Evolve
Date: September 23, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

It’s a special night here as we have an all women’s showcase, headlined by the Women’s Title match between Skylar Raye and Nikkita Lyons. Other than that, we’re coming up on Succession and that should be getting some focus this week, as the build hasn’t really started yet. Let’s get to it.

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

Skylar Raye is ready for her big chance tonight and has to follow the paths of people who came before her and made their own ways.

Opening sequence.

Sloane Jacobs vs. PJ Vasa

Before the match, Jacobs offers a tribute to Nikkita Lyons and says she’s taking care of Vasa before Vasa can get to Lyons. Vasa runs her over to start and throws her into the corner by the hair. Jacobs manages a headscissors and pulls Vasa into the corner a few times for a smart counter. We take a break and come back with Vasa Hulking Up and getting two off a Samoan drop. Another Samoan drop is escaped though and Jacobs grabs a victory roll (and the rope) for the pin at 4:07.

Rating: C. They didn’t have much time here but Jacobs getting a win is more than a bit of a surprise. Vasa getting cheated out of a win isn’t the biggest surprise as she has been gone from WWE for the last month or so, but there is a good chance she’ll have one more big showdown before leaving. I’m not sure what is next for Jacobs, but a win is a win.

Post match Vasa runs Jacobs over and calls out Lyons again. Uh maybe win a match first?

Alix Brooks and Kale Dixon aren’t happy about how they’ve been treated, especially by Aaron Rourke. They need a new plan, and he has their attention now.

Here is Zena Sterling for a chat and she says this is the real her. She doesn’t need to smile and pretend to be someone she’s not. The reality is she has always been superior and tonight she’s watching two women fight for a title that should rightfully belong to her.

Anya Rune isn’t sure why no one believes in her but she is ready to prove that she is the main character around here. Yeah good luck with that.

We look at Vanta The Unknown appearing about a month ago and looking rather…intense?

Vanta The Unknown vs. Veronica Haven

Vanta powers her around to start and flips away from a La Mistica attempt. Haven avoids a charge in the corner but gets sent throat first into the middle rope. An arm crank has Haven in more trouble and Vanta kicks her down into an armbar. Haven tries to get up and gets pulled into something like a Disarm-Her (with Vanta pulling back on the arm rather than sitting on it) for the tap (with the foot) at 3:18.

Rating: C. I’m still not sure what exactly Vanta is about (ok so the name fits) but the finish looked good and she could wind up being something around here, just based on how strong of a debut she has had thus far. I’m not sure how long the weird creepy stuff can last, but at least its starting well. Just let her snap a few more arms and she should be fine.

Post match here is Laynie Luck to go after Vanta….who dodges like she’s in the Matrix and knocks Luck down instead. Well that was cool enough.

Video on the history of Succession.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Kali Armstrong is happy to see the Women’s Title match because she knows how much it means to be champion.

Women’s Title: Skylar Raye vs. Nikkita Lyons

Lyons is defending and insists that Giana Capri give her a special introduction. Capri doesn’t quite know how to do that and calls her a declawed feline and Nikkita Multivitamin. After the Big Match Intros, Lyons grabs an armbar, which has Raye flipping away and…well getting headlocked actually. Raye can’t trip her down but can kick Lyons away and grab a headlock of her own.

A run up the corner lets Raye get in a headlock takeover and Lyons is frustrated. Raye tries another corner run but gets suplexed this time. Back up and Raye sends her to the floor for a dive and we take a break. We come back with Raye being catapulted throat first into the bottom rope and Lyons gets to choke in the corner. Something like a dragon sleeper stays on Raye’s neck until she manages to roll her way out.

A crossbody hits Lyons but Raye can’t follow up, meaning it’s off to the slugout from their knees. Some running clotheslines have Lyons in trouble but she blocks a tornado DDT and gets two off a Batista Bomb. Lyons’ Vader Bomb misses and now the tornado DDT gives Raye two. Back up and a running headscissors drops Lyons but Starstruck misses. The spinning kick to the head (Divine Alignment) retains Lyons’ title at 11:33.

