Evolve
Date: July 22, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

Last week saw a big change as we have a new Evolve Champion. I’m not sure what that is going to mean as Aaron Rourke might be sticking around or heading up to NXT. That’s where things get confusing as there is only so much of a history around here. Other than that, the Mog Squad continues to be a big deal around here. Let’s get to it.

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

Sloane Jacobs and Nikkita Lyons are meditating but Jacobs thinks Lyons needs to get ready for her first title defense. Lyons says she’s ready for because everything is set. She’ll prove it tonight.

Opening sequence.

Cappuccino Jones/Marcus Mathers vs. Shido Ash/Viktor Zanov

Zanov knocks Mathers into the corner to start as the Mog Squad is in the VIP section. A spinning high crossbody gets Mathers out of trouble and he kicks Zanov in the face for two. Ash comes in and gets dropkicked by Jones but Zanov gets in a cheap shot from the apron. Jones knocks Zanov down but gets gutwrenched by Ash to cut him right back off.

Some dodging and moving works a bit better for Jones though and he gets over to Mathers for the tag. Mathers kicks away and hits a middle rope Stunner into a Blue Thunder Bomb for two on Ash. Sam Holloway is here to yell at the Squad, even as Mathers accidentally knocks Jones out to the floor. Back in and a toss into a German suplex finishes Mathers at 7:29.

Rating: C+. You have to get the new monster team in the win column and this worked perfectly well. They looked like a pair of wrecking balls out there and got to run through a pair of people you recognize. That being said, I knew Mathers was taking the fall the second he was announced for the match, which is rather sad to see.

Laynie Luck is ready to win tonight. Anya Rune wishes her luck in a rather nerdy way which looks like some kind of blessing. It’s received as well as you would expect.

Dorian Van Dux vs. Sam Holloway

They test out the power to start and Dux gets in an armdrag. Dux seems to be favoring his ankle or knee though and it gets even worse as he escapes a powerbomb. Hold on as we pause for Dux to hold his knee in the corner but he comes out swinging. That earns him an overhead belly to belly suplex and a slingshot elbow but Holloway misses a splash in the corner. Naturally the giant Holloway is able to hit a running dropkick in the corner but Dux catches him on top.

The superplex sends both of them crashing down and it’s a double breather. Somehow Dux manages a Thesz press and hammers away, followed by a Samoan drop. Dux loads up the shooting star press but realizes that would be idiotic and just falls down with a splash instead. Back up and a spinning Rock Bottom gives Holloway two but Dux hits a heck of a clothesline to put him on the floor. A huge moonsault hits Holloway but they’re both so banged up that it’s a double countout at 8:11.

Rating: B-. I was digging this one as it was a pair of hard hitting guys hitting each other until neither of them could get up. That’s the kind of fight you do not see very often around here and it worked well, though the countout is still disappointing. At least Holloway didn’t lose for a change though, which is nice to see for a change.

Tate Wilder is sick of Harley Riggins not being able to let things go, so he’ll be back for one more fight next week.

Here is new Evolve Champion Harlem Lewis for a chat. He loves the sound of his name being announced as a champion but he can’t believe that this has happened. After being around for months, he realized he needed to be even more violent, which brings out Aaron Rourke. The fans are happy to see Rourke, who says that Lewis was his toughest challenger and earned every bit of it. He knows that Lewis can be beaten though and wants his rematch.

Cue Tristan Angels to interrupt and mock Rourke, calling his title reign MEDIOCRE. Rourke brings up Angels never being a champion, with Angels telling him to “ZIP IT SPARKLES!” Rourke: “You’re in the most sparkles here!” This brings out Max Abrams, who says he mogs all of them because he is “a true chad”. Rourke punches him in the face, with Lewis getting rid of Angels…and then clotheslining Rourke as well.

Kale Dixon and his still unnamed associate have a photo shoot and brag about their attractiveness. It’s Gal comes in to say he and Dixon should team up for a swimsuit calendar. And yes, he does drop his rope to reveal…well very little clothing. Dixon wants to face him in the ring instead and leaves, so Gal steals the photo shoot.

Elijah Holyfield vs. Brooks Jensen

Jensen immediately bails out to the floor to start and Holyfield is right there with him to send him back inside. Jensen knocks him into the corner this time and fires off some knees, followed by a neckbreaker. Some forearms have Holyfield staggering around the ring so Jensen goes for the turnbuckle pad. The referee catches him and Holyfield gets a rollup, with Jensen pulling the pad off. Holyfield hammers away in the corner but avoids being dropped onto the buckle. A flying shoulder drops Jensen so Holyfield tries to send him into the buckle. Instead Jensen blocks him and grabs a rollup, and the rope, for the pin at 4:04.

Rating: C. Holyfield isn’t particularly good yet, but that’s partially because he has almost no experience. The idea here was to have him do things as basically as he could and that is the only way he can go. The ending makes Holyfield look like an unproven rookie who lost to a veteran, which is how the story should be going. Odds are this isn’t done, and Holyfield can outsmart him to win in the end. Or just knock Jensen silly.

The woman we saw at Succession III, whose name might be the Unknown, asks about your greatest fears, with talk of being replaced. But what about fearing the unknown? These things are certainly unique.

Women’s Title: Nikkita Lyons vs. Laynie Luck

Lyons, with Sloane Jacobs, is defending and takes the legs out to start in a hurry. Back up and Luck sends her outside for a knockdown and we take an early break. We come back with Lyons getting two off a suplex and then hitting something like a reverse Bronco Buster. Luck fights up though and grabs a springboard tornado DDT but gets crotched up top. A spinning kick to the head retains the title at 5:02.

