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:

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

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:

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

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:

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

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:

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

Evolve
Date: August 26, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

We’re going with the grudge match focus this time, with the first ever Evolve lumberjack match as Elijah Holyfield vs. Brooks Jensen. I’m not sure how that’s going to go, but Evolve has done a good job with its previous first time situations. Hopefully they have something else to make the rest of the card work so let’s get to it.

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

Brooks Jensen promises to destroy Elijah Holyfield, who is only here because of his famous name. We get some visuals of trees falling as Jensen promises to make him into a colossal failure.

Opening sequence.

Commentary runs down the card.

Laynie Luck vs. PJ Vasa

Luck slugs away to start and hurricanranas her out to the floor, where a suicide dive connects. Back in and Vasa easily slams her down, followed by a spear for two. The bearhug goes on for a bit but Luck avoids a charge in the corner. A Shining Wizard and middle rope dropkick have Vasa on the apron for a hard stomp. Back in and a hurricanrana is countered into a sitout powerbomb to give Vasa two but Luck reverses a suplex into a DDT. A Death Valley Driver actually gives Luck the clean pin at 4:07.

Rating: C+. I’d call that a surprise, as I haven’t gotten the appeal of Vasa since she debuted but Luck is often there to put people over. It wasn’t a particularly great match but Luck is more interesting to watch most weeks. I’m not sure what is next for Vasa, but this isn’t a good sign for her future.

Gianna Capri isn’t waiting in line around here like she’s at a deli. She’s been to JAPAN. Anyway, she’s sick of Anya Rune, who is like a tourist trying to park in the city.

Chazz Hall vs. Kale Dixon

Dixon, with Alix Brooks, grabs a slam to start but Dixon sunset flips his way out of a powerbomb for two. Hall is back with a jumping kick to the face and the springboard wristdrag sends Dixon flying. Back up and Dixon gets in a throat first drop over the rope and the hanging reverse DDT.

The reverse chinlock doesn’t last long so Dixon faceplants Hall with a kind of reverse powerbomb. Dixon’s springboard splash misses and Hall kicks him in the face, setting up the standing corkscrew moonsault for two. Brooks cuts Hall off on top though and the 96 gives Dixon the pin at 5:24.

Rating: C+. I like some of the things that Dixon is doing and his pairing with Brooks works, but, and I can’t emphasize this enough, the man’s name is Kale. How seriously am I supposed to take him no matter what he does? That being said, at least he got a win over someone who is higher up on the food chain, as it’s probably a good sign for his future.

Elijah Holyfield is ready to finish it with Brooks Jensen, who is running out of time.

Layla Diggs vs. Zena Sterling

Diggs powers her into the corner to start and is wrestled to the ground so Sterling can work on a waistlock. Sterling’s cravate has Diggs in some more trouble and a standing chinlock makes it even worse. Diggs finally knocks her down for an early two, followed by a sitout gordbuster for the same. Back up and Sterling gets in a tilt-a-whirl slam for two and they go into a pinfall reversal sequence, with Sterling putting her foot on the rope for the pin at 4:12. The fans are not pleased with that one.

Rating: C. I’m not sure what to think of this one either. I like both of the women involved and Sterling feels like she could be something, but the ending was weird as Diggs is already a heel but lost to another apparent heel. That’s an odd way to go and I’m not sure how well it’s going to go.

The Unknown loves letting people believe they are in control because she can sneak in to peel away the unconsciousness. Uh yeah. Anyway she’s coming.

Here is Harlem Lewis for a chat. In the four way, he had Timothy Thatcher set up the challengers and then knocked them down, which is how this title reign is going. For now, he wants a new #1 contender and doesn’t care how it’s crowned. This brings out Harley Riggins, who says he should just get the title shot. The brawl is on and security tries to break it up.

Hang on though as we cut to the back where the Mog Squad is beating up Aaron Rourke. This is called a message to the Evolve roster.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Elijah Holyfield vs. Brooks Jensen

Lumberjack match. Holyfield catches a big boot to start and Jensen is a bit surprised. Jensen looks afraid of the lumberjacks so he walks into a headlock, which feels a bit out of place. Jensen’s headlock doesn’t work either so Holyfield scares him out to the floor. The lumberjacks rough Jensen up before throwing him inside, with Jensen rolling right back outside.

Back in and Jensen’s middle rope ax handle connects so Holyfield plants him with a half nelson slam. Holyfield tosses him outside but makes the mistake of giving chase, allowing Jensen to get in a running knee. We take a break and come back with Holyfield punching him to the apron but getting clotheslined from behind. Jensen slaps on a headlock and hits a hard clothesline but gets caught holding the rope.

Holyfield gets in a hard shot of his own but is more than a bit winded. That earns him a Saito suplex for two and Jensen gets in a lariat for a bonus. Holyfield is fine enough to powerslam him out of the air for two so Jensen bails to the floor. That’s enough for the lumberjacks to get into a big brawl of their own so Jensen teases leaving, only for Sam Holloway to cut him off. Back in and the uppercut finishes for Holyfield at 10:38.

Rating: C+. Holyfield is still clearly green but he has a great look and the family name behind him so it makes sense to try him out. Having the lumberjacks out there helped, as it let them keep the match moving without the two of them having to do anything. That’s a good way to protect Holyfield and the match wound up working.

Holyfield celebrates to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This was a show where they kept things moving and the card worked out well enough. The main event felt like a big deal and now we can move back into the title picture next week. It makes this show feel more like a pit stop more than anything else, but it was still a rather decent show, with the main event working out. It’s always nice to see things go well with a less than top level show and they got something out of the fairly weak card. Nice job.

