Evolve
Date: January 14, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

Things are changing in a hurry around here and it’s rather interesting to see where they are all going. With a bunch of Evolve names now officially part of NXT, some changes are going to need to be made around here. That could be a good thing, but it’s definitely a thing of some description. Let’s get to it.

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

Team PC arrives and are ready to take over.

The Vanity Project arrives and runs into Aaron Rourke, Cappuccino Jones and Eli Knight. They argue a bit and a six man tag is set for later.

Opening sequence.

Video on the Women’s Title match, with Kendal Grey being ready to face the monsters PJ Vasa and Kali Armstrong.

Women’s Title: Kendal Grey vs. PJ Vasa vs. Kali Armstrong,

Grey, with Wren Sinclair, is defending and Karmen Petrovic is in the VIP section. Vasa powers both of them into the corner to start so Grey slides between her legs to pick up the pace. Some running dropkicks stagger Vasa and a double dropkick sends her outside. That leaves Grey to suplex Armstrong and then kick the returning Vasa back outside. Armstrong spears Grey but gets speared by Vasa, who stands tall as we take a break.

We come back with Vasa cleaning house, including booting Grey down while holding Armstrong in a fireman’s carry. Grey gets the ankle lock on Vasa but Armstrong makes the save. Armstrong drops Vasa with the powerslam and loads up the Kali Connection, only for Grey to springboard in with Shades Of Grey to retain at 5:08.

Rating: B-. Well it was eventful while it lasted, but I was expecting a far longer match than what we got here. At the same time, I was expecting Grey to lose here as it’s pretty clear that she’s getting elevated in the near future. That being said, her holding the title even longer isn’t a bad thing and she got a solid win here.

Post match Petrovic doesn’t think much of Armstrong, who wants to put the sword, uh, somewhere.

Trill London talks about his time in the NFL and is ready to leave you wondering who he is.

Timothy Thatcher vs. Charlie Dempsey

Shockingly enough they go to the grappling to start, with Dempsey getting a cravate, which is broken up without much trouble. A knee to the arm has Dempsey in trouble and Thatcher knocks him outside as we take an early break. We come back with Thatcher still on the arm until Dempsey takes the leg down to switch control. Dempsey ties up the leg and then goes with something close to an STF.

A gutwrench suplex drops Thatcher again and it’s back to the legbar. With that broken up, Dempsey just cranks on the leg for a change. Back up and Thatcher just hits him in the face, which is quite the logical comeback. Dempsey gets something like a dragon screw legwhip but Thatcher pulls him into a Fujiwara armbar.

That’s rolled into a leglock, which is reversed into a cross armbreaker as this is a technical clinic. Dempsey knocks him to the floor and matches Thatcher with a shot to the face back inside. A bridging butterfly suplex (nice) gets two on Thatcher, as does a bridging German suplex. Dempsey switches over to a Fujiwara armbar for the tap at 13:10.

Rating: B. This was a lot of fun as you can tell both of them know this style very well. Dempsey winning is of course the right call as Thatcher is just there to make others look good. That’s what he did here and it came in a rather entertaining match. This isn’t something that works all the time, but when you see this style every so often, it’s pretty awesome.

Video on Harlem Lewis.

Vanity Project vs. Eli Knight/Cappuccino Jones/Aaron Rourke

Rourke frustrates Baylor to start and it’s quickly off to Jones for a nice dropkick. Knight comes in and gets headlocked by Drake but comes back with a nice leg lariat. The villains are cleared out to the floor and, after a quick spank from Rourke, Knight hits a big flip dive over the top. Baylor gets in a jumping knee to the face though and we take a break. We come back with Knight in trouble, including Drake raking his back.

A fisherman’s suplex gives Drake two and he knocks Rourke and Jones off the apron. The villains take turns beating Knight up in the corner, with a variety of stomps. Knight manages a high crossbody and that’s enough for the tag off to Jones. Everything breaks down and Rourke hits Eat Defeat on Smokes. The Decaffinator takes Baylor down but Smokes shoves Jones off the top. Drake comes back in with the Unaliving to pin Jones at 9:40.

