Evolve
Date: May 28, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

It’s a big show this week, with the first Women’s Champion being crowned. That means a four way elimination match for the inaugural title and that means we should be in for a big time main event. Other than that, the Men’s Title is being crowned next week so it’s time for a big push. Let’s get to it.

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

The four women in the title match (Kendal Grey, Kali Armstrong, Wendy Choo and Kylie Rae) are ready to win. Well Choo doesn’t talk because of course she doesn’t.

Opening sequence.

Jackson Drake vs. Lince Dorado vs. Jordan Oasis

The Vanity Project is here with Drake and the winner is in the Evolve Title match next week. Drake elbows both of them down to start and Oasis is sent outside. A top rope ax handle gets two on Dorado with Oasis coming back in for the save. Oasis hits a gutbuster for two on Drake and it’s time for a three way strike off.

Dorado gets the better of things but gets sent outside, leaving Drake to hammer on Oasis in the corner. Oasis plants him down for two but Brad Baylor makes the save. Dorado hits a big dive to the floor and goes to the back with the Vanity Project. Back up and Drake avoids a charge in the corner, setting up a running knee to pin Oasis at 5:52.

Rating: C+. This was a fine enough way to get the Vanity Project into the title match, as it would have been strange to not have them around in one way or another. I like the idea of bringing in a veteran like Dorado as well, as the fans are going to respond to someone they know. He’s still more than good enough in the ring to hold his own out here too, even if he isn’t likely going to win much.

Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont are ready to take out Cappuccino Jones and Jack Cartwheel.

It’s Gal is by the pool but he can’t have as much fun as he wants because people are saying Troy Yearwood has a better physique. That doesn’t work for Gal, so Yearwood needs to stay out of his way.

Jackson Drake is back in the ring and brags about his success, promising to win the title next week. Cue Edris Enofe to interrupt, saying Drake shouldn’t brag while he’s around. Cue Sean Legacy to interrupt, saying he’s going to win. Drake isn’t impressed but cue Keanu Carver to interrupt, with Drake getting beaten down.

Cappuccino Jones and Jack Cartwheel say it’s their speed against Tyson DuPont and Tyriek Igwe’s power.

Cappuccino Jones/Jack Cartwheel vs. Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont

Igwe powers Cartwheel down to start but Cartwheel is back up to work on the arm. DuPont comes in for a side slam but misses a charge into the corner. It’s off to Jones for a basement dropkick and a double clothesline puts DuPont on the floor. Cue Wes Lee to check on DuPont and Igwe, with the distraction letting DuPont get in a cheap shot to take over.

The double teaming is on but Jones gets over for the tag to Cartwheel. As we get a graphic saying Cartwheel is friends with Frank Frontroll and John Backflip, Cartwheel hits a big flip dive to take DuPont down, followed by a spinning moonsault for two on Igwe. DuPont runs Jones over on the floor though and it’s a Heartstopper for the pin on Cartwheel at 5:08.

Rating: B-. Power vs. speed very well may be the most basic story in wrestling and it went rather well here. They made the story clear and didn’t veer to one side or another with it, which is exactly how this needed to go. I liked this more than I was expecting, and Jones/Cartwheel as a regular team could be worth a try.

Stevie Turner signs Jin Tala to the roster. Carlee Bright comes in and is told she can’t be at ringside. Next week: Tala vs. Bright, and they’re both fine with it.

Natalya is here to watch the title match.

High Ryze (Wes Lee/Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont) are happy with their win and acknowledge that Jack Cartwheel and Cappuccino Jones have potential.

Women’s Title: Kylie Rae vs. Kali Armstrong vs. Kendal Grey vs. Wendy Choo

Elimination rules for the inaugural title. They start fast and everyone but Grey goes to the floor, meaning it’s time for the big dive to take them out. Back in and Armstrong is rammed into Rae for two each, followed by Grey crossbodying Choo for the same. Choo pops up and gets all creepy, including a running shot to all three in various corners. A high crossbody hits Rae but Grey runs Choo over. The Kali Connection hits Choo and Rae adds a superkick to get rid of Choo at 2:54.

We take a break and come back with Rae hitting a pair of Cannonballs for two. Armstrong suplexes them both at the same time but Grey fights up and cleans house. Grey goes for a cross armbreaker on Armstrong but Rae grabs a rollup to pin Grey at 6:05 total. We’re down to Armstrong vs. Rae, with Armstrong making a quick comeback.

The Kali Connection is countered into a crossface in the middle of the ring but Armstrong powers up anyway. A powerslam doesn’t work for Armstrong and Rae gets two off a small package. Back up and Armstrong hits the powerslam followed by the Kali Connection for the pin and the title at 8:45.

Rating: C+. Uh, where’s the rest of this? They hyped up the match as being this huge deal and then it’s over in less than nine minutes? I was expecting this to go a lot longer than this and it was actually disappointing. That being said, Armstrong is the right choice for the win, as she has had the hot hand in recent weeks. Someone is going to have to overcome the power and athleticism and that is going to make them a big deal.

Post match Rae is distraught and Wendy Choo looks on, because that still needs to be a thing.

Natalya comes in to present the title, which Armstrong snatches away from her.

Overall Rating: C+. This show was focused on the titles for the most part, with the tag match in the middle adding a bit of variety. The men’s title match is feeling huge, though the women’s version didn’t quite live up to expectations. I’ll take the step forward though, as this is starting to feel like a more traditional wrestling show week by week.

Results
Jackson Drake b. Jordan Oasis and Lince Dorado – Running knee to Oasis
Tyson DuPont/Tyriek Igwe b. Cappuccino Jones/Jack Cartwheel – Heartstopper to Cartwheel
Kali Armstrong b. Kendal Grey, Kylie Rae and Wendy Choo last eliminating Rae

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

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Evolve
Date: May 21, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

The title matches are drawing closer and that makes things all the more interesting around here. What matters the most right now is getting some people into those matches, with one spot in the men’s match being determined tonight. I’m curious to see how that goes and who gets in so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a video on Harlem Lewis vs. Keanu Carver, who face off tonight in a title match qualifier. Also tonight: a four way for the final spot in the Women’s Title four way.

Opening sequence.

Chantel Monroe vs. Aria Bennett vs. Kylie Rae vs. Zayda Steel

For the final spot in the Women’s Title match next week and the Vanity Project is here with Steel. They pair off to start and Monroe is sent to the apron, where Rae forearms her to the floor. Bennett flips over Rae and armdrags her into a quickly broken armbar. Steel is back in to take Rae into the corner, with Bennett snapmaring both of them out. A double basement dropkick to both of their backs connects but Monroe is back up to take Bennett down.

Steel’s springboard tornado DDT plants Bennett and a Codebreaker gets two on Rae. Back up and Rae takes over on Steel, with the Project helping with the save. That’s enough for a mass ejection and Monroe is back in to clean a bit of house. Bennett fights up and wrecks everyone, including a dive tot he floor onto Steel and Monroe. Rae’s crossface goes on but Bennett rolls out, only for Rae to hit a superkick for the surprise win at 6:33.

Rating: C+. The match was a bit messy but Rae winning is the feel good story that makes sense. Rae has felt like a star since the show started but she hasn’t had a win coming into this match. This gives her the chance to become champion, though it would be a stretch to see her win the title. At least she took a big step though, even if I was expecting Steel to be involved somehow.

A more serious looking Rae promises to win the title next week.

Keanu Carver is ready to beat up Harlem Lewis and move on to become the Evolve Champion.

Oro Mensah wants in the title match too.

Oro Mensah vs. Edris Enofe

Mensah chops away to start but Enofe is right back with some shots of his own. A dropkick into some elbows and a standing moonsault give Enofe two but Mensah is back up to plant him on the floor. Back up and Mensah hits a tornado DDT to send Enofe throat first across the top rope. A springboard kick to the chest gets two on Enofe and we hit the chinlock with a bodyscissors. That’s broken up and Enofe fires off some clotheslines, setting up a spinebuster for two. A dragon suplex gives Mensah two more and they both go up, with Enofe knocking him off the top. The Epitome Of Excellence finishes Mensah at 6:03.

Rating: B-. This is one thing that is good about Evolve, as you have two people with nothing else going on and now they are getting the chance to show what they can do. Enofe isn’t a big star but he is someone who could get somewhere if given the chance. This is a win that could set such a thing up and now we get to see where he can go with his next step. It came after a hard fought match too and that’s good to see.

