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

We’re coming up on the season finale and then Succession II, which can make for some interesting building. We already have some big matches set up, with both the Evolve and Evolve Women’s Title matches ready to go. There are going to have to be some other things added as well so let’s get to it.

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

Nikkita Lyons and Arianna Grace recap the Women’s Title match, with Kendal Grey defending against PJ Vasa at Succession II. The rest of the women’s division gets some attention as well, with Lyons getting angrier and angrier over Grace not bringing up the two of them. Finally Lyons brings up Masyn Holiday and Layla Diggs, which Grace had tried to block out.

Opening sequence.

Chuey Martinez is in the ring for a contract signing between PJ Vasa and Kendal Grey. First up, Grey talks about how she’s been told how hard it is going to be to beat Vasa. Grey laughs off the idea of being scared of a challenge, because she beat the boys on her high school wrestling team. Vasa cuts her off, saying she knows Grey can’t win. She wants this match signed on her terms, meaning a street fight. Vasa: “Come getcho issue.” (that’s how it’s spelled on her shirt). That works for Grey, who signed but then gets taken out by Vasa.

Cappuccino Jones talks about being underestimated all the time and doesn’t get why other prospects are called up before them. Good for those people, but why not him? He’s a different flavor, and it’s the boldest and one of one. Simple themed promo here and I still like this guy.

Dante Chen vs. Brooks Jensen

Jensen grabs an early nerve hold as Harley Riggins, Braxton Cole and Kam Hendrix are in the VIP area. The chinlock is broken up and Chen is back with an armbar. Jensen fights up but gets backdropped down, meaning the armbar goes on again. A big boot puts Chen down and he gets whipped hard into the corner.

The chinlock goes on for a bit, followed by an elbow drop to keep Chen down. Chen is back up with a clothesline and dropkick, setting up a nice superkick. Jensen manages to send him into the corner though and a suplex into a backstabber 9Roderick Strong’s End Of Heartache) finishes Chen at 8:19.

Rating: C-. This wasn’t exactly interesting or thrilling stuff, as they wrestled a slow paced match and it didn’t feel overly important. Jensen feels like someone who has been trying to find something to do for a long time now and I don’t know if there’s anything else he can do. On the other hand you have Chen, who thankfully is little more than a warm body around here.

Wendy Choo talks about how much therapy has helped her so she tried to share it with Kali Armstrong. That earned her a beating and Choo is not going to be disrespected like that.

The Vanity Project is recovering from a wild party (the place is rather messy) when Team ID comes in. They’re ready to carve their own paths in NXT and that’s because of the ID Program. They want to pay it forward, but want the Vanity Project to help them fight off Team PC. The teams chatter among themselves and Swipe Right is in.

Drake Morreaux vs. It’s Gal

Morreaux shoves him down to start and then drops Gal again with pure power. Gal’s suplex is reversed into one from Morreaux, who is offended when Gal tries a chop. Gal finally comes back with a shot on the apron but of course stops to pose before working on the leg. A running DDT gives Gal two and the chinlock goes on. Morreaux powers up and hits a discus lariat, followed by a chokeslam for the pin at 4:29.

Rating: C. I’m surprised in both ways here, as Morreaux if a unique enough monster and I could see him being something of a new project. At the same time, Gal had seemed like someone who was going to become a bigger deal and now he’s just losing over and over. Granted he might not be everyone’s taste, but he certainly has charisma.

Post match Kam Hendrix comes in to offer Drake Morreaux a spot on Team PC as Jax Presley is injured. Morreaux says he knows which side of history he wants to be on and leaves, with commentary suggesting that’s a no. It’s Gal wants to be on the team too but the team doesn’t seem thrilled.

Kali Armstrong doesn’t have anything against Wendy Choo personally, but she doesn’t want any help. She’s found her motivation and is ready to send Choo back to mute.

Nikkita Lyons/Arianna Grace vs. Masyn Holiday/Layla Diggs

Holiday rolls Grace up for an early two and it’s off to Diggs for a double arm crank. Holiday’s headlock doesn’t last long so she goes with a crossbody for two. Lyons comes in and gets caught in a headlock from Diggs but Grace breaks up a double suplex. A pair of dropkicks put the villains on the floor and we take a break. We come back with Holiday in trouble on the floor and Lyons dropping a sitdown splash back inside. This time Chantel Monroe is watching in the VIP area and approves as Lyons knocks Holiday down again.

The chinlock goes on for a bit, followed by a suplex to give Lyons two more. Grace’s diving forearm gets two and Lyons drops her with a running clothesline. Holiday fights up for a double clothesline and it’s back to Diggs to crush Grace in the corner. A Pele gets two, with Lyons making the save. Everything breaks down and Grace gives Holiday a Codebreaker, followed by Lyons kicking Holiday in the head. Grace’s fireman’s carry slam (Graceland) is good for the pin at 9:24.

Rating: C. This is a match that has been built up for a bit but I’m not exactly interested in the TikTok team. They’re fine enough in the ring, but it’s kind of hard to care about two women who seem to show up to do dances. I’ll take them over the villains who have spent weeks being nice because of a random fortune teller though. This hasn’t been a great feud, but this might wrap it up.

Tate Wilder isn’t happy with the PC vs. ID war and doesn’t like what either side has been doing. He won’t stand for backstabbing though and that’s why he’s the guest referee in next week’s ten man tag.

Overall Rating: C-. Even Evolve has off weeks and this seemed to be one. The whole show felt like it was filler that would take place at the end of a really long taping cycle, featuring the bottom group of the roster. At the same time, the next two weeks are more than big enough to make up for this. I’ve been impressed enough with Evolve to believe that this was just a one off miss, which does happen every so often. Just get back to normal next week, which they likely will.

Results
Brooks Jensen b. Dante Chen – Suplex into a backstabber
Drake Morreaux b. It’s Gal – Chokeslam
Arianna Grace/Nikkita Lyons b. Masyn Holiday/Layla Diggs – Graceland to Holiday

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: February 4, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

It’s a big night as the Evolve Title is on the line, with Jackson Drake defending against Kam Hendrix. This comes after Hendrix had Drake go up against a bunch of monsters last week in a rather smart move. Other than that, it’s time to find whomever might be next for the Women’s Title so let’s get to it.

