled with the handshake offer. They go to a test of strength and wind up on the mat, with Choo backflipping but not breaking the grip. Choo’s jackknife rollup gets two and they go into a pinfall reversal sequence. Back up and Choo kicks her in the chest for two more but the Dirt Nap is broken up.

Luck sends her outside and knocks her down followed by a step up Swanton for two back inside. An Octopus on the mat is broken up as Choo cradles her for two but Luck’s running dropkick gets the same. The Dirt Nap is broken up again but Choo catches her on top for a superplex. They’re slowly getting up but Sloane Jacobs and Nikkita Lyons run in for the double DQ at 7:31.

Rating: C. I get going for the title match in the main event spot as there aren’t many title matches around here. At the same time, the match never really took off and Lyons being involved in any way brings things down. I do appreciate not having Luck take a fall here, though she never felt like a threat to win the title.

Post match the beatdown is on until Karmen Petrovic runs in for the save to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This started off rather good with the six man tag and fallout but things went a bit down after that. Maybe it’s Lyons dragging the main event down, but the second half of this show only did so much for me. It’s far from bad though and next week’s four way should be good. They’re still pushing a bunch of new people, even if a bunch of them are already in NXT. Either way, it’s a perfectly decent show and the six man was good, which is enough to carry the week.

Results
Max Abrams/Santi Rivera/Jacari Ball b. Cappuccino Jones/Chazz Hall/Romeo Moreno – Main Objective to Moreno
Tate Wilder b. Harley Riggins – Sunset flip
Wendy Choo vs. Laynie Luck went to a double DQ when Sloane Jacobs and Nikkita Lyons interfered

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

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NXT
Date: May 5, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We don’t exactly have a big show coming up around here but we do have a bunch of people showing up in a hurry. Last week was one debut after another and that could make for some interesting changes. Hopefully we can find something for them to do though they’re all getting their feet wet. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Tony D’Angelo says he isn’t waiting and charges at Tavion Heights for a quickly broken up brawl.

Jaida Parker vs. Kali Armstrong

They shove each other around to start, followed by an exchange of grappling. Parker gets a chinlock before sending Armstrong outside. That means a ram to send Armstrong into the apron and then being sent back inside. A double clothesline leaves both of them down and we take a break.

We come back with Armstrong sending her into the corner and stopping for some pushups. Armstrong drives in some knees and fires off the shoulders in the corner. The mocking of the high steps just wakes Parker up though and she hits the Tear Drop in the corner. Armstrong snaps off a powerslam to cut that off and the Kali Connection (running shoulder) finishes Parker at 9:57.

Rating: C+. This was about presenting Armstrong as a threat and it worked out rather well. At the same time, it’s a bit annoying to see Parker lose again. She’s turning into the latest star who gets start and stop pushes without getting anywhere. Hopefully that isn’t the case, as she has far too much potential otherwise.

Tony D’Angelo comes in to yell at Robert Stone, saying he wants Tavion Heights tonight. Sure.

Video on Jackson Drake vs. Jasper Troy.

Birthright is not happy with what happened last week. Fit Finlay comes in to say they’re not doing well and William Regal, by phone, says he’s sent Charlie Dempsey back to the Snake Pit before they have a six man tag next week. The team sounds more ready.

We look at not Evil debuting last week. Not Evil says that was a proclamation to Tony D’Angelo and they will battle for the NXT Title. His name is Naraku and he debuts next week.

Jasper Troy vs. Jackson Drake

The rest of the Vanity Project are here with Drake. Troy fires off some shoulders in the corner to start but gets caught with a jumping enziguri. The Project offers a distraction and Drake hits a top rope Meteora and we take a break. We come back with Drake grabbing a tornado DDT but Troy nips up and gives him a chokeslam. Troy goes outside to yell at the Project though and here is Myka Lockwood to slam him on the floor. Back in and Drake’s 450 connects for the pin at 7:18.

Rating: C+. I for one am shocked that a Shawn Michaels run promotion would have a muscular female woman as a heater for a young, disrespectful team. That being said, sure why not, as it’s an idea that has worked before and it can work again. The Project needed one more person and this is better than some big silent brooding man as the enforcer.

We look back at Tristan Angel’s debut last week. Angels talks about being better than a bunch of people on the roster.

We get a Rhea Ripley Origins video.

Here is Zaria for a chat. She says it feels different around here and for the first time, there is no one holding her back in the women’s division. Now she has a clear path to the Women’s North American Title. That title is what finally woke her up but here is Tatum Paxley to interrupt. Paxley knows how the title came between Zaria and Sol Ruca but that has nothing to do with her.

Cue Lizzy Rain to say she was the talk of the town last week and it’s time to add some heavy metal to the title. Cue Nikkita Lyons, who takes credit for fans caring about Rain. Paxley will fight everyone and the brawl is on with Zaria standing tall. If Zaria is the challenger then fine, but this just made me even less interested in Rain and Lyons.

The Vanity Project meets Evolve’s Romeo Moreno, who isn’t impressed with them. Noam Dar returns and wants to fight Jackson Drake next week. Myka Lockwood shows up to scare Dar a bit but the match seems set. With the Project gone, Moreno says he is a huge Dar fan.

Kam Hendrix jumps Tony D’Angelo.

Post break Robert Stone grabs a headset and shakes up the card because D’Angelo can’t wrestle at the moment.

Mr. Iguana/Lola Vice vs. Culling

The former’s AAA Mixed Tag Team Titles aren’t on the line and it’s Izzi Dame/Niko Vance for the Culling. The men start things off, with Iguana being shoved into the ropes. The dead iguana pose has Vance confused but he picks Iguana up in a Gory Stretch. That’s broken up as Vice tags herself in, allowing Dame to come in and kick Iguana in the head. Dame hits a running shoulder in the corner but Vice chops away and grabs a springboard armdrag. Everything breaks down and the Culling are taken down with back to back seated sentons

We take a break and come back with Vance dropping a headbutt for two. A heck of a discus right hand puts Iguana down again and a tilt-a-whirl faceplant gets two. Iguana manages a tornado DDT though and the women come back in as everything breaks down again. Vice’s running hip attack in the corner gets two on Dame and a spinning kick to the head knocks her silly. Vance breaks up the count but Iguana and Vice grab stereo triangle chokes. Both of them are broken up pretty quickly and Dame’s running knee finishes Vice at 11:30.