Post match Enofe puts Mensah over as a tough competitor but he’s glad he’s back. Stevie Turner comes out and puts Enofe in the Men’s Evolve Title match. Hold on though as Dani Palmer has been attacked.

Harlem Lewis is ready to take out Keanu Carver and go on to the title match.

We look at Brinley Reece having been attacked last week.

Here is the Vanity Project to say no one cares about the women being attacked.

Swipe Right vs. Timothy Thatcher/Sean Legacy

Thatcher goes after Baylor’s arm to start with a variety of cranking before handing it off to Legacy for some more of the same. Thatcher and Legacy take turns working on the arm even more as they’re certainly focused thus far. Baylor manages to get away so it’s off to Smokes, who gets beaten up as well Swipe Right realizes this isn’t working and bails to the floor as we take a break.

Back with Legacy fighting back on Baylor and kicking him in the back as commentary makes bets on the Vanity Project interfering. Baylor cuts Legacy off though and it’s back to Smokes for some knees to the ribs. An assisted kick to the back sets up Baylor’s jumping elbow but Legacy dives away for the tag to Thatcher. Everything breaks down and a jumping knee to Thatcher sets up the Super Swipe for the pin at 10:51.

Rating: C+. Swipe Right are in the weird position where they are a good heel act but they are only so good when the bell rings. That was the case here as there just wasn’t much to be seen with the match itself. That made this feel rather long and that’s not the kind of feeling you want to have. At the same time, Thatcher is only going to mean so much if he puts everyone over, and that was the case again here.

Kali Armstrong isn’t happy with Kendal Grey for attacking her last week. She doesn’t want Wendy Choo or Kylie Rae trying to stop her either, as she’s going to be the first Women’s Champion.

Kendal Grey isn’t impressed and brags about her wrestling skill to the women’s locker room. Chantel Monroe isn’t impressed and leaves. Masyn Holiday isn’t impressed with Monroe either.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Harlem Lewis vs. Keanu Carver

For a spot in the Men’s Evolve Title match. They talk trash during the Big Match Intros and then start slugging it out at the bell. Lewis knocks him into the corner but gets dropped with a running clothesline. Carver’s threat of a Pounce sends Lewis bailing to the floor and they brawl outside again. Carver is sent hard into the steps and Lewis hammers away back inside.

Back up and Carver knocks him to the apron, where Lewis is hung over the top rope for a heck of a right hand. A Pounce sends Lewis, who is favoring his knee, crashing out to the floor but he’s back with a heck of a clothesline. Back in and Lewis hits the Boom Slam but the knee gives out. They go back outside where Lewis grabs a belly to back suplex, followed by a powerbomb back inside. The bad knee means it’s only a two count though and they slug it out again. Carver blocks a suplex and another Pounce connects. Carver’s spinning powerslam is enough for the pin at 5:54.

Rating: B. This was a good example of a match where it wasn’t about a technical masterpiece or even wrestling for the most part. Instead, this was two guys beating the fire out of each other until one of them couldn’t get up. That doesn’t make for the highest quality match, but dang does it make for something fun, which is pretty much exactly as advertised.

Carver looks at the title to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. There is something about having titles coming up soon that makes a show that much better and that is what we’re seeing here. The titles being on the line soon makes the matches feel that much more important as wrestlers have a goal in mind. Most of these matches had something to do with the title picture (with even the tag match including someone in the Men’s Title match). This is good booking coming together in a logical way and that is great to see.

Results
Kylie Rae b. Aria Bennett, Chantel Monroe and Zayda Steel – Superkick to Bennett
Edris Enofe b. Oro Mensah – Epitome Of Excellence
Swipe Right b. Timothy Thatcher/Sean Legacy – Super Swipe to Thatcher
Keanu Carver b. Harlem Lewis – Spinning powerslam

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

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Evolve
Date: May 14, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

Things are starting to pick up a lot around here after last week’s introductions of the Men’s and Women’s Titles. Those will be awarded in the coming weeks but there are still spots available in the upcoming title matches. People are going to be interested in earning those shots, but there is other stuff taking place as well. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap, focusing on the titles being introduced.

Opening sequence.

Keanu Carver/Harlem Lewis vs. Gallus

Wolfgang is here with the Coffey Brothers and all three of them jump Carver and Lewis on the floor before the bell. Cue Stevie Turner to get rid of Wolfgang and we’re ready to go. Carver slams Joe down to start as Lewis suplexes Mark on the floor. Joe and Carver hit stereo crossbodies for a double knockdown, followed by the big exchange of forearms. Carver isn’t having that and hits a heck of a Pounce to take over before hammering away in the corner.

Lewis comes in for a slam but Carver tags himself in, meaning it’s time for the non Coffeys to argue. The distraction lets Joe come back in with a springboard spinning high crossbody. Mark is back in with a belly to back suplex as everything breaks down. Joe bails to the floor…and Lewis decks Carver. Lewis yells at him and walks out, leaving Carver to get caught with an assisted German suplex. All The Best For The Bells finishes Carver at 6:48.

Rating: C+. Gallus was more or less just here for the sake of setting things up between Lewis and Carver. The two of them are having issues and that’s likely going to be set up for the future, possibly even as part of the title match. I can always go for two big bruisers fighting and that’s what we’re likely going to be seeing from these two.

Sean Legacy comes up to Timothy Thatcher and asks for Thatcher to be in his corner against Lexis King tonight. Legacy respects him, with Thatcher glaring a massive hole right through him. Thatcher is in though.

We get a sitdown interview with the returning Edris Enofe, who is glad to be back after a seven month injury absence. He has built himself up during his time away and now he’s ready to do it on his own. Of course he has his eyes set on the Evolve Title. I could go for having Enofe back.

Masyn Holiday is glad to have Enofe back while Chantrel Monroe is too busy to be in her corner tonight. Holiday tells Monroe to let her know when Monroe is ready to show her true self to the world. Monroe is slightly more interesting between the two of them but they’re nothing great.

Kali Armstrong vs. Masyn Holiday

Armstrong backs her up against the ropes to start and then grinds away on a wristlock. Holiday uses the ropes to spin into a wristlock of her own but Armstrong blasts her with a pop up forearm. Armstrong slams her into something like a seated abdominal stretch, which doesn’t last long. Holiday fights up and hits a dropkick, only to get caught with a quick powerslam. The Kali Connection finishes for Armstrong at 3:18.

Rating: C. Armstrong’s mega push continues and she is going to be a threat to win the Women’s Title. If nothing else, there is always room for a powerhouse like her, with the Connection being a solid finisher. There is something about seeing someone flying through the air to take her opponent out and Armstrong is doing well with a simple concept.

Post match Armstrong says she doesn’t care who else is in the title match, which brings out Zayda Steel. She knows Armstrong is a physical beast but Steel has the brain to know that she’s the only one winning the inaugural title. Cue Chantel Monroe to praise the two of them and saying she’s winning the title.

Kylie Rae interrupts, saying she can be in the final spot, which earns her a SHUT UP from Steel. Rae drops her with a right and the brawl is on, with Armstrong pressing Monroe onto the other two. Cue Kendal Grey to suplex Armstrong to the floor and stand tall, with her knee looking just fine. Grey looked like a star here, along with Armstrong. The others…well they were there too.

Keanu carver is annoyed at Harley Lewis so Stevie Turner makes a match between them for next week.

It’s Gal vs. Javier Bernal

They fight over wrist control to start until Bernal grabs a running headscissors. A dropkick sends Gal into the ropes for a basement superkick. A high crossbody gets two on Gal but he’s right back with a heck of a clothesline. The chinlock goes on for a bit, followed by a dropkick for two on Bernal. Back up and Bernal hits a superkick into a spinning Downward Spiral for two of his own. Gal Gory Bombs him onto the buckle though and hits a running big boot. Bernal is right back with a rollup for the pin at 4:00.

Rating: C. I’ve seen a bit of Gal recently but nothing he’s done has been overly impressive. He’s far from being a failure or even bad, but it feels like something that has been done before. At the same time, it’s not a good sign when you lose to someone who was unemployed shortly thereafter and you would think WWE would have known that coming in.

Post match Gal jumps Bernal from behind and hits some pretty terrible right hands. A Blue Thunder Bomb puts Bernal down, with commentary asking where this was during the match.

Stevie Turner suggests adding Nikkita Lyons to the four way title match, but Lyons wants to face the champion one on one. If that means waiting longer before she’s back, I’m all for it.

Kylie Rae is ready for a four way match next week for the final spot in the four way title match. She doesn’t have time to worry about Wendy Choo.