Rating: C+. Pretty standard six man tag here with Drake getting to look like a star in the end. That’s a good thing, as Baylor and Smokes aren’t exactly must see stuff in the ring. I can see why they make for good background people, but that only gets you so far once the bell rings. At the same time, Knight got to showcase himself well here, but it was only for so long.

Post match Team PC comes out, with Kam Hendrix saying they’re running Evolve in two weeks. That’s not when Hendrix wants his title match though, because that’s going to be Drake vs. Carver, Riggins and Presley in a handicap match. Then Hendrix will get his title match the next week. That’s rather brilliant.

Tate Wilder is in the back and says he feels like he’s walking this road alone.

Overall Rating: B-. I still love the way this show is put together, as it feels like every show is designed to keep things moving. This show had a variety of different stuff going on and I wanted to see all of it. That’s not something you often see and the differences make it stand out that much more. Good stuff here, and they kept things moving for the future as well. Nice work, as is almost always the case.

Results
Kendal Grey b. PJ Vasa and Kali Armstrong – Springboard Shades Of Grey to Armstrong
Charlie Dempsey b. Timothy Thatcher – Fujiwara armbar
Vanity Project b. Cappuccino Jones/Eli Knight/Aaron Rourke – Unaliving to Jones

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: January 7, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Robert Stone, Peter Rosenberg

It’s time to get back to Evolve as it hasn’t been around for the last few weeks. In this case we even have a bit title match, with Sean Legacy challenging Jackson Drake for the Evolve Title. It could be quite the interesting time, as several NXT departures mean that some names could be on their way out of Evolve. Let’s get to it.

Here is the most recent show if you need a recap.

Sean Legacy talks about the things that he did in 2025, which was a great year. But it was also LAST year and now he needs to start doing something bigger this year. And what happens to Evolve if he doesn’t win the title? Uh, about the same thing that has been happening for months now?

Opening sequence.

IMG Credit: WWE

Karmen Petrovic vs. Laynie Luck

Luck has been a regular on the independent circuit for the better part of ever and recently won the Women’s ID Title. They trade takedowns to start, with Luck cartwheeling out of a wristlock. Petrovic takes her down into an armbar and drives her into the corner, where Luck gets in an elbow to the face. Luck grabs a suplex and ties Petrovic in the Tree Of Woe, only to miss a charge. A top rope Sling Blade and Eat Defeat rock Luck, who is back with a tilt-a-whirl slam for two. Petrovic shrugs that off and hits a quick Petrifier for the win at 3:35.

Rating: C+. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Luck over the years so it’s very nice to see her getting this kind of a chance. I’m not sure what she’s going to do with it, but she’s absolutely a success story after all those years. Petrovic still needs to step it up a bit, as she’s just kind of the same person she’s been for a long time now.

The Vanity Project isn’t worried about Sean Legacy but run into a bunch of the ID guys. They aren’t impressed with the Project either but cooler heads prevail.

We recap Chantel Monroe vs. Wendy Choo. Monroe called her a freak so Choo cost her a title match, causing Monroe to interrupt Choo’s therapy session. Therefore, it’s time to fight.

IMG Credit: WWE

Chantel Monroe vs. Wendy Choo

No DQ and Choo jumps her from behind during the entrances. Monroe fights back and grabs the weapons as the bell rings. Choo fights back without much trouble and puts Monroe in the trashcan for a running dropkick. The table is brought out and we take an early break.

We come back with Monroe beating her down with a chair, which is wedged in the corner. Choo fights up and of course sends Monroe into the chair (it’s a law), followed by a chair to the back. The Dirt Nap goes…well mostly on, but Monroe grabs some hairspray to blind her way out. A top rope Meteora onto a trashcan gives Monroe two and a DDT onto the chair gets the same. The table is set up but Choo is back with her own hairspray shot. Monroe catches her on top and yells a lot, only to get caught in a Dirt Nap on the ropes. A super full nelson slam sends Monroe through the table for the win at 7:27.