Rating: C-. This wasn’t an interesting match coming in and then they went through it this fast. It didn’t feel like an important match in the slightest and Luck didn’t feel like she had any chance of winning. The idea here missed and that’s not something you often see around here, so we’ll call it a one off misfire.

Post match PJ Vasa and Gianna Capri come in to attack Luck, with Vasa using a chair on Vasa’s ankle. Thea Hail, Wren Sinclair and Skyler Raye run in for the save. Timothy Thatcher comes in to announce an eight woman tag for next week to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. I liked the show well enough and as usual, they did some things that felt somewhat different. This show doesn’t feel like it does the same thing over and over and that helps so much. It wasn’t a red hot show but as usual, it was less than an hour so you can only get so annoyed. Less is more again, and that’s something most shows can’t offer. For now, an acceptable show and that’s fairly low on the Evolve ladder.

Results
Shido Ash/Viktor Zanov b. Cappuccino Jones/Marcus Mathers – Toss German suplex to Mathers
Sam Holloway vs. Dorian Van Dux went to a double countout
Brooks Jensen b. Elijah Holyfield – Rollup while holding rope
Nikkita Lyons b. Laynie Luck – Spinning kick to 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: July 8, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

We’re on the way towards….I have no idea actually, but the Mog Squad is cleaning house at the moment and ran over a group of ID Program stars last week. That almost has to go well for them and I could go for seeing where the whole thing goes. Other than that, Aaron Rourke seems ready to face Harlem Lewis for the Evolve Title so let’s get to it.

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

Sloane Jacobs wants Nikkita Lyons’ celebration to be the best and it better work out. WWE and NXT stars and celebrities are invited so you better be watching.

Opening sequence.

Robert Stone is back on commentary for some reason. Ok then.

Here is the Mog Squad, in mostly matching gold trunks, for a chat. They’re rather pleased with how well last week’s main event went and they all brag about their individual skills. On top of that, they have the fastest rising team around. The reality is they are unstoppable so who is next. Cue Timothy Thatcher, who has a special guest.

CJ Valor vs. Cutler James

James throws him down to start and grinds away on a headlock. Valor pulls him into a mostly blocked cross armbreaker before going with a regular armbar. Back up and Valor dropkicks him into the corner but misses a charge of his own. That lets James fire off shoulders to the ribs in various corner, followed by a pop up uppercut not in the corner. Back up and James misses a charge into the post as we take a break.

We come back with Valor knocking him into the corner again, followed by James’ shoulder being sent into the buckle. A spinebuster gives Valor two and we hit the chinlock. Valor’s top rope headbutt misses and James starts firing off the uppercuts. A gutwrench gutbuster sets up the Dark Matter to end Valor at 6:57.

Rating: C+. James is getting to do something around here and that’s a good thing, as it’s not like there is anything positive going on with Darkstate. Valor losing a singles match to a star higher up on the food chain isn’t a bad thing so hopefully he is able to find something else to do. For now though, this was a nice way to shut the Squad up a bit, as Thatcher doesn’t care for them running their mouths.

Post match Thatcher says that it’s time for Ball and Rivera to prove themselves.

Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno vs. Mog Squad

Moreno and Ball start things off with Moreno rolling a neckbreaker early on. With that not working it’s off to Rivera, who gets wristlocked by Dar. That’s switched into a chinlock to keep Rivera in trouble for a bit, followed by a left hand to put him right back down. Dar works on the arm only to get taken into the corner so Ball can work on Dar’s arm for a change. That’s shrugged off as well and it’s Dar sending Ball into the corner for a backdrop from Moreno. A cheap shot from the apron slows Moreno down though and Ball kicks him to the floor as we take a break.

We come back with…Sloane Jacobs trying to get some women to come to Nikkita Lyons’ party with Zena Sterling turning it down. I’d be more worried about someone secretly filming in the women’s locker room. Anyway we come back to the arena with Moreno still in trouble, including some running kicks in the corner. Ball hits a nice dropkick for two but Moreno fights out of the corner and brings Dar in for the running forearms.

Ball kicks Rivera by mistake and gets sent into a kick in the corner. A dropkick/Tower Of London combination gets two on Ball as everything breaks down. Moreno misses a springboard moonsault and an assisted German suplex gets two as Moreno’s foot is in the rope. The Squad seems to think it’s over so Moreno is back up with a big running flip dive. Back in and a double slam finishes Ball at 10:07.

Rating: B-. This was a long match for Evolve and while it was technically fine, it still wasn’t the most thrilling match. Moreno and Dar still don’t do much for me with what they’re doing in the ring but at least they’re getting the chance to do something. There is nothing wrong with throwing a team together so maybe they can get it rolling sooner or later.

Hold on though as Thatcher has one more match to announce, but it can wait until next week. That would be Max Abrams vs. Chazz Hall.

Aaron Rourke and Harlem Lewis meet up in the back, with Lewis saying he’s ready for his title shot next week. Rourke doesn’t need to hear Lewis’ backstory because he knows what kind of man Lewis can be. Lewis respects what Rourke has been through to get here (Rourke appreciates that) but every story comes to an end.

They both want to fight for people who are like them and Lewis is directing all of his suppressed anger at Rourke. That’s fine with Rourke, who knows what it’s like to be called all kinds of things. He’s ready to show that he’s glamour and grit. Nice job here of finding a way for two guys to respect each other but want to fight anyway.

Kale Dixon and his still unnamed blonde cohort have a photo shoot with the blonde praising Dixon’s looks, both in and out of his shirt.