Rating: B-. Iguana and Vice are a mostly silly team but they still feel important enough that beating them still means something. What matters is that Dame is now primed to get the next title shot and that should work. Dame is a big, strong star who can give Vice a good challenge. That’s how it should have gone and it’s a nice story to set up.

Tavion Heights still wants to fight Tony D’Angelo and Robert Stone comes in to say the match is tonight’s main event. Stone goes over to Zaria, who wants the Women’s North American Title. She’s not happy about being in a tag match next week, but Stone says that’s what she has to do if she wants a title shot.

Jaida Parker is livid about her loss. Nattie comes in to say Parker has gone soft. End of segment.

Hank & Tank vs. Darkstate

The rest of Darkstate is here with…uh, Darkstate. James elbows Hank in the face to start and it’s off to Tank to grind away on a headlock. Griffin comes in and gets caught in the wrong corner but comes right back with a delayed vertical suplex. A running bulldog out of the corner gets Tank out of trouble as everything breaks down. Darkstate knocks them down on the floor and Dion Lennox grabs a chair, which Saquon Shuggars takes away. The argument ensues and we take a break.

We come back with Tank fighting out of a chinlock but getting caught with a gutbuster. Griffin sends him back into the corner but Tank escapes a gutwrench and brings Hank in to clean house. A double tackle gets two on James, who is back with a spinning backbreaker. The Vader Bomb gets two, with Hank having to make the save. Hank is slammed on the floor and the diving Tank is pulled out of the air for the same result. Back in and an assisted spinning powerbomb finishes Hank at 12:00.

Rating: B-. Oddly enough this wound up being a pretty hot match, with Darkstate finally getting a win to stop their losing streak for the time being. The fact that Lennox wasn’t involved with the result isn’t the best sign for his future, but the team needed to be shaken up. Hank & Tank continue to exist and that’s about as much as I can think of them most of the time.

Kelani Jordan mocks Lola Vice and says she’s coming for the title too. Kendal Grey comes in to say she’s coming after Jordan, who isn’t worried.

Commentary…has tech issues and we can’t hear anything they say. A production worker comes in to try to fix it and we go to a video instead.

New correspondent Emily Agard gets to meet Keanu Carver on her first assignment. He doesn’t want to talk so they put the camera down…which films them anyway. Carver says he’s here to get paid and comments don’t help him take care of people counting on him. He’s told Robert Stone to give him a chance or cut him. Carver knows they’re still filming him so she can ask one last question on the record.

Agard asks about Carver knowing the symbol of war given to Tony D’Angelo last week. Carver says he played college football…but he paid attention in class too. Carver: “The thing about me that y’all don’t know is that I’m smart as s*** for real.” Well that’s a different way to present someone. I like it though, as Carver has been presented as this big brute but having a brain with that kind of force is interesting.

Hey the audio is better.

Backlash rundown.

Shiloh Hill is walking around in the dark and he’s happy about beating Ricky Saints last week. He also finds Tristan Angels to be a bit ridiculous and hopes he’s allergic to sheep.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Tavion Heights vs. Tony D’Angelo

Non-title. Heights wrestles him down to start and they trade waistlocks. A fireman’s carry faceplant drops D’Angelo and he realizes the amateur stuff isn’t going to work here. Instead D’Angelo hits a John Cena Throwback for two but gets driven into the corner for a beating. Heights throws him down with a suplex but D’Angelo is up for a shove off the top as we take a break.

We come back with D’Angelo fighting out of a chinlock, only for Heights to gutwrench suplex him for two. A pretty impressive top rope splash gives Heights two…and makes D’Angelo Hulk Up. Some German suplexes put Heights down but his capture suplex gets two more. Forget About It gives D’Angelo two of his own and they forearm it out. A spear drops puts Heights down again but he’s back up with his spinning belly to belly. Cue Kam Hendrix for a distraction so Heights beats him up, with Myles Borne running in to give Hendrix a running flip dive. They brawl off and D’Angelo chokeslams Heights for the pin at 10:22.

Rating: B-. They got rolling near the end here and were trading one big shot after another. The Hendrix and Bourne stuff didn’t really help, but D’Angelo gets to beat someone on the way to his next big challenger. That could be a few people, though Naraku seems likely. Heights still feels like he has potential, but this came off more as him just being someone for D’Angelo to beat.

Post match respect is shown but the big guy from last week runs in again and lays them both out. He introduces himself as Mason Rook and says he has arrived.

Overall Rating: B. This was the follow up to last week’s show with all of the people debuting and this week seemed to be more about them pairing off and getting settled into their new spots. That’s good to see and it’s something that has to happen around here, as it’s the nature of NXT. The wrestling was more good than bad and the show accomplished enough so I’ll call it a good show.

Results
Kali Armstrong b. Jaida Parker – Kali Connection
Jackson Drake b. Jasper Troy – 450
Culling b. Mr. Iguana/Lola Vice – Running knee to Vice
Darkstate b. Hank & Tank – Assisted spinning powerbomb to Hank
Tony D’Angelo b. Tavion Heights – Chokeslam

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

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Evolve
Date: April 29, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

So about half a dozen Evolve names showed up this week on NXT and that means their time in Evolve is likely numbered. At the same time though, there is not likely to be much in the way of change here, as this show, which features a triple threat for the Evolve Title, was likely taped weeks ago. In other words, enjoy these people while you can. Let’s get to it.

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

Harlem Lewis is ready to finally win the Evolve Title.

Opening sequence.

Kali Armstrong vs. Tyra Mae Steele

The fans certainly seem to think positively of Armstrong and this is fallout from Steele causing Armstrong to be eliminated from the Women’s Title gauntlet match. They go with the grappling to start and shockingly enough, the Olympic gold medal winning wrestler easily takes over. Armstrong gets back up to shoulder her down but Steele is right back with a headscissors. That’s reversed back into the headlock before Armstrong snaps off some right hands.

A headscissors attempt out of the corner results in Steele being tossed out to the floor, where she blocks a baseball slide. Steele starts cranking on the ankle and we take a break. We come back with Steele snapping off some gutwrench suplexes before going back to the ankle. Armstrong fights up and hits some shots to the face but Steele pulls her down into the ankle lock. That’s broken up but Steele gets it right back on, which is broken up again. This time Steele tries the Angle Slam so Armstrong reverses it into a powerslam. The Kali Connection finishes Steele at 8:37.