Rating: B-. The ending looked really good and it was cool to see the two of them beating the fire out of each other for a bit. I had a good time with this as Monroe has come a long way since her debut. At the same time, Choo has become far easier to watch now that she has dropped the whole weird evil stuff.

Post match Choo says she wants to show the new her. There is a triple threat for the Women’s Title next week and she wants the winner. Kendal Grey comes out to say she’ll beat Choo again. Choo says Grey can’t beat the new her.

Trill London sees the world differently but he was good enough to play for the Miami Dolphins. Now he’s here to see how he can evolve in the ring. Enjoy the show.

Kam Hendrix says it’s going to be a privilege to see him for the next twenty years. If charisma was water, you would need a life jacket right now.

Arianna Grace and Nikkita Lyons interrupt and mock Layla Diggs and Masyn Holiday for doing Tik Tok videos. They’re suddenly best friends.

Video on Jackson Drake.

Evolve Title: Sean Legacy vs. Jackson Drake

Legacy, with a bad shoulder, is challenging and chops away in the corner to start. They seem to mess up a bit in the corner and after what might have been a camera edit, Legacy sends him into the corner to put Drake down. A running chop in the corner drops Drake and a jumping stomp to the back gives Legacy two.

We take a break and come back with Legacy stomping away and sending Drake outside. The slingshot dive connects for Legacy but Drake posts him, with the bad shoulder getting banged up. Back in and Drake slowly works on the arm but Legacy tries a sunset flip. That earns him a moonsault knees to the ribs for two as Legacy is in trouble. The Lethal In-Jacksion is blocked though and we take another break.

We come back with Legacy splashing Drake for two and avoiding a high crossbody. Legacy plants him down for two more but Shambles is cut off with an arm snap over the rope. Back up and a Spanish Fly gives Legacy two but the arm gives out on an STF attempt. A crossface has Legacy in more trouble and Drake switches into a triangle choke for some elbows to the head. Legacy powerbombs his way to freedom but Drake hits one heck of an Unaliving, followed by another to the back of the head to retain at 14:29.

Rating: B. That almost has to be it for Legacy around here, as there is nothing left for him to do. He came in as what seemed to be the big prospect and it kind of stayed that way without ever accomplishing anything. Drake has started to stand out a bit more and it should be a big deal when someone finally beats him for that title.

Post match Kam Hendrix and company come out to threaten Drake but Harlem Lewis is back, immediately scaring Drake to death. Lewis gets in the ring and says he doesn’t care about PC or ID (amen), because he only cares about the title. He wants someone to step to him…but the Vanity Project leaves in a smart move.

Timothy Thatcher runs into Charlie Dempsey and asks Dempsey to respect his decision. Dempsey wants to prove himself, but Thatcher says you can do that every time you get in the ring. One more insult from Dempsey is FINALLY enough to get Thatcher to agree to the match to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The thing I like about Evolve is that it feels like the shows have been thought out in advance. We’re back from a few weeks away and they returned with some fresh ideas and names. That’s a great sign and I’m curious to see where some of these things go. I like the ideas that they’re presenting here and hopefully it keeps living up to the hype.

Results
Karmen Petrovic b. Laynie Luck – Petrifier
Wendy Choo b. Chantel Monroe – Super full nelson slam through a table
Jackson Drake b. Sean Legacy – Unaliving to the back of the head

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

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

NXT
Date: January 6, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

It’s New Year’s Evil and we’ve got a bunch of title matches this week. The (likely) main event will see Oba Femi defending the NXT Title against Leon Slater. Other than that, Evolve Women’s Champion is challenging Jacy Jayne for the NXT Women’s Title and Thea Hail is defending the Women’s North American Title against former champion Blake Monroe. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of the highs and lows of 2025. This switches into a preview of tonight’s start to the year.