Harley Riggins vs. Ulka Sasaki

Sasaki has been in both Pro Wrestling Noah and the UFC. His offer of a handshake is kicked away so Sasaki tries some unsuccessful running shoulders. Sasaki pulls him down into a Fujiwara armbar but Riggins powers out and grabs a tilt-a-whirl powerslam. Back up and Sasaki’s small package is reversed into a suplex for another near fall. Sasaki is able to send him into the middle buckle as the fans actually get behind Sasaki for a change. A kick to the head puts Riggins down for two but Riggins knees him in the face for the pin at 3:24.

Rating: C. They were in a tough spot here as Sasaki was coming in brand new and the fans only had so much of a reason to care about what he was doing. He’s fine with a background that should show what he can do rather easily but he didn’t have a chance to show that here. Riggins is good enough as a monster, but he feels like he would be better as a team, as he has been thus far.

Post match Riggins talks to new ringside reporter Adrianna Rizzo (hey she’s back) and says he’s riding alone from now on. He still wants to take out Tate Wilder.

Earlier this week, Elijah Holyfield was training with Noam Dar, who explained that Holyfield lost because he got too emotional. Dar explained some counters and techniques (with Holyfield getting the ideas) but Brooks Jensen was watching from the shadows.

Viktor Zanov and Shido Ash used to be security guards but they were also former judo stars. Now they’re kicking the door in and it’s time to come for everyone.

We look at Kendal Grey winning the NXT Women’s Title at the Great American Bash.

And now, Nikkita Lyons’ championship celebration, with Sloane Jacobs, Veronica Haven and Gianna Capri in the ring. They introduce Lyons, who is nice enough to sing her own theme song. Jacobs praises Lyons and invites out the rest of the guests…and no one comes. Lyons gets out some tarot cards to find her first challenger as Jacobs mocks Wendy Choo and Laynie Luck.

Instead here is Wren Sinclair to say she wants to add the title to the Wren QCC collection. This brings out Skylar Raye and Layla Diggs to say they want title shots. Diggs gets laid out and the brawl is on, with Lyons being left alone in the ring. Luck sneaks in to AA Lyons through the table. Humiliating a bragging champion is always a good thing and this worked out well enough, especially with a bunch of new women ready to come after the title.

Overall Rating: C+. I liked the ending segment well enough and the Rourke/Lewis segment was good but there was only so much to get into about this show. The problem here is that a bunch of the show was built around the Mog Squad stuff and that was a bit dry. That being said, next week is looking rather stacked with the title match alone feeling big enough to make it work.

Results
Cutler James b. CJ Valor – Dark Matter
Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno b. Mog Squad – Double slam to Ball
Harley Riggins b. Ulka Sasaki – Knee to 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: June 24, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

It’s time for another big show here with Succession III. As usual that means we have a pair of title matches, with Nikkita Lyons challenging Wendy Choo for the Women’s Title and Aaron Rourke defending the Evolve Title against Max Abrams. In addition, we have some fresh names debuting here, which should be interesting. Let’s get to it.

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

Aaron Rourke and company arrived, saying he owned Succession.

Max Abrams and the Mog Squad seem to disagree.

Nikkita Lyons, with Sloane Jacobs, is ready to win her first title.

Wendy Choo is ready to retain.

Opening sequence.

Women’s Title: Nikkita Lyons vs. Wendy Choo

Lyons, with Sloane Jacobs, is challenging. They fight over a lockup to start and even go to the mat without breaking it up. Choo switches over to a headlock to grind away but Lyons gets up and sweeps the leg. Back up and Choo gets in a Thesz press to hammer away, followed by a hurricanrana out of the corner. Choo sends her outside but Jacobs gets in a distraction, allowing Lyons to get in a kick to the head as we take a break.

We come back with Lyons fighting out of the corner but getting caught with a heck of a DDT. They get up and strike it out until Choo fires off some clotheslines. A hammerlock lariat sends Lyons into the corner and a neckbreaker back out of the corner gets two more. The sleeper is blocked though and Lyons hits an overdrive of all things for two of her own. Choo’s full nelson slam gets two more and the Dirt Nap goes on.

They fall outside with the hold not being broken so Lyons rams her into the steps for the break. Back in and a super Michinoku Driver of all things gives Lyons another near fall. Lyons punches her down and tries a Vader Bomb, which is countered into a powerbomb. The Dirt Nap goes back on so Jacobs puts the title on the apron. Jacobs’ distraction means the referee doesn’t see Lyons tapping so here is Laynie Luck to cut Jacobs off. Choo cuts off a belt shot and rolls Lyons up for two so Lyons hits her with a crystal. The spinning kick gives Lyons the pin and the title at 11:14.

Rating: C+. The match was ok enough and while I don’t get the appeal, it was pretty much now or never with Lyons. She has been around for a long time now and hasn’t won anything and that could only go on for so long. The match had enough shenanigans to protect Choo but she never felt like a top level champion anyway. Lyons gets her chance to do something though and that could be quite the run, one way or another.

Video on how important a title can be for an Evolve star.

KevOnStage, next week’s guest GM, talks about being a big fan his entire life but It’s Gal interrupts. He wants a match next week so Kev gives him Cutler James.

Kai Kavari vs. Kale Dixon

Dixon is hyped up as a veteran of THIRTY MATCHES in NXT and shoves Kaivari around to start. That includes some trash talk before Dixon gives him a reverse gordbuster before stomping away in the corner. A clothesline lets Dixon swivel his hips a bit and he drops Kaivari with a superkick for two.

The chinlock goes on, allowing commentary to make vegetable puns. Kaivari fights up and strikes away, with a dropkick knocking Dixon into the corner. A blonde woman (commentary doesn’t recognize her) pops up for a distraction and Dixon hits the 96 (a discus forearm) for the pin at 3:38.