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

Team PC is ready for Kam Hendrix to win the Evolve Title. Braxton Cole comes in after things got, ahem, messy in the back. Apparently Sean Legacy

Opening sequence.

IMG Credit: WWE

Tyra Mae Steele vs. Carlee Bright

Steele wrestles her down with no trouble to start but Bright picks the leg a few times. That doesn’t get Bright very far as Steele pulls her into a bow and arrow. The chinlock goes on but Bright is back up with a headscissors. That’s broken up and Steele reverses into something like an STF. Back up and they collide for a double down before Bright hits a swinging neckbreaker. Steele pulls her out of the air though and hits Mae Day (Samoan drop) for the pin at 4:38.

Rating: C. Steele continues to be someone with all of the background in the world and some charisma to back it up. If she can put that together with the pro style, she has all of the potential. As for Bright…uh….I’m not sure what she has, though I would have said the same thing about Kendal Grey a year ago so things can indeed change.

The Vanity Project welcomes Team ID in because they need to band together to fight off Kam Hendrix. That doesn’t work well, though Aaron Rourke thinks the Project might have a point. After a huddle, Team ID is actually in, with Rourke hitting on Jackson Drake a bit. Swipe Right doesn’t think much of Mike Cunningham and Eli Knight though and a match is set for next week.

Arianna Grace and Nikkita Lyons are still freaked out by the séance and think they need to be really nice. Layla Diggs and Masyn Holiday come in, with Grace and Lyons trying to play nice. They’ll even do a new TikTok dance with them! This….yeah this isn’t working.

Drake Morreaux vs. Sam Holloway

Morreaux powers him down to start and a running hurricanrana does it again. Holloway is knocked down again for something like a bottom rope Vader Bomb for two but he’s back up with a big boot. Another knockdown gives Holloway another two but Morreaux sends him to the apron for a big boot to the floor.

Holloway goes with the idea of hitting Morreaux in the face, with a springboard elbow connecting for two. A big charge misses for Holloway in the corner though and Morreaux kicks him right back down. Holloway dropkicks him out to the floor, which of course means a big running dive to take Morreaux down again. Back in and Morreaux hits a discus lariat (not exactly a clean one), followed by a regular clothesline for the pin at 6:17.

Rating: B. This was the Big E. Langston special as you had two big men getting in there and hitting each other until one of them couldn’t get up again. That’s exactly what you would have wanted to see out of a match like this and they more than delivered. I had a great time with this and I was even surprised at the result so well done all around.

Post match Morreaux says Team PC doesn’t represent the Performance Center, but he’s coming for the Evolve Title.

Next week: Karmen Petrovic challenges Kendal Grey for the Women’s Title.

Team ID gives Sean Legacy a hard time with his cleaning but Team PC interrupts to help him clean. With the ID guys gone, It’s Gal comes in to mock Team PC but Aaron Rourke stands up for the team and challenges Gal to a match next week.

IMG Credit: WWE

Dante Chen vs. Trill London

Chen works on the arm to start so London reverses into a wristlock of his own. Back up and Chen knocks him down a few times before London dives over Chen, only to possibly hurt his leg. It’s fine enough for London to grab an armbar but it’s a half nelson slam to put him down again. Chen gets two off another slam but misses a boot, allowing London to hit a Whisper In The Wind. A middle rope sunset flip gets two on Chen, who drops London with a superkick. Chen boots him down again though and the Gentle Touch finishes London at 5:31.

Rating: C-. Huh? I’m sorry what now? You build London up as someone interesting with the great athleticism and he gets pinned clean by DANTE CHEN? Maybe it’s that I watched LVL Up for years but I still don’t get what Chen is supposed to offer. London feels like someone interesting with potential and he just….loses here. Odd indeed. On top of that, the match didn’t exactly feel smooth, as it came off more like a tumbling routine than a match, which isn’t a great way to go.

We get a face to face showdown between Kendal Grey and Karmen Petrovic. Grey doesn’t want this to get too personal but she’ll face anyone to keep her title. Petrovic thinks Grey is looking past her when Petrovic has all the momentum. Grey isn’t underestimating her but promises to walk in and out as champion.

The Season Finale will air on February 25 but the season premiere, Succession II, will be the following week.

Kali Armstrong is disappointed by her recent losses and needs to get that dog back in her. Maybe she needs to go back home for a bit and find her old self.

Evolve Title: Kam Hendrix vs. Jackson Drake

Hendrix, with Jax Presley and Harley Riggins, is challenging while Drake has Swipe Right with him. Drake goes for the leg to start but gets put down with a running shoulder. Riggins and Presley trip Drake so Swipe Right does the same to Hendrix, meaning it’s the rare quadruple ejection. We take a break and come back with Hendrix striking away for two and grabbing the chinlock. Drake fights up and hits an enziguri but gets punched in the face for going up top.

Hendrix’s powerbomb doesn’t work and Drake grabs a German suplex for two. The referee gets bumped and Drake hits a jumping knee to put Hendrix down. Cue Team PC to beat Drake down but Team ID runs in for the big brawl. Swipe Right is back in as well as I wonder how fragile the referee must be to not notice about ten people interfering. Legacy hits a big flip dive and Swipe Right takes Hendrix down. The Unaliving retains the title at 8:38.

Rating: B-. The ending was the kind of wild brawl that makes for an interesting situation, though I’m rather surprised that Hendrix didn’t win. Drake has held the title for a long time now and it’s odd to see the team seemingly changing over to the good side. At the same time, Hendrix and company had been built up fairly well, though I’m not sure what is next for them. It’s a good match, even with a bit of a surprising result.

Post match Cappuccino Jones holds up the title and says he’s coming for this because Drake owes him one.

Overall Rating: B-. Good show here, albeit with a few surprising results. The thing that stuck out to me here was something that made the glory days of NXT work so well: it felt like there was a focus on everything taking place in the ring. The matches and segments were made to feel important and that helps when they come back around later. This is still the most enjoyable show every week and this worked again, even with me being rather surprised more than once.