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s North American Title: Blake Monroe vs. Thea Hail

Hail is defending but Monroe jumps her from behind before the bell. The beating is on, with Hail going through the barricade, and referees break it up. No match at the moment.

With that being settled, here is Ricky Saints for a chat. Saints says he really needed NXT last year but now NXT really needs him. He’s the reason Je’Von Evans and Trick Williams picked free agency, because they know they can’t hang with him anymore. He knows how this ends and he hasn’t been wrong for twenty years so he isn’t starting now. Tonight’s main event is for the NXT Title and he wants the winner, especially if it’s Oba Femi, because they’re 1-1. In case you needed a reminder, that is absolute.

Ava is panicking in the back and throws us to the package on Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame. They were friends and Paxley had success, but Dame didn’t like that she stopped listening, meaning it was time for a fight.

Post break, Ava yells at Blake Monroe, who is willing to accept a fine and then get her title shot. Ava throws her out instead. I’m curious if Monroe will ever be back.

IMG Credit: WWE

Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame

Dame powers her into the corner and fires off forearms to start fast. Something like a half crab in the corner gets Paxley out of trouble and a big slap drops Dame again. A running flipping ax kick in the ropes connects but Dame forearms her right back down. We take a break and come back with Dame hitting some backbreakers for two and grabbing a Liontamer.

That’s broken up so Dame goes up top, where Paxley grabs a super Spanish Fly to leave both of them down. Paxley snaps off a German suplex but gets kicked in the face. A doctor bomb gets two but Dame has to break out of the Cemetery Drive. Dame spears her through the ropes, only for Paxley to come back with a kick to the head. A 450 knocks Dame sillier and the Cemetery Drive gives Paxley the pin at 11:37.

Rating: B-. That’s a big win for Paxley, as she beat Dame clean and in theory wins the feud. That comes after Paxley already won the Women’s Title, which is quite the promotion for her. It’s nice to see the hero win like this for a change and the fans certainly like Paxley, so nice job here.

Elio LeFleur (a masked French wrestler, better known as Aigle Blanc on the independent scene) is coming and describes himself as the French luchador. I’ve heard worse ideas.

Thea Hail is told her title match is going to be pushed back but she wants Blake Monroe tonight. Ava tells her about the ejection so Hail says it’s open challenge time. That sounds dumb.

Women’s Title: Kendal Grey vs. Jacy Jayne

Only Jayne is defending (as Grey’s Evolve Women’s Title isn’t on the line) and Wren Sinclair and the rest of Fatal Influence are here too. Grey takes her down by the arm to start but the attempt at a cross armbreaker sends Jayne over to the ropes. A dropkick sends Jayne outside and Grey hits a big moonsault. Jayne sends her into the barricade though and adds a running cannonball as we take a break.

We come back with Jayne hitting a basement superkick and grabbing a cravate. That’s broken up and Grey hits a spinning middle rope crossbody for two, followed by stereo crossbodies to leave both of them down. Grey makes the comeback and takes the straps down, setting up a DDT out of the corner for two.

Jayne catches her on top though and a hanging swinging neckbreaker gives her two of her own. A big boot cuts off some German suplexes to give Jayne two more but Grey grabs the cross armbreaker. That brings in Fatal Influence for the distraction, with Sinclair getting knocked off the apron. Another armbreaker attempt is blocked but Fallon Henley blocks something like Oblivion. The Rolling Encore retains the title at 12:36.

Rating: B. This match told a nice story as Grey was clearly able to beat Jayne but couldn’t overcome the numbers game. That’s a nice way to keep Grey safe, and that is something that they should definitely do. Grey is pretty clearly going to be something around here, and beyond, so keeping her protected like this is a smart idea. Also, while Jayne might not be the greatest in-ring star ever, she can more than hold her own out there and deserves praise.