Rating: C. Of all the people who get their names changed because a tag wrestler on another roster might have the same last name, the man named after a vegetable can’t get a name change. He can be as talented as he wants but that is a heck of a mountain to overcome. The match itself was fine, with Dixon seemingly getting something of a push in his debut. I’ve heard worse ideas, including naming a wrestler “Kale”.

We get a vignette of a woman whose face is all glitchy. She describes herself as the voice that keeps you awake at night and the nightmares you can’t wake up from. Evolve will fear the unknown and she is already here. Her face is imposed over a bunch of rather creepy images as she keeps talking about fearing the unknown. I’ve seen worse.

Evolve Title: Max Abrams vs. Aaron Rourke

Abrams, with the Mog Squad, is challenging and hang on as KevOnStage says all the Squad has is hair and muscle. They have a match against the ID team next week and it’s going to be an elimination match. What a time to make an announcement. After the Big Match Intros, and seeing Harlem Lewis in the VIP area, Abrams misses a running kick to start and gets stomped in the corner.

Abrams goes outside for a meeting with the Squad but gets taken out by a dive. Back in and Rourke cuts off a leapfrog with a flapjack before chopping away in the corner. That lets Rourke strut a bit (makes sense in his case) but the Squad trips him down on the apron. A flipping neckbreaker gives Abrams two and we go split screen for an interview with Lewis, who doesn’t like the interference.

Lewis acknowledges that Rourke is tough, but Rourke has never pinned him. When Lewis is done with Braxton Cole, Rourke is next. We take a break and come back with Abrams getting two off a missile dropkick but the Main Objective is blocked. A release Rock Bottom out of the corner drops Abrams again and Rourke scores with a corner dropkick. Abrams knocks him back and goes up but gets super powerslammed back down.

Rourke stomps away but bangs up his knee and gets sent face first into the middle buckle. Abrams catches Rourke up top and pulls him into a neckbreaker for two and it’s time for the yelling while punching. Rourke forearms his way out of trouble and catches him with a spinning kick to the face. Abrams gets in a shot of his own and falls on top for two, leaving them both down.

Back up and Abrams drives him into the corner and the referee gets kicked down by mistake. Rourke’s kick connects for no count so the Squad comes in. Lewis is there to cancel them out but Braxton Cole is here to pull Lewis outside. The Squad gets in a belt shot to give Abrams a rather close two and here are the ID stars to even things up. Abrams takes Rourke up top but gets dropped down, setting up the Molly Go Round to retain the title at 13:44.

Rating: B. This got better near the end when things went insane but it was only so interesting until then. Rourke has come a very, very long way and feels like the top star around here, which is a heck of an accomplishment. I was expecting Abrams to win here but it should let Rourke go on for a bit, even if Lewis seems to be waiting for him in the end.

Post match the ID guys and Squad have a staredown but security come in…and lay out everyone to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This definitely felt like a big show and that is nice to see, as the whole point is giving Evolve a special show. The good thing is they haven’t run these things into the ground, which can often happen with WWE specials. The main event got better as it went along and the ending is intriguing, especially with Thatcher gone next week. Good show here, odd vegetable man’s name aside.

Results
Nikkita Lyons b. Wendy Choo – Spinning kick to the head
Kale Dixon b. Kai Kavari – 96
Aaron Rourke b. Max Abrams – Molly Go Round

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

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

Evolve
Date: May 27, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Peter Rosenberg

Last week saw another new face show up as Elijah Holyfield made his debut. That’s quite the impressive looking start and now we get to see where it goes from here. Names have a tendency to start picking up in a hurry on this show and that could be the case again with Holyfield. Let’s get to it.

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

Aaron Rourke previews tonight’s show, including a big announcement from Timothy Thatcher and Harlem Lewis vs. Braxton Cole. Rourke is ready for Tristan Angels too.

Opening sequence.

Harlem Lewis vs. Braxton Cole

Lewis jumps him during his entrance to start fast and the bell rings. The beating doesn’t last long though as Lewis misses a charge into the corner and gets neckbreakered for two. Cole stomps him down in the corner, followed by a backbreaker for two more. It’s time to work on Lewis’ arm, including Cole sitting on it and grabbing something like a Fujiwara armbar. That’s broken up and Lewis strikes away, setting up a release German suplex. They fight to the floor and Cole hits him with a chair for the DQ at 4:54.

Rating: C+. This felt like a preview for a bigger match later, hopefully with Lewis getting to go nuts on Cole in a rather violent way. The match only had so much of a chance to get going, but it wasn’t supposed to be the final showdown, which is a fine way to go. Lewis getting angrier is a good thing for him and the rematch should be a step up.

Post match the beating continues but the security comes out to carry Lewis away.

Tate Wilder comes in to see Timothy Thatcher, who announces that Wilder is officially on NXT full time. Wilder talks about his time on Evolve and how happy he has been around here. What a wild ride. Thatcher still has a big announcement for later tonight.

Chazz Hall talks about how he plays the air guitar but becomes the Denim Dragon when the straps come down. He’s ready to be a star.

Sloane Jacobs/Nikkita Lyons vs. Laynie Luck/Wendy Choo

Lyons works on Luck’s arm to start so Luck flips up for a standoff. A slam puts Luck down and Jacobs comes in for a legdrop. The double elbow gets two on Luck, who rolls away for a kick to Lyons’ face. It’s off to Choo for a running boot in the corner before Luck comes back in to strike away. Lyons gets crotched in the corner and the villains are knocked down on the floor as we take a break.

We come back with Luck being catapulted throat first into the bottom rope. Jacobs plants Luck for two and pulls her out of the corner for two more. Luck hurricanranas and enziguris out of the corner and it’s back to Choo to clean house. A hammerlock lariat puts Jacobs down and a high crossbody gives Choo two. Back up and Jacobs sends her face first into the corner a few times, with a German suplex dropping Choo again. Luck is back in for the save but Jacobs kicks Choo down and dumps Luck, allowing her to pin Choo at 7:17.

