Evolve
Date: December 17, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

We’re getting close to wrapping up the year and Sean Legacy is coming after the Evolve Title again. This week has something different though in the form of a gauntlet survivor match. The rules are a bit confusing so hopefully we’ll find out the whole thing tonight as the ID and PC wrestlers go head to head. Let’s get to it.

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

It’s Gal explains the ID vs. PC feud and goes over the rules of the gauntlet match:

• Five members per team (team ID hasn’t announced its fifth member)
• One competitor from each team begins
• Loser is eliminated, winner stays in
• Losing team sends in its next member
• Match continues until a full team is eliminated
• The winning team controls a future episode
• Whoever gets the final fall gets a future title shot

This was laid out in short order and I get the idea. Nice job.

Here are Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair for a chat. Grey talks about the wild ride she has been on in recent months but she loves the grind. Yes there is pressure when it comes to being a champion, but pressure makes diamonds. She welcomes any and all challengers so here is Kali Armstrong to interrupt. Armstrong doesn’t like the idea of Grey living off success when Armstrong set things up and wants a rematch. Cue PJ Vasa, who says she’s the one who should be in line. Grey isn’t intimidated and willing to face both of them at once. Sinclair just vanished after the introduction.

Wendy Choo did cost Chantel Monroe her title match but Monroe interrupted her therapy session. Tonight it’s No DQ and Monroe’s reflection will be anything but perfection.

Evolve will be off for the next two weeks.

Chantel Monroe thinks Wendy Choo is nuts. Choo’s therapist could save her from herself, but not from Monroe.

Charlie Dempsey still wants to face Timothy Thatcher and offers to send it via carrier pigeon. Thatcher: “Do you know how long it takes to train a pigeon?” Thatcher says he’s here to help get the future ready so he respectfully declines. Instead, he asks if Dempsey wants to be his training partner. Dempsey says no and can’t believe he used to look up to Thatcher.

Team ID vs. Team PC

ID: Aaron Rourke, Mike Cunningham, Cappuccino Jones, Marcus Mathers
PC: Kam Hendrix, Keanu Carver, Braxton Cole, Brooks Jensen, ???

Rourke and Carver start things off with Rourke getting in a quick spank to start. Some shoulders in the corner slow Carver down early on but a rub of his chest doesn’t sit well. Carver throws him around without much trouble but what looks to be a tie into the Tree Of Woe is reversed into a crossbody. Rourke kicks him into a 619 and a Molly Go Round gets two. Back up and Carver boots him in the face before the spinning powerslam finishes Rourke at 3:31.

Cunningham is in at #2 and hits a dropkick but gets clotheslined in the corner. A big toss across the ring has Cunningham in more trouble and three straight slams give Carver one. Cunningham gets a boot up in the corner and a nice missile dropkick connects. Carver shrugs that off and hits the spinning powerslam finishes Cunningham at 6:41 total. Sean Legacy tries to come in at #3 but he’s not cleared as we take a break.

We come back with Sam Holloway coming in from behind to jump Carver as #3. A chokeslam and top rope splash finish Carver at 8:18 total. Brooks Jensen is in at #2 for his team and gets booted in the face. Jensen manages a knockdown of his own and stomps away, only to get dropped for a slingshot elbow. Holloway knocks him outside but charges into a spinebuster. The chinlock goes on until Holloway is back up to run him over with raw power. A swinging Rock Bottom gets two on Jensen but he knees his way out of a suplex. Another knee, with a brace, to the head and a spinwheel kick get rid of Holloway at 13:18 total.

Cappuccino Jones is in at #4 for his team and can’t get a sunset flip. Instead it’s an O’Connor roll for two and a dropkick for two more as Jensen is in trouble. Jensen grabs the rope to block a neckbreaker and drapes Jones over the top as we take a break. We come back with Jensen working on a bearhug before dropping a double stomp. The knee drop misses though and Jones is back with a springboard missile dropkick. Cue Jax Presley and Harley Riggins with chairs but Tate Wilder cuts them off. Riggins gets a chair in to Jensen but Jones rolls him up for the pin at 18:03 total.

Jensen is ticked off and chop blocks Jones as Braxton Cole is in at #3 for his team. Cole goes right for Jones’ knee and wrenches it back, followed by a Brock Lock. We go split screen to the back, where Wendy Choo is told that since this match is going long, her match with Chantel Monroe is being postponed to January 7. Various women are not pleased. We come back to Jones escaping a shinbreaker and slugging away, at least until his knee is kicked out again. A quick Decaffinator gives Jones a pin at 21:50 total.

Kam Hendrix (making his debut) is in at #4 for the PC (as I guess Harley Riggins and/or Jax Presley aren’t on team) and we take another break. We come back with Hendrix working on the knee as the Vanity Project is in the VIP section. Jones kicks Hendrix away and sends him shoulder first into the post. A neckbreaker gets two on Hendrix but he’s right back on the knee. Hendrix’s hard clothesline sets up a belly to back slam to get rid of Jones at 25:52.

Marcus Mathers completes the ID team at #5 and flips over Hendrix for a superkick. A running flip dive to the floor hits Hendrix but he forearms Mathers down without much trouble. The belly to back slam is countered into a DDT to give Mathers two but Hendrix runs the corner for a top rope superplex.

We go split screen again with Chantel Monroe being upset that her match is postponed. Nikkita Lyons and Arianna Grace come up to laugh. Back in the ring and Mathers comes up to slug away and gets two off a bridging German suplex. Hendrix drops him again and gets rolled up for two but the belly to back slam (Lights, Camera, Action) finishes Mathers for the win at 31:56.

Rating: B-. The match was kind of weird as I was trying to figure out the deal with the lineups, as they were different than what It’s Gal said at the top of the show. Other than that, there was nothing that really stood out here as most of the action was fine but not much more. The villains winning is acceptable enough, though I’m still going to need a better reason for them being bad other than the letters PC. It’s not a great match, but I do like the idea of a one match show as it made things feel more important.

Post match the winners (including Harley Riggins and Jax Presley, one of whom would presumably have been the last man, but not Brooks Jensen) come out to celebrate to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. It’s literally a one match show with the only other things being the opening promo and the issues Choo and Monroe had with having their match postponed (that feels like it’s going to have repercussions). The match we got was good and felt big, though we’re not going to be around for a few weeks to get the immediate followup. I’ll take a unique show though, as that that’s been a feature of Evolve in it’s entire run. Nice shows here and a nice way to wrap up the year.

Results
Team PC b. Team ID – Lights, Camera Action 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: December 10, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Robert Stone, Peter Rosenberg

We’re getting close to wrapping up the year and we have a #1 contender to crown. That should make for an interesting week, as Tate Wilder and Sean Legacy are facing each other for the next shot at Jackson Drake. Wilder has someone working behind the scenes with him as well so let’s get to it.

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

The Vanity Project has their own dorm and it’s already in need of a good cleaning. They’re worried about the new year though, because it’s about continuing their dominance. For now, they’re going to watch Sean Legacy vs. Tate Wilder, because Legacy has been stalking Jackson Drake. Apparently it’s cool if a hot chick is stalking you, but Legacy is neither hot nor a chick. They’re rather interested in the opener though.

Layla Diggs vs. Nikkita Lyons

Masyn Holiday is here with Diggs and Malik Blade is in the VIP section. Diggs takes her down to start and adds a side kick, followed by a running knee in the corner. A bit of a dance sets up a standing moonsault for two and it’s off to the headlock. Lyons sends her to the apron but can’t break it up, instead knocking Diggs down on the apron to take over. A fisherman’s suplex drops Diggs again and Lyons kicks her into the corner. Lyons gives her kind of a bouncing Stinkface but stops for a dance off with Holiday. Diggs grabs a rollup for the pin at 3:22.