Rating: C+. Armstrong winning is hardly a surprised as Steele was released earlier this week. Maybe it’s because she’s yet another Olympian/amateur wrestler who does the same Kurt Angle style offense. That stuff feels so lame, as it has been done multiple times and just feels like a played out concept. Find something new, which might be in a different promotion going forward.

Post match we get a THANK YOU KALI graphic and she talks about how she grew up around here and she’s the first ever Evolve Women’s Champion. She built this place, and now it’s time to let others live in it. Until she gets hers, it’s all gas, no brakes.

It’s Gal talks about how he is treated as a machine but he has feelings too. He’s lost partners, been ignored by the teams and been misunderstood by the new boss. Is he the dummy? Where does he go from here with these feelings? It’s time to peak like no stud has peaked before.

Romeo Moreno vs. Chazz Hall

Hold on though as here are Max Abrams and his new team from last week. Abrams mocks Hall and even takes off his sunglasses before offering Hall a spot on the new ID squad. Hall isn’t feeling that but Santi Rivera isn’t feeling his lack of feeling. Moreno tells the team goodbye and Jacari Ball jumps him from behind. Hall comes in to break it up but CJ Valor beats him down as well. No match.

Timothy Thatcher offers congratulations to Kali Armstrong (not here) for moving up to NXT. He moves on to the new ID talent but someone knocks on the door. Two men come in and say they would like an opportunity. Thatcher does have a job he needs to get done and that’s security, mainly dealing with Max Abrams and company. They’re in.

Tristan Angels talks about the pressure of being the future of WWE. No one has the shoulders to carry that weight but he is from Dorset, England and ready to do it.

Masyn Holiday/Layla Diggs vs. Ayna Rune/Gianna Capri

Diggs and Rune start things off and go to the mat, with Holiday coming in for a dropkick. It’s off to Capri, who knocks Diggs down for two and grabs the chinlock. That’s broken up so Diggs gives Rune a fall away slam. Everything breaks down and Diggs ax kicks Rune for the pin at 4:35.

Rating: C. I’m getting close to giving up on Holiday and Diggs. They’re good enough in the ring, but the TikTok dancing stuff has lost the limited charm and still feels like their main trait. They have talent, but I’m going to need something a bit more interesting than “they dance a lot” to care about them. Rune and Capri are still finding their footing, though at least they’ve started.

Post match the winners dance and Capri yells at Rune for ruining this.

We get a sitdown interview with Laynie Luck and Wendy Choo. Luck talks about how this is the biggest chance of her career and people, like luck, can turn on you in an instant. She doesn’t know which version of her you’ll get out there but she’s not letting her guard down. Choo says her past has been all over the place and yes it was questionable, but she isn’t changing anytime soon. Choo meant what she said when she wanted Luck to get the first shot, but the title isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Cappuccino Jones apologizes to Romeo Moreno and Chazz Hall. He wanted to see them have a match and is sick of everyone thinking they can do whatever they want around here. They need to do something, maybe like a six man tag next week. Hall: “Oh Hall yeah!”

Evolve Title: Aaron Rourke vs. Harlem Lewis vs. Braxton Cole

Rourke is defending and says he’s build from pressure and thrives in it, so now all eyes are on him. Kam Hendrix and Harley Riggins are in the VIP section and we’re ready after the Big Match Intros. Cole jumps Lewis to start fast and slams Rourke as well. That earns Cole a trip out to the floor so Rourke gives Cole La Mistica into a Russian legsweep. Lewis is back in to take Rourke out but Cole sends both of them outside as we take a break.

We come back with Cole hitting a suplex neckbreaker for two on Rourke as things slow down a bit. Lewis is back in and Rourke gets dropped ribs first over the top rope. Cole sends Lewis into the corner and neckbreakers him for two more. Lewis comes out of the corner with a clothesline and hits a basement dropkick for two of his own. Rourke is back in to assist Lewis on a DDT before going after Lewis’ knee. There’s a Backstabber to Cole and a middle rope Codebreaker drops him to give Rourke two more.

Rourke goes up and gets caught on top, meaning it’s a Tower Of Doom to bring everyone down. Back up and Rourke kicks Cole in the face, leaving him to slug it out with Lewis. A flip leaves Rourke on his face though and the Boom Slang connects, with Cole pulling Lewis to the floor for the save. Rourke sends Cole back inside for the Molly Go Round to retain at 11:12.

Rating: B. That’s pretty much the only way this could have gone, as you don’t want Rourke losing in his first really big defense and Cole was there to avoid Lewis from taking the fall. That’s all they needed to do and the match was a good, back and forth triple threat. Rourke feels like a champion, and that’s a great sign for his status.

Post match Brooks Jensen comes out for the staredown, with Rourke telling him to bring it. Hendrix and Riggins get on the apron and slowly come after Rourke to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The Armstrong sendoff and main event were good, though I’m a bit hesitant to get into another stable war. The catch though is that with so many people on this roster and how fast everyone moves in one direction or another, having stables make sense as a way to present a bunch of people as fast as possible. I’m not sure if it’s going to make for the best show, but Evolve has earned the benefit of the doubt.

Results
Kali Armstrong b. Tyra Mae Steele – Kali Connection to Steele
Masyn Holiday/Layla Diggs b. Ayna Rune/Gianna Capri – Ax kick to Rune
Aaron Rourke b. Harlem Lewis and Braxton Cole – Molly Go Round to Cole

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

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Evolve
Date: April 22, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Blake Howard

We have a new Women’s Champion in the form of Wendy Choo as things have been shaken up a bit around here. That is likely to continue as we have some fresh faces, which should open up some new options. In addition, we have quite the grudge match already set for this week so let’s get to it.

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

Cappuccino Jones says Brooks Jensen woke him up with that cowbell shot so it’s time for revenge in the bullrope match.

Jensen is ready to beat Jones up.

Opening sequence.

Here is Wendy Choo to get things going. She can’t believe she went from being in therapy just a few months ago be being Women’s Champion. The work begins now and the women’s locker room is deep and Foreman Thatcher has agreed to let her pick her first challenger. Therefore, she is picking someone like her, in the form of Laynie Luck.