Rating: B. For someone still pretty new around here, Raye held her own in there against a more established name. While a title change felt like a long shot, it was nice to see a match so competitive, with Raye feeling like she has the tools to turn into something much better down the line. It’s not a classic, but for the experience level, this was better than expected.

Post match Wendy Choo runs in and gives Lyons the Dirt Nap to end the show. There’s your big moment/return.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a passable enough show, with the main event being the highlight and Vanta definitely standing out with her unique movements. It was nice to have a themed show like this and it kept my interest throughout. As usual, one of the reasons Evolve works so well is that it’s not a long show every week, making it hard to get that annoyed. In other words, get in, draw some interest, and get out before next week. It’s a nice change from the other shows and it worked again here.

Results
Sloane Jacobs b. PJ Vasa – Victory roll
Vanta The Unknown b. Veronica Haven – Pulling armbar
Nikkita Lyons b. Skylar Raye – Divine Alignment

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: 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:

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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:

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

Evolve
Date: July 29, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

As tends to be the case, there are multiple people wanting to get their hands on the Evolve Title. That is the case at the moment, as Aaron Rourke wants his rematch with Harlem Lewis, but Tristan Angels and Max Abrams are out there as well. Nikkita Lyons needs a new challenger as well and we might start finding that person this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Thea Hail, Skylar Raye and Wren Sinclair need a fourth partner since Laynie Luck isn’t here. Zena Sterling offers her services and she’s in.

Harley Riggins vs. Tate Wilder

Wilder grabs a headlock takeover to start before switching over to an armbar. Riggins sends him throat first into the rope but Riggins gets clotheslined out to the floor. Instead of diving, Wilder knocks him onto the apron for a splash and we take a break. We come back with Riggins running Wilder over and whipping him hard into the corner.

The chinlock goes on and it works so well that Riggins grabs the same thing again. Then it’s off to a reverse chinlock as Riggins gets to mix things up a bit. Back up and they collide for a double down, followed by Wilder grabbing a Sling Blade into an Orton backbreaker for two. The Wilde Ride gets two but Riggins blocks a second attempt with the raised knees. A lifted knee to the face finishes Wilde at 9:07.

Rating: B-. Good match here, with the ending being a bit of a surprise. I like that Riggins is getting a chance to show what he can do on his own and beating someone like Wilder, who has already moved up to the next level, should help him a bit. Riggins is a good choice for the big midcard monster and he’s doing well in that role thus far so let’s see what he can do around here.

Sloane Jacobs is proud of PJ Vasa for her recent acts of violence and offers her a spot on the Nikkita Lyons team. Vasa isn’t interested and wants the Women’s Title.

The Unknown talks about various issues going on around here lately, ala Elijah Holyfield vs. Brooks Jensen and Laynie Luck vs. Nikkita Lyons. She’s coming, and her name might be Vanta.

Sam Holloway isn’t sure what is going on with his friends as of late but it reminds him of his football days. Sometimes his teammates needed to step outside and settle it and that led to success. For now though, he wants CJ Valor.

Kale Dixon vs. It’s Gal

Dixon’s still unnamed female friend is with him. They fight over a lockup to start with Dixon backing him into the corner for some shelling. Gal slams him down and does some pushups on Dixon’s back and a running headscissors takes Dixon down again. The woman gets on the apron for a distraction so gal poses a lot, allowing Dixon to go after the leg. A reverse suplex lets Dixon hammer away but Gal is right back with the hard chops.

Dixon pulls him right back down for the chinlock but Gal reverses into a Codebreaker of all things. A rake to the eyes cuts Gal off again though and a superkick connects for Dixon. The spinning middle rope splash misses though and Gal scores with a discus clothesline. Gal’s fireman’s carry gutbuster finishes at 6:45.

Rating: B-. I was surprised by the result here as Gal has been on a downward trend in recent months while Dixon has felt like he was on the way up. At the same time, Gal needed a win to get him back on track, as those losses have piled up. The match went back and forth as well, making for a good effort from both.