Rating: C. Well it could have been worse, and it’s nice to see Diggs getting a win. Lyons continues to feel more annoying than anything else so hopefully she keeps putting people over. They kept it short here and Diggs winning is a nice sign, as she has shown some potential over the last few months. Just give her some wins already.

The ID talent give Sean Legacy a pep talk before the main event. They’ll be in the VIP section tonight and Timothy Thatcher shows up. He’s happy with the ID prospects and doesn’t like the Vanity Project. Other than that though, he announces a five on five team gauntlet (sounds like a Survivor Series match) between the ID Program and the Performance Center wrestlers.

Commentary says that whomever gets the final fall in the team gauntlet gets a title shot. Apparently it’s more like a collection of singles matches. I think. It’s not entirely clear.

Carlee Bright talks to Kendal Grey in the back and says she’s being seen as Kendal’s friend. She wants to be a star in her own right so Grey (who is fine with what Bright wants) tells her to find her edge. Everything seems ok.

Drake Morreaux vs. Dante Chen

The much bigger Morreaux takes him down by the arm and stomps on the hand. Chen is back up with an armbar, which is broken up with a nerve hold. Harley Riggins and Jax Presley are in the VIP section as Morreaux misses a discus lariat. Chen takes him into the corner and stomps away, which just makes Morreaux angry.

A pump kick takes Morreaux down for two and the chinlock goes on. Morreaux powers up and plants him down, setting up an atomic drop of all things. A big boot sets up the missed splash in the corner, allowing Chen to grab a suplex. The Gentle Touch is blocked and Morreaux chokeslams him for the pin at 5:12.

Rating: C. Morreaux is a giant (at least by this show’s standards) and having him beat someone up in his debut is fine. The good thing is this show has dropped NXT LVL Up’s weird tradition of having Chen beat debuting stars. It wasn’t much of a match, but it lets us meet Morreaux and that’s what matters the most.

Post match Morreaux says he wants to keep going but Riggins and Presley come over to offer him a spot on their team. Morreaux respectfully declines and things seem to be ok.

Charlie Dempsey is back from Japan, where he heard that Timothy Thatcher is back. Thatcher is supposed to still be the technical master and that doesn’t work for Dempsey. They need to set foot in the ring together and see who really is the best technician. Makes sense.

It’s Gal feels like a weatherman because the ID vs. PC feud is a brewing storm. So which team is he joining? That will be…..whichever team can afford him!

The PC guys give Tate Wilder a pep talk but he doesn’t seem to hate Sean Legacy. He needs to focus on tonight’s match without worrying about the team gauntlet. Wilder doesn’t like their attitude either, but Riggins and Presley say they’re just a call away. Think about it.

It’s Gal vs. Eli Knight

Gal shoves him down and poses to start before grabbing a fireman’s carry for some squats. Knight slips out of that and hits one heck of a dropkick but Gal faceplants him out of the corner. A hard discus lariat gets two and Gal grabs the abdominal stretch. Knight is out again and hits a running clothesline into a hurricanrana. A nice springboard moonsault gives Knight two but he misses a 450. Gal’s German suplex doesn’t work so he grabs the Ferocious Bomb for the pin at 4:12.

Rating: C+. Gal has grown on me tremendously in the last few weeks as he’s so goofy that it makes him entertaining. Don’t take him too seriously and he’s a blast. Knight is someone who got to showcase his rather impressive athleticism here and it was a nice showing for him, though he’s got a long way to go.

Wendy Choo is meeting with her therapist. She’s been working to get better but is so frustrated. Chantel Monroe jumps her and leaves her laying.

Sean Legacy vs. Tate Wilder

For a future title shot and a bunch of ID wrestlers are in the VIP section. We get a handshake to start before they go with some basic grappling. Legacy takes him to the mat and starts in on the fingers, followed by a cravate to keep Wilder down. A standing moonsault gives Legacy two but Wilder is back up with an armdrag into a wristlock. Wilder slams him down for a springboard backsplash and we take a break.

We come back with Wilder fighting out of a chinlock and hitting a belly to back suplex. Legacy misses a charge in the corner and gets dropped with a spinning suplex for two. The Wilde Ride is broken up and Legacy gets two off a rather spinning backbreaker. Back up and Wilder sends him outside for a suicide dive, near the VIP area.

A fight seems imminent so here are the PC guys for some shouting. Cue Braxton Cole to post Legacy as the two teams start brawling. Wilder isn’t happy with Cole and Cappuccino Jones swings at…in theory Cole but he hits Wilder instead. Legacy (who didn’t seem to see the punch) grabs Shambles for the pin at 8:05.

Rating: B-. The ending brawl wasn’t a surprise as they all but guaranteed it would be happening. Legacy winning is a good thing as he needed to get boosted back up, but now he almost has to win the title. He’s gotten close too many times and come up short and it’s probably time Drake lost the title anyway. Not a bad match at all, though the ending took away from it a bit.

Post match the brawl continues and Jackson Drake runs in to beat on Legacy to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This was the show centered around building up things for the future, with the big focus on the PC vs. ID feud. I’m still not sure why that’s such a big deal, but at least they’re setting things up for an important showdown. What matters is that they have some stars and stories built up and Evolve has made them feel important. Next week is the next big match and hopefully they can keep it going, as this is a regularly fun show.

Results
Layla Diggs b. Nikkita Lyons – Rollup
Drake Morreaux b. Dante Chen – Chokeslam
It’s Gal b. Eli Knight – Ferocious Bomb
Sean Legacy b. Tate Wilde – Shambles

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: December 3, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

It’s the holiday season for the first time ever around here as we’re back after a week off for the day before Thanksgiving. This week features a title match as Kendal Grey is defending against Chantel Monroe in a match that has been built up for a few weeks now. Hopefully Grey can live up to her incredible hype so let’s get to it.

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

As she arrived to the arena earlier today, Grey said she can focus on Chantel Monroe, who is talented but full of excuses.

Opening sequence.

Carlee Bright vs. Arianna Grace

Bright slaps her in the face to start and hits a dropkick, only to miss a second attempt. They head outside with Bright being sent into the apron, allowing Grace to offer fans some photos. Back in and Grace knees her in the ribs, followed by an Arn Anderson eye rake across the top rope. Bright tries to elbow away but gets forearmed in the face. A Wasteland (Graceland) finishes for Grace at 4:28.

Rating: C. This was basically a squash as Grace continues to do a variety of things. She’s one of the bigger names involved in the NXT vs. TNA feud, plus making occasional appearances in NXT. I’m not a bit surprised that she’s getting this kind of a chance given her father, but I’m not sure how far she’s going to go. As for Bright….dang it’s not the brightest future and this was not a good sign for her.

Video on Yayne Harrison, who has been signed to an ID contract.

Video on the ID Program.

We look at Evolve wrestlers being in action at NXT Gold Rush.

We look at Kendal Grey being added to the NXT Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge. This is feeling rather fillerish.

Layla Diggs and Masyn Holiday come up to Nikkita Lyons, who doesn’t like their negative vibes. Lyons mocks them for her recent victory over Holiday but Diggs wants to face her next. That’s fine with Lyons, who loves charity work.

Marcus Mathers/Aaron Rourke vs. Cappuccino Jones/Mike Cunningham

Mathers goes after Jones’ leg to start but gets taken down for some grappling on the mat. Jones’ crucifix gets two and a flying headscissors takes Mathers down again. Cunningham comes in to stay on the arm before it’s quickly off to Rourke. Another dropkick puts Rourke down and Cunningham throws some lefts to keep him in trouble. It’s back to Mathers for a Backstabbber, with Rourke adding a top rope backsplash as we take a break.