Ethan Page annoys Ava by bragging about his North American Title reign and goes to continue bragging in the ring. First though, he brings in the Vanity Project, much to her annoyance. Off-screen chattering ensues.

Women’s North American Title: Thea Hail vs. ???

A banged up Hail is defending and says the first woman in the ring gets a shot. The locker room comes out, with Tatum Paxley clearing the way with a chainsaw (fair). As that’s being put down though, Izzi Dame runs in from behind and boots Hail in the face so the bell can ring. A flapjack drops Hail for two but she gets the same off a rollup. Dame’s powerslam gets two and we take a break.

We come back with Dame stomping away but Hail manages a desperation DDT. The springboard backsplash misses though and Dame kicks her down again. Dame Over is blocked but Hail can’t get the Kimura. She can however exploder her out of the corner and out to the floor, where Dame cuts off a dive and plants her hard. Back in and Hail catches her on top, where Dame hits a super Dame Over for the pin and the title at 10:02.

Rating: C+. Well, the short title reign isn’t shocking as it was never supposed to happen in the first place. I do like that they went in another direction rather than having Monroe get the title back, as it should also set up something else between Dame and Paxley. That might not be necessary, but Dame stealing the title was a nice touch.

Post match the Culling celebrates with the new champion, as you might expect.

The Vanity Project hit on Lola Vice but Hank & Tank cut them off. With the Project gone, Vice says she’s going to beat up Izzi Dame and Kelani Jordan. Cue Jordan and the fight is on/quickly broken up.

Joe Hendry comes in to see Ava and requests a No DQ match with Dion Lennox next week. Oh and he’ll find some people to help deal with Darkstate. The last bit is enough for Ava to agree.

Here is Ethan Page for a chat. Last week he became a big game hunter by bagging a Moose. The main event is coming up but make no mistake: the North American Title is the real title in NXT and WWE. He has defended the title against everyone from around the world and that makes him an international icon.

Cue Jasper Troy to interrupt (Page looks confused) and say that he’s the dominant force around here. Before he can finish though, cue Josh Briggs to interrupt, with Troy getting in his last line over Briggs’ music, which really doesn’t work. Briggs calls Page delusional, just like the fans. Page doesn’t like being compared to THEM but here are Stacks and Arianna Grace to interrupt.

Stacks doesn’t like Page calling himself the International Icon when Stacks is already the TNA International Champion. Cue Shiloh Hill, who is facing Stacks for the title next week. Tavion Heights comes out to say this is missing him, so he’s challenging Troy for the Speed Title next week. The big brawl is on, with Hill dipping Grace back…but his tooth falls out. To call this a mess would be insulting to other messes.

Joe Hendry recruits OTM to help him against Darkstate next week. The tease of a possible Tag Team Title shot gets them in.

Fatal Influence runs into Sol Ruca and Zaria, who won awards but don’t have any titles. Ruca and Zaria aren’t impressed.

Ethan Page runs into Myles Borne and Tate Wilder (a cowboy from Evolve). Page isn’t sure why Borne wasn’t out there but Borne says that wasn’t his business. That doesn’t work for Page, who yells at both of them and leaves. Wilder tells Borne to not let this bother him but Borne says it’s too late.

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT Title: Oba Femi vs. Leon Slater

Femi is defending (Slater’s TNA X-Division Title is not on the line). They circle each other to start, with Slater’s waistlock not working in the slightest. Femi works on the arm instead and chops him down, setting up an early chinlock. Back up and Slater handsprings into a backbreaker, allowing Femi to throw him outside as we take a break.

We come back with Slater hitting a Codebreaker for a needed breather. Femi is knocked outside, where he chops a standing Slater on the apron for quite the loud impact. A running knee hits the post though and Slater sends him knees first into the steps in a smart move. Back in and a high crossbody gives Slater two but Femi’s chokeslam gets the same.