Viktor Zanov and Shido Ash talk about their success in judo and how they are training the same here in Evolve to smash through everyone.

Brooks Jensen is asked about cheating both times to beat Elijah Holyfield. Jensen doesn’t see it that way because he’s 2-0. Cue Holyfield and Jensen runs for his life.

Timothy Thatcher makes a four way for the Evolve Title next week, with Harlem Lewis defending against Aaron Rourke, Tristan Angels and Max Abrams.

Zena Sterling/Skylar Raye/Thea Hail/Wren Sinclair vs. Nikkita Lyons/Sloane Jacobs/PJ Vasa/Giana Capri

Jacobs gives Lyons a rather enthusiastic entrance. It’s a big brawl to start with Jacobs and Sinclair starting things off. That’s quickly shifted off to Raye vs. Capri, with Raye knocking her down so Sterling can slam Raye onto her for two. Sterling is backed into the corner so Vasa can come in and hammer away. Hail gets the same treatment and it’s off to Lyons, who gets caught in a quick Kimura. Everything breaks down and Raye hits the big dive onto the pile at ringside.

We take a break and come back with Raye in trouble but she flips out of a belly to back suplex. Raye fights back but gets chopped down by Vasa, who hits a swinging Boss Man Slam for two. Capri takes Raye down for the same and it’s back to Jacobs for an armbar. Back up and Jacobs misses a boot in the corner and it’s back to Sterling to clean house. Everything breaks down and Capri gives Hail an X Factor but she’s able to grab a double DDT.

Vasa comes back in but gets taken down by a high crossbody. Hail headbutts Lyons down and Sinclair dropkicks Jacobs under the bottom rope. The two of them brawl to the back but Capri grabs the belt. Cue Anya Rune to offer a distraction, leaving Hail to Kimura Lyons for the tap at 10:51.

Rating: B-. This got going near the end though the heat segment on Raye went on for a long time. The good thing here was this felt like another unique main event style, as they did something other than the same old regular stuff. It had me wondering where this was going, though Hail getting the next title shot is only so interesting as she doesn’t have the best win/loss record in title situations. Either way, nice match here and a good change of pace.

A lot of yelling ends the show.

Overall Rating: B. I liked this one rather well and it felt more like the old style of this show. What matters the most is that they kept things moving and it was interesting throughout. This show had me a bit surprised more than once and I’ll take that rather than the same old stuff week after week. Good show here and it was a bit of a return to form around here.

Results
Harley Riggins b. Tate Wilder – Lifting knee to the face
It’s Gal b. Kale Dixon – Fireman’s carry gutbuster
Skylar Raye/Zena Sterling/Wren Sinclair/Thea Hail b. Nikkita Lyons/Giana Capri/PJ Vasa/Sloane Jacobs – Kimura to Lyons

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

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

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

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

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

Opening sequence.

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

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

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

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

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

Dorian Van Dux vs. Sam Holloway

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elijah Holyfield vs. Brooks Jensen

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

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

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

Women’s Title: Nikkita Lyons vs. Laynie Luck

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

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

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

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

Results
Shido Ash/Viktor Zanov b. Cappuccino Jones/Marcus Mathers – Toss German suplex to Mathers
Sam Holloway vs. Dorian Van Dux went to a double countout
Brooks Jensen b. Elijah Holyfield – Rollup while holding rope
Nikkita Lyons b. Laynie Luck – Spinning kick to the head

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

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Evolve
Date: June 10, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

We’re getting rather close to Succession III and that means Aaron Rourke is going to be defending his Evolve Title. At the same time, Wendy Choo’s Women’s Title will be on the line against Nikkita Lyons. There will also be some new names showing up at the event. That’s going to make for a rather busy night and the hype is officially on. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a quick recap of last week’s brawl between PJ Vasa and Karmen Petrovic.

Sam Holloway and Marcus Mathers are ready to face the Mog Squad in the main event. They hear a crash though and Cappuccino Jones (their partner tonight) has been attacked. The Mog Squad can be seen in the background.