Cue Luck, who is very excited as well as honored to be offered this spot. This brings out Nikkita Lyons, who wants to be the first challenger after finishing runner up in the gauntlet. She has received divine messages because she is the Divine Feline but here is Sloane Jacobs to jump Choo and Luck from behind. Choo and Luck clear the ring in a hurry. Lyons getting involved in this is hardly the most thrilling detail.

We meet Romeo Moreno, who wants to create moments and his legacy. He speaks some Spanish about wanting to create and spray paints on a wall.

Kam Hendrix/Harley Riggins vs. Tate Wilder/Luca Crusifino

Wilder and Crusifino jump them in the entrance and the brawl is on, with Wilder and Crusifino hit some dives. Security come out to break it up but we do start things off with Wilder hammering on Riggins. We take an early break and come back with Riggins spearing Wilder and sending him into the corner so Hendrix can hammer away. Back up and Riggins’ basement dropkick gives Hendrix two and a running forearm drops Wilder again. It’s back to Riggins to knock Wilder down again and we hit the chinlock.

That’s switched into an armbar and Hendrix is right there to cut Crusifino off the apron. Hendrix drops Wilder a few times but a high/low leads to a collision. Crusifino is back in to clean house with some running elbows in the corner. A blind tag brings Wilder back in for the Wilde Ride but Riggins makes the save. Wilder flips out of a double belly to back suplex so Crusifino goes up, only to get pulled down Higgins. Lights, Kam, Action finishes Crusifino at 8:39.

Rating: B-. That’s hardly the most surprising result as Crusifino was as thrown out there of a partner as you could get for Wilder. I’m sure the feud will continue and that’s a good thing as Wilder is getting something out of this stuff. Riggins and Hendrix are kind of the remnants of the PC stable but it’s working well enough for a pair of bullies.

Harlem Lewis is ready to accomplish his goal and win the Evolve Title. Now Braxton Cole is involved too and Lewis is going to take him out too. Lewis talks about growing up poor and having to help raise his family. Maybe that makes him sound aggressive, but it’s who he is. Next week it’s a triple threat so he has two targets to take out and become champion. Usually I like this kind of thing but Lewis as the silent, angry force might have been a better presentation for him.

Layla Diggs vs. Kali Armstrong

Masyn Holiday is here with Diggs. Armstrong doesn’t care for these two being funny so it’s time for a beating. Armstrong knocks her into the corner to start but Diggs grabs a rollup for two. A legdrop keeps Armstrong down but Diggs’ moonsault hits raised knees. The Kali Connection finishes for Armstrong at 1:48.

Post match Armstrong calls out Tyra Mae Steele, who comes out but is cut off. Timothy Thatcher comes out to say this isn’t happening tonight because these two are better than this. They can fight but they’re doing it next week and doing it properly.

Braxton Cole talks about being raised with a lot of privileges, but when you live like this, it comes with expectations. Harlem Lewis wasn’t expected to do anything special while Cole is supposed to be the next big superstar. It’s a different kind of pressure and neither Lewis nor Aaron Rourke understand that. This was fine for a pretty simple character like Cole.

Tate Wilder says this isn’t over because he knew Harley Riggins and Kam Hendrix would cheat. Uh, didn’t Wilder and Luca Crusifino jump them before the bell? Anyway, if Riggins and Hendrix are so scared, they should just admit it, because they know they’ll get a beating. This isn’t over until he says it is.

Aaron Rourke says everyone is talking about how he’s putting his title on the line in a triple threat match. Harlem Lewis is talking about his childhood and Aaron Rourke is talking about everything he did to get here. They both think they knew what it takes to be champion but Rourke knows what he has what it takes. Next week, he’ll prove it. Rourke continues to be pretty good on the mic.

Brooks Jensen vs. Cappuccino Jones

Bullrope match with pinfall or submission. Jensen jumps him before they’re even roped up to start but Jones wants to go and the bell rings. Jensen hammers away but gets dropkicked out to the floor. The tug of war lets Jones hit a suicide dive and he pounds on Jensen outside. A cowbell shot misses for Jensen so he crawls underneath the ring, with Jones giving chase.

Jensen stomps away but goes to yell at the wrestlers in the VIP Section. Jones is sent into said section but comes out with a clothesline as we take a break. We come back with Jones grabbing a neckbreaker for two but Jensen pulls him off the top. A cowbell shot to the face sends Jones outside but he uses the ropes to pull Jensen into the post. Back in and Jones hits a running clothesline in the corner, followed by a high crossbody for two.

Jones starts using the cowbell to go after the arm and grabs a Fujiwara armbar, even using the rope to bend the fingers back. With that broken up, they slug it out until Jensen pulls the rope into Jones’ mouth to pull him up. That’s escaped as well and Jones goes up, only to miss an elbow. A sitout chokebomb gives Jensen two and it’s time for a table. Jensen, minus a boot, goes up top but gets superplexed through the table for the big crash. Max Abrams, who was in the VIP section, gets in the ring as Jensen gets up. Abrams’ cowbell shot knocks Jones silly and Jensen gets the pin at 11:51.

Rating: B-. This was a big main event style match and while they telegraphed the finish, it works well enough. Jensen shouldn’t be beating Jones without some help so this was the right way to go, with Abrams getting something to do as well. The rest of the match was good as well, with Jones getting to be a bit more serious and not having everything be a bunch of coffee puns.

Post match Abrams stomps on Jones, with Santi Rivera and Jacari Ball (the other VIP guests) come in to join. It’s Gal comes out to pose with them but CJ Valor runs in to take Gal out and end the show. And we have a new heel stable and…well that makes sense as there isn’t much that makes any of them stand out right now.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was about setting up things for the future more than anything else, with the main event angle setting up some new top heels. Other than that you had a set of promos for the triple threat title match and it boosted things up a bit. I liked this show as it continued Evolve’s streak of having a goal and focusing on it, which makes things feel so much more coherent.

Results
Harley Riggins/Kam Hendrix b. Luca Crusifino/Tate Wilder – Lights, Kam, Action to Crusifino
Kali Armstrong b. Layla Diggs – Kali Connection
Brooks Jensen b. Cappuccino Jones – Cowbell shot

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

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Evolve
Date: April 8, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

It’s time for more fresh blood and as we have the new female ID prospects debuting this week. That should open up some new doors, just like the men’s versions did last week. Hopefully they can get off to a good start, as it can go a long way in making them into bigger stars right off the bat. In addition, Chazz Hall gets his Evolve Title shot. Let’s get to it.