Results
Tyra Mae Steele b. Carlee Bright – Mae Day
Drake Morreaux b. Sam Holloway – Clothesline
Dante Chen b. Trill London – Gentle Touch
Jackson Drake b. Kam Hendrix – Unaliving

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: January 7, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Robert Stone, Peter Rosenberg

It’s time to get back to Evolve as it hasn’t been around for the last few weeks. In this case we even have a bit title match, with Sean Legacy challenging Jackson Drake for the Evolve Title. It could be quite the interesting time, as several NXT departures mean that some names could be on their way out of Evolve. Let’s get to it.

Here is the most recent show if you need a recap.

Sean Legacy talks about the things that he did in 2025, which was a great year. But it was also LAST year and now he needs to start doing something bigger this year. And what happens to Evolve if he doesn’t win the title? Uh, about the same thing that has been happening for months now?

Opening sequence.

IMG Credit: WWE

Karmen Petrovic vs. Laynie Luck

Luck has been a regular on the independent circuit for the better part of ever and recently won the Women’s ID Title. They trade takedowns to start, with Luck cartwheeling out of a wristlock. Petrovic takes her down into an armbar and drives her into the corner, where Luck gets in an elbow to the face. Luck grabs a suplex and ties Petrovic in the Tree Of Woe, only to miss a charge. A top rope Sling Blade and Eat Defeat rock Luck, who is back with a tilt-a-whirl slam for two. Petrovic shrugs that off and hits a quick Petrifier for the win at 3:35.

Rating: C+. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Luck over the years so it’s very nice to see her getting this kind of a chance. I’m not sure what she’s going to do with it, but she’s absolutely a success story after all those years. Petrovic still needs to step it up a bit, as she’s just kind of the same person she’s been for a long time now.

The Vanity Project isn’t worried about Sean Legacy but run into a bunch of the ID guys. They aren’t impressed with the Project either but cooler heads prevail.

We recap Chantel Monroe vs. Wendy Choo. Monroe called her a freak so Choo cost her a title match, causing Monroe to interrupt Choo’s therapy session. Therefore, it’s time to fight.

IMG Credit: WWE

Chantel Monroe vs. Wendy Choo

No DQ and Choo jumps her from behind during the entrances. Monroe fights back and grabs the weapons as the bell rings. Choo fights back without much trouble and puts Monroe in the trashcan for a running dropkick. The table is brought out and we take an early break.

We come back with Monroe beating her down with a chair, which is wedged in the corner. Choo fights up and of course sends Monroe into the chair (it’s a law), followed by a chair to the back. The Dirt Nap goes…well mostly on, but Monroe grabs some hairspray to blind her way out. A top rope Meteora onto a trashcan gives Monroe two and a DDT onto the chair gets the same. The table is set up but Choo is back with her own hairspray shot. Monroe catches her on top and yells a lot, only to get caught in a Dirt Nap on the ropes. A super full nelson slam sends Monroe through the table for the win at 7:27.

Rating: B-. The ending looked really good and it was cool to see the two of them beating the fire out of each other for a bit. I had a good time with this as Monroe has come a long way since her debut. At the same time, Choo has become far easier to watch now that she has dropped the whole weird evil stuff.

Post match Choo says she wants to show the new her. There is a triple threat for the Women’s Title next week and she wants the winner. Kendal Grey comes out to say she’ll beat Choo again. Choo says Grey can’t beat the new her.

Trill London sees the world differently but he was good enough to play for the Miami Dolphins. Now he’s here to see how he can evolve in the ring. Enjoy the show.

Kam Hendrix says it’s going to be a privilege to see him for the next twenty years. If charisma was water, you would need a life jacket right now.

Arianna Grace and Nikkita Lyons interrupt and mock Layla Diggs and Masyn Holiday for doing Tik Tok videos. They’re suddenly best friends.

Video on Jackson Drake.

Evolve Title: Sean Legacy vs. Jackson Drake

Legacy, with a bad shoulder, is challenging and chops away in the corner to start. They seem to mess up a bit in the corner and after what might have been a camera edit, Legacy sends him into the corner to put Drake down. A running chop in the corner drops Drake and a jumping stomp to the back gives Legacy two.

We take a break and come back with Legacy stomping away and sending Drake outside. The slingshot dive connects for Legacy but Drake posts him, with the bad shoulder getting banged up. Back in and Drake slowly works on the arm but Legacy tries a sunset flip. That earns him a moonsault knees to the ribs for two as Legacy is in trouble. The Lethal In-Jacksion is blocked though and we take another break.

We come back with Legacy splashing Drake for two and avoiding a high crossbody. Legacy plants him down for two more but Shambles is cut off with an arm snap over the rope. Back up and a Spanish Fly gives Legacy two but the arm gives out on an STF attempt. A crossface has Legacy in more trouble and Drake switches into a triangle choke for some elbows to the head. Legacy powerbombs his way to freedom but Drake hits one heck of an Unaliving, followed by another to the back of the head to retain at 14:29.

Rating: B. That almost has to be it for Legacy around here, as there is nothing left for him to do. He came in as what seemed to be the big prospect and it kind of stayed that way without ever accomplishing anything. Drake has started to stand out a bit more and it should be a big deal when someone finally beats him for that title.

Post match Kam Hendrix and company come out to threaten Drake but Harlem Lewis is back, immediately scaring Drake to death. Lewis gets in the ring and says he doesn’t care about PC or ID (amen), because he only cares about the title. He wants someone to step to him…but the Vanity Project leaves in a smart move.

Timothy Thatcher runs into Charlie Dempsey and asks Dempsey to respect his decision. Dempsey wants to prove himself, but Thatcher says you can do that every time you get in the ring. One more insult from Dempsey is FINALLY enough to get Thatcher to agree to the match to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The thing I like about Evolve is that it feels like the shows have been thought out in advance. We’re back from a few weeks away and they returned with some fresh ideas and names. That’s a great sign and I’m curious to see where some of these things go. I like the ideas that they’re presenting here and hopefully it keeps living up to the hype.