Opening sequence.

PJ Vasa vs. Karmen Petrovic

Vasa powers her around to start and hits a big side slam. Petrovic gets whipped into the corner and dropped with a clothesline for two. Back up and Petrovic tries to strike away but opts to low bridge Vasa outside instead. The suicide dive connects, as does Eat Defeat back inside. The Petrifier connects but Vasa keeps getting up, only for Petrovic to hit it again the pin at 4:23.

Rating: C. Well ok. I was absolutely expecting Vasa to crush her in the end but Petrovic not only won clean but did so by kicking Vasa’s head off. That’s a huge win and even something of an upset. I’m still not sure I get the appeal of Vasa, but Petrovic could be something if she added a bit more to her offense. The kicking is good, but she needs a bit more.

Cappuccino Jones is officially out of the main event.

The Mog Squad brags about taking Jones out and run into Elijah Holyfield, who doesn’t seem impressed. They mock him as they leave so Holyfield comes in to tell them to say it to his face. The Squad leaves due to threats of broken jaws.

Here is Tristan Angels for a chat. He brags about how perfect he is and reminds us that he was officially named Mr. England. That makes him the most handsome man in England and therefor the world. He mocks Chazz Hall, who comes out for an interruption. Angels wants to know why Hall is wearing denim and the brawl is quickly on, with Angels being sent outside.

Sam Holloway and Marcus Mathers have a partner for the main event and apparently he’s ticked off.

It’s Gal vs. ???

This is an open challenge…and it’s Darkstate’s Cutler James accepting. James grabs a headlock to start but misses a charge into the corner. An armdrag and hurricanrana have James in trouble, with Gal clotheslining him outside. That just earns him a backbreaker on the floor and we take a break.

We come back with James hammering away and hitting a backbreaker, followed by a giant swing. The chinlock goes on for a bit, followed by a chinlock to mix it up a bit. Gal fights up and sends him outside for a posting. Back inside and Gal strikes away, including a missile dropkick for two. A gutbuster gets two more so Gal clotheslines him down. Gal’s high crossbody is broken up though and it’s a helicopter bomb to give James the pin at 7:47.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure what to make of Gal most of the time, as he’s a weird guy with a charisma that makes me want to see him, but he almost never wins anything of note. Maybe they’re doing something long term where he finally finds what he’s looking for but I’m not sure what that is. As usual, having an NXT name show up is a good idea, though I’d assume this is just a one off moment.

Post match James declares himself inevitable.

Braxton Cole brags about outsmarting Harlem Lewis and has even gotten him a janitorial job in Nebraska. Enjoy work blue collar boy.

Noam Dar checks on Romeo Moreno, who needs to ask him something. That would be helping him in a tag match against Kam Hendrix/Harley Riggins. Of course Dar is in.

Mog Squad vs. Marcus Mathers/Sam Holloway/???

CJ Valor is here with the Squad and the mystery partner is…Aaron Rourke. It’s a brawl before the bell with the Squad being sent outside. Rourke and Ball start things off with Rourke taking over and easily putting him down. It’s off to Rivera, who is quickly wrecked by Holloway. House is cleaned and the Squad is sent outside so the good guys can pose on the apron.

We take a break and come back with Mathers slamming Rivera butting caught on top. A kick to the head sends Mathers outside for a double stomping and it’s off to Abrams for a running legdrop. Rivera faceplants Mathers but misses a charge, allowing Holloway to come back in for the house cleaning. Abrams cuts Holloway off with a kick to the face and we hit the sleeper.

Holloway backdrops Abrams into Rivera though and it’s back to Rourke to clean house. Everything breaks down and a chokebomb gets two on Rivera and Rourke Backstabbers Ball. Abrams hits a Blockbuster on Rourke but gets kicked down by Holloway. We settle down to Rourke slugging it out with Abrams until Mathers helps Rourke with a spear. A distraction cuts Mathers off though and the Main Objective finishes Mathers at 15:45.