Rating: C+. That’s a good way to set up the next title match and it is something that has worked for the better part of ever in wrestling. Jacobs is still relatively new around here so she’s off to a good start in getting into the title picture. Rather efficient match here and that’s a fine way to go.

Post match Jacobs brags about the win and thanks Lyons as well. They hug, with Lyons rolling her eyes.

Elijah Holyfield is in Timothy Thatcher’s office, with Thatcher welcoming him to the roster. Thatcher says Holyfield has to put in the work, with Holyfield saying line them up and he’ll knock them down. Works for Thatcher, who says the first match is next week. With Holyfield gone, Thatcher makes Succession III for June 24. Kam Hendrix and Harley Riggins come in to demand Romeo Moreno, with Thatcher making Moreno vs. Riggins for next week.

Video on PJ Vasa.

It’s Gal is in the VIP area.

Evolve Title: Aaron Rourke vs. Tristan Angels

Rourke is defending and, after the Big Match Intros, grinds away on a headlock. That’s broken up and Angels knocks him down into a chinlock. Rourke isn’t having that either and hits some running boots in the corner, followed by a missile dropkick for two. The flipping chop connects in the corner but Angels knocks him back down for two more.

Rourke is back with a quickly broken half crab as Angels knocks him into the corner. That’s shrugged off as Angels is sent outside for a Meteora from the apron so Gal starts the cheerleading. Rourke tells Gal to get out and gets dropkicked by Angels as we take a break. We come back with the two of them holding hands and trading some hard strikes.

Rourke gets the better of things with some clotheslines, including a cartwheel version. The Molly Go Round misses so Rourke goes after the leg again. A kick to the head sends Rourke to the apron, where Angels superplexes him back inside for another near fall. Back in and Rourke goes right back to the leg, this time with a Figure Four into a Figure Eight. Angels makes the rope so Rourke grabs a backslide and flips onto Angels to retain at 11:18.

Rating: B-. This was another nice title showcase from Rourke, but it never quite got to that next level. Rourke was on offense more than I would have expected as well, though Angels doesn’t have the longest track record around here anyway. It was a good enough main event though, especially with Succession in less than a month.

Post match the Mog Squad comes in to go after Rourke but the ID stars run in for the save to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Another fine show here, even with the focus already shifting over to next month’s Succession III. You can probably guess a lot of the card from here and that’s not a bad thing this far out. Hopefully they build it up well, and they certainly have time to make that work. It’s not some all time must see show, but it was more about previewing things for later.

Results
Harlem Lewis b. Braxton Cole via DQ when Cole used a chair
Sloane Jacobs/Nikkita Lyons b. Wendy Choo/Laynie Luck – Spinning kick to Choo
Aaron Rourke b. Tristan Angels – Flipping backslide

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

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

Evolve
Date: May 20, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

Things are staying interesting around here, even with another change of cast members likely taking place soon. The big story for this week is Tate Wilder getting to face Kam Hendrix in a battle of two people already on NXT. Other than that, we’re coming up on Tristan Angels getting his Evolve Title shot. Let’s get to it.

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

Hendrix talks about Wilder messing with the wrong people in recent weeks.

Wilder is ready to keep fighting no matter what.

Opening sequence.

Anya Rune vs. Layla Diggs

Masyn Holiday is here with Diggs. Rune grabs a headlock takeover to start before an armdrag sets up an armbar. Diggs is back up with a shot to the face and we hit a seated full nelson. That’s reversed into a backslide to give Rune two but Diggs kicks her in the head. A running shot in the corner gets two and we’re back to the full nelson. Back up and Rune avoids a running knee in the corner and forearms her down. Diggs backflips away from a shot to the face and keeps flipping to hit a Pele kick (that was sweet). A great looking moonsault finishes Rune at 4:20.

Rating: B-. That flip into the kick and moonsault looked awesome, with Diggs having one of her best performances in all of her time in WWE. She was able to make everything look smooth and that is quite the trick to pull off. Rune is still mainly just an idea rather than someone who has really gotten to show much skill thus far. That could easily be turned around, but this was much more about Diggs and it worked rather well.

Post match Gianna Capri comes in and mocks Rune, with Diggs and Holiday glaring her off.

Timothy Thatcher talks about everything he does around here, including still wrestling on the independent circuit. He lists off some independent promotions and says he might be showing up to both wrestle and scout. This was basically an ad for the promotions the WWE works with and that’s about it.

Chazz Hall vs. CJ Valor

Before the match, Valor and the Mog Squad are ready to take out Hall and hit the town. Hall grabs a headlock to start and is easily shouldered down. Valor’s gorilla press doesn’t work as Hall is back up with a jumping spin kick to the face. Sliced Bread is countered into Snake Eyes though and Valor turns him inside out with a running clothesline. A hip check gets two on Hall and Valor yells at him, with Hall’s right hands not getting him very far.

Valor mocks Hall’s guitar playing and the neck crank goes on. Hall gets up and hits a jawbreaker, followed by a springboard headscissors. The standing Sliced Bread sets up a standing corkscrew moonsault to give Hall two and he sends Valor outside. The flip dive connects on the floor but a high crossbody is pulled out of the air. Something that was either a tornado DDT or a sunset flip gives Hall two and he kicks Valor in the head. The shooting star press gives Hall the pin at 6:48.

Rating: B-. This was good enough as Hall continues to have some pretty nice success. I’m still not wild on him for the most part, but he’s certainly capable in the ring. Valor is a big guy, though being part of the four man team doesn’t exactly let him stand out much. Then again with so many people to run through the process so fast around here, stables are the most practical way to go.