We come back with Rourke dropping Mathers onto Cunningham’s raised knees. A basement superkick brings Cunningham right back down but he dropkicks Mathers off the top. Rourke is back in with a Prism Trap (Stone: “That’s a unique hold.” No, it isn’t.), which is broken up as well and it’s Jones coming back in to clean house. A big right hand sends Mathers into the corner for a running clothesline.

Mathers knocks him back down though and Jones gets dragged into the corner. That’s broken up rather quickly with some shots to the face, allowing Mathers to come in with a double missile dropkick. Rourke headbutts Cunningham and Mathers hits a middle rope Stunner. A Molly Go Round gives Rourke two and Jones comes back in with the Decaffinator, with Mathers making a save of his own.

Jones dives onto Rourke, leaving the other two to trade rollups. Mathers knocks him into the corner but Cunningham is back with a jumping elbow to the face. Cunningham gets a heck of a running start and is blasted with a clothesline for his efforts. And then Jax Presley and Harley Riggins run in to jump them both for the no contest at 13:20.

Rating: B-. I did like the action, but having such a long match for the sake of showcasing people and then the monsters running in for the no contest didn’t help. Cunningham did feel like he belonged on such a level, though the ID Program still feels like something being wedged into this. I’m not sure how much fans are going to care about which wrestlers have a glorified check mark next to their names compared to the regular ones, but it seems to be a big deal.

Post match the beatdown is on and Keanu Carver comes out to join in (with commentary wisely pointing out that Carver was who Riggins and Presley called a few weeks ago). It’s Gal, in the VIP section, applauds.

Women’s Title: Chantel Monroe vs. Kendal Grey

Grey is defending and Karmen Petrovic is in the VIP area. They fight over a lockup to start and go into some corners without much of an advantage being gained. Grey wrestles her to the mat a few times and it’s already time for Monroe to get a breather on the floor. Monroe gets back in to take over and grab a Hennig necksnap.

Back up and tries some more grappling but gets forearmed in the face to cut that off. Grey slides between the legs in the corner and a basement dropkick knocks Monroe down. Monroe is able to send her outside for a crossbody off the apron but Grey kicks the leg out. They trade chops on the floor and we take a break. We come back with Grey backsliding her for two but walking into something like a TKO for the same.

Monroe takes forever to go up (commentary even gets on her for it), allowing Grey to belly to belly superplex her down. Grey hits some running elbows and counters a hurricanrana into a sitout powerbomb for two. Monroe’s superkick seems to hit Grey in the throat and the Perfect Ending….sends Grey outside. Cue Wendy Choo to post Monroe but she blocks the cross armbreaker. A powerslam gives Grey two but Monroe knocks her off the top. The top rope Meteora gives Monroe two and frustration is setting in. Grey fights back though and knocks her down, drops the straps, and hits Shades Of Grey to retain at 12:14.

Rating: C+. It wasn’t bad, but dang this felt long. It came off like a match that was designed to fill in time rather than two people fighting over a title. At the same time, it didn’t help that Monroe didn’t feel like she had a chance as Grey is the new star. Throw in a rather weird and unnecessary interference from Choo and it was kind of a weak match.

Tate Wilder and Sean Legacy want the Evolve Title match so they’re set for a #1 contenders match next week. They’re both ok with that, though Wilder points out that Legacy has lost lately. Wilder is new around here but he’s getting some wins together. Legacy brings up that he had to talk Wilder out of quitting a few weeks ago. Wilder says he has grown so much since then and they get in an argument over the PC vs. the ID Program. Legacy leaves and someone puts a (rather large) hand on Wilder’s shoulder to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. The wrestling was mostly fine and I liked the Carver deal, but it was a show that felt like they didn’t have enough material for a full episode. There were some good enough moments, but it was one of the weaker shows they’ve had in a little while. The good thing is there are points that are set up for the future and I’m curious to see what happens. Call it a weak show and hope that it’s just a one off.

Results
Arianna Grace b. Carlee Bright – Graceland
Marcus Mathers/Aaron Rourke vs. Mike Cunningham/Cappuccino Jones went to a no contest when Harley Riggins and Jax Presley interfered
Kendal Grey b. Chantel Monroe – Shades Of Grey

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: November 19, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

We’re back to the title picture again as there is a #1 contenders match between PJ Vasa and Kali Armstrong for the next shot at Kendal Grey. Well next after next week’s Gold Rush edition of NXT but close enough. Other than that, Jackson Drake has to get ready for Sean Legacy next week so let’s get to it.

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

Kali Armstrong says she’s going to remind PJ Vasa show the real star is around here.

Opening sequence.

Jax Presley/Harley Riggins vs. OTM

OTM are a surprise set of opponents, as chosen by Timothy Thatcher. Price slams Riggins down to start so it’s quickly off to Presley vs. Nima. An exchange of shoulders goes to Presley, who takes Nima into the corner. It’s back to Riggins for a middle rope ax handle to the shoulder but Nima gets over to Price to fight back. A shinbreaker cuts Price off and it’s time to start kicking at the banged up leg.

Price tries to use one leg to get over for the tag, which works as well as you would expect. A shot to the back cuts him off again but a missed charge allows the needed tag off to Nima for the house cleaning. The running knee gives Nima two with Presley makes the save. Presley is sent outside and Paid In Full finishes Riggins at 6:53.

Rating: C+. This was a pair of hoss teams having a fight and that’s what it should have been. OTM getting the win here is fine as they’re certainly the bigger names of the four, though I could go with Riggins and Presley not losing as often. They’re the kind of big guys who shouldn’t be taking many losses so hopefully they can pick things up a bit.

Post match Timothy Thatcher comes out to point and talk some trash.

Video on PJ Vasa vs. Kali Armstrong.

Zena Sterling vs. Karmen Petrovic

Sterling is from LFG and rather young. She’s trained in a lot of ways, including 24 straight hours on a Stairmaster. She speaks a bit of Ukrainian and we’re ready to go. Hang on as Petrovic says she’s ready and NOW we can get started. Petrovic wins a test of strength to start and grabs a headlock, which is reversed into a wristlock. A suplex sends Petrovic flying and Sterling grabs a chinlock. Back up and Petrovic reverses a tilt-a-whirl slam into a crossbody for two. Eat Defeat staggers Sterling again and a running kick against the ropes connects. The Petrifier finishes Sterling off at 4:58.

Rating: C-. I wasn’t feeling this one and while Sterling isn’t exactly a seasoned veteran, there wasn’t much to see here. It was a dull match with little in the way of emotion and just kind of came and went. Petrovic is someone who has some cool stuff but it needs something to pull it together.

Tate Wilder is talking to Trill London and wants to be in the Evolve Title picture. They’re ready to go after Swipe Right. Sean Legacy comes in to ask why he wasn’t the partner, but Wilder says London wanted in on things around here, with Legacy saying he understands. With the other two gone, Legacy says he’s going to watch in the VIP section.

We look at Kendal Grey and Lainey Reid getting in a brawl last week on NXT, setting up their Women’s Title match next week at Gold Rush. We also see Sean Legacy being announced as the #1 contender for the Evolve Title.

Tate Wilder/Trill London vs. Swipe Right

Sean Legacy is watching in the VIP Lounge. London jumps over Smokes to start and takes him down with a headlock takeover. Wilder comes in with a slingshot ax handle to Baylor’s arm, followed by the arm being snapped over the top. It’s already back to London, who stays on the arm before a dropkick gets two. Smokes gets in a cheap shot to take London off the top though and Baylor gets to hammer on the chest.

A boot to the face gets two on London and Baylor pounds him down in the corner. London gets an elbow up in the corner though and it’s back to Wilder to clean house. The villains cut him off with a dropkick Hart Attack as everything breaks down. With Swipe Right on the floor, London hits a big flip dive and Wilder adds a top rope trust fall onto all three of them. Back in and the Wildest Ride finishes Baylor at 6:56.