Rating: B. This was a good main event and it probably locks in Abrams as the #1 contender for the Evolve Title. That’s the direction they’ve pretty clearly been taking and it was nice to see some fresh names getting a spot here. Holloway continues to be a wrecking machine and I still think there’s something to Mathers if he could get a chance.

Post match the Squad steals the belt as Abrams vs. Rourke for the title is officially confirmed for Succession.

Overall Rating: B-. This show accomplished a few things, with the big one being setting up Succession’s main event. That’s the thing they needed to cover in time to let it build towards Succession and now the formality is out of the way. Other than that, they set up the tag match for next week and gave It’s Gal another setback. It’s a nice show, with the main event being a good wild tag match.

Results
Karmen Petrovic b. PJ Vasa – Petrifier
Cutler James b. It’s Gal – Helicopter bomb
Mog Squad b. Sam Holloway/Marcus Mathers/Aaron Rourke – Main Objective to Mathers

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

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Evolve
Date: June 3, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

The road to Succession III is on and we’re going to need some challengers for the titles. That is probably what we’ll start finding out this week, as Evolve tends to run a pretty tight ship. What matters the most is that there is now a target in sight as it helps things get more focused. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a clip from after last week’s show, with the Mog Squad surrounding Aaron Rourke, only for Sam Holloway, Marcus Mathers and Cappuccino Jones running in for the save. Max Abrams managed to lay Rourke out before the villains left though.

Nikkita Lyons and Sloane Jacobs handle this week’s recap. I do like that this isn’t treated as a conversation, but rather just them recapping the show and talking as they would. It feels so much more natural.

Masyn Holiday vs. Gianna Capri

Layla Diggs is here with Holiday, who spins out of a wristlock and armdrags her down. A dropkick gives Holiday two and we hit the armbar. Back up and Capri is sent into the corner, where she gets annoyed at the dancing and knocks Holiday down. Holiday gets up and they trade the big strikes, with Capri being knocked back against the ropes. A running seated senton hits Capri again but she’s back with a chop block. Capri grabs a rollup and holds the rope for the pin at 3:28.

Rating: C-. That was a weird ending as it felt like they were starting to get going and then ran home as fast as they could. The chop block looked to be setting up whatever they were doing to do next and then it just wrapped up. The match was only so good in the first place and then it never got the chance to improve. Odd choice here.

Wendy Choo is better for Sloane Jacobs, even if Nikkita Lyons is there too.

It’s Gal is standing by some water and talks about how he’s been pulled into too many different directions in Evolve. That isn’t happening anymore because from now on, the only rock and hard place he’ll be between are his big arms. He’s on his own now and that means an open challenge next week. While I can’t stand open challenges, Gal saying his full name and posing every time made up for it.

Harley Riggins vs. Romeo Moreno

Kam Hendrix is here with Riggins and Moreno is ready to show that he can do his best when things are at their worst. Riggins starts fast by knocking him down and grabbing the chinlock. Moreno tries to get up and gets pulled right back down, with the fans staying being Moreno in a good sign.

Back up and Moreno hits an enziguri, leaving both of them down. Some more kicks in the corner have Riggins in trouble but he fights back on top. Moreno’s super Spanish Fly is blocked as Hendrix grabs the leg though, allowing Riggins to hit a knee to the face for the pin at 3:36.

Rating: C. The match was another strange one, with a good chunk of it being spent in a chinlock and Moreno losing again. Moreno is starting to feel like someone who is just a warm body around both Evolve and NXT and that’s only kind of surprising. There isn’t much about him that stands out and until that changes, I don’t quite seeing him having the most success.

Post match Hendrix grabs a chair and Riggins Pillmanizes Moreno’s ankle.

Timothy Thatcher yells at his security guards, who are finally named as Viktor Zanov and Shido Ash, for being too rough last week and injuring Harlem Lewis (I believe, as the audio wasn’t the clearest). With that out of the way, he wants them ready to secure things tonight as he has a big match. That leaves Thatcher with Succession III, which will feature new arrivals and the winner of tonight’s Women’s Title match against Nikkita Lyons. Let’s get to work.

