Evolve
Date: October 28, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Robert Stone, Blake Howard

The Evolve Title picture is a bit weird at the moment, as you have Harlem Lewis injured but not injured and…maybe he’s able to defend the title? It’s not entirely clear, but he’s probably not done with Harley Riggins. Other than that, the Mog Squad is having some issues of their own so let’s get to it.

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

Elijah Holyfield promises to knock someone out tonight, whether it’s Braxton Cole or Marcus Mathers. Why not both?

Opening sequence.

Harley Riggins vs. Milosh Jovic

Jovic snaps off some armdrags into an armbar to start but Riggins is back up with right hands. Riggins sends him into the corner and it’s a stungun into a clothesline for two. The chinlock doesn’t last long so Riggins switches to a front facelock. Jovic fights back with a dropkick but Riggins drops him with a spear. The choke knee to the face finishes Jovic at 3:19.

Rating: C+. The match wasn’t quite a squash but it was there for the sake of making Riggins look good. That’s all it needed to be as Riggins gets to run through some people until Harlem Lewis is back for the real fight. That’s all this needed to be, though Jovic looked good in defeat.

Post match Riggins sends Jovic into the steps and tries the big crush, with referees cutting him off.

Marcus Mathers is ready to show what being from Philadelphia is all about.

Here is Jasper Troy to say he is going to take everything over around here and wants someone to step up to him.

Jasper Troy vs. Jax Presley

Presley appears to have gone good now. Troy starts fast by sending him hard into the corner and gets two off a suplex. Presley is quickly out of a bearhug but gets stomped down without much trouble. Troy gets in the abdominal stretch for a bit, only to miss the Vader Bomb. Presley fires off some elbows in the corner and gets in a running clothesline for the pin at 5:29.

Rating: C. Presley didn’t get in a ton of offense here but I liked what I saw of him before his injury so hopefully he is able to get right back on the horse. He and Riggins remind me of a gimmick where the promoter said they looked like they had gone to a** kicking school rather than wrestling school. That still feels like the case and it worked well enough here. I’m hopeful for Presley’s future and that’s always a good sign.

We look at Max Abrams’ facial injuries and how hard he has been working on recovery. Abrams, with help from the Mog Squad, promises to be back and better than ever. The big PRAY FOR MAX banner is a nice touch.

Here is Sloane Jacobs to welcome us to the nationwide celebration of admiration for Nikkita Lyons. This brings out Lyons, who brags about her greatness and wants us to open our third eye and look to her future. Cue Anya Rune to say she is both the main character and on a winning streak. She wants a title shot, which has Lyons and Jacobs cracking up.

Cue Timothy Thatcher to say Rune needs one more win, with Thatcher saying that she can have a title shot if she beats Jacobs. However, Jacobs also said that Lyons could beat Wendy Choo, Skylar Raye and Thea Hail all at once (Lyons immediately knows where this is going and appears to have a headache) so she can have a four way title defense next week. And then Rune transforms into her ring gear (yes with lights) to clear them out.

Shido Ash is on his own at the moment but he’s here to win everything.

Aaron Rourke asks Laynie Luck to help her against Alix Brooks and Kale Dixon. Luck is in.

Elijah Holyfield vs. Marcus Mathers vs. Braxton Cole

Before the match, Cole says he is the perfect mixture of brains and athleticism and he’s ready to show it tonight. Holyfield drives Cole into the corner for the shoulders to start but Mathers breaks it up. Mathers dropkicks Cole down but Holyfield sends Cole outside. Back in and Cole quickly cleans house until Holyfield and Cole get in a fight on the floor. Naturally Mathers is right there for the big dive and we take a break.

We come back with Mathers dropkicking Cole for one but getting sent outside. Cole kicks the ropes for a low blow on Holyfield and an uppercut gets two. Mathers is dropped again and a neckbreaker hits Elijah but Cole goes after Mathers again. That lets Holyfield grab a spinebuster on Cole but Mathers is back in for the save to send Holyfield outside. Cole’s release Falcon Arrow gets two on Mathers but he takes a chair away from Cole back inside. That’s enough for Holyfield to hit the uppercut for the pin at 7:37.

Rating: B-. Well at least Mathers didn’t take the pin. I was expecting Cole to win here due to him not getting a promo until the entrances so it was nice to be wrong. Holyfield is clearly a big project and it’s easy to see why, so hiding his weaknesses in a match like this is a good idea. Nice job here, with the match going about as well as could be expected.

Thea Hail, Skylar Raye and Wendy Choo are ready to win the Women’s Title next week.

Overall Rating: B-. I liked this show, which had a focus on some non-top stories. The key there is focus though, as Evolve has figured out how to make just about anything feel important. That’s what we got here and it was a good event, as I continue to be surprised about how much they can do in about forty minutes a week. That’s hard to do and they make it work time after time.

Results
Harley Riggins b. Milosh Jovic – Choke knee to the face
Jax Presley b. Jasper Troy – Running clothesline
Elijah Holyfield b. Braxton Cole and Marcus Mathers – Uppercut 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: October 14, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Peter Rosenberg

It’s time for a big one with Succession IV and that means title matches. As usual, both titles are on the line here, with Harlem Lewis defending against Harley Riggins, while Wendy Choo challenges Nikkita Lyons in a Last Woman Standing match. We also have Laynie Luck vs. Vanta The Unknown so let’s get to it.

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

The people in the title matches, and Sloane Jacobs, are ready for their title matches.

Evolve Title: Harlem Lewis vs. Harley Riggins

Riggins is challenging and they go straight to the exchange of forearms. Lewis clotheslines him to the floor but gets knocked down and stomped back inside. A tilt-a-whirl powerslam plants Lewis and we take an early break. We come back with Lewis getting in a backdrop and a nasty German suplex, with Riggins landing on the back of his head. Riggins is back up with a slam out of the corner and a twisting middle rope Swanton. Lewis spears the heck out of him though and the Boom Slang retains the title at 4:48.