Rating: C+. Wilder seems to be getting a push up the ladder and while that’s a bit of a strange way to go, at least they’re doing something with someone. At the same time, you have the Legacy factor, which is starting to lose a lot of its impact. He doesn’t win much in the way of big matches and that’s going to need to change or having him around isn’t going to mean much for very long.

Arianna Grace is in the VIP Lounge and is here to watch the main event while giving the fans a thrill.

Kali Armstrong runs into Kendal Grey in the back and they seem cool, with Armstrong saying she’s winning tonight and then coming for the title. Works for Grey.

Drake Moureaux is from the swamps of Louisiana and is coming to Evolve.

There’s no show next week but we’ll be back on December 3.

Timothy Thatcher hopes that Harley Riggins and Jax Presley will respect the Evolve talent after what happened earlier. Those guys go out there and work hard, which is what Riggins and Presley will see in two weeks in an ID showcase.

Kali Armstrong vs. PJ Vasa

For a future shot at Kendal Grey, who is in the VIP Lounge with Carlee Bright, as Arianna Grace leaves. They fight over the lockup to start until Vasa runs her over with a shoulder. Armstrong anklescissors her out of the corner and a dropkick sends Vasa outside as we take a break.

We come back with Armstrong hitting a running shoulder to the ribs in the corner, followed by quite the powerful suplex. Vasa drops her again for a quick two and it’s a Samoan drop into a chinlock. Armstrong fights up and strikes away, setting up a powerslam for two. Vasa gets backed into the corner but walks into a poke to the eyes. Something like an AA powerslam finishes Armstrong at 6:20.

Rating: B-. It worked in 2014 with Kevin Owens as Vasa, Pac as Armstrong and Jerry Mathers as Kendal Grey. Vasa is the new force who took out the former champion on her way to a title match. Now just let Grey find a way around the monster and it should make for a nice situation for everyone.

Post match Kendal Grey glares at Vasa but gets jumped by Chantel Monroe, who is challenging her in two weeks.

Jax Presley and Harley Riggins aren’t happy with what happened and make a phone call to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This is starting to feel like one of those older shows as they set things up week to week and find a way to keep you coming back. They’ve got something going here and I continue to enjoy this show more than just about any other weekly series. Now just keep that going with all of the people they have available and it should work for a good while.

Results
OTM b. Jax Presley/Harley Riggins – Paid In Full to Riggins
Karmen Petrovic b. Zena Sterling – Petrifier
Tate Wilder/Trill London b. Swipe Right – Wildest Ride to Baylor
PJ Vasa b. Kali Armstrong – Fireman’s carry powerslam

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: November 12, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

It’s time to crank up the title picture again as both of them will be on the line over the next few weeks at NXT Gold Rush. That’s not all though, as Jackson Drake has to defend the Evolve Title against Keanu Carver this week. Either way, hopefully Evolve gets to continue its rather nice run, which has been going for a few months now. Let’s get to it.

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

Earlier today, the Vanity Project arrived and mocked Keanu Carver as Jackson Drake talked about how he’s survived everything.

Opening sequence.

Here is Kali Armstrong for a chat. The last time you saw her, she was at war with Kendal Grey and yes she did slip. That was Grey taking her to a place she hasn’t been to in a long time, but she won’t let the emotions get the better of her. She either wins or she learns, which is why she took some time off. She’s ready for the road back to the top but let’s see if Grey can do it again. Cue PJ Vasa to say things have changed since Armstrong was last here. It moves fast, and now Vasa is the one getting the next title shot. The brawl is on and quickly broken up.

Sean Legacy vs. Eli Knight

This is Knight’s debut and the VIP Lounge is back, with Harley Riggins and Jax Presley joining us. Knight is ready to show why he is fly like no other. Legacy shoulders him down for an early two and adds a dropkick for a bonus. A headscissors brings Legacy out of the corner and a big running flip dive hits him on the floor. Back in and a slingshot dropkick sets up a springboard moonsault for one on Legacy.

Knight’s front facelock is countered into a drop onto the top rope for a heck of a bounce and Legacy glares at him a bit. Back up and a release German suplex sends Knight into the corner but Knight knocks him right back down. A jumping kick to the face sets up Sliced Bread for two on Legacy. Knight misses his Superman Press and Legacy suplexes him back into the corner. They slug it out until Knight grabs a hurricanrana for two. Legacy is right back with Shambles for the fast pin at 6:57.

Rating: C+. I’m still not big on Shambles but it’s clear that Legacy is the biggest star around here. He’s treated like something different than anyone else on the roster and that’s why he was put in there with Knight. It wasn’t a bad debut for Knight, though there is nothing that made him stand out all that much.

Post match Legacy says he wants to win some gold and tells Knight to keep his chin up after a great performance. Knight appreciates that as Riggins and Presley come to ringside to say they’re sick of the ID Program stars. The challenge is on for a tag match right now but cue Timothy Thatcher to say he has a team for Presley and Riggins next week.

Masyn Holiday and Layla Diggs are doing a TikTok dance when Nikkita Lyons comes in to say it looks like their wifi is lagging. Holiday wants a match with Lyons, who takes a picture of them before and will get the after…well after their match.

Video on Keanu Carver.

Masyn Holiday vs. Nikkita Lyons

Layla Diggs is here with Holiday and they do their customary dancing. Holiday takes her down for an early splash before grinding away on a headlock. Lyons hits a quick slam though and adds a running forearm in the corner. A hard kick gives Lyons two and it’s off to a bodyscissors.

That’s broken up and it’s a double clothesline to leave them both down….and here is Arianna Grace. Holiday fights up with a neckbreaker and a suplex gets two. A standing moonsault misses for Holiday though and Lyons kicks her in the head. The Vader Bomb gives Lyons the pin at 4:25.

Rating: C. I still don’t get the appeal of Lyons, as her matches are hardly worth seeing and the talking stuff isn’t much better. I’m not sure I can imagine her moving up the ladder much further but she seems to be here for the time being. Holiday and Diggs aren’t doing much with the dancing, but it’s better than nothing.

Post match Lyons dances at Diggs.

It’s Gal is still looking for a partner. He thought about Jax Presley and Harley Riggins, who broke his Stud Glasses. It’s ok because he has 3,000 pairs so he tried asking Keanu Carver. The fear ended that idea so it might be time to expand the horizons of his search. I’m still chuckling at these things.

Chantel Monroe doesn’t like Wendy Choo and says PJ Vasa and Kali Armstrong are fighting over her table scraps. She’s getting a title shot at Kendal Grey so she’s ready to take the gold.

Evolve Title: Keanu Carver vs. Jackson Drake

Drake is defending and the Vanity Project is with him. Carver (with his bad hand) runs him over with a shoulder to start but Drake is back with some shoulder in the corner. Carver’s charge in the corner hits buckle as Tate Wilder is watching in the VIP Lounge. Drake gets slammed off the top but manages to slip out of a fall away slam. A stomp to the bad hand has Carver in trouble and Drake hits a suicide dive as we take a break.

We come back with Drake working on the hand again as Sean Legacy is now in the Lounge as well. Carver muscles him up into a suplex for a breather and NOW the fall away slam works. Drake gets planted down hard with a spinebuster for two and they both need a breather. Back up and Drake tries the Lethal Injection, which is cut off by a heck of a Pounce for two in a nice false finish.

Drake’s kick to the head in the corner sets up a springboard Swanton for two on Carver, who turns him inside out. A one armed powerbomb (that was cool) gives Carver two and he hits another (and bigger) Pounce. Ricky Smokes grabs the title but Carver takes him out rather quickly. Drake is back up with a running knee though and Brad Baylor sends the bad hand into the post. The Unaliving retains the title at 9:50.