Troy Yearwood is glad to sign his Evolve deal. It’s Gal comes in to brag about what he just did and argues with Yearwood about his physique.

Sean Legacy vs. Lexis King

Legacy has Timothy Thatcher in his corner to take care of the Vanity Project…who aren’t here. Well that’s not a good look. Legacy works on an armbar to start but King is right out. That earns him a shoulder down and Legacy goes back to the arm. A jumping double stomp to the back hits King, who backs into the corner for a big chop. Back up and King elbows him out to the floor to take over for the first time.

We take a break and come back with King working on the back, including a surfboard hold. Legacy fights out and sends him to the floor for a dive, only to springboard into a superkick back inside (with Legacy landing a few feet in front of King, which telegraphed the heck out of the counter). King stays on the back but Legacy is out with a DDT for a needed breather. Legacy kicks away and puts him down for two.

A kick to the face in the corner rocks King and a springboard 450 connects for a delayed two. Legacy tries Shambles but his back gives out. A Backstabber gives King two but the Coronation is countered into a failed backslide attempt. Legacy grabs a Spanish Fly but here is the Vanity Project to go after Thatcher. A big flip dive takes them down, with Thatcher sending Legacy back inside. The distraction lets King grab the Coronation for the pin at 11:35.

Rating: C+. I know King has the star power and name recognition compared to everyone around here, but he’s not exactly the one you bring in to make someone else look good. Legacy hung in there with him and is likely going to be the big star around here. That’s the point of putting him in a spot like this, with a match against the Vanity Project likely coming sooner or later.

Brinley Reece has been attacked and can’t feel her arm.

Overall Rating: C+. The problem right now is that everything is building towards the title matches, which means we have a little while to wait before we get to the big stuff. There are spots being filled in but at the same time, it leaves the rest of the show feeling a bit less interesting. That left a not so interesting show, but they’re keeping it moving and things are still fun enough. Just get to the big stuff in a few weeks and we’ll see where things go from there.

Results
Gallus b. Keanu Carver/Harlem Lewis – All The Best For The Bells to Carver
Kali Armstrong b. Masyn Holiday – Kali Connection
Javier Bernal b. It’s Gal – Rollup
Lexis King b. Sean Legacy – Coronation

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

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Evolve
Date: May 7, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

Things very well may be picking up around here as we have a special announcement from Stevie Turner. That could go in a variety of directions as this show is still young enough that it has a lot of options. If nothing else, we might be seeing some new faces in the coming weeks after the recent string of releases/departures. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Here is Stevie Turner for her big announcement: the Evolve Men’s and Women’s Titles. The Women’s Title will be crowned in a four way match in three weeks, with Kali Armstrong, Kendal Grey, Wendy Choo and…someone else who will be determined. The Men’s Title will be crowned in four weeks with Sean Legacy facing three others.

Keanu Carver isn’t happy about not being included and gets in the ring for a showdown with Harlem Lewis. The Vanity Project runs in and are quickly cleared out. Cue Gallus to brawl with them out to the floor. Armstrong and Grey get in a fight of their own, with Armstrong taking out her knee. So we’re going to have Evolve Titles AND ID Titles? That sounds excessive.

We run down the card.

Video on Wendy Choo tormenting Kylie Rae.

Summer Sorrell is scared of facing Wendy Choo but she’s motivated to succeed. Maybe she needs a buddy.

Video on the ID Program, and some names who will be coming to Evolve, including It’s Gal, Marcus Mathers and Jordan Oasis. That has to happen sooner or later.

Nikkita Lyons wants a big match tonight and Stevie Turner announces that she’ll be facing Kendal Grey in the main event. Zayda Steel comes in and wants to be in the Women’s Title match. Turner isn’t convinced but Lyons thinks she could collaborate with the Vanity Project.

Summer Sorrell vs. Wendy Choo

Sorrell, who is rather athletic (believe it or not), cartwheels away from the smiling Choo to start. They run the ropes a few times and Sorrell hits a crossbody for two. Choo runs her over and hits a running shot to the throat. Sorrell gets planted again and the Dirt Nap finishes her off at 2:33.

Post match Choo goes after Sorrell again but Kylie Rae runs out for the brawl. The Dirt Nap is broken up with a snapmare and Choo bails.

Lexis King arrives.

After a break, here is King for a chat. King talks about wanting to come to Evolve back in the day because it was a way to get to the big time. Now it is a portal to NXT and no one knows more about the spotlight than him. He wants the spotlight around here but here is Sean Legacy to cut him off.

Legacy welcomes him to the show but King mocks Legacy for being a pretend locker room leader. That doesn’t work for Legacy, who has paid his dues and been through the sleepless nights for a $20 payoff and a handshake. Legacy isn’t going to let King run over Evolve and the match is made for next week. We get the aggressive handshake and the staredown. Legacy is all but guaranteed to go to NXT sooner or later so this is a preview of things to come

Kendal Grey insists that her knee is fine. Carlee Bright comes in to ask if Grey can fight tonight, which she insists she can.

Keanu Carver is looking for Gallus and Harlem Lewis joins him to do the same. Stevie Turner makes the match for next week.

Drako Knox vs. Jackson Drake

The Vanity Project is here with Drake. Knox gets powered into the corner to start but comes back with a running shoulder. A t-bone suplex sends Drake flying again but he knocks Knox’s hat off to take over. The chinlock goes on but Knox backdrops his way out of trouble. Drake takes him down again but gets crucifixed for two. Drake’s Lethal Injection is countered into something like a Blue Thunder Bomb for another knockdown. A kick to the leg cuts Knox off though and now a Lethal Injection cuts him down. The running knee gives Drake the pin at 5:08.

Rating: C. The Vanity Project getting a win is fine and Knox continues to be someone who can lose without being too damaged. Granted it helps when you don’t have much in the way of status to start. Drake isn’t exactly a star, but the Vanity Project needs a singles star to push rather than just the Swipe Right team over and over.

We get a sitdown interview with Javier Bernal, who had to deal with an eight month injury layoff. Now he’s back to hit the ground running in Evolve but he isn’t Big Body Javi anymore. He never really was Big Body Javi, but now he loves metalcore music. That’s the kind of unity he wants to bring here but It’s Gal comes in to mock him. This would mean a bit more if Bernal wasn’t already gone.

Lexis King runs into the Vanity Project as he leaves and he’ll see them next week.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Nikkita Lyons vs. Kendal Grey

Grey’s leg is very banged up. The leg gives out early to start and Lyons is right on her, with some mocking thrown in for a bonus. A legdrop on the apron crushes Grey and Lyons wraps the bad leg around the rope. Something like a half crab goes on but Grey kicks her way to freedom. A spinning kick to the face gives Lyons two and she sits down on the leg a few times.

The half crab goes on again but this time Grey makes the rope to escape. Lyons misses a running splash and Grey goes for a cross armbreaker, with Lyons powering her up for the escape. A choke on the back works a bit better for Grey and a middle rope shoulder puts Lyons down for two. Grey tries something off the ropes but the leg gives out again. A Vader Bomb finishes for Lyons at 6:13.

Rating: C+. Perfectly fine story to the match here with Grey trying to fight through the injury and showing heart but coming up short against the more experienced star. At the same time, this continued to enforce Lyons’ status of “not exactly great”, as she didn’t show anything here that makes me think otherwise. I get that she has something in the way of star power, but it isn’t clicking for me so far.

Post match Kali Armstrong runs in to go after Grey’s knee again. Grey is in trouble to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show wasn’t exactly great, but it did a nice job of setting up the title matches. That’s the big story the show has been needing and I’m curious to see where it goes. Hopefully the titles wind up on people who can make the show more interesting, but what matters is there is a structure around here. Now just make the things that have been set up work out, which is the tricky part.

Results
Wendy Choo b. Summer Sorrell – Dirt Nap
Jackson Drake b. Drako Knox – Running knee
Nikkita Lyons b. Kendal Grey – Vader Bomb

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

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Evolve
Date: April 30, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

We’re back to developmental’s developmental, which happens to be a fairly consistent show. Hopefully that continues this week, as the show has done well enough with keeping things fresh. The wrestlers around here have started to become established and if that continues, we could get some interesting stuff going forward. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Kylie Rae says the teddy bear that Wendy Choo gave to Zara Zakher last week belongs to her son. Rae’s son has been up crying because it has been missing and this ends tonight. Well that took a turn.