Rating: C+. It was fun while it lasted but I was expecting it to last about another ten minutes. They were starting to beat the fire out of each other and then it just went home out of nowhere. Maybe Riggins got his bell rung or something and they wrapped it up, but I was stunned by how fast they finished and not in a good way.

Post match Riggins jumps him from behind and crushes him with the steps (impact not shown due to a camera cut) before finally leaving. So there’s your rematch.

We look at Booker T. giving Reality Of Wrestling star Josiah Jean a WWE ID contract.

Vanta The Unknown vs. Laynie Luck

They trade headlocks to start and flip up to their feet, with Luck missing a charge out to the floor. Vanta catches her on top though and hits a hanging Stunner for two, followed by a choke with a bodyscissors. Back up and Vanta grabs an abdominal stretch while lifting the leg, only for Luck to power out. A spinning kick drops Vanta and a springboard stomp on the apron connects. Back in and Vanta blasts him with a discus lariat before cranking on the arm for the submission at 4:56.

Rating: C. I wasn’t sure what to think here, but the point was to make Vanta feel a monster. She ran through Luck here, who was mostly scared of whatever Vanta did. That’s fine enough and Vanta is still keeping me interested, as not knowing anything about her is the point. It might not have been a great match but it did what it should have.

Elijah Holyfield wants to fight Braxton Cole, but here is Marcus Mathers instead. Mathers agrees about Cole but says he can run circles around both of them. It’s Gal comes out to break it up.

We look at some Evolve’s stars success in NXT.

Women’s Title: Wendy Choo vs. Nikkita Lyons

Lyons is defending in a Last Woman Standing match and gets introduced by Sloane Jacobs, of course. Choo goes right at her to start and snaps off a headscissors. They’re already on the floor, where Choo gets in the chair shots. Lyons puts a trashcan over her and kicks away to come back, only for Choo to hit a clothesline. Back in and Lyons wedges a trashcan in the corner and sends Choo into it (that’s a rare success) and we take a break.

We come back with Lyons kicking her in the head and getting in a missile dropkick. Lyons have Jacobs send in some nunchucks to beat Choo down again. Choo fights out of a choke and uses one of the nunchucks to take over, setting up a hammerlock lariat. A hanging DDT out of the corner leaves both of them down, with Lyons getting up first. Lyons Michinoku Drivers her onto the trashcan but Choo is back with the Dirt Nap.

They fall out to the floor, where PJ Vasa runs in to clothesline both of them. Vasa leaves and they’re both up at nine to head back inside. Choo full nelson slams her onto some Legos and then knocks Jacobs off the apron. The Dirt Nap goes on again but Lyons drives her through the table. Choo gets up so Jacobs grabs her ankle, allowing Lyons to kick Choo off the apron and through another table. Even though Choo kind of gets up, the referee gets to ten and Lyons retains at 13:08.

Rating: B-. They had all of the usual spots in here but the Vasa interference was just in and out with pretty much nothing to it. Then they went on to the finish, which could have been done in a regular match. It was like they forgot the gimmick until the ending and that made for a weird one. Not bad for the most part, but just kind of a mess.

Post match Skylar Raye stands up in the VIP section and points and Lyons.

Harlem Lewis is out indefinitely and we’ll get an update on the title next week.

Overall Rating: C+. This special didn’t really feel special and that’s a problem. The Evolve Title match was barely anything and felt more like a way to set up the post match angle. The main event was slightly better, mainly because it got some time, but it didn’t feel big in any way. It’s not bad, but they need something a bit more interesting they do one of these things.

Results
Harlem Lewis b. Harley Riggins – Boom Slang
Vanta The Unknown b. Laynie Luck – Arm crank
Nikkita Lyons b. Wendy Choo – Spinning kick through a table

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 7, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

We’re closing in on Succession IV and as of last week, the Evolve Title match is officially set. Harley Riggins will challenge Harlem Lewis for the…well silver actually but it should be a heck of a fight. The Women’s Title is ready to go as well with Wendy Choo getting her rematch with Nikkita Lyons. We’ll probably need another match or two so let’s get to it.

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

Harlem Lewis is ready to meet Harley Riggins tonight.

Harley Riggins is ready to meet Harlem Lewis tonight.

Opening sequence.

Here is Marcus Mathers for a chat. He’s been here long enough that if he has something to say, he’s stepping up and doing it. Mathers is tired of everyone running over him and calls them all out. This brings out Cutler James, as Braxton Cole is in the VIP section.

Marcus Mathers vs. Cutler James

Mathers strikes away to start but gets taken down with a headlock takeover. Mathers slips out of a chinlock so James spears him into a stretch muffler. That’s escaped as well and Mathers gets in a missile dropkick but gets pulled out of the air. James tosses him hard to the floor and Mathers is holding his leg as we take a break.

We come back with Mathers’ leg in trouble but he’s able to hit a jumping spin kick to the face (right). Dark Matter doesn’t work for James and Mathers is able to get a DDT. James rolls outside so Mathers uses the bad leg for a kick from the apron, followed by a running hurricanrana. Cole offers a distraction so here is Elijah Holyfield to chase him off. That’s enough for James to hit Dark Matter for the pin at 6:52.

Rating: C. Dang it stop beating Mathers so often. The story of the match was ok, but there’s only so much I can handle of Mathers’ leg being the target and him doing all of the jumping and flipping anyway. If you’re doing a leg injury, stop using so much leg based offense. That really shouldn’t be too complicated but here we are.

Quick recap of Veronica Haven vs. Anya Rune.

Veronica Haven vs. Anya Rune

Haven gets in a quick cutter for two and is already annoyed at the kickouts. The double arm crank goes on but Rune is back up with some running elbows in the corner. Rune’s special effects shot to the face sets up the modified Nightmare On Helm Street for the pin at 2:02. That’s a short match on this show but yeah Rune isn’t working. The gimmick just isn’t there and that’s not changing. Even commentary is pointing out that the fans don’t seem to get it so how much of a future does it have?