Results
Karmen Petrovic b. Laynie Luck – Petrifier
Wendy Choo b. Chantel Monroe – Super full nelson slam through a table
Jackson Drake b. Sean Legacy – Unaliving to the back of the head

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: December 10, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Robert Stone, Peter Rosenberg

We’re getting close to wrapping up the year and we have a #1 contender to crown. That should make for an interesting week, as Tate Wilder and Sean Legacy are facing each other for the next shot at Jackson Drake. Wilder has someone working behind the scenes with him as well so let’s get to it.

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

The Vanity Project has their own dorm and it’s already in need of a good cleaning. They’re worried about the new year though, because it’s about continuing their dominance. For now, they’re going to watch Sean Legacy vs. Tate Wilder, because Legacy has been stalking Jackson Drake. Apparently it’s cool if a hot chick is stalking you, but Legacy is neither hot nor a chick. They’re rather interested in the opener though.

Layla Diggs vs. Nikkita Lyons

Masyn Holiday is here with Diggs and Malik Blade is in the VIP section. Diggs takes her down to start and adds a side kick, followed by a running knee in the corner. A bit of a dance sets up a standing moonsault for two and it’s off to the headlock. Lyons sends her to the apron but can’t break it up, instead knocking Diggs down on the apron to take over. A fisherman’s suplex drops Diggs again and Lyons kicks her into the corner. Lyons gives her kind of a bouncing Stinkface but stops for a dance off with Holiday. Diggs grabs a rollup for the pin at 3:22.

Rating: C. Well it could have been worse, and it’s nice to see Diggs getting a win. Lyons continues to feel more annoying than anything else so hopefully she keeps putting people over. They kept it short here and Diggs winning is a nice sign, as she has shown some potential over the last few months. Just give her some wins already.

The ID talent give Sean Legacy a pep talk before the main event. They’ll be in the VIP section tonight and Timothy Thatcher shows up. He’s happy with the ID prospects and doesn’t like the Vanity Project. Other than that though, he announces a five on five team gauntlet (sounds like a Survivor Series match) between the ID Program and the Performance Center wrestlers.

Commentary says that whomever gets the final fall in the team gauntlet gets a title shot. Apparently it’s more like a collection of singles matches. I think. It’s not entirely clear.

Carlee Bright talks to Kendal Grey in the back and says she’s being seen as Kendal’s friend. She wants to be a star in her own right so Grey (who is fine with what Bright wants) tells her to find her edge. Everything seems ok.

Drake Morreaux vs. Dante Chen

The much bigger Morreaux takes him down by the arm and stomps on the hand. Chen is back up with an armbar, which is broken up with a nerve hold. Harley Riggins and Jax Presley are in the VIP section as Morreaux misses a discus lariat. Chen takes him into the corner and stomps away, which just makes Morreaux angry.

A pump kick takes Morreaux down for two and the chinlock goes on. Morreaux powers up and plants him down, setting up an atomic drop of all things. A big boot sets up the missed splash in the corner, allowing Chen to grab a suplex. The Gentle Touch is blocked and Morreaux chokeslams him for the pin at 5:12.

Rating: C. Morreaux is a giant (at least by this show’s standards) and having him beat someone up in his debut is fine. The good thing is this show has dropped NXT LVL Up’s weird tradition of having Chen beat debuting stars. It wasn’t much of a match, but it lets us meet Morreaux and that’s what matters the most.

Post match Morreaux says he wants to keep going but Riggins and Presley come over to offer him a spot on their team. Morreaux respectfully declines and things seem to be ok.

Charlie Dempsey is back from Japan, where he heard that Timothy Thatcher is back. Thatcher is supposed to still be the technical master and that doesn’t work for Dempsey. They need to set foot in the ring together and see who really is the best technician. Makes sense.

It’s Gal feels like a weatherman because the ID vs. PC feud is a brewing storm. So which team is he joining? That will be…..whichever team can afford him!

The PC guys give Tate Wilder a pep talk but he doesn’t seem to hate Sean Legacy. He needs to focus on tonight’s match without worrying about the team gauntlet. Wilder doesn’t like their attitude either, but Riggins and Presley say they’re just a call away. Think about it.

It’s Gal vs. Eli Knight

Gal shoves him down and poses to start before grabbing a fireman’s carry for some squats. Knight slips out of that and hits one heck of a dropkick but Gal faceplants him out of the corner. A hard discus lariat gets two and Gal grabs the abdominal stretch. Knight is out again and hits a running clothesline into a hurricanrana. A nice springboard moonsault gives Knight two but he misses a 450. Gal’s German suplex doesn’t work so he grabs the Ferocious Bomb for the pin at 4:12.

Rating: C+. Gal has grown on me tremendously in the last few weeks as he’s so goofy that it makes him entertaining. Don’t take him too seriously and he’s a blast. Knight is someone who got to showcase his rather impressive athleticism here and it was a nice showing for him, though he’s got a long way to go.

Wendy Choo is meeting with her therapist. She’s been working to get better but is so frustrated. Chantel Monroe jumps her and leaves her laying.

Sean Legacy vs. Tate Wilder

For a future title shot and a bunch of ID wrestlers are in the VIP section. We get a handshake to start before they go with some basic grappling. Legacy takes him to the mat and starts in on the fingers, followed by a cravate to keep Wilder down. A standing moonsault gives Legacy two but Wilder is back up with an armdrag into a wristlock. Wilder slams him down for a springboard backsplash and we take a break.

We come back with Wilder fighting out of a chinlock and hitting a belly to back suplex. Legacy misses a charge in the corner and gets dropped with a spinning suplex for two. The Wilde Ride is broken up and Legacy gets two off a rather spinning backbreaker. Back up and Wilder sends him outside for a suicide dive, near the VIP area.

A fight seems imminent so here are the PC guys for some shouting. Cue Braxton Cole to post Legacy as the two teams start brawling. Wilder isn’t happy with Cole and Cappuccino Jones swings at…in theory Cole but he hits Wilder instead. Legacy (who didn’t seem to see the punch) grabs Shambles for the pin at 8:05.

Rating: B-. The ending brawl wasn’t a surprise as they all but guaranteed it would be happening. Legacy winning is a good thing as he needed to get boosted back up, but now he almost has to win the title. He’s gotten close too many times and come up short and it’s probably time Drake lost the title anyway. Not a bad match at all, though the ending took away from it a bit.