Rating: B-. Drake has started to get a lot better around here and it made for a good main event. It’s nice to see him survive against a monster like Carver and now it’s on to Legacy, which was already announced. That didn’t help with figuring out the result here, but at least the match worked well on the way there.

Legacy and Wilder glare at the Vanity Project to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. I continue to like this show, which has a nice cast of characters who have been developed in the seven or so months the show has been around. The action was good as well, with the main event feeling like a big deal. Evolve is a good, consistent show and that’s a nice thing to have week to week.

Results
Sean Legacy b. Eli Knight – Shambles
Nikkita Lyons b. Masyn Holiday – Vader Bomb
Jackson Drake b. Keanu Carver – Unaliving

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

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Evolve
Date: October 29, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

It’s time for another week of Bigg Jahh being around because…well someone has to. The big story here is Kendal Grey getting to celebrate winning the Women’s Title a few weeks back. That should be a nice way to set up her next challenger, which Jackson Drake is going to need as well. We also have some new ID Prospects this week so let’s get to it.

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

Masyn Holiday vs. Jin Tala

Tala kicks her hand away to start and then takes her down into a wristlock. That’s escaped into a headlock, allowing Holiday to grind away on the mat. Holiday misses a dropkick though and Tala kicks her in the back of the head. The full nelson with legs has Holiday in more trouble until she powers out, only to get kicked down again. The chinlock goes on for a bit with Holiday fighting up and hitting a quick neckbreaker. Holiday Season (standing splash) finishes Tala at 4:13.

Rating: C. This was mainly Tala beating Holiday up and then getting caught with a quick loss in the end. I’m not sure how well that splash is going to work for Holiday as it doesn’t exactly do much for her, but at least she won. There’s something to Holiday and it’s nice to see someone new getting a chance.

Post match Holiday dances and Bigg Jahh joins her.

Tate Wilder is happy with his win at Succession and now he’s ready for a triple threat with a star from AAA, the Performance Center and the ID Program each.

Wendy Choo is in therapy (because of AJ Lee mentioning it on Raw) and says she is starting to feel like herself. She’s feeling free and is connected to herself. Now it’s time to take care of Chantel Monroe.

Chuey Martinez is in the ring with the new ID Prospects. First up is Mike Cunningham, who has a cowboy hat and was trained by Cody Rhodes. He’s only had about fifty matches so this is a dream come true. Next is Jha’Quan McNair, who is from North Carolina and was trained by…Lodi. He’s ready to prove himself around here.

Finally we have Eli Knight, who was trained by Booker T., who has made him ready for this opportunity. Cue Brooks Jensen, who accuses the prospects of trying to take his spot. He’s heard things about Cunningham being the guy (Cunningham: “YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!”) and Cunningham is ready to go. Jensen leaves before getting physical.

Aaron Rourke talks about learning to love performing in middle school and he has turned that into a love of competition. He loves the pageantry of the whole thing and cites Trish Stratus and Lita as inspirations. Then he started changing his style and it looked like he had a place around here after all. These videos have been helping Rourke a good bit, just for the sake of letting us get to know him.

The Vanity Project talks to Stevie Turner and wants her to deal with Keanu Carver and the cast situation. Jackson Drake refuses to face Carver, but Turner says Carver is set to get his title shot in two weeks.

Marcus Mathers vs. Tate Wilder vs. Laredo Kid

Mathers is rather pleased to represent the ID Program. They trade rollups to start and Wilder runs them both over with shoulders. Wilder is sent outside, leaving Kid to strike away at Mathers. Kid takes Mathers down for two with Wilder running back in for the save. Mathers is back up to kick Wilder down, followed by a spinning high crossbody to drop Kid.

We take a break and come back with Kid chopping Mathers down before knocking both of them to the floor. The big dive drops Mathers and Wilder but Mathers is back up with a hard kick from the apron to put Kid down. Wilder shooting stars onto both of them on the floor and they head back in, with Kid hitting something like a Tower Of Doom for a near fall of his own.

Kid’s moonsault misses though and Mathers superkicks him into a suplex for two. Wilder is back up and tries a reverse springboard Spanish Fly but he and Mathers both land on their feet. Wilder’s spinning suplex takes Kid down and Mathers adds a quick 450 but Wilder breaks it up. A powerbomb drops Mathers and the Wilde Ride is enough to give Wilde the pin at 8:23.

Rating: B. While I could go for Mathers not losing nearly as often, it’s nice to see Wilder getting another win. Even if he’s not the next big thing, he’s a good example of “let’s see what we’ve got here”. Wilder is getting some focus around here and it seems to be working well enough now that he’s found his a bit of his footing.

Post match respect is shown.

Chantel Monroe is ready to slap some sense into Wendy Choo, which will make her Choo’s new therapist.

This week on the Stud-O-Meter, we have some famous tag teams. We’ll start with the Steiners, who will be ranked with….It’s Gal’s Geometry. Sure why not. Anyway, they get a 9.3 but the Dudley Boyz are only a 6.8 as they spent too much time getting the tables rather than getting gains. Now It’s Gal needs a new partner.

Video on Adrenaline Drip vs. Jax Presley/Harley Riggins. They’re 1-1 against each other and the rubber match is next week.

We look at Kendal Grey winning the Women’s Title at Succession.

Here is Grey, with Carlee Bright, for her championship celebration. She’s not going to give you some sob story, but calls the title proof that all the work she has put in has paid off. Grey praises Kali Armstrong and talks about dragging her into the gray area. We hear about Grey’s time in amateur wrestling and now she knows that there is a target on her back.

If you want to come after her, you better be ready. Cue PJ Vasa from LFG to lay Grey out with a powerbomb and powerslam to end the show. That’s one of the perks of this show, as you can just debut new people at any time. It’s not like there is anyone else ready for Grey at the moment so points for doing what made sense.

Overall Rating: B. This show did a very good job of freshening things up a bit. On occasion you need some new blood, especially with the amount of people who are leaving the ID Program in the first place. Let these people get out here and see what they have, which is mostly the point of Evolve in the first place. This show feels like it’s actually put together with a plan going most of the time and that’s nice to see, as it’s making Evolve the easiest show to watch at the moment.

Results
Masyn Holiday b. Jin Tala – Holiday Season
Tate Wilder b. Laredo Kid and Marcus Mathers – Wilde Ride 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: October 8, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

We’re rapidly approaching Succession and it’s time to find out what we’re going to have to push towards the two title matches. I’m not sure if anything else is going to be added to the show but it should be interesting to see how Kali Armstrong and Jackson Drake get ready for their defenses. Let’s get to it.

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

Stevie Turner tells us that Keanu Carver is injured and unable to wrestle at Succession. A new challenger will be named tonight.

Opening sequence.

Chuey Martinez brings out Kali Armstrong and Kendal Grey for their face to face meeting. Grey is tired of Armstrong looking so confident after she hurt Carlee Bright last week. Armstrong says bright is full of sunshine and bubbles but there is no room for that in Evolve. As good as Grey may be, Armstrong is just better.

Grey lists off her amateur credentials and Armstrong talks about her own resume in track and around here. Armstrong was one of eight children and was born with drugs in her system but here she is. They stare each other down again to wrap it up. Pretty simple and to the point stuff here and the match is feeling like a showdown.

Tate Wilder is happy with his win but now he wants to be on Succession. Brooks Jensen jumps him from behind to lay him out.

It’s Gal vs. Dante Chen

Feeling out process to start with Gal taking him down and doing some pushups on Chen’s back. The posing seems to get on Chen’s nerves and he makes the comeback, including a dropkick. The threat of the Gentle Touch sends Gal out to the apron so Chen clotheslines him back over the top.