Post match Sloane Jacobs and Nikkita Lyons run in for the beatdown, including pouring trash on Rune. They count to ten and that’s enough to accept Wendy Choo’s challenge for a Last Woman Standing match.

PJ Vasa is not impressed.

Earlier this week, AJ Styles came up to Conan Lycan and Nathan Frazer in the gym. If you don’t know Lycan, it might be because Styles is here to offer him a WWE ID contract. Lycan is ready to start today.

The Mog Squad is ready to win, even if they don’t know who Max Abrams is facing.

Cappuccino Jones is going to come after the Mog Squad as soon as he’s medically cleared.

Kale Dixon vs. Aaron Rourke

Alix Brooks is here with Dixon, who starts fast with a clothesline and a slam. Rourke gets in a superkick and some running shots in the corner but Brooks grabs Rourke’s foot. That and a choke are enough for Brooks to draw the DQ at 1:19.

Post match Dixon lays him out with a chair.

Wendy Choo talks about returning after her title loss at Succession III. Now she’s back to regain her title in a Last Woman Standing match. She’s been in a variety of gimmick matches around here and this is how she’s evening the stakes.

Vanta The Unknown is ready to end Laynie Luck’s dream run.

Max Abrams says his nose is too banged up so CJ Valor is taking his place.

CJ Valor vs. ???

The mystery opponent is….the returning Jasper Troy. Valor dodges away to start and tries a waistlock, which really doesn’t work so well. Troy takes him down by the arm and gets two off a splash but Valor kicks Troy into the corner. Valor knocks him to the floor and we take a break. We come back with Valor stomping away until Troy powers him into the corner. The powerslam and a running splash set up a powerslam to give Troy two. A rake to the eyes has Troy in trouble and rolling Chaos Theory gives Valor two more. Troy gets back up for a sitout chokeslam and Into The Abyss finishes Valor at 7:01.

Rating: C+. Troy being back is a good thing as he’s a big guy who can move fairly well, which is enough to give him a chance. It would be nice to see what he can do around here as he’s still new enough to feel fresh. Having him run through the Squad is a nice way to start, as you can imagine Timothy Thatcher is going to be mad at Abrams for changing the plans.

Aaron Rourke swears revenge on Kale Dixon. As he rants, Harlem Lewis and Harley Riggins brawl out to the arena, with Riggins getting in a low blow to end the show. I didn’t recognize Lewis with his hair down.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was about getting things ready for Succession and that was a good job. The wrestling here wasn’t much, but that wasn’t the point of this show. Succession is feeling like it’s an important show, which is more than would be said about a few of the more recent editions. This was just the big warmup, but it was a good warmup.

Results
Cutler James b. Marcus Mathers – Dark Matter
Anya Rune b. Veronica Heaven – Nightmare On Helm Street
Aaron Rourke b. Kale Dixon via DQ when Alix Brooks interfered
Jasper Troy b. CJ Valor – Into The Abyss

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 30, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

We’re rapidly approaching Succession IV and there is a good chance that some of the card will be set up tonight. In this case we’re going to be seeing a #1 contenders match for a shot at the Evolve Title. That should be enough for a main event but we also have a few grudge matches. Let’s get to it.

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

It’s Gal declares himself a superhero and he’s ready to beat Harley Riggins to become #1 contender. Riggins is a big guy but Gal is parking him in the junkyard.

Elijah Holyfield vs. Braxton Cole

Holyfield starts with the jabs so Cole reverses him into a headlock takeover. Back up and Cole fires off some right hands in the corner, which just earn him a side slam. Cole knocks him down again and drops a leg for two, followed by a catapult into the ropes. The chinlock doesn’t last long and they go to the floor, with Holyfield missing a charge into the post. Cue Marcus Mathers to go after Cole, but Holyfield punches Mathers by mistake. Cole grabs a chair, which is punched back into his face and grabbed by Holyfield…which is enough for the referee to DQ Holyfield at 5:56.

Rating: C. Holyfield is starting to become more of a wrestler than someone who throws punches and does a few moves. It’s still too early for him to be in a long match but that’s the point of Evolve. Let him be out there in front of a small crowd in short matches with relatively low stakes. It makes sense to have a show like this and this is the kind of development that can help someone a lot.

Harley Riggins is ready to take out It’s Gal and move on to Succession.

Gianna Capri vs. Wendy Choo

Capri takes her into the corner to start and gets shoved down, with Choo grabbing a headlock. Some running shots in the corner have Capri in more trouble but she pulls Choo down by the hair. A choke in the corner just wakes Choo up enough for a boot to the face but Capri spinebusters her for two. Choo is up with the clothesline comeback until she can’t get a full nelson. Capri misses a high crossbody though and the Dirt Nap finishes her off at 4:41.

Rating: C+. This was all about getting Choo back in the ring after her return last week. That’s not a bad idea as Choo is on the way to a title rematch with Nikkita Lyons and needs a few wins to set it up. Capri feels like a jobber to the stars at this point and given that she’s called the Sauce Boss, that’s about what you would expect.

Post match Choo says she wants a rematch with Lyons at Succession IV in a Last Woman Standing match.

Sloane Jacobs isn’t convinced but Lyons is in.

Timothy Thatcher congratulates Ulka Sasaki on his first win. Laynie Luck comes in and isn’t sure if she’s good enough to be around here. Thatcher thinks they both love wrestling though and gives Luck a match against Vanta The Unknown at Succession.

Shido Ash vs. Cappuccino Jones

Jones, with his bad shoulder, strikes away to start and hits a dropkick. Ash is right back with some shoulders in the corner and a rather logical shoulderbreaker. The arm is wrenched around the rope and Ash grabs a Fujiwara armbar. Back up and Jones is sent shoulder first over the corner and then into said corner to make it worse.