Post match the brawl continues and Jackson Drake runs in to beat on Legacy to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This was the show centered around building up things for the future, with the big focus on the PC vs. ID feud. I’m still not sure why that’s such a big deal, but at least they’re setting things up for an important showdown. What matters is that they have some stars and stories built up and Evolve has made them feel important. Next week is the next big match and hopefully they can keep it going, as this is a regularly fun show.

Results
Layla Diggs b. Nikkita Lyons – Rollup
Drake Morreaux b. Dante Chen – Chokeslam
It’s Gal b. Eli Knight – Ferocious Bomb
Sean Legacy b. Tate Wilde – Shambles

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: December 3, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

It’s the holiday season for the first time ever around here as we’re back after a week off for the day before Thanksgiving. This week features a title match as Kendal Grey is defending against Chantel Monroe in a match that has been built up for a few weeks now. Hopefully Grey can live up to her incredible hype so let’s get to it.

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

As she arrived to the arena earlier today, Grey said she can focus on Chantel Monroe, who is talented but full of excuses.

Opening sequence.

Carlee Bright vs. Arianna Grace

Bright slaps her in the face to start and hits a dropkick, only to miss a second attempt. They head outside with Bright being sent into the apron, allowing Grace to offer fans some photos. Back in and Grace knees her in the ribs, followed by an Arn Anderson eye rake across the top rope. Bright tries to elbow away but gets forearmed in the face. A Wasteland (Graceland) finishes for Grace at 4:28.

Rating: C. This was basically a squash as Grace continues to do a variety of things. She’s one of the bigger names involved in the NXT vs. TNA feud, plus making occasional appearances in NXT. I’m not a bit surprised that she’s getting this kind of a chance given her father, but I’m not sure how far she’s going to go. As for Bright….dang it’s not the brightest future and this was not a good sign for her.

Video on Yayne Harrison, who has been signed to an ID contract.

Video on the ID Program.

We look at Evolve wrestlers being in action at NXT Gold Rush.

We look at Kendal Grey being added to the NXT Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge. This is feeling rather fillerish.

Layla Diggs and Masyn Holiday come up to Nikkita Lyons, who doesn’t like their negative vibes. Lyons mocks them for her recent victory over Holiday but Diggs wants to face her next. That’s fine with Lyons, who loves charity work.

Marcus Mathers/Aaron Rourke vs. Cappuccino Jones/Mike Cunningham

Mathers goes after Jones’ leg to start but gets taken down for some grappling on the mat. Jones’ crucifix gets two and a flying headscissors takes Mathers down again. Cunningham comes in to stay on the arm before it’s quickly off to Rourke. Another dropkick puts Rourke down and Cunningham throws some lefts to keep him in trouble. It’s back to Mathers for a Backstabbber, with Rourke adding a top rope backsplash as we take a break.

We come back with Rourke dropping Mathers onto Cunningham’s raised knees. A basement superkick brings Cunningham right back down but he dropkicks Mathers off the top. Rourke is back in with a Prism Trap (Stone: “That’s a unique hold.” No, it isn’t.), which is broken up as well and it’s Jones coming back in to clean house. A big right hand sends Mathers into the corner for a running clothesline.

Mathers knocks him back down though and Jones gets dragged into the corner. That’s broken up rather quickly with some shots to the face, allowing Mathers to come in with a double missile dropkick. Rourke headbutts Cunningham and Mathers hits a middle rope Stunner. A Molly Go Round gives Rourke two and Jones comes back in with the Decaffinator, with Mathers making a save of his own.

Jones dives onto Rourke, leaving the other two to trade rollups. Mathers knocks him into the corner but Cunningham is back with a jumping elbow to the face. Cunningham gets a heck of a running start and is blasted with a clothesline for his efforts. And then Jax Presley and Harley Riggins run in to jump them both for the no contest at 13:20.

Rating: B-. I did like the action, but having such a long match for the sake of showcasing people and then the monsters running in for the no contest didn’t help. Cunningham did feel like he belonged on such a level, though the ID Program still feels like something being wedged into this. I’m not sure how much fans are going to care about which wrestlers have a glorified check mark next to their names compared to the regular ones, but it seems to be a big deal.

Post match the beatdown is on and Keanu Carver comes out to join in (with commentary wisely pointing out that Carver was who Riggins and Presley called a few weeks ago). It’s Gal, in the VIP section, applauds.

Women’s Title: Chantel Monroe vs. Kendal Grey

Grey is defending and Karmen Petrovic is in the VIP area. They fight over a lockup to start and go into some corners without much of an advantage being gained. Grey wrestles her to the mat a few times and it’s already time for Monroe to get a breather on the floor. Monroe gets back in to take over and grab a Hennig necksnap.

Back up and tries some more grappling but gets forearmed in the face to cut that off. Grey slides between the legs in the corner and a basement dropkick knocks Monroe down. Monroe is able to send her outside for a crossbody off the apron but Grey kicks the leg out. They trade chops on the floor and we take a break. We come back with Grey backsliding her for two but walking into something like a TKO for the same.

Monroe takes forever to go up (commentary even gets on her for it), allowing Grey to belly to belly superplex her down. Grey hits some running elbows and counters a hurricanrana into a sitout powerbomb for two. Monroe’s superkick seems to hit Grey in the throat and the Perfect Ending….sends Grey outside. Cue Wendy Choo to post Monroe but she blocks the cross armbreaker. A powerslam gives Grey two but Monroe knocks her off the top. The top rope Meteora gives Monroe two and frustration is setting in. Grey fights back though and knocks her down, drops the straps, and hits Shades Of Grey to retain at 12:14.

Rating: C+. It wasn’t bad, but dang this felt long. It came off like a match that was designed to fill in time rather than two people fighting over a title. At the same time, it didn’t help that Monroe didn’t feel like she had a chance as Grey is the new star. Throw in a rather weird and unnecessary interference from Choo and it was kind of a weak match.