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

Chazz Hall is ready to become a big star, starting tonight. See you at Wrestlemania. Hold on though as we go to the back where Kam Hendrix and Harley Riggins have attacked Tate Wilder and Luca Crusifino.

Opening sequence.

Tristan Angels vs. Romeo Moreno

Angels declares himself Mr. England and says he’s rather handsome. On the other hand, Moreno describes himself as an artist, with Evolve as his canvas. Angels grabs an armbar to start but has to elbow his way out of a waistlock. Moreno picks him up and marches him around, followed by a running backdrop of all things. Back up and Angels stomps him out of the corner, followed by a hard throat first whip into the ropes. Moreno tries to climb those ropes but gets dropped down onto them again and we take a break.

We come back with Moreno getting in a knockdown to start the clothesline comeback. Angels is sent outside for a running springboard dive. Back up and Angels goes after the ribs again, setting up a half crab to keep Moreno down. That doesn’t last long either though as Moreno gets up and hits a suplex before they both head to the apron. Moreno’s running kick is blocked and Angels sends him into the steps. Back in and a running driving knee to the back of the head finishes Moreno at 8:23.

Rating: B-. Moreno stood out here as he has a different style and did some things that felt different. That’s what you need out there, though he might want to put on some weight to enhance his look a bit. At the same time you have Angels, who has a nice look but didn’t stand out quite as much. Still though, nice match, but you’re only going to be able to tell so much in about eight minutes.

Earlier today, It’s Gal praised Santi Rivera and Jacari Ball’s physiques and offered to go train with them. They’re actually in.

It’s time to meet the four new ID signees to the women’s division, with the winner of their upcoming fatal four way going to the gauntlet eliminator for the Women’s Title.

Gianna Capri (formerly known as Valentina Rossi) talks about her years of hard work to get here. She’s wrestled in Shine and in Japan, which has given her the extra sauce.

Sloane Jacobs (Notorious Mimi, who wrestled in NXT back around 2022) is ready to put the other three under her.

Veronica Haven thanks everyone who helped get her here because she’s ready to prove herself.

Anya Rune (described as an anime girl, she has green hair and calls herself the Main Character) is ready to be noticed.

Before their match, PJ Vasa comes in to say the winner is her next victim.

Timothy Thatcher talks about how things have been going around here and puts Tyra Mae Steele in the gauntlet match. He’ll need to make a phone call to get the final participant. In other news, Tate Wilder and Luca Crusifino are out of action due to the attack earlier in the night. Kam Hendrix and Harley Riggins should be suspended, but Wilder and Crusifino probably want their match. They can have it when they heal up. Now GET TO WORK. Thatcher as the slightly disorganized boss is working very well.

Gianna Capri vs. Sloane Jacobs vs. Veronica Haven vs. Anya Rune

They talk trash to start and Capri/Jacobs’ kicks to the ribs are both reversed into suplexes. Hayden’s high crossbody hits Capri and Jacobs for two each. Back up and Capri kicks Hayden off the top, leaving Rune to fire off kicks at Capri and Jacobs. Capri pounds her down for two before Jacobs sends Rune face first into the buckle over and over. Capri’s splits splash gets two on Rune but Jacobs breaks up the cover and isn’t happy. Rune is back up to take over but Hayden rolls up Rune and Jacobs for two each. Jacobs Snake Eyes Hayden and takes out the knee, setting up a Muta Lock for the tap at 5:00.

Rating: C+. Much like last week’s men’s triple threat, you can only get so much out of this kind of a match as it isn’t the kind of a match that lets anyone stand out. Jacobs might have stood out a bit, but it’s not like this was some game changer win. I could go for seeing any of them again, which is the point of having them in Evolve.

Post match Jacobs celebrates but here is Kali Armstrong to clear most of the ring. Armstrong goes after Jacobs and then takes out Laynie Luck for trying to make a save.

Earlier today, Lince Dorado was training Mike Cunningham when they stopped to look at It’s Gal, Jacari Ball and Santi Rivera lifting. Dorado and Cunningham tell Gal to be more professional so Gal puts Ball and Rivera in a tag match against Dorado and Cunningham. Works for them.

Aaron Rourke is putting his makeup on when Kam Hendrix and Harley Riggins come up to call him a pretty boy. Rourke is ready to fight anyone and since they aren’t going to make a move, he’s off to defend his title.

Video on Dorian Van Duks.

Evolve Title: Chazz Hall vs. Aaron Rourke

Rourke is defending and backs him into the corner to start. The lockup actually goes to the mat until Rourke grabs the arm. Hall’s wristlock is broken up and they flip over to a standoff. They both miss dropkicks until Rourke gets a pair of near falls off some rollups. A basement dropkick puts Hall down but he’s right back up with a rather spinny springboard wristdrag. Hall sends him to the floor, where Rourke gets yelled at by Brooks Jensen. Hall’s dive takes Rourke out but here is Cappuccino Jones to take Jensen out.

We take a break and come back with Rourke hitting a pump kick for two. Some handstand knees hit Hall again and Rourke grabs a lifting full nelson. That’s broken up so Rourke kicks him in the head, followed by a Vader Bomb elbow for two. Hall fights up and slugs away, setting up a missile dropkick. A tornado DDT gives Hall two more but Rourke grabs a quick Stratusphere. Rourke misses a leg lariat but comes back with a very spinning Blue Thunder Bomb for two.

Hall is able to get up with a spinning kick to send Rourke outside, setting up a Sasuke Special. Back in and Hall grabs Sliced Bread, followed by a standing corkscrew moonsault. For some reason Hall doesn’t cover, allowing Rourke to catch him on top. Rourke flips out of a sunset bomb and hits some running knees, setting up Over The Rainbow to retain the title at 10:40.

Rating: B. The more I see of Rourke, the more impressed I am. He has something about him that makes me want to see him succeed and he feels like he belongs in this spot. That’s quite the feat and it’s working here. Hall is good at the athletic stuff and his size issues don’t seem to hurt him that much. I’m not sure how far he goes, but he’s off to a nice start.

Post match, respect is shown.

Kam Hendrix and Harley Riggins are watching in the back. Harlem Lewis comes in to say Rourke is ducking him.