Laynie Luck and Wendy Choo are in the back with Luck thanking her for the title shot. That being said, neither of them wanted it to end with the double interference. The challenge is officially issued for next week.

It’s contract signing time so here are Tristan Angels and Aaron Rourke. Angels asks the fans if they find Rourke’s time as champion satisfactory. It’s true that Rourke became an overnight sensation and has all of his sparkles and such. If Angels had been around, none of those things would have ever happened. Now it’s time for Angels to burn Sparkle City to the ground.

Angels signs and Rourke does the same before asking if Angels is done. Rourke asks if Angels really calls himself the most beautiful man in England. Rourke finds that cool but thinks we should just call him Mr. Evolve, because it would be cute and fun. Rourke talks about how inner beauty is about bringing people up. Therefore, Angels is an ugly narcissist. Rourke offers to let Angels hit him in the face but security runs in to cut it off. Cue Harlem Lewis to announce that he’s facing Braxton Cole next week. Then Elijah Holyfield (Evander’s son) pops up to say he’s here to look at what is going on.

Sloane Jacobs and Nikkita Lyons are ready for their tag match against Wendy Choo and Laynie Luck next week. They’ll even provide the tissues for when Choo and Luck cry. When Lyons pins Choo, she’s coming for the Women’s Title.

Kam Hendrix vs. Tate Wilder

Wilder slugs away to start and knocks him into the corner but a springboard is broken up. Hendrix knocks him out to the floor, setting up a suplex onto the apron. Wilde is thrown into the VIP Area, where he pulls Hendrix inside as well to take over again. A crossbody off the barricade connects but Hendrix backdrops him onto the apron for an even bigger crash

We take a break and come back with Hendrix release suplexing him for two. Wilder fights up and hits some running elbows to the face, only to get spinebustered back down. Back up and Wilder gets a shot of his own and they pull each other up to slowly trade fists. Hendrix gets the better of things but Lights, Kam, Action is blocked. The Wilde Ride gets two and here is Harley Riggins, who is kicked in the face by Romeo Moreno. Wilde is back up with a UFO Splash for the pin at 9:12.

Rating: B-. Good stuff again here and it’s nice to see Wilder getting a chance to show what he can. He’s starting to show what he can do and it’s turned him from little more than a cowboy to someone who is getting better in general. Granted this is just in Evolve, but he has is going to have to do that on a higher level as well. Then you have Hendrix, who still feels like he could be a big deal with the talent he has but he hasn’t had a chance to do much on his own thus far.

Post match Timothy Thatcher comes out to talk to Elijah Holyfield, who will be introduced next week.

Overall Rating: B. They’re keeping things moving around here and it’s rather nice to see the stories moving around so well. Hopefully they keep the pace going as it makes for a rather fun show to watch every single week. You can see things moving from one place to another and it makes for probably the easiest show to watch week to week. We’re coming up on the big Rourke vs. Angels title match and that feels like an important showdown despite it being set up out of nowhere. I would think that’s a good sign of how things are going here, which has been the case for a long time now.

Results
Layla Diggs b. Anya Rune – Moonsault
Chazz Hall b. CJ Valor – Shooting star press
Tate Wilder b. Kam Hendrix – UFO Splash

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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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 15, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Peter Rosenburg

It’s Wrestlemania Week and in this case that means we have a special show around here as well. The big story is the Gauntlet Eliminator match for the vacant Women’s Title. That should be enough to carry the show and there is a good chance that it eats up most of the show. Let’s get to it.

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

Karmen Petrovic runs down the list of competitors in the Gauntlet Eliminator, which she is apparently in too. They treated it as something of a surprise and…Petrovic isn’t the biggest shock.

Opening sequence.

Here is Aaron Rourke to get things going. He talks about how he is getting used to being champion and doesn’t want anyone thinking that he’s not working as hard as he can. Rourke doesn’t like Harlem Lewis saying Rourke is ducking him so come say it to his face. Cue Lewis, who says he won’t get in the ring and beat him down because it just keeps him from getting what he wants. Rourke says they can do it for the title right now but here is Braxton Cole to interrupt. Cole says he should be the one getting the title shot and Rourke is fine with a triple threat. Lewis isn’t happy with that and Cole jumps both of them to stand tall.

Tristan Angels talks about growing up on a goat farm and then getting into beauty pageants. He’s ready to be amazing here.

Lince Dorado/Mike Cunningham vs. Santi Rivera/Jacari Ball

Hold on though as Cunningham has changed his name to Max Abrams. Yeah that’s a good move, as Mike Cunningham isn’t getting him anywhere. It’s Gal is here with Rivera and Ball. Dorado kicks at Rivera to start but Rivera takes him down, much to Gal’s happiness. Ball comes in but the double team is broken up, allowing Abrams to come in and grab the armbar. Abrams gets taken into the wrong corner so the villains can take turns striking away.

That’s broken up and it’s back to Dorado, who gets to clean house. Abrams even puts on the sunglasses and holds the ropes open so Dorado can hit a heck of a suicide dive. Back in and Dorado’s moonsault hits raised boots, allowing Rivera to grab a Sling Blade for two. Abrams makes a save so Dorado goes up, with Abrams tagging himself in, knocking Dorado off the top anyway. Apparently Abrams’ tag doesn’t count though (need both feet on the mat) and it’s Rivera getting a rollup for the pin at 9:00.

Rating: C+. This worked well enough as you would expect the goofy heels to lose so It’s Gal would have another thing to complain about. At the same time, you have Abrams (thank goodness for the name change) screwing up and costing Dorado the match. This was a nice enough surprise, as we continue the slow build towards Tag Team Titles.