Tate Wilder and Sean Legacy want the Evolve Title match so they’re set for a #1 contenders match next week. They’re both ok with that, though Wilder points out that Legacy has lost lately. Wilder is new around here but he’s getting some wins together. Legacy brings up that he had to talk Wilder out of quitting a few weeks ago. Wilder says he has grown so much since then and they get in an argument over the PC vs. the ID Program. Legacy leaves and someone puts a (rather large) hand on Wilder’s shoulder to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. The wrestling was mostly fine and I liked the Carver deal, but it was a show that felt like they didn’t have enough material for a full episode. There were some good enough moments, but it was one of the weaker shows they’ve had in a little while. The good thing is there are points that are set up for the future and I’m curious to see what happens. Call it a weak show and hope that it’s just a one off.

Results
Arianna Grace b. Carlee Bright – Graceland
Marcus Mathers/Aaron Rourke vs. Mike Cunningham/Cappuccino Jones went to a no contest when Harley Riggins and Jax Presley interfered
Kendal Grey b. Chantel Monroe – 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:

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Evolve
Date: November 12, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

It’s time to crank up the title picture again as both of them will be on the line over the next few weeks at NXT Gold Rush. That’s not all though, as Jackson Drake has to defend the Evolve Title against Keanu Carver this week. Either way, hopefully Evolve gets to continue its rather nice run, which has been going for a few months now. Let’s get to it.

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

Earlier today, the Vanity Project arrived and mocked Keanu Carver as Jackson Drake talked about how he’s survived everything.

Opening sequence.

Here is Kali Armstrong for a chat. The last time you saw her, she was at war with Kendal Grey and yes she did slip. That was Grey taking her to a place she hasn’t been to in a long time, but she won’t let the emotions get the better of her. She either wins or she learns, which is why she took some time off. She’s ready for the road back to the top but let’s see if Grey can do it again. Cue PJ Vasa to say things have changed since Armstrong was last here. It moves fast, and now Vasa is the one getting the next title shot. The brawl is on and quickly broken up.

Sean Legacy vs. Eli Knight

This is Knight’s debut and the VIP Lounge is back, with Harley Riggins and Jax Presley joining us. Knight is ready to show why he is fly like no other. Legacy shoulders him down for an early two and adds a dropkick for a bonus. A headscissors brings Legacy out of the corner and a big running flip dive hits him on the floor. Back in and a slingshot dropkick sets up a springboard moonsault for one on Legacy.

Knight’s front facelock is countered into a drop onto the top rope for a heck of a bounce and Legacy glares at him a bit. Back up and a release German suplex sends Knight into the corner but Knight knocks him right back down. A jumping kick to the face sets up Sliced Bread for two on Legacy. Knight misses his Superman Press and Legacy suplexes him back into the corner. They slug it out until Knight grabs a hurricanrana for two. Legacy is right back with Shambles for the fast pin at 6:57.

Rating: C+. I’m still not big on Shambles but it’s clear that Legacy is the biggest star around here. He’s treated like something different than anyone else on the roster and that’s why he was put in there with Knight. It wasn’t a bad debut for Knight, though there is nothing that made him stand out all that much.

Post match Legacy says he wants to win some gold and tells Knight to keep his chin up after a great performance. Knight appreciates that as Riggins and Presley come to ringside to say they’re sick of the ID Program stars. The challenge is on for a tag match right now but cue Timothy Thatcher to say he has a team for Presley and Riggins next week.

Masyn Holiday and Layla Diggs are doing a TikTok dance when Nikkita Lyons comes in to say it looks like their wifi is lagging. Holiday wants a match with Lyons, who takes a picture of them before and will get the after…well after their match.

Video on Keanu Carver.

Masyn Holiday vs. Nikkita Lyons

Layla Diggs is here with Holiday and they do their customary dancing. Holiday takes her down for an early splash before grinding away on a headlock. Lyons hits a quick slam though and adds a running forearm in the corner. A hard kick gives Lyons two and it’s off to a bodyscissors.

That’s broken up and it’s a double clothesline to leave them both down….and here is Arianna Grace. Holiday fights up with a neckbreaker and a suplex gets two. A standing moonsault misses for Holiday though and Lyons kicks her in the head. The Vader Bomb gives Lyons the pin at 4:25.

Rating: C. I still don’t get the appeal of Lyons, as her matches are hardly worth seeing and the talking stuff isn’t much better. I’m not sure I can imagine her moving up the ladder much further but she seems to be here for the time being. Holiday and Diggs aren’t doing much with the dancing, but it’s better than nothing.

Post match Lyons dances at Diggs.

It’s Gal is still looking for a partner. He thought about Jax Presley and Harley Riggins, who broke his Stud Glasses. It’s ok because he has 3,000 pairs so he tried asking Keanu Carver. The fear ended that idea so it might be time to expand the horizons of his search. I’m still chuckling at these things.

Chantel Monroe doesn’t like Wendy Choo and says PJ Vasa and Kali Armstrong are fighting over her table scraps. She’s getting a title shot at Kendal Grey so she’s ready to take the gold.

Evolve Title: Keanu Carver vs. Jackson Drake

Drake is defending and the Vanity Project is with him. Carver (with his bad hand) runs him over with a shoulder to start but Drake is back with some shoulder in the corner. Carver’s charge in the corner hits buckle as Tate Wilder is watching in the VIP Lounge. Drake gets slammed off the top but manages to slip out of a fall away slam. A stomp to the bad hand has Carver in trouble and Drake hits a suicide dive as we take a break.

We come back with Drake working on the hand again as Sean Legacy is now in the Lounge as well. Carver muscles him up into a suplex for a breather and NOW the fall away slam works. Drake gets planted down hard with a spinebuster for two and they both need a breather. Back up and Drake tries the Lethal Injection, which is cut off by a heck of a Pounce for two in a nice false finish.

Drake’s kick to the head in the corner sets up a springboard Swanton for two on Carver, who turns him inside out. A one armed powerbomb (that was cool) gives Carver two and he hits another (and bigger) Pounce. Ricky Smokes grabs the title but Carver takes him out rather quickly. Drake is back up with a running knee though and Brad Baylor sends the bad hand into the post. The Unaliving retains the title at 9:50.

Rating: B-. Drake has started to get a lot better around here and it made for a good main event. It’s nice to see him survive against a monster like Carver and now it’s on to Legacy, which was already announced. That didn’t help with figuring out the result here, but at least the match worked well on the way there.