Jones manages to get to the middle rope but dives into a powerslam as we take a break. We come back with Jones explodering him into the corner and connecting with a high crossbody. A top rope splash is countered into a Koji Clutch, with Jones popping out. That just earns him Fade To Ash for the pin at 7:12.

Rating: C+. Ash looked better here as he was picking apart the injured body part and wore Jones down until he could finish him off. That’s a simple, basic story and Ash did it well. Jones continues to fall apart and I’m expecting him to go bad soon, as coffee tends to do when it is around too long. The match was nice enough here, with Ash getting better in the ring match by match.

Post match here is the Mog Squad, with Max Abrams livid over his nose being injured again. Jones is going to go to TAP WATER! The Squad comes in to go after Jones but Chazz Hall runs in, getting taken out as well. The team wants to be on Succession but Timothy Thatcher comes in, saying the Squad is getting a special surprise next week.

We recap It’s Gal and Harley Riggins being told to fight for a shot at the Evolve Title. To recap: Gal and Riggins were told to fight for a shot at the Evolve Title. Therefore tonight, Gal and Riggins will fight for a shot at the Evolve Title.

It’s Gal vs. Harley Riggins

They’re fighting for a shot at the Evolve Title and Riggins jumps him from behind during the entrances. They get inside and the bell rings so Riggins gives him a running boot for an early two. The chinlock doesn’t last long and Gal knocks him off the top, setting up a high crossbody. Riggins sends him outside though and we take a break.

We come back with Gal still in trouble and getting twisted down by the arm. Gal manages to spin around for a Codebreaker and they head outside, with Riggins being sent into the steps. Back in and Riggins breaks up an Iconoclasm and a TKO gets two on Gal. A chokeslam into a knee to the face finishes for Riggins at 5:29.

Rating: B-. This was one which could have gone either way but Riggins vs. Harlem Lewis should be a heck of a hoss fight. Riggins has come a long way on his own and it should be interesting to see what he can do, assuming he and Jax Presley aren’t teamed up again. Good main event here and we should have the Succession main event set.

Post match Harlem Lewis comes out for the staredown to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. There were four matches on the show and it felt like there were four stories being advanced in the span of about forty five minutes. It continues to astound me that they have this set up so well and know how to make it work. They did it again here and I want to see Succession, which is looking like a good card. The whole show might already be set, which shouldn’t be a surprise with two weeks before the event. More Evolve goodness here.

Results
Braxton Cole b. Elijah Holyfield via DQ when the referee accused Holyfield of using a chair
Wendy Choo b. Giana Capri – Dirt Nap
Shido Ash b. Cappuccino Jones – Fade To Ash
Harley Riggins b. It’s Gal – Chokeslam knee to the face

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 16, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

It’s title week here as Harlem Lewis is defending the Evolve Title against Cutler James, who got the title shot by winning a four way a few weeks back. Other than that, Skylar Raye is coming for the Women’s Title, with the title on the line next week Finally, the ID Program is coming off a big win last week, thanks to the help of It’s Gal. Let’s get to it.

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

Harlem Lewis talks about how important the title is to him and he’s not ready to let it to go. Darkstate doesn’t matter to him and tonight, Cutler James is just another victim.

Opening sequence.

Kale Dixon vs. Ulka Sasaki

Alix Brooks is here with Dixon. Sasaki works on the arm to start and then drops down to let Dixon have some free kicks. Instead he trips Dixon down for two but Sasaki takes him down and hammers away on the apron. A backbreaker puts Sasaki down and the big chop to the back gets two. The chinlock doesn’t last long and Sasaki is back up with a spinning kick to the head for two of his own. Cue Aaron Rourke to put a jacket over Brooks to distract Dixon, with Sasaki getting a nice flipping rollup for the pin at 5:38.

Rating: C+. The match only had so much time but that tends to be the case around here as the matches aren’t always that long. In addition though, Sasaki is a talented star who is at least getting some time, with that flipping rollup being a cool finish. Rourke has a new feud it seems and that should go well for both of them.

The ID Program is happy with their win last week but Braxton Cole comes in to interrupt. Mathers doesn’t seem happy but is held back.

Succession IV is on October 14.

Vanta The Unknown doesn’t like Laynie Luck and isn’t going to let her succeed.

Harley Riggins wants the Evolve Title and has the winner after tonight.

Elijah Holyfield vs. Milosh Jovic

This is Jovic’s debut and he talks about bringing speed and power. Holyfield knocks him down to start and grabs a suplex, setting up the spinebuster and uppercut for the win at 1:34. Total squash.

Post match Holyfield says he’s here to win the Evolve Title but Braxton Cole interrupt. Cole wants the title but Marcus Mathers comes in to go after Cole, with the referees breaking it up.

Video on Cutler James.

Here is Sloane Jacobs to bring out Nikkita Lyons for a chat. Lyons seems to think she’s better than most of the rest of the division, which brings out Skylar Raye to interrupt. Raye calls out Lyons for mocking her for being a cheerleader when Lyons has her own cheerleader in Jacobs. Cue PJ Vasa to interrupt, saying she has the winner of whomever comes out of this next week. Jacobs actually goes after Vasa, leaving Raye to take Lyons out.

Elijah Holyfield gets to face Braxton Cole in two weeks. He’ll knock Marcus Mathers out too if he has to.

Harley Riggins tells Timothy Thatcher that he’s getting the next title shot and he’s going to watch the title match tonight. Thatcher says no, citing how Harlem Lewis and Riggins tend to create chaos. Get involved and deal with consequence.

Evolve Title: Harlem Lewis vs. Cutler James

Lewis is defending. James grabs a headlock to start and takes Lewis down, with the hold staying on for longer than you might expect. It’s finally broken up and Lewis gets in a middle rope stomp to the arm. James counters a dive off the apron though and hits a backbreaker as we take a break.