Zayda Steel vs. Layla Diggs

Bryce Donovan and Aria Bennett are here too. Steel takes her down and grabs an armbar to start. That’s reversed into a variety of flips into some arm cranking from Diggs, who fires off a handspring shoulder in the corner. A powerslam gives Diggs two but Steel sends her to the apron for a Codebreaker. Steel slaps her in the corner and gets taken down for some not great looking forearms. A stomp out of the corner gives Steel two and we hit the seated abdominal stretch. Diggs comes back with some kicks to the face for two but misses a handspring…something in the corner. Back up and the ZDT finishes Diggs at 4:52.

Rating: C. Steel is a case where it’s absolutely obvious why WWE wants to push her, but she is still at that point where nothing is coming naturally to her. It’s like you can see her working out every single thing she’s supposed to do in the ring. I get why she’s on this stage, but it’s not making for the most impressive showings. Diggs is another name on the long list of really athletic stars who have very little that makes them stand out. That’s going to need to change or she isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont vs. Aaron Rourke/Freedom Ramsey

Igwe and Rourke start things off, with the glittery Rourke being shoved down. Rourke slips out of a slam and seems to embarrass Igwe so it’s off to DuPont vs. Ramsey. DuPont actually gets taken down into the corner and it’s back to Rourke for a handspring double slap to the chest.

That just annoys DuPont, who hammers on Rourke and grabs a shoulder breaker. A running corner clothesline rocks Rourke again but a missed…something lets Rourke grab a rollup. Rourke enziguris his way to freedom and tags, uh, Freedom, to clean house. A middle rope ax handle is punched out of the air though and Rourke is knocked outside. The Heartstopper finishes Ramsey at 4:29.

Rating: C. Not much to see here, with Igwe and DuPont getting to establish themselves on their new show. They’re a team who could go somewhere if they’re given a chance and they’re not quite good enough to be regulars in NXT. Instead let us see what they can do here and it might be an improvement. If nothing else it gets them reps and that could be useful.

Wendy Choo vs. Kylie Rae

Choo wrestles a charging Rae down to start and grabs a headlock. Rae fights up and gets a smile from Choo, setting up a backslide for two. Choo takes her down again and spins her neck around, only to get taken down again. A basement superkick puts Choo down and it’s time to go after the teddy bear. Choo sends her hard into the post though and we take a break.

Back with Rae grabbing a Russian legsweep and hitting some clotheslines, setting up the crossface. That’s broken up so Rae drops her again and goes up, where Choo gets in a slam off the top. A brainbuster gives Choo two and she grabs the bear. Choo rips the bear’s head off and Rae goes into rage mode. A bunch of forearms have Choo rocked but Rae goes for the beat, meaning Choo can grab the Dirt Nap for the win at 7:25.

Rating: C. The stuff with the teddy bear is fine as it goes into a different world of psychological warfare, but the way Choo is being presented brings it so far down. Choo has shown she can make other things work, but this whole evil sleep demon or whatever she is supposed to be isn’t working. At the same time, it feels like they are setting Rae up for something bigger, as they keep pointing out that she hasn’t won anything yet.

Post match Choo draws black lines on Rae’s face, making it look like she’s frowning.

Kali Armstrong is happy with her win and wants to become the first Women’s Champion. She knows she’s getting better and she wants to be the first so she can be the best.

Haze Jameson is in the VIP section.

Keanu Carver/Harlem Lewis vs. Swipe Right

The rest of the Vanity Project is here with Swipe Right. Lewis shoves Baylor down without much trouble to start and it’s off to Carver vs. Smokes. Carver takes him down as well and forcefully hands it back to Lewis. Baylor gets beaten down rather quickly and the makeshift team takes turns slamming him. Everything breaks down and Carver throws Smokes outside.

Back in and Lewis gets caught in the corner for a running shot to the face in the corner. Baylor hammers away and hands it off to Smokes for more of the same. Lewis suplexes both of them at once and brings Carver back in to wreck Baylor. A double Pounce takes out Swipe Right so it’s back to Lewis, with a Boom Slang and a powerslam getting the double pin at 5:50.

Rating: C+. This was exactly what it should have been as Carver and Lewis came off looking like a pair of bulldozers. They smashed through Swipe Right, who couldn’t do anything to hold them back. It was just a few steps above a squash, which is surprising as Swipe Right has been a big deal, but there seem to be some plans for Carver and Lewis.

Stevie Turner is impressed with the main event but Gallus comes in. They want to fight Lewis and Carver.

Overall Rating: C+. This might not have been a great show full of awesome matches, but what we got was good enough and added in some new names with Igwe and DuPont. At the same time, it gave us some stuff to look forward to as some stories are growing. I want to see where that goes and I’ll take that as a sign they are doing something right. If you keep the fans wanting to come back for more, everything should be fine.

Results
Zayda Steel b. Layla Diggs – ZDT
Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont b. Aaron Rourke/Freedom Ramsey – Heartstopper to Ramsey
Wendy Choo b. Kylie Rae – Dirt Nap
Keanu Carver/Harlem Lewis b. Swipe Right – Double pin

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

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Evolve
Date: April 23, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

We’re done with Wrestlemania Weekend and that means the ID Title Tournaments have officially begun. That could go in a few different ways as it might take some time to catch up with the taping cycle. Other than that, we have some grudge matches around here and that could make for some interesting options. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Here is Stevie Turner to announce that she will be making an announcement. Cue the Vanity Project to interrupt (as Drako Knox is in the VIP section). Brad Baylor brags about how awesome they are and how everyone wants Zayda Steele so the Vanity Project name is perfect for them. Ava isn’t impressed and announces a match right now (which was announced in the show’s opening.

Sean Legacy vs. Jackson Drake

The rest of the Vanity Project is here as Legacy knocks him into the corner to start. A snap powerslam gives Drake a fast two but Legacy fights back. A standing moonsault gets two but the Project offers a distraction, earning a mass ejection. We take a break and come back with Legacy forearming away as commentary argues over who named the Vanity Project.

A reverse sitout gordbuster drops Drake and some running forearms into a German suplex makes it worse. Legacy hits a springboard missile dropkick for two but Drake is back with a Lethal Injection for two. A double knockdown gives us a double breather before Drake hurricanranas him into a running knee to the face. Back up and Drake strikes away until a poisonrana gets two. Legacy fights up and hits him in the face, setting up the torture rack suplex neckbreaker (thankfully named the Shambles) for the pin at 9:05.

Rating: C+. Legacy continues to feel like the big star around here and that should give him a good future. He’s backing it up well enough in the ring too and that was the case again here. It wouldn’t stun me to see him getting up to NXT sooner than later as he has all of the tools to get there soon.

Post match Legacy talks about being ready for everything in Evolve.

Kylie Rae isn’t scared of Wendy Choo, even if the darkness started to overtake her. They’ll face each other again.

Harlem Lewis and Keanu Carver have a face to face showdown, talking about how they know the title is coming through them. Ava comes in to make the two of them against Swipe Right next week.

Aria Bennett vs. Zara Zakher

Layla Diggs is here with Bennett. An early rollup gives Zakher two and a suplex is good for the same. We hit the armbar but Bennett is up with some headscissors. A high crossbody gives Bennett two but Zakher’s super hurricanrana gets the same. Zakher grabs a neckbreaker (with kind of a weird cover) for two. Back up and a quick Control Z finishes for Zakher at 3:58.

Rating: C. This didn’t have much time get anywhere but Zakher continues to look like someone with potential. Her size issues might be a problem going forward but at least she’s getting some wins to make her seem like a more important star. Bennett is decent as well, but this wasn’t a place where she was going to get much shine.

Post match Zakher is interviewed by the lights dim and a bear, with a note, are left on the mat. The note says “KYLIE, I ACCEPT”.

The Vanity Project is in the VIP section and Brad Baylor’s parent’s lawyer says they have every right to be here.

Carlee Bright vs. Kalyx

Kendal Grey is here with Bright and since I had it drilled into my head for not mentioning it last time, Kalyx is referee Jessika Carr under a mask. Kalyx stomps away but gets kicked in the mask, only to come back with a clothesline. Grey gives Bright a pep talk and it seems to work as the comeback is on, with Kalyx breaking out of a Black Widow. Kalyx’s fireman’s carry is countered into a sunset flip for the pin at 2:30.

Timothy Thatcher vs. Bryce Donovan

Thatcher reverses an early waistlock into an armbar but gets taken into the corner for an elbow to the face. A belly to belly sends Donovan flying and we take an early break. Back again with Thatcher grabbing a half crab and then cranking on the leg, with the Vanity Project not being pleased.