Overall Rating: B. This was a good show and continued the theme from the last two weeks as they build towards the future. Evolve is like a faster version of the old NXT, as it’s about moving people up and keeping everything going. That makes for some interesting shows and I’m liking what we’re getting around here. Nice job again, and hopefully they can keep this stuff going.

Results
Tristan Angels b. Romeo Moreno – Driving knee to the back of the head
Sloane Jacobs b. Anya Rune, Veronica Haven and Gianna Capri – Muta Lock to Haven
Aaron Rourke b. Chazz Hall – Over The Rainbow

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

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Evolve
Date: March 25, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Peter Rosenberg

For the first time in a good while, we have a new Evolve Champion as Aaron Rourke beat the departing Jackson Drake to win the title last week. That means Rourke will need a new challenger and we might find out who that is this week. Other than that, we need a new Women’s Champion and the process should begin soon. Let’s get to it.

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

Tate Wilder is in the ring and calls out Kam Hendrix for attacking him a few weeks ago. Cue Hendrix, with Harley Riggins and Kai Kavari. None of them like Wilder and find him despicable, but a lot of people want to get his hands on Wilder. For now, Kavari can get his chance. Kavari runs in and gets dropkicked so let’s have a referee in there too.

Kai Kavari vs. Tate Wilder

Wilder is in street clothes and stars fast with a running shot in the corner. Kavari is sent into the corner and knocked to the apron, where he gets in a neck snap over the top rope. A suplex gives Kavari two and we’re off to the chinlock. Wilder fights up and hits some running clotheslines into a spinning suplex. The Wild Ride finishes for Wilder at 3:28.

Rating: C. They didn’t have time to do much here but this was just a quick win for Wilder as he is on his way to getting his hands on the other two. At the same time, Wilder looked a lot better here and that’s a good idea. They seem to think they have something with him and it’s interesting to see getting a more serious push.

Post match Wilde throws Kavari outside in a heap.

Mike Cunningham vs. Lince Dorado

Cunningham is looking a lot cockier than usual here. Dorado takes him down with a flying mare to start so Cunningham runs him over and does something of a dance. Back up and Dorado armdrags him into an armbar but Cunningham takes over on the arm as well. Cunningham dropkicks him off the top and out to the floor, where it’s a twisting dive to take Dorado down again. Back in and Cunningham runs him over, meaning it’s time to go after the arm again.

A spinebuster plants Dorado for two but he’s right back up with a springboard, which is countered into a faceplant. Cunningham works on the arm again but Dorado knocks him outside for the running flip dive. Back in and a cross armbreaker doesn’t work for Dorado so he kicks Cunningham in the head. A handspring Stunner gives Dorado two so he goes up, where it’s a super Falcon Arrow to bring him back down. Cunningham loads up a powerbomb but Dorado reverses into a rollup for the pin at 8:15.

Rating: B-. Cunningham looked better here than he has before but it’s not a big loss to get beaten by someone with this kind of experience. If nothing else, Dorado is someone who can be used to help boost up the younger generation. I could go for more of both of them, as this was a nice surprise.

Post match Dorado thanks Cunningham for the match and is impressed by his skills. Cunningham thanks him for the lessons and promises to learn to get better. They shake hands and everything seems ok.

Timothy Thatcher is annoyed at someone on the phone before hanging up and praising Kendal Grey for setting the standard for the women’s division. In three weeks, it’s an Eliminator Gauntlet to crown a new Women’s Champion. Next week, we have a four way to determine who gets the final spot. In addition, some new prospects debut next week. That should be fun.

Kali Armstrong vs. Masyn Holiday

Layla Diggs is here with Holiday. Armstrong drives her into the corner to start and hits a heck of a running shoulder to the ribs. The powerslam cuts off a comeback attempt and the Kali Connection finishes Holiday at 1:12.

Braxton Cole is rather rich but has to deal with rough things like getting the ice off his Bentley, flying commercial to Cabo and having his lobster be too buttered.

Cappuccino Jones vs. Brooks Jensen

Jensen seems rather annoyed and shoves him out of the corner to start, only for Jones to come off the middle rope with a Stunner. Jones dropkicks him outside and we take a break. We come back with Jensen tying him in the ring skirt and hammering away. Back up and Jones tries to go up top, only to get knocked out to the floor. Jensen’s clothesline gets two and he chokes Jones on the ropes.

A weird stomp, with Jensen’s feet wrapped around Jones’ head as he jumps up, has Jones in more trouble and we hit a full nelson on the mat. That’s broken up and Jones misses a charge into the ropes, allowing Jones to…well slip on the ropes actually. An elbow out of the corner works a bit better for Jones and he strikes away, followed by a Cactus Clothesline. They brawl on the floor and knock the referee away for the double DQ at 8:29.

Rating: B-. It’s another nice match with a result you don’t see that often. Jones is someone who seems like he should be a comedy goof but he’s smooth enough in the ring to rise above that level. On the other hand you have Jensen, who is little more than a middle of the road villain who doesn’t have much to do. Then again they need bodies around here so Jensen does at least have a place.

Post match Jensen lays him out with the cowbell.

Kali Armstrong wants back in the Women’s Title picture and wanted to beat Kendal Grey to get it back. Timothy Thatcher says the goal is to get up to NXT, where she can face Grey again. He does give her something to calm the situation though: she can be in the four way for the final spot in the Gauntlet Eliminator.

Here is Aaron Rourke for his championship celebration. He can’t believe he’s here and while you know him as this confident guy, it wasn’t always the case. When he was a kid, he just wanted to bring his action figures to school rather than play football. People called him names and they made him hate who he was. Wrestling has been his escape since he was five years old, including people like Ric Flair, who inspired him to wear the robe.

Then there is his favorite wrestler, Charlotte, and he’ll be chasing her title record for his entire career. He wants to show people that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from because you can be a success. Don’t be anyone else but yourself because you are good enough and you are great.

He wants to be like the heroes he watched growing up and for people to see him as being outlandish but also himself. We get a rather nice thank you for all of the love and support he has received. He is privileged to be champion and enjoy the ride. Rourke can talk and that’s a rather positive message to be sending. I’ve liked the things he’s been saying in his promos since the beginning and this was rather good again.

Harlem Lewis is in the back and says that title will be his.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was designed to help establish some of the newer stars around here and it’s worked well enough. People like Wilder, Cappuccino and Rourke felt like big enough deals and I like where their stuff is going. At the same time you have Thatcher fitting into his role perfectly and that gives me hope for this show’s future. The next few weeks will show us where things are going, but they’re off to a nice enough start.