Legacy and Wilder glare at the Vanity Project to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. I continue to like this show, which has a nice cast of characters who have been developed in the seven or so months the show has been around. The action was good as well, with the main event feeling like a big deal. Evolve is a good, consistent show and that’s a nice thing to have week to week.

Results
Sean Legacy b. Eli Knight – Shambles
Nikkita Lyons b. Masyn Holiday – Vader Bomb
Jackson Drake b. Keanu Carver – Unaliving

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: Succession
Date: October 15, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

It’s time for the first Evolve special since the series debuted back in March. This week features a three match card, with both titles on the line and a big grudge match which should become violent. That’s a good way to hook in some fans and the card has been built up pretty well. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a look back at the original Evolve and what it can mean to be a star around here. This leads us into a look at tonight’s show.

We recap Bryce Donovan challenging Jackson Drake for the Evolve Title. The two of them have been part of the Vanity Project with Donovan as the team’s enforcer. Drake started taking advantage of Donovan though and even insulted him, eventually causing Donovan to snap. Donovan signed the contract for the title match and quit the team, promising to take the title here.

Evolve Title: Bryce Donovan vs. Jackson Drake

Drake, with the Vanity Project is defending and slaps Donovan in the face to start. That earns him a Black Hole Slam before Donovan sends him flying into the corner. A flapjack sets up some forearms to Drake’s chest, with Donovan pointing down at the Project. Donovan goes outside to yell at the Project, allowing Drake to hit a suicide dive to take over. Cue Keanu Carver, with security holding him back as we take a break. We come back with Donovan working on a half crab. That’s broken up and Donovan fights back, including a pop up powerbomb for two.

Drake goes back to the knee and dropkicks him to the floor, where Donovan grabs a chokeslam onto the apron. Donovan’s running charge hits the steps though and Drake drops the knee into those steps. Back in and a Swanton (possibly onto the knee) gets two on Donovan, who hits a hard clothesline of his own. A middle rope chokeslam plants Drake but the cover sends his feet in the ropes. Drake goes back to the knee though and a pair of Unalivings retain the title at 8:23.

Rating: C+. The match was a nice back and forth fight and I’m glad Drake won, as the Donovan turn was a last minute thing. It would have been odd to see Drake win the title only a week after his turn, which wasn’t so big in the first place. The title change should come at a bigger moment so the match going this way makes sense. At the same time, that’s quite the death knell in Donovan for the time being, as he’s going to need a change to come back from that kind of a loss.

Stevie Turner is on the phone with someone from AAA and is excited to have an up coming guest start. A celebrity (seemingly from some series) Bigg Jahh comes in to say the title match was fire. They’ll watch the rest of the show together.

Video on Adrenaline Drip vs. Harley Riggins and Jax Presley.

Masyn Holiday and Layla Diggs are in the back with Wendy Choo. As Choo is about to talk, Chantel Monroe comes in to mock the idea of Choo talking and then leaves. Choo says AJ Lee says therapy works. They’re off to find Bigg Jahh, who apparently makes movies.

Tate Wilder vs. Brooks Jensen

Bullrope match with pinfall or submission to win. They pull at the rope to start until Jensen misses a kick and gets tripped down. Wilder misses some whips with the rope and gets forearmed in the corner. Jensen gets tied up in the rope again though and Wilder pulls him down, followed by a dropkick to the floor. That lets Jensen pull him into the ropes for a knockdown as we take a break.

We come back with Jensen missing a bell shot to the face but dropping Wilder over the top rope. A middle rope elbow to the head gets two on Wilder and the rope is pulled across Wilder’s mouth. Jensen whips him with the rope, which helps wake Wilder up to start the comeback. Wilder whips him down for a change and they slug it out until Jensen knocks him out of the air with a bell shot. Jensen goes up and gets pulled back down, setting up a powerbomb into the Wilde Ride for the pin at 6:18.

Rating: B-. Nice match here and Wilder got the win that he needed. It was another result that needed to happen as Wilder would be absolutely done if he lost here. Jensen isn’t exactly a top name but he’s a big enough deal that Wilder gets something out of beating him. At some point you need to move someone up the ladder and that’s what we’re getting here.

Video on the WWE ID Program, with new names arriving soon.

We recap Kendal Grey challenging Kali Armstrong for the Women’s Title. Armstrong is the monster while Grey has been rising up the ranks and is ready to challenge for the top spot.

Quick video on Aaron Rourke.

Sean Legacy is in Stevie Turner’s office and wants to face Edris Enofe next week. Bigg Jahh says he should so Turner makes….Jah the GM next week. Layla Diggs and Masyn Holiday come in and try to get parts in his new movie.

Women’s Title: Kendal Grey vs. Kali Armstrong

Grey is challenging and after the Big Match Intros, takes Armstrong down and hammers away. Armstrong powers her into the corner to hammer away but gets fireman’s carries back down. A missed charge in the corner lets Grey score with a dropkick out to the floor. Grey hits a nice dive and they fight up to the apron. Armstrong cuts off a slingshot though and Grey gets driven back first into the apron over and over.

We take a break and come back with Armstrong dropping an elbow for two, followed by a reverse slam. The chinlock goes on but Grey fights up and sweeps the leg. A DDT gives Grey two and a moonsault press connects for the same. Armstrong is back with a pop up powerslam for two of her own and a top rope superplex gets two more. They slug it out with Armstrong getting the better of it and loading up the Kali Connection, which is countered into a powerslam to give Grey the pin and the title at 9:36.

Rating: B. This was a well put together match and I liked what we got out of it, with Armstrong going with with what worked to get her here, only to get caught going too far. Grey was built up well in the last few weeks and it makes sense for her to be the one to slay the monster champion. Good stuff here and well worthy of the main event slot on this show.

Wren Sinclair and Carlee Bright run in for the celebration to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. They nailed this one pretty well, with all three matches going as they should have and the quality going up as the card moved along. I liked this rather well and it was nice to have it be the length of a regular episode rather than making it some kind of big elongated special. As usual, Evolve is well produced and structured, which makes the show that much easier to watch.