A surfboard is broken up though and Donovan hammers away, setting up a front facelock. The chinlock goes on for a bit before they go outside, where Thatcher is sent into the post. Donovan plants him again for two more but Thatcher fights back and headbutts the arm. A jumping enziguri sets up a butterfly suplex but Swipe Right offers the distraction. Donovan hits a swinging Boss Man Slam for the pin at 8:15.

Rating: B-. These two beat each other up and the interference keeps Thatcher looking like a big deal. He’s the kind of guy who can give some credibility around here and that is a good thing to see. Hopefully he gets to win a match or two without being beaten into the ground, which would kind of defeat his purpose.

Ava isn’t happy with the Vanity Project but Keanu Carver and Harlem Lewis are ready for them.

Overall Rating: C. This show was VERY focused on the Vanity Project and your mileage may vary as a result. The team is fine for what they are, but they don’t feel like the biggest deal. For a team you want to see get taken out, I can go for them, but that doesn’t make them seem like the big bads. Other than that…well there wasn’t much outside of that, with only the two women’s matches really being unrelated. I wasn’t feeling this show as much, as I could go for a bit more variety.

Results
Sean Legacy b. Jackson Drake – Shambles
Zara Zakher b. Aria Bennett – Control Z
Carlee Bright b. Kalyx – Sunset flip
Bryce Donovan b. Timothy Thatcher – Swinging Boss Man Slam

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

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NXT
Date: April 8, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Corey Graves, Booker T.

We are less than two weeks away from Stand & Deliver and this week’s show is going to be focused on the main event. In this case we have a six man tag between the three people involved in the Stand & Deliver main event and the debuting Dark State. That could go in a variety of ways so let’s get to it.

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

Stephanie Vaquer will announce her opponent for Stand & Deliver after this match.

Jordynne Grace vs. Jaida Parker

Stephanie Vaquer is on commentary. They get in a fight to start and head outside for some rams into the apron. Back in and Grace hits a Death Valley Driver for two before heading out to the apron. Neither can drop the other so Parker hits a TKO onto the top rope. A Blockbuster gives Parker two and she sits on Grace in the corner (setting up that high step, which is an awesome signature taunt).

We take a break and come back with Parker blocking a sunset bomb but getting caught in….well Grace loaded her up for a Tombstone but flipped her backwards onto her back (that was cool). Grace drops her face first onto the turnbuckle and gets two off a neckbreaker. The Juggernaut Driver is blocked so Grace sends her to the floor, where a suicide dive doesn’t work as her foot gets caught in the ropes. Thankfully she’s ok as Parker slaps Vaquer, who swings and hits Grace by mistake. That’s enough for the referee to throw it out at 10:03.

Rating: B-. As much as I like both of them, my goodness I do not want another triple threat over Wrestlemania Weekend. They are hammering those things into the ground this year and that’s where it seems we’re going with this one too. Parker continues to feel like a star and if she can back it up in the ring, they have something special with her. Grace isn’t exactly bad either, but please don’t just throw them both in there with Vaquer.

Post match the brawl stays on but Giulia makes her return and helps Vaquer clear the ring. Then Giulia lays out Vaquer and holds up the title. Vaquer never announcers her challenger.

We look back at Ricky Saints winning the North American Title last week in a star making performance, only to be taken out by Ethan Page after the match.

Swipe Right interrupt Hank & Tank and offer them advice after their match tonight. Hank: “We’re not that desperate…are we?” Tank: “No Hank.”

The Culling wants the North American Title back but Shawn Spears says he is happy with what he did and it’s time for the rest of the team to succeed.

Fraxiom vs. Swipe Right

Non-title and Swipe Right (Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes) are the heel pretty boy team from Evolve. Smokes dropkicks Axiom off the apron to start and Baylor comes in for a Hennig necksnap on Frazer. Back up and Axiom helps clear the ring, with Fraxiom hitting stereo dives to the floor. Axiom hammers away on Baylor in the corner but Smokes comes in off a blind tag and hits a spear.

A springboard X Factor gives Baylor two as Graves busts out a Julius Smokes reference for your obscure independent wrestling name drop of the week. Frazer comes back in and hits a running shooting star press but gets kneed in the face. An assisted swinging double underhook neckbreaker drops Frazer but Axiom is back in to clean house. The super Spanish Fly into the Phoenix splash finishes Smokes at 5:12.

Rating: B-. For a pair of rookies who are from the most minor of minor league shows, Swipe Right looked pretty good in there against one of the best teams going today. This was a rather nice performance from the newcomers and while they might not be ready to move up, they certainly made a nice first impression. That’s a good thing to see, though I’m almost worried about who is coming for the titles next.

Fatal Influence bickers over who will get the Women’s North American Title.

Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Sol Ruca vs. Jazmyn Nyx

The rest of Fatal Influence and Zaria are here too. Ruca starts fast by fighting out of a headlock and sending her into the corner. A suplex into something like a moonsault Meteora gives Ruca two but a springboard splash hits raised boots. Nyx stomps away and grabs a fisherman’s suplex for two. A running knee gives Nyx two more but Ruca is back with a spinning belly to back faceplant. Ruca’s running knee gets two but Henley offers a distraction, allowing Nyx to kick Ruca in the face for two. Back up and the Sol Snatcher finishes Nyx at 5:04.

Rating: C+. Fatal Influence is starting to fall apart and that isn’t the best sign for their future. Other than that, Ruca moving on is a good idea to go with, as having her hit the Sol Snatcher off a ladder should be fun. I’m not sure if she’s going to win the title, but it’s nice to see her getting a win in a match that matters in some way.

Je’Von Evans is coming for the NXT Title but tonight, he’s taking out Dark State.

Giulia wants a rematch with Stephanie Vaquer at Stand & Deliver.

Culling vs. Hank & Tank

Hank & Tank start fast to clean house until we settle down with Tank working on Jensen’s arm. Vance breaks it up though and Jensen comes back with a neckbreaker for two. Tank fights out of the chinlock and Hank gets the tag to fight back. Everything breaks down though and Vance sends Hank into the barricade. Hank is right back up and misses a Swanton, setting up a top rope knee/Dominator combination to give Vance the pin at 3:26.

Rating: C. Not much to see here but the point was giving the Culling a win. Hank & Tank are flailing, which very well could lead to something changing for them in the near future. Other than that, neither of these teams feel like they’re coming for the Tag Team Titles, but that didn’t seem to be the goal here anyway.

Here is Ricky Saints for a chat. Saints appreciates the reception and says the revolution will be televised again. He’s happy with his win but he’s not pleased with Ethan Page. Saints gets that Page isn’t ok with someone showing him up so get out here right now. Instead it’s Lexis King, who says he loves gold…and here is Eddy Thorpe to interrupt.

Thorpe wants a title, and it should be the one that represents the land stolen from his people. Cue Wes Lee, who says he was the best champion the title has ever seen so the conversation starts with him. Starks is ready for any of them but here is Page to drop him. The four challengers get in a brawl and Lee hits a big flip dive to take them out.

Ava, Robert Stone and Stevie Turner are in the back when Stephanie Vaquer comes in. She wants to face everyone at Stand & Deliver, so it’s a four way with Giulia, Jordynne Grace and Jaida Parker. As they somehow get bigger than a triple threat.

Trick Williams is ready to get the NXT Title back and he’s not sweating Dark State.

Wes Lee vs. Yoshiki Inamura

Tyson DuPont, Tyriek Igwe and Josh Briggs are here too. Lee kicks him in the face to start fast but gets dropped with a running shoulder. Some choking on the ropes has Inamura down again but it’s too early for a 450. Inamura strikes away in the corner and muscles him up for a fisherman’s suplex. Lee fights up and takes out Briggs but Inamura pulls him out of the air for a spinning slam. Briggs goes after DuPont though and Lee hits the Cardiac Kick for the pin at 3:54.

Rating: C+. Neither of these two have much going on at the moment but Lee could at least be in the running for the North American Title shot. I still don’t get the appeal of Inamura, who hasn’t done much in his time around here and has only had some flashes of interest. Maybe that changes in the future but for now, he’s just kind of there without doing much.

Oba Femi is ready to wreck Dark State and keep his title at Stand & Deliver.

Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Izzi Dame vs. Wren Sinclair

The Culling and the No Quarter Catch Crew are here too. Dame drives her into the corner to start so Sinclair grabs a wristlock. A rollup gives Sinclair two but the octopus is broken up rather quickly. Dame hits a clothesline and hammers away, setting up a crossface chickenwing. Sinclair fights up and hits some clotheslines for two, followed by a crucifix for the same. Back up and Dame grabs a Sky High for the quick pin at 4:28.

Rating: C. Not much to see here, with Dame being another name without much chance to win, though it would be a nice surprise. The Culling is having a good night here and that’s a nice thing to see, as the team is at least getting a chance. Sinclair is still good in the ring but she isn’t exactly doing much lately, which is another annoying thing to see.

A bunch of women are in Ava’s office and she announces a last chance qualifying match for the Women’s North American title match.

Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon finally get Andre Chase to agree to help them. Hank & Tank come in but run into the Street Profits, who tell them to be themselves. The Profits want them in next week’s gauntlet match for a Tag Team Title shot at Stand & Deliver.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Dark State vs. Je’Von Evans/Oba Femi/Trick Williams

Dark State charges the ring and the fight is on, with Dion Lennox starting against Oba Femi. Lennox sends him into the corner so Cutler James can come in for a clothesline. Williams comes in to go after Saquon Shugars, who pulls him down by the hair. A jumping neckbreaker hits Shugars but James comes in for a sleeper on Williams.

James slams him down but gets hit with a heck of a backdrop. Williams chops away at Shugars in the corner and hands it off to Evans, who snaps off a hurricanrana. Everything breaks down and Dark State is knocked to the floor, giving us a standoff as we take a break. Back with Evans hitting a springboard high crossbody on Shugars but Cutler comes in with a clothesline.

Lennox grabs a chinlock and the villains take turns beating on Evans. An elbow misses though and Evans hits an enziguri, allowing the tag off to Femi. House is cleaned until Shugars is tossed Williams, meaning the brawl is on. Evans hits a frog splash for two on Lennox as Williams and Femi fight up the aisle. A triple bomb, with Shugars diving off the top to put Evans down (cool) is good for the pin at 13:33.

Rating: B. For a team of people who came from pretty much nowhere with little success before this, Dark State did rather well here. That finish had quite the impact and I liked what they were doing together. They have the D’Angelo Family to deal with and this makes their feud that much more interesting as they had a strong in-ring debut here. The other three brawling into a fight isn’t a big surprise, but this was more about Dark State and they did well.

Post match Stacks pops up on the screen to issue the challenge for a fight in the parking lot next week. Well that ups the danger significantly.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was more about setting up things for Stand & Deliver, with matches being made and some qualifying matches being covered. That being said, the show isn’t feeling like the most must see card as all of the multi-person matches don’t really come off as special. Stand & Deliver is supposed to be the biggest show of the year and that doesn’t often mean a bunch of matches with all kinds of people running around. It should be good, but it doesn’t feel special and that’s not a positive thing at all.

Results
Jordynne Grace vs. Jaida Parker went to a double DQ when Stephanie Vaquer interfered
Fraxiom b. Swipe Right – Phoenix splash to Smokes
Sol Ruca b. Jazmyn Nyx – Sol Snatcher
Culling b. Hank & Tank – Top rope knee/Dominator combination to Hank
Wes Lee b. Yoshiki Inamura – Cardiac Kick
Izzi Dame b. Wren Sinclair – Sky High
Dark State b. Oba Femi/Trick Williams/Je’Von Evans – Triple Bomb to Evans

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

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

NXT
Date: April 1, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T., Corey Graves

It’s another title show as Shawn Spears is defending the North American Title against Ricky Saints. Other than that, we need to find out some of the matches for Stand & Deliver as we are just over two weeks away from the biggest show of the year. There is a good chance that we find out some of those matches this week so let’s get to it.

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

Here is Stephanie Vaquer to get things going for a chat with Ava. After Ava praises her for her recent efforts, she announces that Vaquer has agreed to vacate the Women’s North American Title. Therefore, the new champion will be crowned in a six woman ladder match at Stand & Deliver (ERG), with qualifying matches beginning tonight.

Hold on though as Vaquer says she will give up the title if she gets to pick the challenger for the Women’s Title. Cue Jordynne Grace, who says she wants us to have the title match the fans are demanding. Cue Jaida Parker, who says she dropped Grace last week, but Grace brings up Parker losing to Vaquer last week. The brawl is on, with Grace LAUNCHING one of them over the top. Parker backs off a bit and a match seems likely. As usual, Parker feels like a star and that is going to take her places.

Trick Williams wants to face Oba Femi at Stand & Deliver.

Femi arrives and is ready to deal with Williams tonight.

The women’s locker room bickers over the ladder match.

Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Zaria vs. Lash Legend

Zaria actually loses a test of strength to start but gets her over with a sunset flip. They chop it out, with Legend’s getting quite the response. Legend knocks her down again but Zaria grabs a victory roll for two. Back up and a pump kick sends Zaria outside, where a lot of bickering ensues as we take a break.

We come back with Legend getting frustrated as Zaria makes the comeback, including a kick to the face in the corner. Zaria’s middle rope crossbody is pulled out of the air but she reverses a powerbomb into a hurricanrana. A German suplex drops Legend again but she’s right back with a chokeslam for two. Zaria is back up with a spear and the F5 finishes at 11:45.

Rating: C. Maybe I’m missing something with Zaria but there isn’t much to her that is keeping me interested at the moment. She’s a powerhouse but that’s not really making her stand out. At the same time, Legend has come a VERY long way and looked like a star here. I could have gone for her winning, which is something I never would have bet on just a year or so ago.

Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura want to get to Stand & Deliver but Wes Lee, Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont interrupt. Arguing ensues and Inamura challenges Lee. Game seems to be on.

Kelani Jordan seems interested in getting into the ladder match but Roxanne Perez comes in to say she wants to win the title so she’ll have every women’s title in NXT. Ava puts them in a qualifying match tonight.

The D’Angelo Family has gone looking for information on Dark State. They have found out the members: Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, Cutler James, Saquon Shugars. We get mini bios on them, most of which involve college athletics and intelligence. Tony D’Angelo sees potential in them, but has to calm Stacks down. The last plan Stacks put together didn’t go so well, but Stacks says he trusts D’Angelo. Tension seems to be high. This was a creative way to introduce the members rather than just having commentary say what’s going on.

Hank And Tank have new gear, courtesy of Pretty Deadly, but they’re not sure it’s the right look.

The members of the Culling want Shawn Spears to succeed tonight.

No Quarter Catch Crew vs. Hank And Tank

Hank And Tank are in their regular gear rather than the Pretty Deadly attire. Evolve’s Swipe Right is sitting in the front row as we hear about some bad weather in the area. Borne can’t get very far with Tank to start so Heights comes in to grind away on a headlock. It’s back to Borne, who gets taken down for a Pretty Deadly style double team.

Heights comes back in but Borne makes a quick blind tag and clotheslines Hank to the floor. Back in and the chinlock doesn’t last long and Hank gets over for the tag to Tank to pick up the pace. A spinebuster gets two on Heights with Borne making the save. Everything breaks down and Borne has to break up a Pretty Deadly Spilled Milk. A TKO/DDT combination finishes Tank at 5:38.

Rating: C+. Hank And Tank continue to do very little for me so it was nice to see them lose here. That being said, it did seem like they were trying to find something with the Pretty Deadly impressions so maybe some changes are coming. I could go for more of the Crew, with Heights continuing to look good in there. Borne is as well, which is a nice little bonus.

Here is Trick Williams to say that he is still the man around here. No matter what Oba Femi has said, there is nothing stopping Williams from getting back to the top of the mountain. Cue Je’Von Evans to interrupt, but Williams says the adults are talking. Evans asks Williams when he knew it was his time (which is what Williams asked John Cena, launching his singles run), which must sound familiar.

Evans wants the #1 spot but he doesn’t have to step out of anyone’s shadow to do it. Williams says Evens has no idea what it’s like to be the champion. Evans: “You ain’t Trick Williams. You’re Carmelo Hayes.” That gets Williams’ attention, with Evans saying this is the exact same stuff that Hayes told Williams last year. Evans brings up dropping Oba Femi, which brings Femi out to tell Evans to say it to his face. Evans talks about getting so close to winning at Deadline and threatens to jump Femi again.

Williams isn’t interested but Femi tells him to shut up. Femi says the now belongs to him and Williams tells Evans to get out. Femi says Williams is talking too much so here is Ava to announce….the triple threat title match for Stand & Deliver (erg). Williams decks Evans but gets knocked to the floor, only for the lights to go out and Dark State to appear. Femi tells them to bring it so here they come to beat him down. Evans and Williams are laid out too.