We come back with Lewis getting whipped hard into the corner and another backbreaker giving James two. Back up and Lewis is able to wrap the arm around the post, setting up a crossface. That’s reversed into a side slam and James hits a pop up uppercut to the back. Shell Shock connects but the arm is too banged up, allowing Lewis to roll out to the floor.

James follows him to the floor and clotheslines the post by mistake. A spear drops James and they head back inside, where he’s able to counter the Boom Slang into a spinning backbreaker. The arm gives out on another Shell Shock attempt and now the Boom Slang can retain the title at 10:09.

Rating: B. I can go with Lewis as the guy who might not be the most talented in-ring star, but he’s a good, strong brawler. It worked well here and that’s the kind of thing that could get him through quite a few title defenses. James felt like a challenger there for the sake of giving Lewis a win over an NXT name and that’s a fine way to go, especially with Lewis breaking him down and winning in the end.

Post match Harley Riggins comes out to say he’s next but It’s Gal interrupts, saying it’s his shot. Lewis tells them to fight to see who gets the next shot and the brawl is on to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Evolve continues to stick with the style that has worked for them thus far: focus on one big thing a week (most of the time) and have some other stuff there to fill in the show which also sets up some stuff for later. You can see where a lot of stories are going here and the Evolve Title was on the line. That’s a good use of about 45 minutes and I liked this show quite a bit.

Results
Ulka Sasaki b. Kale Dixon – Flipping rollup
Elijah Holyfield b. Milosh Jovic – Uppercut
Harlem Lewis b. Cutler James – Boom Slang

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 9, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

Last week saw a big change of everything as we now have new #1 contenders for the two Evolve Titles. That should be more than enough to carry us for a few weeks and now we get to build towards the title matches. Other than that, we are getting more of the ID Program fighting against their future versions so let’s get to it.

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

The Mog Squad is ready to beat up the other ID Program stars. Jacari Ball will be starting the gauntlet match. Note that Max Abrams doesn’t have the mask on to hide whatever work he had done.

Opening sequence.

Giana Capri vs. Anya Rune

Capri kicks her in the face to start fast but gets elbowed in the face. Rune gets sent face first into the bottom buckle and Capri elbows her in the corner. Another kick to the head staggers Rune in the corner but she’s back with a sliding forearm. The anime shot to the face, with a flash of some kind, sets up a Nightmare On Helm Street for the pin at 4:00.

Rating: C. What do you want me to say here? Having the special effect when Rune hit her big move told you everything you needed to know about Rune, and why she was released. The gimmick wasn’t going to work and that was on full display here. It reminds me of Sareee in NXT with her transforming entrance, which just comes off as silly more than anything else. Rune might not have been great, but she was running with an anchor the entire time she was around.

Sloane Jacobs is stunned by the result and warns Skylar Raye (not here) on behalf of Nikkita Lyons. PJ Vasa comes in to say she’s coming after Lyons next week.

We get a quick tribute to stars who have gone from Evolve to NXT as part of the ID Program.

Chazz Hall fires up Team ID but Kale Dixon and Alix Brooks cut through them and head to the VIP Lounge. They’re here to bring some star power to the show. Brooks says they’re here to put some hot people on TV.

September 23 is an all women’s ID showcase.

Team ID vs. Mog Squad

Team ID: Aaron Rourke, Cappuccino Jones, Sam Holloway, Marcus Mathers
Mog Squad: Jacari Ball, Max Abrams, CJ Valor, Santi Rivera

This is a Team Gauntlet Series, which is basically a Survivor Series match but under gauntlet rules, meaning it’s elimination rules and the members enter in a certain order and can’t tag. After a recap of how we got here, it’s Rourke vs. Ball to get things going. Ball takes over on the arm to start but gets sent into the corner for an exploder suplex.

Ball dropkicks him right back down and drops an elbow, setting up a quickly broken chinlock. A gutwrench suplex gives Ball two but Rourke is back up with some shots to the face. They go outside with Rourke hitting a pump kick, only to get caught with the same thing back inside. Ball takes him up top and is shoved away, setting up the Molly Go Round to give Rourke the first elimination at 3:42.

Valor is in next and we take a break, coming back with Valor throwing Rourke down. A clothesline sets up the chinlock but Rourke sends him crashing into the corner. Valor gets dropkicked into the corner but Dixon throws a pillow in for a distraction. That’s enough for Valor to knock him off the ropes and roll Rourke up with trunks for the pin at 7:39.

Holloway is in next and boots Valor in the face to start fast. A big elbow gets two but Holloway misses a charge into the corner and gets suplexed for two. Valor’s flying shoulder connects for two more, earning himself a suplex into the corner. The chokeslam is loaded up and quickly reversed into a cross armbreaker. Back up and a rolling Chaos Theory gives Valor two more but now the chokeslam gives Holloway the pin at 12:15.

Rivera is in next for the Squad and we take a break. We come back with Rivera working on Holloway’s back, setting up the chinlock. Holloway is right back up with a shot of his own and another chokeslam gets rid of Valor at 15:24. So it’s Abrams left for the Squad and he has his mask on to hide the work he’s had done as he grabs a sleeper. Abrams is sent outside so here is Cutler James to kick Holloway in the face, meaning the Main Objective can give Abrams the pin at 16:53.

Mathers is in next and hits a springboard Stunner but Abrams elbows him in the face. Another Main Objective is countered and Mathers hits a hook kick to the face, with Abrams falling out to the floor. Of course Mathers hits a big running flip dive onto the pile and we take another break.

We come back with Shido Ash attacking Cappuccino Jones in the back, with Chazz Hall chasing him off. Back with Abrams having lost his mask (which is slid back in to him) and getting caught with a super Spanish Fly for two. Mathers adds a 450 so the Squad makes a save, earning themselves a group ejection. Abrams kicks him out of the air though and another Main Objective finishes Mathers at 22:02.