Results
Tate Wilder b. Kai Kavari – Wild Ride
Lince Dorado b. Mike Cunningham – Rollup
Kali Armstrong b. Masyn Holiday – Kali Connection
Cappuccino Jones vs. Brooks Jensen went to a double DQ when they both hit the referee

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

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Evolve
Date: March 18, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Peter Rosenberg

It’s time for another title match and one way or another, the title is changing hands tonight. Jackson Drake is defending the Evolve Title against Aaron Rourke in Drake’s last match as part of Evolve and either loses the title or vacates it after winning. That’s quite the big deal for Rourke so let’s get to it.

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

The Vanity Project is in the back and talk about how they feel like they were just formed a few days ago. They go over the people that Jackson Drake has defeated to retain the Evolve Title and say Aaron Rourke will be light work tonight.

Opening sequence.

Kam Hendrix vs. Dante Chen

Harley Riggins is here with Hendrix. Chen shoves his way out of the corner to start but Hendrix takes him down by the arm. Hendrix cranks on an armbar, which doesn’t last long as Chen snaps off about a dozen armdrags in a row to send Hendrix outside. Back in and Hendrix drops him with a rolling clothesline and we hit the chinlock.

Another rolling clothesline is countered into a German suplex though and Chen gets a breather. Chen knocks him outside for a suicide dive, followed by a springboard chop to the head back inside. Riggins offers a distraction though and it’s Lights, Kam, Action for the pin on Chen at 4:39.

Rating: C. Well at least Hendrix won. Hendrix really got my attention when he helped run the show and hopefully that leads to some better things for him. He certainly has charisma and can talk rather well so it would be nice to see something else. A win is a start, and having Riggins as a sidekick is far from a bad idea.

Post match Hendrix and Riggins call out Tate Wilder.

Timothy Thatcher is in his office and messing with a lamp but he has some updates. The Women’s Title will be addressed next week, but in two weeks, we’ll have some new talent being showcased. It’s Gal comes in to ask about himself and gets a wad of paper thrown in his face. Thatcher asks if Gal wants attention, he can be on the April 1 show. Gal: “It’s Gal. It’s Gal. It’s Gal.” Thatcher: “I’ve got to get a lock for that door.”

Braxton Cole reads Aristotle and says he is the epitome of privilege with an education from Brown University. He is the perfect combination of brains and brawn and you’ll see why he is straight A’s all the way. That’s more than we’ve ever heard about him so I’ll take it.

Laynie Luck vs. Zena Sterling

Sterling works on a headlock to start but gets her leg swept out for a fast two. An armbar works a bit better for Sterling and she drops Luck with a shoulder. Luck is back up to send her to the apron for a Codebreaker, followed by a top rope double stomp onto the apron (ouch). The seated abdominal stretch goes on for a bit until Sterling escapes, setting up a big slugout. Sterling gets in a reverse DDT but Luck is right back with the Death Valley Driver for the fast pin at 4:45.

Rating: C+. Neither of these two have much of anything going on at the moment but it’s nice to see Luck getting a win. She’s been around the independent scene for such a long time and it’s awesome to see her finally getting a chance on a bigger platform. This win isn’t much but much like the opener, it’s certainly better than nothing.

Mike Cunningham talks to Lince Dorado in the parking lot and talks about growing up watching him. Dorado isn’t overly impressed but agrees to a match with Cunningham.

Here is Cappuccino Jones for a chat. Jones is ready to see Aaron Rourke take the Evolve Title tonight and bring it home with everyone in his corner. On his own side though, he’s tired of dealing with Brooks Jensen, who can remember any match but not the time when Jones beat him in the gauntlet match. Now he wants to fight so here is Jensen, who agrees to the match for next week.

Luca Crusifino gives Chuey Martinez a friendship bracelet and explains how inspired he was to roll all the way through Evolve. He is most effective when his energy is vibrating with love and it’s all “plur”. That means Peace, Love, Unity and Respect, which needs to be used more in Evolve. This is….I don’t know actually and I think I’d rather keep it that way.

Evolve Title: Aaron Rourke vs. Jackson Drake

Drake is defending. They fight over wrist control to start with Rourke rolling him up for two. Rourke flips out of a belly to back suplex and dropkicks him to the floor as we take a break. We come back with Drake still in trouble but Brad Baylor offers a distraction on the floor. That’s enough for Drake to grab a headlock on the mat, which is quickly reversed into a headlock.

Drake slips out of that and stomps away to take over, setting up a knee drop for two. A Russian legsweep gives Drake two and we hit the chinlock. That’s broken up so Drake goes up, where he blocks a super hurricanrana attempt. Drake’s brainbuster gets two but Rourke ducks a superkick and hits a German suplex. Now the super hurricanrana connects and Eat Defeat gets two. A spinning Vader Bomb elbow gets two more and they go to the apron, where Drake manages a fast suplex.

We take another break and come back again with Rourke taking over and grabbing a half crab. Rourke stomps away at Drake, who comes back with a penalty kick for one. Rourke gets fired up but the referee is bumped, meaning Swipe Right can come in for the Super Swipe. That’s only good for two so Drake hits a Burning Hammer, followed by the Unaliving…for two more. Drake goes up but gets speared out of the air. Over The Rainbow gives Rourke the title at 14:08.

Rating: B. This is where Evolve feels different. On the surface, Rourke is not someone who feels like he would be the top star anywhere. It feels like a less than serious character that we’ve seen for years and would mostly be relegated to bad comedy. The difference is that Rourke was treated differently and it started with those vignettes and interviews with him a few months ago. They let you get to know him and made you want to like him, which wound up being the case. Without that kind of stuff, this doesn’t work, but because they put in the groundwork earlier, this is a pretty awesome moment.

As for the match itself, it was another chance for Drake to show what he could do, as he has come a VERY long way during his title run. After basically being just another guy at first, he wound up having a rather nice title reign and that makes Rourke being the one to beat him feel that much more important. This felt like a big time match and that is rather impressive as it wouldn’t seem likely on paper.

Post match the locker room comes in to celebrate with Rourke, who accidentally drops the title before posing with it to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This was obviously all about the main event and that worked rather well. That was pretty much the only thing that felt important here, which is why it was nice for this show to be a bit shorter. They didn’t stretch it out longer than necessary and that made things a bit easier. I liked the title change a good bit and Thatcher’s stuff was amusing as usual, so call it enough of a success this week.