Andre Chase is banged up and has a cracked rib, which has no timetable for recovery. He doesn’t have a ride home, but Uriah Connors and Kale Dixon show up with a wheelchair to help him out. Chase thinks they might not be so bad after all but they back up when they see Jaida Parker and Jordynne Grace fighting.

Fraxiom kind of mocks Hank And Tank over their Pretty Deadly stuff, but Axiom wishes he and Frazer were such close friends. Swipe Right (Ricky Smokes/Brad Baylor) come in to ask for a match against Fraxiom. Frazer accepts but Axiom isn’t impressed. Swipe Right are more interested in Roxanne Perez walking by, calling her a smoke show.

Women’s North American Title Qualifying Match: Roxanne Perez vs. Kelani Jordan

They lock up to start with Jordan taking her down into a headscissors. That’s broken up and Jordan flips to her feet as we take an early break. Back with Perez slamming her head first into the mat and flipping over her for an exchange of glaring. Jordan drapes her over the middle rope for a handstand spinning Fameasser (that was impressive) for two. Perez gets in a rake to the eyes though and Jordan is sent shoulder first into the post.

A big stomp onto the arm has Jordan in more trouble and Perez stays on the arm. Jordan gets two off a rollup but the kickout sends her arm into the buckle. Perez hits a northern lights suplex onto the arm for two and we take another break. Back again with Jordan getting in a kick but missing One Of A Kind. Perez’s cartwheel knee to the head (ouch) gets two but Jordan plants her with a DDT. One Of A Kind connects to put Perez away at 14:41.

Rating: B. Good stuff here with Jordan having to work hard to overcome the odds in the end. That’s the kind of win she has been needing lately and it’s a good sign for her future. I’m not sure if she’s going to win the title but at least she got a nice win on the way there. Perez very well may be on her way out of NXT, as she seems ready to be called up to the main roster.

Stevie Turner apologizes to Ava for Swipe Right but Robert Stone brings up the matches announced for Stand & Deliver. Ava is more worried about Dark State so she puts three of them in a six man against Oba Femi, Je’Von Evans and Trick Williams.

Ricky Saints isn’t worried about what Shawn Spears has been saying about his past. Tonight is about the future, when he wins the North American Title.

Zaria wants Sol Ruca out there with her at Stand & Deliver. Kelani Jordan comes in to say she’s winning the ladder match but Zaria isn’t impressed. Ruca says she’ll win….and Zaria doesn’t like that either.

Dark State is down for next week’s match but says no one is safe.

North American Title: Ricky Saints vs. Shawn Spears

Spears, with the Culling, is defending and goes straight to the floor to start. Saints is right there with a dive to take him down and hammers away to start fast. Back in and Saints hits a nice dropkick before unloading with right hands in the corner. Saints hits something like a dancing Old School off the barricade, including kissing his fingers and putting them on the forehead of a VERY happy fan.

We take a break and come back with Spears sending him hard into the corner. Saints catches him on top though and slugs away, setting up a top rope Jackhammer of all things, leaving both of them down. Back up and Saints strikes away, setting up a heck of a spinebuster for two.

It’s back to the floor for a tornado DDT off the apron to plant Spears again. Izzi Dame slips Spears the belt though and a shot to the face gets two. Spears loads up the C4 but Saints reverses into one of his own. Saints takes out the Culling and hits a spear into the Roshambo is good for the title at 10:17.

Rating: B-. This might not have been a great match but it was an absolute star making performance from Saints, who not only won the match and the title but showed all kinds of fire on the way. That’s what is going to make him into a bigger deal and it worked very well here. Saints is instantly a player and this will make people notice him. Great stuff for Saints here and I was impressed.

Post match Saints celebrates with the title but Ethan Page runs in to take him out.

Overall Rating: B. Good show this week as they set up stuff for Stand & Deliver (as annoying as some of it may be) and had a big moment in the end. This was the show that NXT has been needing and they made it work here, with a lot of stuff taking place in the span of two hours. You can tell that things are picking up for the biggest time of the year, which is exactly what needed to happen.

Results
Zaria b. Lash Legend – F5
No Quarter Catch Crew b. Hank And Tank – DDT/TKO combination to Tank
Kelani Jordan b. Roxanne Perez – One Of A Kind
Ricky Saints b. Shawn Spears – Roshambo

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

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

Evolve
Date: March 26, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

We’re getting firmly into the standard operation procedure around here and that includes some matches and stories being set up. Now that so many wrestlers have been introduced, we can see what happens when those wrestlers are put together. That is what we should be seeing this week, likely with a few other big (well, bigger) names included. Let’s get to it.

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

Ava is proud of Stevie Turner’s efforts recently and has her taken to the ring for a big announcement: Turner is officially the General Manager of Evolve. At least they kept this short, as the show doesn’t really need a boss. She is thrilled to get the job and is happy to have been selected over Robert Stone. Everything is up for grabs around here and someone is going to become the first face of Evolve. To get those spots, you have to impress both her and the fans, so we can start with a match. Stone: “We’re doomed.”

As the wrestlers (who were around the ring), Luca Crusifino and Keanu Carver have to be held apart.

Wolfgang vs. Sam Holloway

They fight over a lockup to start and then trade big shoulders to no avail. A headbutt off goes to Wolfgang, who hits a running splash in the corner to really take over. Holloway gets in a shot of his own to send Wolfgang to the apron, where a hard slam has Wolfgang in even more trouble. An elbow drop gets two back inside and Holloway slams him again for the same.

Holloway grabs an abdominal stretch to stay on the ribs but Wolfgang fights out and hits a middle rope elbow. For some reason Wolfgang tries a slingshot flip and hurts his back again, allowing Holloway to suplex him into the corner. Holloway drives in shoulders to the ribs but Wolfgang knocks him off the top and hits the Howling (Swanton) to the back for the pin at 7:35.

Rating: C+. Simple, to the point match here with Wolfgang fighting through an injury to win. That being said, I’m not sure why you would want Wolfgang, who has been presented as a villain in Gallus, to wrestle that way. It’s weird to cheer for him when he’s not the most likable guy, but Holloway did at least look decent in defeat.

Post match Joe Coffey says send anyone who wants some of Gallus.

Aria Bennett and Layla Diggs seem to be friends and perhaps partners.

Carlee Bright, with pom poms, is in the VIP area.

Kendal Grey vs. Zara Zakher

Zakher takes her down and they fight over waistlocks. That goes nowhere so they switch to fighting over wrist control. Zakher gets in an armdrag into an armbar, followed by a handspring elbow in the corner for two. Back up and Grey grabs Eat Defeat onto the shoulder and then sends it into the buckle a few times. Zakher fights up again and hits some shots in the corner, followed by a nice spinebuster for…one as she rolls off of Grey for no apparent reason. They trade rollups for two each but Zakher misses something off the top. Grey kicks her in the face and grabs a cross armbreaker for the tap at 6:09.

Rating: C. This is the kind of showing that makes Grey look like a bigger star as she won a fairly hard fought match against someone who has been built up at least a little bit in the first few weeks. Grey might not be a big star but she’s a bigger deal than Zakher so this isn’t a terrible way to go. Now just do something with Grey in the coming weeks.

Post match Kylie Rae comes out to check on Zakher, but the teddy bear from Wendy Choo is sitting in the corner.

Drako Knox comes to commentary and talks about liking the feeling of putting fists to faces last week. He doesn’t like Swipe Right being in the VIP section and mocking him last week though so he wants to get in the ring.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Ice Williams and Swipe Right are in the VIP section.

Layla Diggs/Aria Bennett vs. Haze Jameson/Kalyx

Diggs takes Kalyx down to start and flips over into an armdrag. Jameson is seemingly flirting with Swipe Right as Bennett comes in with a moonsault for two on Kalyx. Back up and Kalyx takes over on Bennett and hands it off to Jameson, who has to be reminded to come in. Jameson’s wristlock on Bennett doesn’t do much but she gets in another takedown and grabs a chinlock. It’s back to Kalyx for a running elbow but Jameson goes over for a drink in the VIP section. Diggs comes back in with a sitout gordbuster for the pin on Kalyx at 2:47. They packed a good deal of stuff in there.

Post match Kalyx is annoyed and the winners dance a bit.

Video on former Evolve Champion Timothy Thatcher, who is back for what appears to be one night only.