Gal hits a hard clothesline of his own but again takes too much time posing and gets rolled up for two. A half nelson slam and superkick send Gal outside for the suicide dive. Back in and Gal gets caught up top for a spinning powerbomb, followed by the Gentle Touch for the pin at 5:48.

Rating: C+. This boils down to one issue: Gal is goofy fun and Chen isn’t interesting. I’m not sure what WWE sees in Chen as he has been around for a long time but isn’t exactly showing much in the way of standing out. In theory this is moving Chen towards title contention, and I really don’t get why.

High Ryze is ready to show what they can do.

The Vanity Project isn’t sure what’s going on with Succession and thinks the management is messing with them by not naming an opponent. Jackson Drake credits Bryce Donovan for getting rid of Keanu Reeves and everyone seems happy. Well not Donovan, though he does smirk a bit.

High Ryze vs. Aaron Rourke/Marcus Mathers

Wes Lee is here with High Ryze. Igwe shoulders Rourke in the corner but Rourke jumps over him and brings Mathers in for a running dropkick. DuPont tags himself in though and a big boot puts Mathers down so the villains can take over. A double forearm drops Mathers again and we hit the chinlock, only for Igwe to miss a charge into the post. Rourke comes back in to clean house, including an elbow to Igwe. Mathers hits a middle rope Stunner into Rourke’s Molly Go Round for two. Rourke misses a moonsault though and gets Heartstoppered for the pin at 7:01.

Rating: C+. We’re going to need some Tag Team Titles around here and that’s not a bad idea. There are several tag teams around here (though Rourke and Mathers aren’t among the best) but they don’t have much to fight over. It’s only about seven months into Evolve though so we very well could see such an announcement, even at Succession.

Jax Presley and Harley Riggins want one more match with Adrenaline Drip. They tell Stevie Turner that Robert Stone would give them the match, which is enough for Turner to make it happen.

Wendy Choo vs. Nikkita Lyons

Lyons backs her into the corner to start but gets taken down with a headlock takeover out of the corner. A crucifix gives Choo two and she hits a dropkick. Lyons shrugs that off and they head outside, where Choo gets kicked down. Back inside and Lyons chokes on the ropes, followed by some hip drops in the corner.

A suplex gives Lyons two and she grabs the reverse chinlock. That’s broken up and Choo grabs an anklescissors into some running shots in the corner. Lyons tries a quick sunset flip but gets pulled down into a rollup for two. A tiger bomb gives Lyons two more and she breaks out of a Dirt Nap attempt. The Vader Bomb misses though and Choo gets the Dirt Nap to make Lyons tap at 7:00.

Rating: B-. Not a bad match at all here, as Choo having something of a personality and not doing a bunch of weird glares at the camera while holding a pillow. She has the talent in the ring and do fine if she’s able to drop all of the weird stuff. Thankfully that’s what she seems to be doing and Lyons lost as a bonus.

Brooks Jensen says Tate Wilder is why he hates Evolve. Jensen should be rising up the ranks here but Wilder wins one match and thinks he should be something special. They’ll fight next week and this time it’s a bullrope match. Wilder has to win that and while he’s not the most interesting person, at least he’s getting a coherent story.

Here is the Vanity Project to find out who will be facing Jackson Drake for the title. Cue Sean Legacy, who says his issues with Drake have gone back to the first episode of Evolve and even before. The perfect way to go would be to have Legacy take the title. Legacy looks into the camera and promises Keanu Carver a title shot but here is Edris Enofe to jump Legacy from behind. Legacy is sent into the video board to mess it up. Drake: “That sucks. Bye Sean!”

Drake says there is no next challenger so next week, it can be the Vanity Project Appreciation Night. He lists off his teammates and praises everyone but Bryce Donovan, who picks up the contract and tells Drake to shut up for once. Donovan calls them all the worst human beings he has ever met. Drake can solve his own problems because Donovan is done with the Vanity Project. Donovan says he’s coming for the title at Succession and clears the ring, including a chokeslam to put Drake through a table. That lets Donovan sign the contract. Not the most thrilling story, but they have a connection and that’s a good idea.

We run down the Succession card to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. They’ve done a nice job to set up a three match show and I want to see where things go at Succession. The big matches are feeling important and hopefully they live up to their hype. There was only so much in the way of good matches here though, as the build was the important part. They’ve set next week up and that’s what matters even more, so the action can be excused at least a bit.

Results
Dante Chen b. It’s Gal – Gentle Touch
High Ryze b. Marcus Mathers/Aaron Rourke – Heartstopper to Rourke
Wendy Choo b. Nikkita Lyons – 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:

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

Evolve
Date: October 1, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

We are on the way to Succession and that means it is time to start getting the card ready. Things are already starting to come together and now we need to get the rest of the stuff set up. Tonight is about finding out the #1 contender for the Evolve Title, with Jackson Drake sending Bryce Donovan to solve the problem. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Adrenaline Drip vs. Harley Riggins/Jax Presley

During their entrance, Presley and Riggins brag about their abilities and mock the idea of “indy workers”. Jones slugs away at Presley to start but Presley drags him into the corner to cut that off. Riggins comes in to miss a big boot, allowing the tag off to Cartwheel. A headscissors and armdrag bring Riggins down…and hang on as Riggins seems to have hurt his leg.

A frustrated Riggins takes his shirt off…and of course it’s goldbricking, with Riggins kicking Cartwheel in the face to put him down. Presley hammers away as well before it’s back to Riggins for a nice Backstabber. Cartwheel cartwheels away from Riggins but hurts his back, only to get over to Jones a few seconds later. A springboard clothesline and high crossbody put Presley down but there’s no count.

Everything breaks down and Cartwheel hits a great looking springboard spinning splash on Riggins, only to get caught with a heck of a backbreaker from Presley. Riggins is sent into the post and Cartwheel hits the springboard moonsault, leaving Presley to get caught with Flip N Sip (Downward Spiral/top rope flipping cutter combination) for the pin at 5:58.

Rating: B-. I was surprised at how short the match was as they packed a lot into this thing. Riggins and Presley continue to impress me with everything that they’re doing, as they are one of those classic archetypes of a team that can work in any era. They’re both long, long term prospects but they’re off to a nice start. Adrenaline Drip will likely be in the Tag Team Title picture and there is a good chance those belts are announced soon.

Tate Wilder is ready to take the path of learning after his recent failures. Sean Legacy comes in and tells him to stay ready for Edris Enofe before he faces Ridge Holland.

Jackson Drake again tells Bryce Donovan that he needs to lock in around here, with Donovan not being pleased. Donovan tells Drake to stop talking to him like a child, which is the thing that Drake wanted to see. Apparently this was his idea.

Edris Enofe vs. Tate Wilder

Enofe hammers him to start and manages a neck snap across the buckle in the corner. They head outside where Enofe forearms him in the face but Wilder uses the post to jump up for a dropkick in a nice move. Back in and Enofe knocks him out of the air and grabs Wilder by the arm for some clotheslines.

Wilder tries to fight up from his knees and gets kicked in the face for his efforts. A belly to back suplex actually gets Wilder out of trouble but Enofe dropkicks him back down. The turnbuckle pad is taken off for a distraction, allowing Enofe to grab a chair. Cue Sean Legacy to cut that off and Wilder hits a heck of a dive to the floor. Wilder strikes away and grabs a spinning suplex, followed by the Wilde Ride (moonsault) for the pin at 5:34.

Rating: C+. I’m still not sure I get it with Wilder as The Modern Day Cowboy isn’t exactly a top level gimmick, but they certainly seem to be trying with him and he does have a story going on. At some point you have to just try with someone and he’s a young, new star. That dive looked good too so the athleticism is absolutely there. Now just make it work.

Legacy and Wilder are rather happy, while Enofe glares.