Slater gets in a running knee though and manages a slam for two. An enziguri sends Femi outside and there’s the big running flip dive over the post. The Swanton 450 (which was overlaunched anyway) hits raised knees to give Femi two more but Slater superkicks him. Femi is right back to catch him with the Fall From Grace to retain at 11:10.

Rating: B+. This was a case of Slater having one of the biggest chances of his career and going for it with everything he had. Slater is someone who can do some great things in the ring and will absolutely be on WWE’s radar. At the same time, Femi is quite the monster force and got to win a good main event here. That being said, he’s on his way to the main roster and the title reign is going to have to end sooner or later.

Ava tells the Evolve locker room that there are a lot of spots available at the moment, as Je’Von Evans, Jordynne Grace, Trick Williams and Lash Legend have all moved up. Robert Stone runs in to ask if we saw what Oba Femi just did.

We cut back to the ring, where the title is sat on the mat with Femi gone (and Tony D’Angelo looking on from the crowd). So I guess that’s how they get the title off of him. Smart move.

Overall Rating: B. They were in a VERY tough spot with this show, as so much of the roster is going away all at once. There are at least four people signed up to the main roster, with Femi and Monroe looking likely. That leaves a bunch of changes that need to be made and this show did what it could to make that happen.

NXT’s cupboard isn’t bare, but this felt like a season finale when a lot of the main cast had left. Hopefully they have some fresh ideas for some new names as they’re certainly going to be needed. Call ups are what NXT is designed to do, but they have their work cut out for them. They did well here, but the hard part is just beginning.

Results
Tatum Paxley b. Izzi Dame – Cemetery Drive
Jacy Jayne b. Kendal Grey – Rolling Encore
Izzi Dame b. Thea Hail – Super Dame Over
Oba Femi b. Leon Slater – Fall From Grace

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: 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

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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: 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 22, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

We’re done with Succession and the big story is the crowning of a new Women’s Champion in Kendal Grey. This week marks the beginning of a new era as we have some fresh stars joining the ID Program. We’ll get to meet some of them this week, along with Bigg Jahh as guest GM. Let’s get to it.

Here is Succession if you need a recap.

Here is the Vanity Project to get things going. They brag about Jackson Drake retaining the Evolve Title last week but here is Keanu Carver to interrupt. Bigg Jahh and security cut him off and a six man tag is set for the main event. Cue OTM to back up Carver and lay out the Vanity Project.

Video on Sean Legacy vs. Edris Enofe.

Wendy Choo is in therapy and talking about feeling lonely. She tried to be different but along the way, she lost her identity. This included not talking and she’s not sure who she is anymore.

Chantel Monroe says there’s no way to fix someone like Choo. If Choo gets in her face, Monroe will knock her back to Spirit Halloween.

Sean Legacy vs. Edris Enofe

Legacy hammers away at the bell and kicks him in the chest, setting up a standing moonsault for two. Enofe is back up with a running clothesline for two and stomps away, but spends a bit too much time yelling. A middle rope knee to the head (which is not innovative despite what commentary says) and a top rope elbow give Enofe two but Legacy is back up. Legacy kicks away and hits an enziguri, followed by Shambles for the fast pin at 3:55.

Rating: C+. That was a quick match for what had been built up as a fairly big showdown. Legacy still feels like one of the biggest names around here and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him getting into the title picture sooner or later. He still needs a better finisher though, as Shambles isn’t something that is going to work on everyone.

Post match Legacy says he isn’t happy with being left off Succession, but he’ll be on the next one, maybe even going after the Evolve Title. He also brings up Timothy Thatcher, who has been missing lately but Legacy wants him back.

Next week: a new prospect debuts.

Masyn Holiday and Layla Diggs give Bigg Jahh a headshot but he’s in GM mode tonight. They leave so Stevie Turner says Laredo Kid will be here next week and in a triple threat. Holiday and Diggs are back in with another photo, though Jahh isn’t sure why it’s in black and white. They’re on Instagram though! Jahh isn’t impressed.

Harley Riggins and Jax Presley are ready for another shot at Adrenaline Drip and seem to name themselves Necessary Roughness.