Video on Sean Legacy, who has wanted to be a wrestler for a long time and got mocked as a result. Now he is proving that he can do it.

Timothy Thatcher vs. Sean Legacy

Legacy hits a dropkick at the bell and adds a standing moonsault for two only ten seconds into the match. Thatcher is up with the uppercuts but Legacy kicks leg out and hits another dropkick for another two. They go outside with Legacy hitting a suicide dive and we take a break. Back with Thatcher knocking him out of the air and hitting a belly to back suplex for two. Thatcher grabs a surfboard before just wrenching on the fingers for some pain. Legacy fights back and is quickly belly to bellied right back down.

The chinlock goes on to keep Legacy down and a knee to the back does the same. Legacy fights up and sends him to the floor, followed by a suplex back inside. Legacy strikes away and grabs a German suplex to leave Thatcher shaken up. A missile dropkick gives Legacy two more as the VIP stars aren’t impressed. Legacy grabs his torture rack into a neckbreaker (that needs a name) for the win at 8:49.

Rating: B-. This is where things can get interesting, as Legacy seems to be one of the people that WWE wants to get behind on the new show. If that’s who they want to go with, they did something smart here by having him beat someone that fans likely recognize. That’s what you need to do to build someone up as Legacy is still brand new around here. Good main event, with Legacy showcasing himself well.

Post match Thatcher gives some sarcastic applause before leaving. Legacy glares at Swipe Right and Ice Williams. Cappuccino Jones and Jack Cartwheel come out to even the odds but Williams switches to the good guys, sending Swipe Right bailing to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. You really wouldn’t realize that this was the fourth week of the show, as this felt like it was a show that has been around for a good while longer. What mattered here was getting things going at a more steady pace and they made that happen fairly well. The main event was good and they advanced the stories, with quite a few things getting some time. It’s still as low level as you can get in WWE, but it’s a lot more engaging than I was expecting.

Results
Wolfgang b. Sam Holloway – Howling
Kendal Grey b. Zara Zakher – Cross armbreaker
Layla Diggs/Aria Bennett b. Haze Jameson/Kalyx – Sitout gordbuster to Kalyx
Sean Legacy b. Timothy Thatcher – Torture rack neckbreaker

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

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

We’re back with the second episode after last week’s premiere and that could make for something interesting. Last week’s show was more about getting to know some people and the concept of the show so maybe that is what we will be seeing more of here. The point is getting these people in the ring in front of a camera so there can only be so many expectations. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Stevie Turner hypes up the main event of Oro Mensah vs. Riley Osborne, both of whom are now part of the Evolve roster. We get a tease of some surprises as well.

It’s Gal, Kendal Grey and Carlee Bright are in the VIP section.

We meet Harlem Lewis, who grew up fighting and played football. He can’t stand soft and lazy people.

Braxton Cole went to Brown University and played football, then he tried out for WWE. His mind sets him apart from the rest.

Harlem Lewis vs. Braxton Cole

Lewis hits a clothesline to start and gorilla presses Cole before shouting about getting paid to beat Cole up. A powerslam finishes Cole at 1:15. Total destruction.

Post match Lewis says no one can beat him. Cue Keanu Carver for a showdown but It’s Gal (pronounced Gaul) to say he is the human action figure and he’ll be facing Carver next week. Carver wants to do it now so ring the bell.

It’s Gal vs. Keanu Carver

Carver drives him into the corner to start, setting up a heck of a fall away slam. A pop up faceplant and the Sky High finish Gal at 1:25.

Kylie Rae is all about positive energy and has watched wrestling for a long time. She’s really, really, really excited to be here.

Carlee Bright wants to see the competition. Kendal Grey says there is no competition for her around here. Bright: “You mean how good we are right?” Cue Zayda Steel to ask why she doesn’t have a match.

Zara Zakher is the petite powerhouse but she has overcome the odds her entire life. She has a background as a gymnast and did some things on TV, which is where she got her nickname.

Kylie Rae vs. Zara Zakher

We get a tentative handshake to start before Zara pulls her into a quickly broken headscissors. Some rollups give Rae two and she grabs a crossface, sending Zara straight to the ropes. Back up and Zara backs her into the ropes before hitting a clothesline in the corner. Rae is back with a running shot in the corner, setting up a cannonball for two.

The chinlock goes on as Zayda Steel is yelling about she should be in the ring right now. Zara fights up and hits a spinebuster for two, followed by a jumping knee. One fan: “BOO THIS WOMAN!” And the fans do so, though I’m not sure who they’re talking about. Rae still can’t keep the crossface on so she superkicks Zara for two, only to get rolled up for the pin at 5:15.

Rating: C+. Rae is someone who feels like she should have been a star a long time ago but there have been some issues holding her back. It’s nice to see her getting a chance in WWE, even at the bottom level, but she’s got a long way to go. Zara was fine enough out there but you can only get so much out of someone in a five minute debut.

Post match Zara says that was an upset but it won’t be next time. She shakes Rae’s hand and Rae seems touched but Zayda Steel isn’t happy. Cue Wendy Choo to hand Rae a bear with a note, which we can’t read.

Aria Bennett is a mother who has overcome a lot of obstacles with a gymnastics background.

Wendy Choo vs. Aria Bennett

Choo takes her to the match to start as the fans chant DON’T DIE. Bennett backflips over Choo out of the corner and walks on her hands, only for Choo to hit a spear to the back. Fans: “YOU DIED!” A neck crank sets up a handspring elbow in the corner to Choo, who hits a boot to the face. Bennett’s forearms and enziguri don’t do much as Choo gives her a full nelson slam. Choo chokes her out for the win at 2:07. Bennett is very athletic and did some cool stuff but it wasn’t going to get her very far here.

Post match Choo puts a blanket over her.

Brinley Reece congratulates Carlee Bright and Kendal Grey about their win last week but Grey is only so impressed.

We get a sitdown interview with Javier Bernal and Luca Crusifino, who got into it last week. Bernal has no problem with the D’Angelo Family and just wants a new start around here. Crusifino wasn’t impressed but how can Bernal get a chance when he’s already been written off? Crusifino wasn’t talking about him last week though because he doesn’t think about Bernal.

The reality is Bernal takes himself out so Crusifino doesn’t need to do it. Bernal needs to back up his words so he challenges Crusifino for next week. That’s fine with Crusifino, but remember that Bernal asked for this. Nice segment here, as it explained who these people are and gave them a reason to fight.

Video on WWE ID.

Jack Cartwheel, Sean Legacy and Cappuccino Jones are in the VIP section. Kali Armstrong comes in to ask what they’re doing here and then leaves.

Oro Mensah vs. Riley Osborne

Mensah gets in a hiptoss to start and yells a lot as they’re starting slowly. They go with the grappling on the mat before Mensah avoids an armdrag and gets two off a rollup. Osborne rolls him up for two more and Mensah is a bit surprised. They trade shoves until Mensah snaps off an anklescissors but Osborne hits a nice dropkick. Mensah kicks him to the floor and we take a break, coming back with Mensah dropping him for two more.

Osborne jawbreaks his way out of a chinlock but Mensah suplexes him right back down. A rolling hurricanrana gives Osborne two but Mensah dragon suplexes him for the same. Mensah gets sent outside for a big dive, with Stone saying he could do all of that stuff. Back in and Osborne gets two off a Michinoku Driver so Mensah takes his leg out. Osborne gets planted for two more before coming back to win a strike off. Mensah catches him on top with a flipping kick to the face before a rolling kick to the head finishes Osborne at 8:49.

Rating: C+. This got some time and you can definitely tell that the two of them are more experienced than most of the people on the show. They are capable of going out there and having a much more complete, thought out match and that’s what they did here. Either of these two could be put on NXT and do just fine, which makes them a good choice to be in this spot on the show.

Post match Mensah poses but Swipe Right runs through the curtain. The camera goes backstage to see Gallus breaking a bunch of stuff to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Odds are this is going to be more what the show is like week to week and that’s not a bad thing. This show featured a bunch of people and let us know something about them before putting them in the ring. Throw in setting up some things for the upcoming weeks and this was a fine show, even with the talent being as low level as you can get while still being in WWE.

Results
Harlem Lewis b. Braxton Cole – Powerslam
Keanu Carver b. It’s Gal – Sky High
Zara Zakher b. Kylie Rae – Rollup
Wendy Choo b. Aria Bennett – Choke
Oro Mensah b. Riley Osborne – Rolling kick to the head

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

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