Layla Diggs and Masyn Holiday try to get Wendy Choo to do TikTok dances with them. It actually seems to work but Nikkita Lyons comes in to say Choo was better when she didn’t talk. Choo: “What a b****.”

Carlee Bright vs. Kali Armstrong

Non-title and Kendal Grey is here with Bright. Armstrong knocks her down to start and cranks on the arm but Bright gets in a knee to the ribs. Back up and Armstrong just tosses her outside, followed by a running powerslam inside for two. Bright fights up and gets a running headscissors, followed by another out of the corner. A top rope bulldog and small package give Bright two but Armstrong plants her with the powerslam. The Kali Connection drops Bright but Armstrong hits another (with Bright flipping on the contact) for the pin at 5:38.

Rating: C. The second Kali Connection helped a bit, as Armstrong had simply won rather than doing any special damage. The idea here would seem to be Armstrong destroying Grey’s friend before their title match and while she didn’t quite do that, the big shoulders were devastating. Bright was good as the sacrificial lamb here and this is feeling like a big time title match.

Brooks Jensen only needs three seconds to get a singles title shot. He knows the rage that Keanu Carver has inside of him but Jensen the same. We see some of Jensen’s issues over the years but all he has ever wanted is an opportunity.

Video on the WWE ID Program, including some wrestlers going to Malaysia.

It’s Gal needs a new tag partner but no one is good enough for him. Dante Chen comes in and wishes him well, but Gal doesn’t want to hear it. The match seems to be set for later.

Keanu Carver vs. Brooks Jensen

For the Evolve Title shot at Succession. Carver shoves him around to start before Jensen tries to strike away. That goes nowhere as Carver grabs some slams and a Samoan drop for two. We cut to the back where the Vanity Project sends Bryce Donovan to deal with this before Carver misses a charge into the post.

We take a break and come back with Jensen hitting a middle rope knee to the arm, followed by the armbar. The bad arm is sent into the buckle but Carver is able to send Jensen’s arm into the post for a change. A fall away slam sends Jensen flying and a pop up Samoan drop gives Carver two. Jensen is back with a big clothesline for two and the middle rope legdrop gets the same. Carver gets annoyed at the kicking though and grabs the leg, only to get belly to back suplexed. Back up and Carver hits a big shoulder, followed by the spinning powerslam for the pin at 8:45.

Rating: C+. Jensen is someone who knows how to do things in the ring, but he’s only so interesting. At the same time, Carver feels like the big threat to the title and that should be enough to get him into the title match. This worked well enough, though I never bought Carver as being in danger.

Post match Bryce Donovan comes in with a chair to lay Carver out. The arm is crushed with the chair and the Vanity Project comes out to stomp and pose. Jackson Drake and Donovan shake hands to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show is finally in the mode where they have to build towards something. That hasn’t been an idea around here in its history so far and it’s a nice change of pace. If nothing else, we have the two title matches already set up and that should be enough to carry us for the next few weeks. I’m not sure what else is going to be on the rest of the show, but for now the top of the card is strong enough.

Results
Adrenaline Drip b. Harley Riggins/Jax Presley – Flip N Sip to Presley
Tate Wilder b. Edris Enofe – Wilde Ride
Kali Armstrong b. Carlee Bright – Kali Connection
Keanu Carver b. Brooks Jensen – Spinning powerslam

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 24, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

We’re back in the Performance Center and things are not going well with the Vanity Project. Bryce Donovan is not liking the idea of Jackson Drake blaming him for the team’s recent losses and might be coming for him. Other than that, Kali Armstrong might have to deal with Kendal Grey so let’s get to it.

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

Stevie Turner gets us going and has a few announcements. First up, Chase U is here tonight to face Swipe Right. In addition, on October 15, Evolve will hold its first special with Succession, where both titles will be defended. Challengers to be announced.

Opening sequence.

Here is Kendal Grey for a chat. Last week, she made Wendy Choo quit for one of the biggest wins of her career. It means her hard work is starting to pay off. She’s in Evolve to find out who she is and she’s getting more and more comfortable every week. There is no woman here on her level, including Kali Armstrong. With Succession coming up, she wants a title shot.

Cue Armstrong to say Grey is feeling herself and that she knew Grey would be coming for the title. Grey says everyone is the same when they’re locked in an armbar but here is Chantel Monroe to interrupt. She wants the title, but Grey says Monroe has already dropped the ball in her title shots. Monroe blames the loss on Kylie Rae, which brings out Stevie Turner to interrupt. Before she can say anything though, Armstrong says she wants to defend the title in a singles match because she wants everyone to know she won because she’s better. Turner gets it and makes Monroe vs. Grey later tonight for the title shot.

Someone seems to be filming the Vanity Project when Stevie Turner comes in. Jackson Drake wants to know who he’s facing at Succession. Ricky Smokes hits on Turner, which doesn’t work for her, as she makes Brooke Jensen vs. Keanu Carver for the title shot tonight. As for Swipe Right, they have something to do.

Swipe Right vs. Chase U

The rest of the Vanity Project and Andre Chase are here too. Dixon and Smokes lock up to start and Connors has to come in to break up a double suplex attempt. Connors comes in as Dixon kicks Baylor’s leg out, setting up Connors’ Fameasser. Smokes saves Baylor from a double suplex but their double dropkick misses. Baylor kicks Dixon down on the floor though and we take a break.

We come back with Smokes slipping out of a slingshot suplex and ducking an enziguri. Baylor hits a running knee for two on Dixon but he’s able to fight up and bring Connors back in. Everything breaks down and Connors hits a big running flip dive, followed by a Swanton for two on Smokes. An exchange of kicks to the head sets up a double powerbomb for two on Baylor but Dixon gets knocked to the floor. We get a big seconds staredown on the floor but Dixon is taken out. That leaves Smoke to grab Connors’ leg, setting up the Super Swipe to finish Connors at 8:34.

Rating: B-. This is the second match in a row where Chase U has looked good so maybe they’ve got something as the young, up and coming team. There’s always room for something like that and if Chase can get a bit of his old self back, I’m more than all for it. Swipe Right continues to be ok for around here, but I can’t picture them having much of a chance on a higher level.

Post match the Vanity Project celebrates with Jackson Drake mocking Bryce Donovan about last week’s loss. With that out of the way, Drake says he doesn’t want to face Keanu Carver or Brooks Jensen. That’s a problem, so it’s time for Donovan to fix things. Donovan doesn’t seem thrilled.

Jax Presley and Harley Riggins are happy with their recent workouts and think everyone is scared of them. They might be up for the Tag Team Titles (which almost have to be coming now that they’ve been mentioned twice) but Stevie Turner sends them a text, saying Adrenaline Drip wants a rematch. They’re in.

Various women talk about their picks for tonight’s #1 contenders match. Nikkita Lyons thinks she should be in the match and Wendy Choo says this is going to be harder than she thought.

It’s Gal is in Stevie Turner’s office. Apparently Jamar Hampton has cracked his hip and is out for a bit. Ridge Holland comes in and wonders why he isn’t in the #1 contenders match. Tate Wilder comes in to say you don’t speak to women like that so Turner makes Holland vs. Wilder. Actually that’s not what Wilder wanted. Not yet anyway, but he will. So why were you there? Then Turner throws Gal out.

Keanu Carver doesn’t think much of Brooks Jensen and doesn’t want to know him, but it’s time to hurt him.

Chantel Monroe vs. Kendal Grey

For the title shot at Succession. Monroe takes her down to start and points a lot so Grey grabs a waistlock to take over. A forearm sends Grey into the corner and Monroe chops away but stops to dance. Grey is back up with a crossbody and some armdrags into an armbar. Monroe reverses into an armbar of her own, which Grey reverses right back. A basement dropkick sends Monroe to the floor, only for her to come back with a neckbreaker over the ropes as we take a break.