Timothy Thatcher is here to say Jones is out so the Squad wins, but IT’S GAL is here to take Jones’ place! Some kicks to the head and an Iconoclasm, followed by a discus lariat. A running Blockbuster gets Abrams out of trouble but Gal is back up with a very spinning Blue Thunder Bomb for the final pin at 24:08.

Rating: B. This worked well enough and I can go for more of Gal, who is quite the charismatic star and it’s nice to see him getting a chance to do something. Hopefully he gets elevated somewhere after this, as it could make for a nice future. The Squad will be fine as they’re more than annoying enough to stick around. This felt like a big deal and it’s nice to see Evolve having something of a specialized team match.

Rourke and Mathers hug Gal and pose with him.

Harley Riggins is not pleased to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. As usual, Evolve continues to do a great job of making itself feel different than so many other weekly shows. Outside of a quick opening match, this show was all about the gauntlet tag and not much else. I liked the main event pretty well too and we can move on to the other things in the coming weeks. This show does a great job of juggling a bunch of stuff and featuring it all, which we saw again here. Good show here, with the presentation being quite the feature.

Results
Anya Rune b. Giana Capri – Nightmare On Helm Street
Team ID b. Mog Squad last eliminating Max Abrams

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 2, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Robert Stone, Blake Howard

The focus is on the titles this week as we have a pair of #1 contender fatal fourways. That’s going to be enough to give the title pictures a new direction for a few weeks, which is more than enough around here. Other than that, I’m sure the Mog Squad will annoy someone else so let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Harlem Lewis heads to the VIP Lounge and wants to see who is next for his Evolve Title.

Here is Max Abrams, who has a protective mask on, admitting that he has had work done. Dr. DeNucci says he is recovering faster than anyone ever. No matter what you want to say about him, he is NOT ugly. He wants everyone here to get their phone at and look at themselves. Now ask yourself a question: do I need help?

The fans think Abrams means himself so after a correction, he says everyone here needs help, just like he got. Anyway, he’s healing very fast and the X Factor is coming out. Abrams is going to be #1 contender but for now, CJ Valor is taking his place. This was far from smooth and not exactly good, with Abrams taking far too long to get to the point and having to fix things a few times.

CJ Valor vs. It’s Gal vs. Harley Riggins vs. Cutler James

For a future Evolve Title shot. James and Riggins take over to start, with James spearing Riggins down. Gal Codebreakers James and helps Valor drop him with a double flying shoulder. We pause for Gal and Valor to pose at each other so Riggins gives Gal a running boot. Riggins and James slug it out again with Riggins getting the better of things and kicking Valor in the face. Another knockdown takes Riggins out though and everyone is down as we take a break.

We come back with Gal taking over, including a Blue Thunder Bomb for two on Riggins. James cuts that off but rejects an off of an alliance with Valor, who is planted with a tilt-a-whirl gutbuster. James knocks Riggins down again and then gives Valor a giant swing while also airplane spinning Gal. Riggins is back up to drop James again but Valor gives him a spinebuster for two.

James powerbombs Riggins out of the air for two and Gal clears the ring, setting up a springboard dive onto the other three. We pause for Riggins to go after Harlem Lewis in the VIP section, leaving Gal to gutbuster Valor for two, with Max Abrams pulling the referee out. James is back in with Into The Vortex to finish Valor at 8:08.

Rating: B-. It was your standard “I jump you, he jumps me and so on” four way with Abrams’ interference not exactly working out for him in the end. James is probably the biggest name in the match but he’s also one of the least interesting. That’s not going to make for the best title match, but at least Lewis can beat an NXT star to keep the title.

Sloane Jacobs interrupts Nikkita Lyons’ meditation to talk about tonight’s #1 contenders match. Lyons doesn’t seem to care who she faces.

Zena Sterling tried to fit in when she got here but now she’s going to do whatever it takes to become a star, including cheating.

Cutler James and Sam Holloway almost get into a fight backstage.

Here is WWE ID 1.0 for a chat. Aaron Rourke says he’s still standing and this thing with the Mog Squad ends right now. Marcus Mathers and Cappuccino Jones want the Mog Squad out here right now, with Sam Holloway agreeing. Cue the Mog Squad to insult the team and pose. The ID guys want to fight but here is Timothy Thatcher to say not so fast. Next week it’s an ID Showcase, but it’s also a four on four gauntlet series. As usual, Thatcher knows how to get to the point like no one else.

Skylar Raye and Wren Sinclair get along but they’re both ready to win the four way and challenge Nikkita Lyons for the Women’s Title.

Video on the WWE ID Program.

Sloane Jacobs introduces Nikkita Lyons to the VIP Lounge. Anya Rune is waiting for her but Veronica Haven and Giana Capri lay her out.

Wren Sinclair vs. Zena Sterling vs. Skylar Raye vs. Laynie Luck

For a future Women’s Title shot. They go with the rapid fire rollups for two each to start until Sterling takes over. Sinclair and Luck are smashed in the corner and Raye gives them both a crossbody. Sterling is sent outside and dropkicked off the apron by Sinclair, with Raye diving onto everyone. We take a break and come back with Sinclair and Raye hitting high crossbodies for two each. Luck kicks Sinclair in the head before dropping her with a German suplex.

Back up and Sinclair gets two off an Alabama slam with Sterling making the save. Sinclair facebusters Sterling into the Final Wrench, with Luck making the save. Raye Blockbusters Luck, who DDTs Sinclair, giving Raye a pair of near falls. Sinclair and Raye crash down to the floor with Raye grabbing a tornado DDT. Back in and Luck enziguris Sterling but the lights flicker and The Unknown appears to take Luck out. Raye hits Star Struck to pin Luck at 9:29.