Max Abrams vs. Cappuccino Jones

Abrams manages to pull off his entrance pants while jumping off the top. They start fast with Abrams catching him in a chase and stomping away. Jones is back up with a running elbow in the corner but Abrams sends him to the apron for a springboard kick to the head. Abrams hammers away in the corner, with Jones snapping off a hurricanrana to escape

That lets Jones go up but he dives into a dropkick. A running Blockbuster gives Abrams two but the top rope elbow misses. Jones hits a top rope ax handle for two and a sitout powerbomb gets the same. Back up and some running kicks to the head rock Abrams and they hit stereo crossbodies for another double down.

Cue some of the Mog Squad but security is waiting on them, only for Marcus Mathers and Sam Holloway to jump the Squad from behind. Security gets rid of Mathers and Holloway, leaving Abrams to go outside so Jones can take him out with a big dive. Cue CJ Valor to crotch Jones on top and the Main Objective finishes Jones at 6:27.

Rating: B-. They’re clearly setting Abrams up as the title challenger for Succession and that’s not a bad idea. He’s been positioned as the star member of the Squad and I could go for seeing what else he could do. At the same time, Jones and company are feeling less and less important every week and that’s a really bad sign going forward.

PJ Vasa is here to watch the Women’s Title match.

Elijah Holyfield vs. Kai Kavari

Holyfield powers him into the corner and hits a running shoulder, followed by some running splashes in the corner. A big spinebuster drops Kavari again and an uppercut gives Holyfield the pin at 1:15. This was designed to put Holyfield in the ring and show the very basic stuff he can do. That’s perfectly fine and did well, albeit in a tiny sample size.

Tristan Angels is mad about last week’s loss to Aaron Rourke and doesn’t like a bunch of the people around here. He’s not done coming after the title and isn’t stopping until he has it.

Women’s Title: Sloane Jacobs vs. Wendy Choo

Choo is defending and the winner defends against Nikkita Lyons (in Jacobs’ corner) at Succession in three weeks. Jacobs charges at her to start and gets caught in a running headscissors. A dropkick gives Choo an early near fall and she knocks Jacobs outside as we take a break.

We come back with Jacobs staying on her in the corner and hitting a suplex into a legdrop for two. Back up and Jacobs hits a running boot in the corner, followed by a hanging swinging suplex for two more. The figure four necklock is broken up and Choo gets to fire back for a change. Some clotheslines put Jacobs down and a Molly Go Round (close enough) gets two.

Jacobs is back with a facebuster for two of her own and sends Choo into the corner a few times. Back up and Choo snaps off a brainbuster for two more but the Dirt Nap is broken up. A top rope elbow gets two on Choo and the Muta Lock makes it even worse. With that broken up, Choo is sent into the corner but comes right back with the Dirt Nap to retain at 9:01.

Rating: C+. Jacobs was a completely acceptable challenger for the title, even if there was no reason to think she was going to face Lyons at Succession. At the same time, it is great to see Choo getting to showcase herself in such a better way after the whole sleep deal. It was sad to have Choo wasting away with that nonsense, as this version is quite a good bit better.

Choo and Lyons have a staredown…and PJ Vasa beats up Karmen Petrovic in the VIP section to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Now this show was more like the Evolve style, as it was all about setting things up for Succession. That included making some matches and getting a few stories out of the way. That is the kind of show you need to have and I had a nice time watching them get ready. Good stuff here, and the likely Abrams vs. Rourke title match should be good.

Results
Gianna Capri b. Masyn Holiday – Rollup while holding the rope
Harley Riggins b. Romeo Moreno – Knee to the face
Max Abrams b. Cappuccino Jones – Main Objective
Elijah Holyfield b. Kai Kavari – Uppercut
Wendy Choo b. Sloane Jacobs – Dirt Nap

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

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

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

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

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

Opening sequence.

Harlem Lewis vs. Braxton Cole

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Video on PJ Vasa.

It’s Gal is in the VIP area.

Evolve Title: Aaron Rourke vs. Tristan Angels

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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