We come back with Monroe hitting a knee to the face for two and choking on the rope. A Hennig necksnap gives Monroe two and she grabs a triangle choke. Grey fights back and slugs away, including some running elbows to the face. An overhead belly to belly connects but Monroe superkicks her out of the air. Something like a TKO gets two but Grey catches her on top with a super Spanish Fly for two of her own. Monroe gets two off a rollup (and a close one at that) but gets caught in the cross armbreaker for the tap at 9:55.

Rating: B. Grey is absolutely feeling like a prospect and it wouldn’t shock me to see her slay the monster to get the title. They’re turning the armbar into something and that’s a smart idea. At the same time, this was easily Monroe’s best match ever and that is great to see. Hopefully she can build on it, as she’s been needing the upgrade.

Post match Carlee Bright comes out to celebrate and Kali Armstrong comes out to stare to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. One of the things that I like about this show is that they mix up the format almost every week. You might get a bunch of matches or you might get something like this, with a pair of talking but some things being set up for later. It’s making things easier to watch week after week and I’m curious to see how Succession goes. Nice job here, as Evolve is becoming one of my favorite shows of the week.

Results
Swipe Right b. Chase U – Super Swipe to Connors
Kendal Grey b. Chantel Monroe – Cross armbreaker

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 17, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

It’s time to get violent around here as we have an I Quit match between Wendy Choo and Kendal Grey. That’s likely to be the main event, but we also need to see what is next for both of the champions around here. It’s almost like this place has become a real show with stories and characters and that’s awesome. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Here is the Vanity Project to get things going. Jackson Drake brags about his win last week and says no one wants a piece of them. They’re in their gear for a reason though. Drake went to Stevie Turner earlier today and got them an eight person tag match. Now bring out these “dusty a** opponents”.

Vanity Project vs. Dante Chen/Drako Knox/Tyra Mae Steele/Sean Legacy

Steele and Mae start things off with Steele easily taking over. Knox comes in to run Smokes over and it’s off to Chen to strike away on Baylor. It’s off to Donovan to take over though and we go to an early break. We come back with Knox still in trouble and getting hammered in the corner, with Donovan pounding him down and dropping an elbow for two. Smokes comes in to stomp away but Knox ducks a clothesline and gets the tag off to Legacy.

A few rooms of the house are cleaned but Legacy gets taken into the wrong corner so the beating can begin again. Smokes kicks him down for two and goes after Legacy’s partners, including yelling at Steele. That’s enough for Legacy to backdrop his way out of trouble, allowing the tag off to Chen to really clean house. Everything breaks down and Steele starts throwing people around with German suplexes (including Smokes landing on the back of his head). The Gentle Touch drops Donovan for the pin at 11:49.

Rating: C+. This is another bad night for the Vanity Project and it wouldn’t be a shock to see Donovan going after Drake as a result. Drake needs a new challenger and it isn’t like there is anyone ready to come after the title at the moment. Steele continues to feel like she has a lot of potential and Legacy is likely going to become a star. Knox and Chen….eh not feeling it yet but stranger things have happened.

Post match the winners get to pose as Jackson Drake yells at Bryce Donovan.

Aaron Rourke and Marcus Mathers don’t like It’s Gal/Jamar Hampton and are ready to beat them down.

Carlee Bright gives Kendal Grey a pep talk before the I Quit match with Wendy Choo…but it might be difficult because Choo doesn’t talk. Grey has this and even practices an armbar on Bright.

Earlier today, Tate Wilder was upset at his losses but Sean Legacy came in to say this is a tough business. Wilder can keep getting up and this is just the beginning of his story. Wilder appreciates the kind words and Legacy says be more ready the next time he faces Ridge Holland. Legacy seems ready for Edris Enofe too.

Aaron Rourke/Marcus Mathers vs. It’s Gal/Jamar Hampton

Gal and Rourke trade wrist cranks to start with Rourke taking him down to the mat. Gal reverses into a headscissors with some pushups, which earns him a slap to the face. A flipping double slap to the chest lets Rourke bring in Mathers, who hits something like Poetry In Motion. Gal fights back and brings in Hampton to take over on Rourke, with Gal getting in a neck snap over the rope.

A double delayed vertical suplex lets Gal and Hampton do pushups on Rourke’s chest before Gal gets two. Hampton jumps over Gal’s back to crash onto Rourke, who enziguris his way out of trouble. Mathers comes back in to pick up the pace, including some kicks in the corner to Hampton. A spinning high crossbody gives Mathers two and Rourke kicks Gal to the floor. Mathers hits a heck of a running flip dive but Rourke bangs up his knee. That means a double powerbomb can finish Rourke off at 6:53.

Rating: B-. It took me a bit to get the idea that Rourke and Mathers were the good guys here, or at least the less bad of the two, as it wasn’t exactly clear at first. I still like Mathers and Hampton a good bit so I’ll take one of them getting something to do. There was a mention of Evolve Tag Team Titles and….that’s actually not a terrible idea.

Post match Gal and Hampton bust out the matching sunglasses.

Kali Armstrong gets to sit back and be a fan in the main event, but she doesn’t know how Wendy Choo can quit when she doesn’t talk. Choo comes in and smiles.

Someone who works at the Performance Center talks about how exhausting it is to work with Sean Legacy, who talks about wrestling all the time. He appreciates the effort, but Legacy pops in to knock on the window and say there is ice cream. This Is Evolve.

Jackson Drake yells at the Vanity Project again and suggests that it was all Bryce Donovan’s fault. Donovan doesn’t like being blamed for the loss and seems to suggest he’s coming after Drake.

Wendy Choo vs. Kendal Grey

I Quit match. Grey (with Carlee Bright) jumps Choo before the bell to start fast but Choo fights back in the corner. Choo is knocked to the floor and tied in the ring skirt for a sliding dropkick. Grey goes after her and gets choked, followed by a drag underneath the ring. Back out and Grey is wrapped around the post, with Choo pulling at some limbs to cause the screaming. A catapult sends Grey throat first into the bottom rope and we take a break.

We come back with Grey standing up for a slugout, followed by a ram into a chair in the corner. Some chair shots to the back set up a Fujiwara armbar to put Choo in more trouble. Grey lets that go but misses a slingshot dive, allowing Choo to hit a brainbuster. Choo chokes with a chair but Grey rolls her into an ankle lock.

That’s broken up as well and Choo chairs her down again. The chair is wrapped around Grey’s neck and she gets sent into the corner, setting up the Dirt Nap. Grey flips out into a cross armbreaker but Choo rolls out for a crash to the floor. Back in and Choo tries a suplex but Grey reverses into a DDT onto the chair. A slingshot stomp onto the arm onto the chair sets up the cross armbreaker to make Choo quit at 11:35.

Rating: B. Ignoring the fact that Choo has spoken before on WWE TV, this was a good story being told with Grey fighting against the evil and winning in the end. Grey seems like she is being built up for a title shot and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her slay the monster champion. This was a smart way to go and Grey is feeling more and more like a star every week.

Bright and Grey (Is that supposed to be some kind of opposite name thing?) celebrate as Choo asks what is left for her to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Nice show here, with the main event being a highlight. You can pretty much pencil in the next two challengers for the titles and that should make for an interesting future. Evolve continues to feel like a well written and planned out show and I’ll take that every time. Good show this week, which tends to be the case.

Results
Dante Chen/Drako Knox/Tyra Mae Steele/Sean Legacy b. Vanity Project – Gentle Touch to Donovan
It’s Gal/Jamar Hampton b. Aaron Rourke/Marcus Mathers – Double powerbomb to Rourke
Kendal Grey b. Wendy Choo – Cross armbreaker

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