Rating: B-. Raye winning is a bit of a surprise and I’m curious to see how her title match goes. Odds are she doesn’t win but it’s more than she’s done around here thus far. Luck getting to be the first victim of the Unknown is interesting, though we’ll have to see what the Unknown is all about. The result is a bit of a surprise, which isn’t the biggest shock around here, and I’ll take that.

Post match Lyons comes in for the staredown (very down in this case, as she towers over Raye) with Raye to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was all about the title pictures and those things went well. Other than that you had the big eight man tag being set up for next week, which is more than enough. The point here was about getting things ready for the coming weeks and that should be more than enough to carry things forward. In other words, Evolve continues to plan things out and make those plans work. That’s nice to see and it was on display again here with another efficient show.

Results
Cutler James b. CJ Valor, It’s Gal and Harley Riggins – Into The Vortex to Valor
Skylar Raye b. Laynie Luck, Wren Sinclair and Zena Sterling – Star Struck to Luck

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: August 19, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

The title situation around here continues to be the main focal point, but that is the kind of thing that can go in a different direction in any given week. Harlem Lewis needs a new challenger while Thea Hail is coming after Nikkita Lyons and the Women’s Title. That’s enough for the time being, along with the rather active midcard stuff. Let’s get to it.

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

Thea Hail knows Nikkita Lyons is in touch with her spirit guides or something but Hail doesn’t care who Lyons brings with her.

Opening sequence.

CJ Valor vs. Sam Holloway

The Mog Squad is here with Valor, who jumps Holloway from behind to start. Holloway shoulders him down without much effort and then hits the big dive to take out the Squad. The distraction works though as Valor is back up with a spear on the floor, followed by a top rope shoulder back inside.

Valor gets Holloway up for a pretty impressive spinebuster and we hit the chinlock. Holloway is back up with a clothesline into a heck of a running dropkick to knock Valor silly. Valor is able to reverse a big boot into a powerbomb though and a rolling Chaos Theory gives Valor two. Back up and Holloway tries a powerslam but has to deal with the Squad. That actually works for a change and a sitout chokeslam finishes Valor at 6:38.

Rating: B-. They had a good match here and it’s nice to see Holloway getting a win for a change. I don’t remember the last time he actually got a win so he needs to do something like this every so often, just to keep his value a bit stronger. The Squad continues to be some of the bigger heels around here, but at least someone got to them for a change.

Harlem Lewis talks about how everything changed after winning the Evolve Title. He didn’t expect to get emotional when his brother was proud of him winning the title. His relationships around here have changed because they want the title too. This belt means more to him than any friendship, which is why he had no problem winning the four way a few weeks back. Get used to him being champion.

Cutler James vs. Marcus Mathers

James backs him up against the ropes to start and works on the arm as It’s Gal is in the VIP Section. Mathers gets up and hits a dropkick but gets his legs swept out. That means a giant swing for Mathers, who is right back with a pop up hurricanrana. We take a break and come back with James working on the arm again, followed by a pop up uppercut.

James’ clothesline gets two and we hit the neck crank as this isn’t exactly lighting up the ring. Mathers gets up and sends him to the floor for a rather needed running flip dive. Back in and James pulls him out of the air into a spinning backbreaker, setting up Dark Matter for the pin at 10:44.

Rating: C. I liked the ending, but I wasn’t feeling a lot of this one, as James hasn’t done much for me on his own. I get the idea of giving him something to do around here but it isn’t anything that has stood out. At the same time, I keep holding out hope for Mathers to go somewhere and he hasn’t gotten crushed, though it’s getting harder to believe that he’s going to turn into a top star.

Post match James says Darkstate is for Tuesday but Wednesday is for him alone. He’s coming for the Evolve Title sooner or later.

PJ Vasa doesn’t care if Laynie Luck doesn’t want to be a stepping stone.

Harley Riggins doesn’t like being on a team and is ready to do things on his own.

Aaron Rourke is back next week.

Video on Shido Ash/Viktor Zanov.

Kale Dixon and his blonde friend (apparently named Alix Brooks) don’t like various promises being broken to him. Timothy Thatcher doesn’t want to hear this and gives him Chazz Hall for some hard work next week. With Dixon and Brooks gone, Thatcher isn’t happy with Brooks Jensen driving away from Elijah Holyfield, so next week it’s the first ever Evolve lumberjack match. Zena Sterling comes in to say she thinks she deserves a singles match so she can face Layla Diggs. Sterling seems a bit upset but says ok and leaves. As usual, Thatcher is one of the best things about this show because he does stuff that makes sense.

Women’s Title: Nikkita Lyons vs. Thea Hail

Lyons, as introduced by Sloane Jacobs, is defending. Hail goes right for the Kimura to start and Lyons has to go to the ropes. Back up and they trade big right hands until Hail DDTs the arm. Hail cranks on said arm and snaps off a hurricanrana to take Lyons down again. Lyons is back up to knock her out to the floor with a crash and we take a break.

We come back with Lyons hammering away and a Samoan drop getting two. The reverse chinlock doesn’t last long so Lyons hits a rather rough running clothesline for two more. Hail gets up for another failed Kimura attempt but Lyons misses a charge into the post. Now the Kimura can…well almost go on, as Lyons reverses into a backbreaker for two. The spinning kick to the head gets two on Hail, who is back with a takedown of her own.

Veronica Haven and Giana Capri come out of the VIP section for a distraction so Anya Rune tries to use her anime powers. When that doesn’t work, Rune turns her back on them to panic, leaving Wren Sinclair and Skyler Raye to run in and take them down. The referee yells a lot as Hail gets the Kimura to make Lyons tap. Jacobs makes the save and another spinning kick tot he head retains the title at 10:33.

Rating: C+. This was a main event where they were trying really hard but Hail has lost so many times that I’m not going to buy into her as a champion here. It also doesn’t help that she’s falling into the Nattie/Alberto Del Rio mode of “I have one move and it’s all I try to do”. That’s not exactly great to see and it makes her feel like a one trick pony, which isn’t going to work.