Results
Jackson Drake b. Bryce Donovan – Unaliving
Tate Wilder b. Brooks Jensen – Wilde Ride
Kendal Grey b. Kali Armstrong – Powerslam

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

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

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

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Adrenaline Drip vs. Harley Riggins/Jax Presley

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

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

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

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

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

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

Edris Enofe vs. Tate Wilder

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

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

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

Legacy and Wilder are rather happy, while Enofe glares.

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

Carlee Bright vs. Kali Armstrong

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

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

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

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

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

Keanu Carver vs. Brooks Jensen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Evolve
Date: September 10, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

It’s a bad time for the Vanity Project, as they have managed to get Jackson Drake into a triple threat match for the Evolve Title. Both Keanu Carver and Brooks Jensen are getting title shots at the same time and that isn’t likely going to end well. Other than that, Sean Legacy is going to have to deal with Edris Enofe so let’s get to it.

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

We open with the Vanity Project talking about the triple threat match with Jackson Drake being ready to face both challengers, because the team is awesome.

Carlee Bright vs. Layla Diggs

Kendal Grey and Masyn Holiday are here too. Both get insert promos, with Bright talking about how she wants to show she can be serious and Diggs saying this is absolutely not personal but she wants to win. Bright takes it to the mat to start but Diggs reverses into an armbar. Back up and Diggs cartwheels out of a headscissors and we get a respectful handshake.

Diggs ties up the legs with a rollup for two but Bright is back with a jumping neckbreaker for the same. They go back to the mat, with Diggs hitting a flipping splash into a powerslam. A standing moonsault “misses” despite landing on Bright, who goes up but misses a middle rope moonsault. Diggs hits a heck of a side kick for two but misses a charge into the corner. Brights’ tornado DDT gets two and Bright Side (Overdrive) finishes Diggs at 5:01.

Rating: C+. The ending isn’t a great way to go but Bright getting a win is a good move. She’s getting somewhere after months of just kind of floating around so this should help her a bit. At the same time, Diggs continues to be rather athletic, though she’ll need more to really make her stand out.

Post break Bright and Grey are still in the ring, with Grey praising Bright for her win. Grey is ready to take out Wendy Choo and slap the smile off her face. After that, she’s ready for Kali Armstrong and the Women’s Title. Cue Armstrong to say bring it, but Ridge Holland and Tate Wilder brawl to ringside. Stevie Turner pops in to make the match for right now, with the women being forgotten.

Ridge Holland vs. Tate Wilder

Holland knees away in the corner but Wilder hits some dropkicks to send him outside. The dive to the floor connects with Holland, who posts Wilder to cut things off fast. We take a break and come back with Holland sending him into the corner for a German suplex. Wilder fights back and kicks away but walks into a spinebuster.

The half crab goes on for a bit before Wilder fights out and hits a middle rope crossbody. Wilder adds a springboard Swanton for two and can’t believe the kickout. Holland is back with a powerslam into a Cannonball, followed by a gutwrench powerbomb for the pin at 7:24.

Rating: C. I’m liking Holland getting a chance to be the powerhouse and focusing more on his rugby style offense. He’s someone who has experience and he can be turned into a solid monster heel in a hurry. On the other hand you have Wilder, who isn’t winning yet but he’s getting a lot of ring time lately and that might be a good sign for his future.

Aaron Rourke and Marcus Mathers talk about having a lot in common, like wrestling for various independent promotions. And grit and determination! Hence them being a team.

It’s Gal and Jamar Hampton are proud of their work in the gym but they aren’t impressed by Rourke and Mathers.

Keanu Carver is NOT going back to the streets so he’ll win the Evolve Title here.

Wendy Choo has attacked Kendal Grey and choked her out.

Evolve Title: Keanu Carver vs. Brooks Jensen vs. Jackson Drake

Drake is defending. Carver throws Drake around to start and a big clothesline puts Drake on the floor. That leaves Carver and Jensen to slug it out but Drake sends them into each other. Drake hits a running forearm to Jensen, who is right back with some chops in the corner. A powerslam drops Drake and Carver is back in to slam both of them at once. Drake manages to send both of them outside for the running flip dive and we take a break.

We come back with Drake’s kicks to the chest getting on Carver’s nerves. Jensen is back in with a spinwheel kick to Carver for two but Drake is up with a fisherman’s buster. Drake hits a big dive to the floor to drop Carver again but his Lethal Injection is cut off. Carver is knocked outside again, leaving Drake and Jensen to trade hard forearms. Carver is back in with a Samoan drop to Jensen, who throws Drake up for a Pounce.

A spinebuster gives Carver two but Jensen sends both of them flying at the same time. The Southern Lariat misses so Drake is put up in an electric chair for a doomsday spinwheel kick for two. Carver superplexes Jensen and Drake Swantons Carver, who goes outside. A dive is cut off though and Carver drops him with a hard forearm. Cue Bryce Donovan to take Carver out and Jensen southern lariats Drake. Donovan offers a distraction though and Drake hits the running knee for the pin to retain at 13:15.

Rating: B-. They got a good deal of time here and it was a solid showcase for Carver, with Jensen having one of his more entertaining matches thus far. Had this been a singles match I would have expected a title change but the triple threat part made it a bit more predictable. That being said, it’s nice to see Drake getting a win, as he hasn’t felt like a strong champion thus far (which is the point).

Stevie Turner is watching in her office and looks at her plans for next week, which include a note saying I QUIT MATCH. Wendy Choo wants Kendal Grey in one next week and Turner seems to agree.

Overall Rating: C+. This was mainly about the title match and it wound up going well enough, though it wasn’t some game changer. Other than that, you had the build towards Grey vs. Choo next week, plus Holland continuing to get a boost. It’s a fine enough show here, with enough stories being advanced in around 45 minutes.

Results
Carlee Bright b. Layla Diggs – Bright Side
Ridge Holland b. Tate Wilder – Gutwrench powerbomb
Jackson Drake b. Keanu Carver and Brooks Jensen – Running knee to Jensen

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

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

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

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

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Sean Legacy vs. Ice Williams

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kylie Rae vs. Masyn Holiday

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

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

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

Post match respect is shown.

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

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

Adrenaline Drip vs. Jax Presley/Harley Riggins

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

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

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

Video on the ID Program.

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

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

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

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

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