Results
Laynie Luck b. PJ Vasa – Death Valley Driver
Kale Dixon b. Chazz Hall – 96
Zena Sterling b. Layla Diggs – Rollup with foot on the rope
Elijah Holyfield b. Brooks Jensen – Uppercut

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: 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:

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

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:

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

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:

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

Evolve
Date: July 15, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

Things are getting interesting around here and we have another title match this week. In this case, we have the Evolve Title on the line as Aaron Rourke defends against Harlem Lewis. Other than that, a bunch of women are gearing up to come after Nikkita Lyons and the Women’s Title so let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at the Evolve Title match. They’re both respectful of each other but they’re ready to fight.

Opening sequence.

Chazz Hall vs. Max Abrams

Hold on though as Abrams tells the rest of the Mog Squad to hit the spa while he hits Hall. They fight over a top wristlock to start so Hall grabs a waistlock on the mat. That’s broken up, leaving Hall to send him into the corner for a monkey flip. A nice dropkick gives Hall two and he grabs a front facelock to slow things down. Abrams escapes and gets kicked in the head for a crash out to the floor. That’s fine with Abrams, who counters a dive into an apron powerbomb as we take a break.

We come back with Hall still in trouble, including a jumping back elbow to give Abrams two. A Disaster Kick gives Abrams two and we hit the chinlock. Back up and Abrams misses a splash in the corner but is right back with a Falcon Arrow for two. Hall’s comeback bid is cut off but he avoids a frog splash. Hall snaps off a headscissors out of the corner and a standing Sliced Bread gets two.

Abrams crotches him up top though and a running Blockbuster gets two more. Hall kicks him down and gets two off a standing corkscrew moonsault. The tease of a dive is almost cut off but Hall kicks him down instead. Cue the Squad so here are the ID stars for the brawl, with Hall hitting the big flipping dive. Cappuccino Jones accidentally hits Hall though and the Main Objective finishes for Abrams at 12:43.

Rating: B-. This was a pretty wild match for Evolve’s standards and I wound up getting into the thing. Abrams is a good choice as the cocky heel and it’s interesting seeing him actually having some success. He has to be part of the Squad, just due to the amount of people around here, but it’s working out pretty well, especially for Abrams.

Post match Hall and Jones have to be held apart.

Timothy Thatcher wishes Harlem Lewis good luck, which he seems to appreciate.

Video on the ID Program and some of its successes.

Nikkita Lyons and Sloane Jacobs aren’t happy with so many people coming after the Women’s Title, starting with Laynie Luck. Lyons wants Luck to get the first shot at the title, just to get rid of her. She’s not worried about Wendy Choo either, and sings about it for some reason.

Layla Diggs vs. Veronica Haven

Diggs shoulders her in the corner to start and grabs a powerslam. The standing moonsault gives Diggs two but Haven snaps a hurricanrana out of the corner. Diggs fights up with some kicks to the face and a sitout gordbuster for two. Haven tries a rollup but gets kicked in the head, setting up the moonsault for the pin at 4:25.

Rating: C. This was just a step above a squash as Diggs gave Haven a bit of offense before finishing with that great moonsault. Diggs has come a long way and I’m curious to see where she goes from here. Hopefully her injury (as seen in NXT) isn’t that bad and she can get back in the ring to keep that momentum going.

The ID Program fires up Aaron Rourke when Timothy Thatcher comes in to wish him luck. Rourke says he has been tested his entire life and has always passed. He seems to appreciate Thatcher’s words though and heads to the ring. With Rourke gone, Chazz Hall blames Cappuccino Jones for the loss but Jones wants a tag match with Marcus Mathers against the former security guards. Thatcher reluctantly agrees.

Elijah Holyfield wants revenge on Brooks Jensen.

Evolve Title: Harlem Lewis vs. Aaron Rourke

Rourke is defending and gets speared into the Boom Slang for the very near fall in about fifteen seconds. Lewis misses a charge into the post and falls out to the floor, where Rourke grabs a Blockbuster off the apron. They get back in with Rourke knocking him down for two and we take a break.

We come back with Lewis working on a waistlock but Rourke fights back up. A charge in the corner is countered into a backbreaker, with Lewis bending said back over the knee. Rourke fights up and grabs a tornado DDT, followed by the running knees in the corner. A split legged moonsault gives Rourke two and they both get back up.

Lewis wins a strike off but his powerbomb is countered into a sunset flip. Back up and Lewis runs his over for one and Rourke is back with a fireman’s carry backbreaker for two. The Molly Go Round is loaded up but gets countered into a powerbomb. The Boom Slang gives Lewis the pin and the title at 8:51.

Rating: B. This turned into a heck of a fight with the two of them beating the fire out of each other. Lewis jumping him at the start is rather on point for him and the match went from there, which made for a good story. Rourke had a good run as champion and has come a VERY long way. If he gets to develop like this on NXT, he’s going to be just fine.

Lewis celebrates as Rourke looks on to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. Good, and certainly eventful show here with the title change feeling like the biggest thing that can happen in Evolve. I’m not sure where we’re going from here but it should be interesting to see what happens. If nothing else, the Women’s Title match is already set up and then we get to see a few more matches built. That’s a great mixture of what is going on here and getting ready for later, which is a thing that Evolve tends to make work every time. This was more what Evolve does well and it was nice to see them doing that again here.

Results
Max Abrams b. Chazz Hall – Main Objective
Layla Diggs b. Veronica Haven – Moonsault
Harlem Lewis b. Aaron Rourke – 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:

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

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:

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