Results
Kam Hendrix b. Dante Chen – Lights, Kam, Action
Laynie Luck b. Zena Sterling – Death Valley Driver
Aaron Rourke b. Jackson Drake – Over The Rainbow

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

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Evolve
Date: March 11, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Peter Rosenberg

We’re back to the regular shows after a pair of special editions, but the big stuff is not over. In this case there is some kind of a major announcement, which could be a few different things. Hopefully it lives up to the hype, though there isn’t much of a history of big announcements around here. Let’s get to it.

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

Here is Robert Stone to announce the new Evolve General Manager: Timothy Thatcher. That makes sense, as he has enough credibility and can wrestle if he has to. Thatcher, in what passes for dressing up for him, is thankful but says he’s not a General Manager. Evolve is more like a worksite, so he’s the FOREMAN!

Stone gets to the point: the two Evolve champions are full time NXT stars, so Thatcher says they have to earn their way out. Both of them are going to have one more title defense, called their Final Evolution. If they win, they can vacate the title and leave as champion, but if not, we have a new standard bearer. Tonight, Kendal Grey can defend against Tyra Mae Steele, and next week, Jackson Drake can defend against….and here is Harlem Lewis to say he wants the shot. Thatcher shuts that down immediately, saying he has a match for Lewis right now.

Kendal Grey monologues about leaving Evolve and this will always be her first home. Tonight is different though and she’s staying on top. She’s ready to move on to NXT with momentum. I’m more curious about why all of the labels on the lockers were covered up here.

Harlem Lewis vs. Sam Holloway

Lewis charges at him but gets knocked down, only to put Holloway on the floor. Some hard shots stagger Holloway, who picks Lewis up and launches him at the post. Back in and Holloway’s springboard elbow gets two, followed by a shotgun dropkick for the same. The double arm crank goes on but Lewis is right back out. A middle rope elbow hits a standing Holloway’s back and Holloway misses a splash in the corner. Holloway’s spinning Rock Bottom gets two but a chokeslam is countered with a jumping knee to the face. The Boom Slang finishes for Lewis at 5:52.

Rating: C+. Lewis continues his roll and Holloway continues to look like quite the power brawler. This was two big guys beating each other up until Lewis got the win, which worked rather well for both of them. Lewis almost has to get the title match next week, as there aren’t many other options out there.

Luca Crusifino is now rather smiley and seems obsessed with dance music. He even has a bunch of friendship bracelets and talks about “vibing on the frequency of friendship and fun.” That’s…different and that’s as positive as I can be.

Tyra Mae Steele is rather excited about her title shot because she’s a different kind of amateur wrestler. She’s ready to have her name etched in the history books as the next Evolve Women’s Champion. Steele still isn’t great at this talking thing, but she’s trying.

Harley Riggins vs. Trill London

Kam Hendrix is here with Riggins and we’re told that Tate Wilder, who is not medically cleared, has been forced out of the building. London armdrags him down a few times and grabs an armbar. Riggins reverses into a wristlock of his own but gets wristdragged out to the floor. A dropkick through the ropes connects and a flip dive takes out Riggins and Hendrix. Back in and Riggins bounces him off the top rope, setting up a German suplex. London fights up and sweeps the leg, setting up some running flip dives to the back. Hendrix offers a distraction though and it’s a TKO to finish London at 3:38.

Rating: C. I love a good TKO so the finish looked great. Other than that though, this wasn’t the most thrilling match with London not getting to show much of his great athleticism. He feels like someone who they want to be a big prospect but it hasn’t happened just yet. At least Riggins and Hendrix get to stick together, which makes for a nice pairing.

Post match Hendrix and Riggins are happy with their win but Dante Chen comes out to say he doesn’t like what they’re doing. He respects the ID talent and seems to want a match.

Timothy Thatcher is blinded by a flashlight and is surprised by Aaron Rourke. He believes that opportunities are earned around here and the ID Program won the ten man tag. Rourke believes he’s earned a shot and represents the ID Program, so it’s time for him to stand up and get an opportunity. He wants the title shot to keep the title in Evolve, though Thatcher thinks Harlem Lewis makes a compelling argument. But his time can come, because Rourke gets the shot next week. I wasn’t betting on that one and it still works.

Women’s Title: Tyra Mae Steele vs. Kendal Grey

Grey is defending in her final match in Evolve. They go with amateur wrestling to start with Steele getting a waistlock. Back up and they fight over a hiptoss until settling for an armdrag out of the corner. Grey gets whipped hard into the corner and a belly to belly puts her down. A baseball slide puts Grey on the floor and we take a break.

We come back with Grey getting caught in something like an STF. Grey fights up but gets taken down with a gutwrench suplex and Steele does it again. Steele runs her over and puts on the reverse chinlock, which doesn’t last as long. Back up and another gutwrench suplex doesn’t work, setting up stereo crossbodies to leave both of them down.

Grey is up out of the corner with some elbows to the face and there’s a suplex. The straps come down and Grey goes up top, where she knocks Steele back down. Steele is right back with an Angle Slam for two and they both need a breather. They trade rollups for two each until Grey grabs a quick Shades Of Grey to retain at 12:16.

Rating: B-. This match had one of the best possible aspects, as I didn’t know who was going to win. I could have definitely seen Grey taking a loss to wrap up her time in Evolve and make Steele into an instant star. At the same time, it’s clear that WWE knows they have something special with Grey and they want to protect her. Good enough main event here, as Steele is slowly starting to put it together.

Post match Grey thanks the crowd and hands the title to Timothy Thatcher before leaving.

We get a long video on Grey to wrap it up.

Overall Rating: C+. The ending was the best part of the show, as Grey came off like a star, again. At the same time, Thatcher is an interesting choice for the new boss role and hopefully it works out long term. This was about setting up a new era of Evolve and also acknowledging that the point of this place is for people to move up. Grey and Drake both have to do it and that’s going to create some new openings, which is the entire point. That’s going to take some time, but they took the first steps here.

Results
Harlem Lewis b. Sam Holloway – Boom Slang
Harley Riggins b. Trill London – TKO
Kendal Grey b. Tyra Mae Steele – Shades Of Grey

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

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