Dorian Van Dux vs. Kai Kavari

Kai speeds around and slugs away to start, which staggers the bigger Dux. That earns Kai a shot to the face and a spinning gutwrench powerbomb. A shooting star press finishes Kavari at 1:41. Well that worked.

Brooks Jensen isn’t sure what Cappuccino Jones was trying to prove last week so he wants a bullrope match.

Women’s Title: Gauntlet Eliminator

For the vacant title and it’s basically a Royal Rumble/Gauntlet match with two minute intervals, eight participants and pin/submission/DQ for eliminations. Laynie Luck is in at #1 and Karmen Petrovic is in at #2. Luck takes her down by the leg to start before they run the ropes for a standoff. They trade rollups for two each and knock each other down as Kali Armstrong is in at #3 (with commentary getting in an important line of the clock not starting until she is in the ring).

We take a break and come back with Armstrong cleaning house until some double teaming slows her down. A double cover only gets two as Armstrong nips up. With Petrovic and Luck knocked down, Wendy Choo is in at #4. Choo whips Luck into Armstrong in the corner and hits a high crossbody on the latter. Petrovic is back up with a superkick for two on Choo and everyone is staggered as Tyra Mae Steele is in at #5. Steele gets to clean some house but picks Armstrong up for some reason, earning a shove away. The Kali Connection gets rid of Petrovic at 7:45.

Luck kicks Steele down but Armstrong is back up to go after both of them. Sloane Jacobs is in at #6 and sends Steele face first into the corner. Jacobs teases working with Luck and then rolls her up for the pin at 10:08. Armstrong isn’t having this and Kali Connections Jacobs for the pin at 10:40. Choo gets back in and Dirt Naps Steele, only for Armstrong to make the save. Nikkita Lyons is in at #7 and suplexes Steele before pulling Lyons in the way of the Kali Connection. Lyons drops Armstrong and a spinning kick to the face gets rid of Steele at 12:31.

They go to the corner for a Tower Of Doom and everyone is down as PJ Vasa completes the field at #8. Choo gets crushed in the corner and Vasa suplexes Choo and Lyons. Armstrong puts Vasa down and tries the Kali Connection, only for Steele to pop up for a distraction. Lyons kicks Armstrong in the face for the pin at 15:51. Lyons tiger bombs Choo for two but can’t do the same to Vasa. The Dirt Nap is broken up and Vasa Samoan drops Choo but misses a splash. Choo hits a DDT and Lyons’ splits splash gets rid of Vasa at 18:14.

We’re down to Choo vs. Lyons for the title with Lyons getting two off a Michinoku Driver. Choo hits a full nelson slam but Lyons drops her, setting up the Vader Bomb for two. The Dirt Nap goes on but Lyons flips out, only for Choo to grab a hurricanrana for the pin and the title at 21:05.

Rating: B-. First and foremost, having this be elimination rules makes it SO much better. Ultimately, Choo survived and got a pin over the only remaining competitor to win. It’s better than having her win off a fluke pin and makes her feel like a winner. I’ll absolutely take this version of Choo as champion, as her issue was always the weird gimmicks rather than talent. Nice main event here and Choo has challengers waiting on her.

We get a bunch of replays and Timothy Thatcher comes out to present Choo with the title to end the show in a nice moment.

Overall Rating: B. This show was about getting a new Women’s Champion and they pulled that off. That’s in addition to the opener and a squash, with the triple threat for the Evolve Title being set up as well. That is a rather efficient use of just shy of an hour and I had a good time with this show. Evolve continues to feel like they know what they want to do week to week and this was no exception.

Results
Santi Rivera/Jacari Ball b. Lince Dorado/Max Abrams – Rollup to Dorado
Dorian Van Dux b. Kai Kavari – Shooting star press
Wendy Choo won the Gauntlet Eliminator last eliminating Nikkita Lyons

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 1, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

We’re in for an interesting week here as there are some fresh names around making their debuts. That’s what you have to do on a show that regularly involves sending names up the ladder to other shows. Other than that, we’re coming up on the Gauntlet Eliminator match for the vacant Women’s Title. Let’s get to it.

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

Evolve Champion Aaron Rourke recaps the Women’s Title situation, plus the new upcoming stars. Rourke is even willing to let the winner of the match between the new stars be his first challenger. Well that’s nice of him.

Opening sequence.

It’s Gal vs. Dorian Van Dux

Before the match, It’s Gal talks about how the newcomers need to realize he’s the best in the gym but Van Dux (who is rather muscular, is formerly known as Mike Vecchio and is pronounced Van Dukes) interrupts. They shake hands and Dux forearms him to the floor as fellow newcomers Tristan Angels and Romeo Moreno are in the VIP section. Gal gets back in for the opening bell and drives Dux into the corner for some quick forearms.

Dux slugs away to come back but gets dropped throat first across the top rope. Gal’s discus clothesline gets two and a fireman’s carry gutbuster drops Dux again. Some choking pushups have the referee yelling at Gal, who comes back with a Blue Thunder Bomb for two more. Dux avoids a charge in the corner though and hits a springboard elbow to drop Gal for a change. A suplex out of the corner gives Dux two and Gal’s German suplex doesn’t do much. Dux hits a hard clothesline and a spinning gutwrench sitout powerbomb finishes Gal at 5:18.

Rating: C+. This was about getting Dux over as a new star and it worked well enough. Beating a goof like Gal means something and Dux’s power and athleticism worked. I remember seeing Dux over last year’s Wrestlemania Weekend and being impressed so it’s nice to see him getting a chance on the bigger stage. He has a long way to go, but at least he’s starting off well.

Zena Sterling begs Timothy Thatcher for a spot in the gauntlet match as she’s done everything right. Thatcher says she needs to win a few more matches and then they can talk. Sterling grabs a chair and beats on the walls.