Post match the winning villains celebrate, with Wendy Choo’s face flashing on the screen to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. The best thing about this show is it felt like they covered quite a few stories and stars in less than fifty minutes. Evolve continues to feel very well structured and put together, which isn’t something you get with various other weekly shows. The main event did feel big enough, though the Choo tease at the end feels even bigger. Good enough show here, but the more important things to be on the horizon.

Results
Sam Holloway b. CJ Valor – Sitout chokeslam
Cutler James b. Marcus Mathers – Dark Matter
Nikkita Lyons b. Thea Hail – 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: August 5, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

It’s title night as Harlem Lewis is defending the Evolve Title in a four way against Tristan Angels, Max Abrams and former champion Aaron Rourke. That should be more than enough to carry the show, but Women’s Champion Nikkita Lyons is already having to deal with the likely new #1 contender Thea Hail. Let’s get to it.

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

Harlem Lewis, Aaron Rourke, Tristan Angels and Max Abrams are ready for the title match.

Opening sequence.

Here is the Mog Squad to get things going. Max Abrams is rather pleased with his teammates who got him a new pair of sunglasses! It’s time to work on the Hot Boy Summer and tonight, Abrams is going to win the Evolve Title. That’s going to make everyone acknowledge them as the supreme Moggers. All they need is the Evolve Title and Jacari Ball and Santi Rivera have to praise themselves. Abrams doesn’t get how anyone could dislike them, so it’s time to strike a group pose. They take credit for the announcers having jobs but here are Shido Ash and Viktor Zanov to interrupt. And apparently it’s time for a scheduled match.

Shido Ash/Viktor Zanov vs. Mog Squad

Zanov wastes no time in powering Rivera over the top for a crash out to the floor. Back in and Ball and Zanov fight over an armbar until Zanov drops him with a clothesline. Ash comes in and vets slammed onto Rivera as it’s time for the Squad to have a meeting on the floor. We take a break and come back with Zanov caught in the wrong corner for some shoulders to the ribs. That’s broken up and Ball hits a nice dropkick but Zanov has had enough of this. It’s off to Ash to wreck the Squad as everything breaks down. The Dead End finishes Rivera at 6:01.

Rating: B-. This worked well, with Ash and Zanov getting to showcase what they can do. Their judo backgrounds are more than enough to make the stand out and it helps when they can smash through all kinds of people in the ring. As usual, I could go for some Tag Team Titles around here, but I do appreciate Evolve taking their time before (likely) introducing them.

Post match here is Timothy Thatcher to bar the rest of the Squad from ringside for tonight’s title match.

Marcus Mathers talks to Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno, saying the original class of the ID Program is falling apart. It’s Gal comes in to say he’s on a roll right now but Cappuccino Jones isn’t impressed. Mathers and Jones mock Gal so Gal says Mathers should face Kale Dixon while he can face Jones. Works for them, though Jones isn’t overly sure.

Skylar Raye vs. Anya Rune

They go to the mat to start, with Rune escaping a quick headscissors and we take an early break. We come back with Raye spinning out of a wristlock but Rune strikes her down for two. Back up and Raye hits a running bulldog out of the corner but Rune is right back with another knockdown. Rune tries something like La Mistica and it doesn’t quite connect, though she gets in a crossface anyway. With that broken up, Rune grabs a neckbreaker for two and goes up, allowing Raye to slam her down. A good looking frog splash finishes for Raye at 4:43.

Rating: C. That frog splash looked rather good and that’s more than some people around here can do. Raye is someone they seem to be building up and that’s not a bad idea. She hasn’t gotten very far yet but that’s the point of a place like Evolve, as she needs to get some ring time and development.

Post match Giana Capri runs in to jump Rune.

Elijah Holyfield doesn’t think much of Brooks Jensen

Timothy Thatcher announces Wren Sinclair vs. Sloane Jacobs for next week. Chazz Hall comes in to say he wants to fight Cappuccino Jones. Thatcher isn’t sure why this is his problem but Hall talks him into being added to Jones vs. It’s Gal next week.

Evolve Title: Aaron Rourke vs. Max Abrams vs. Tristan Angels vs. Harlem Lewis

Lewis is defending and gets knocked outside to start. Rourke beats on the other two until Lewis is back in with a double clothesline. The Boom Slay is broken up though and Rourke dives onto Abrams, with Angels adding a dropkick tot he back to put them both down. We take a break and come back with Rourke firing off some kicks to Abrams. Lewis sends Abrams and Angels flying at the same time but they double team Rourke down. That’s enough for Abrams and Angels to get into a brawl until Rourke is shoved down onto Abrams for a crash. They all go to the corner and that means a Tower Of Doom for the massive crash. Rourke is up with the Molly Go Round for two on Abrams, with Lewis making the save. The Boom Slay to Abrams retains the title at 6:17.

Rating: B-. They didn’t have a ton of time here and there was only so much they could manage to do in there. At the same time, there was no reason to have Lewis lose here, as he just won the title a few weeks ago. Having him smash through some talented opponents should make for a good win and this worked out well enough.

Post match Lewis gets in a staredown with Harley Riggins to end the show. There’s your promising power match.

Overall Rating: B-. There was nothing on here that jumped off the page, but it’s a great example of a show that had a bunch of stuff going on and everything got some attention. That’s often the best kind of wrestling show and it’s something that Evolve tends to do well. You knew who everyone was and as usual, the matches went by quickly. Good, efficient show here as Lewis gets to start his title reign looking strong.

Results
Viktor Zanov/Shido Ash b. Mog Squad – Dead End to Rivera
Skylar Raye b. Anya Rune – Frog splash
Harlem Lewis b. Aaron Rourke, Max Abrams and Tristan Angels – Boom Slay to Abrams

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 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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