Tate Wilder is looking for Kam Hendrix and Harley Riggins and is ready to hunt them down tonight.

We meet three of the new signees: CJ Valor (formerly Jimmy House), Chazz “Starboy” Hall (Starboy Charlie) and Santi Rivera (Jariel Rivera). Valor is ready for his impressions to bleed into this match and his coaches at the Rhodes Wrestling Academy taught him to just keep steppin.

Rivera is feeling good tonight and he’ll feel better when he gets the title shot next week. He’s wrestled in New England and he’s ready to be the next Evolve Champion. Hall (the fans seem to know him) talks about wrestling on the independents for twelve years, including in GCW (there’s a name you don’t expect to hear on a WWE show), West Coast Pro and in Noah.

CJ Valor vs. Santi Rivera vs. Chazz Hall

Valor and Rivera brawl into the corner to start with Hall breaking it up. Hall is sent outside and Rivera knocks Valor away with an elbow but gets caught with Hall’s kicks. A powerbomb doesn’t work for Valor, who plants Hall for two instead. Rivera slams Hall onto Valor but Hall knocks Rivera down. The standing corkscrew moonsault gives Hall two on Valor but Valor sends him outside. Rivera picks Valor up for a Doomsday Blockbuster, only to get knocked down as well.

We take a break with everyone down and come back with Rivera Sling Blading Valor for two. Hall grabs an assisted Sliced Bread out of the corner to Rivera before kicking Valor in the head. Hall’s wheelbarrow bulldog is countered into a suplex but Valor knocks Rivera down for two more. An enziguri hits Rivera by mistake and Hall follows it up with a double Pele for another near fall.

Valor is back up with a heck of a spear to Hall (ignore that he was aiming for Rivera), followed by most of a cross armbreaker to Rivera. Hall breaks it up with a running shooting star press for two and sends Rivera outside. That means a space flying tiger drop to Rivera, followed by a shooting star press to give Hall the pin on Valor at 10:06.

Rating: B-. This was about introducing a bunch of people at once and that makes it a bit of a trick to pull off. Hall was the speed guy here and that worked well enough, though the overalls and small stature aren’t the best combination. Hopefully he fixes that up a bit, as he was certainly smooth enough in the air. Valor is more of a generic power wrestler, while Rivera showed off some nice personality. In other words, we’ll have to see where they all go, but it was a decent enough start.

Post match Hall says this is almost a surprise. He wants to thank Aaron Rourke for the opportunity, but he’s coming for the title because he’s the Denim Dragon.

Tate Wilder is still on the hunt and finds Luca Crusifino, who doesn’t like this negative energy. Crusifino thinks they need to focus their energy into the ring, say in a tag match. Wilder realizes he needs all of the help he can get so he’ll take it. Crusifino lays down on an anvil case and chills.

Mike Cunningham explains Main Man Energy. Basically it’s “I’m awesome and you should be too”. This actually works for him.

Next week: the women’s ID prospects debut. Cool.

Wendy Choo vs. Laynie Luck vs. PJ Vasa vs. Kali Armstrong vs. Nikkita Lyons

One fall to a finish for the final spot in the gauntlet match for the vacant Women’s Title. Vasa cleans house to start but everyone gets together to go after her. Lyons and Armstrong go after each other but get pulled apart as Vasa returns. Vasa crushes Lyons in the corner and catches Luck, only to get dropkicked down by Armstrong. Luck’s rollup out of the corner gets two on Armstrong but it’s Lyons’ turn to wreck everyone.

Luck is back up with a headscissors to Lyons but gets pulled outside by Armstrong. They knock each other down and it’s Choo going up for a huge dive onto everyone else. We take a break and come back with Vasa getting back in to drop Armstrong and Lyons in a Tower Of Doom. Luck reverses a powerbomb with a hurricanrana though and Choo comes off the top to nail Vasa as well. Choo cleans house for a change and Lyons helps her with a double Sliced Bread.

A double DDT drops Luck and Lyons, followed by Choo’s hammerlock lariat getting two on Armstrong. Back up and Armstrong’s powerslam is countered into a small package for two more. Lyons is back in for a tiger bomb to Armstrong, with Luck rolling Lyons up for two. Vasa is up as well, only to get knocked outside by Lyons, who gets Backstabbered by Choo.

Armstrong runs the corner to dive onto Choo and Vasa on the floor, leaving Lyons to miss a Vader Bomb. The Kali Connection sends Lyons outside so Choo grabs the Dirt Nap on Armstrong. That’s broken up and Armstrong powerslams Choo, followed by the Kali Connection. Luck makes the save this time but gets Samoan dropped by Vasa. The Issue gives Vasa the pin on Choo at 9:44.

Rating: C+. This was similar to the triple threat with pretty much nonstop action, but there was only so much of a chance for anyone to stand out with so much going on. This did have the advantage of having people we knew, though Vasa still isn’t overly interesting. Maybe she’ll get molded into a better monster, but I’m not thrilled with the idea of her becoming the next champion.

Overall Rating: B-. They had a really tricky task this week, as the big idea was to introduce new stars. The good thing is they pulled it off pretty well, with Van Dux looking like a star and Hall already being put in the title picture, at least for a week. The main event was fine enough as well and has title implications, so they pretty much accomplished all of their goals here. Not bad for a show with so many fresh faces.

Results
Dorian Van Dux b. It’s Gal – Spinning gutwrench sitout powerbomb
Chazz Hall b. CJ Valor and Santi Rivera – Shooting star press to Valor
PJ Vasa b. Laynie Luck, Nikkita Lyons, Kali Armstrong and Wendy Choo – The Issue to Choo

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