Zayda Steel vs. Thea Hail

Hail kicks her down to start and hits a standing moonsault (must be a Sean Legacy fan), with Steel bailing into the corner. Steel tries to escape but gets dropped face first, allowing Hail to go up. Hail gets kneed in the face to cut things off though and Steel chokes on the ropes. The chinlock doesn’t last long as Hail is back up with a knee to the face. A World’s Strongest Slam and bottom rope springboard backsplash hit Steel but Hail has to cut off some Vanity Project interference. The Kimura makes Steel tap at 4:25.

Rating: C. That was a pretty dominant win from Hail, which isn’t a great sign for Steele. Hail felt like someone who would be brought in to give Steel a victory over a bigger name but instead Hail shrugged off the numbers game and won. I can go for Hail winning, though I don’t exactly see her going very far anytime soon.

It’s Gal is back with a new Stud-O-Meter, this time talking about the Prototype, who gets a 9.5. The Prototype inspired him to get the never seen 17 reps of 315. Next up is the Ringmaster, who gets an 8.7, with the lack of a tan keeping him away from a 10. It’s Gal 3:16 says he just ranked your pale a**.

Aaron Rourke talks about growing up in New York and being bullied while he was growing up. People tried to make him feel wrong for being who he was but he knew who he was and couldn’t change it. Wrestling became an escape for him and he knew that’s what he wanted to be. That’s an awesome story.

Brooks Jensen wants a title shot but is told Keanu Carver is next in line. Stevie Turner asks him to leave so she can talk to Bigg Jahh about the three new prospects who will be here next week. Jahh implies he’ll be here too.

Vanity Project vs. OTM/Keanu Carver

Nima backbreakers Drake to start and it’s off to Carver vs. Smokes. A big slam drops Smokes fast and Price comes in to no sell Baylor’s chops. Baylor tries some forearms to no avail and a powerslam cuts him off again. Nima comes in but some quick double teaming cuts him off, including a ram into the post. We take a break and come back with Smokes choking on the rope and Baylor’s springboard DDT gets two. Drake gets in a cheap shot from the apron and Smokes grabs a front facelock.

Nima powers him into the corner but Drake pulls Carver off the apron for a superkick. No one takes out Price though and he comes in to clean house. A springboard missile dropkick cuts him off though and Drake gets two off a Swanton. That’s shrugged off and it’s Carver coming in to clean house. One heck of a Pounce cuts Drake off but he snaps Carver’s bad arm over the top rope. Smokes hits a dive but gets dropped onto the apron. Carver uses the cast to knock Drake out for the pin at 9:37.

Rating: B-. This wound up being a much better match than I was expecting, as Swipe Right has turned into a totally decent annoying heel team. They don’t have to do much in the ring to back that up and it worked well enough here. This was about Carver beating Drake though and the title shot should be set up soon.

Overall Rating: C+. I was hoping for some better fallout from last week but we only got a bit here. The big story here was of course Carver getting the pin on Drake and that worked well enough. At the same time, they set up the prospects deal for next week, which is a nice bonus. The wrestling was just ok though and the show felt more like a preview for everything else.

Results
Sean Legacy b. Edris Enofe – Shambles
Thea Hail b. Zayda Steel – Kimura
Keanu Carver/OTM b. Vanity Project – Cast shot to Drake

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: Succession
Date: October 15, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Robert Stone

It’s time for the first Evolve special since the series debuted back in March. This week features a three match card, with both titles on the line and a big grudge match which should become violent. That’s a good way to hook in some fans and the card has been built up pretty well. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a look back at the original Evolve and what it can mean to be a star around here. This leads us into a look at tonight’s show.

We recap Bryce Donovan challenging Jackson Drake for the Evolve Title. The two of them have been part of the Vanity Project with Donovan as the team’s enforcer. Drake started taking advantage of Donovan though and even insulted him, eventually causing Donovan to snap. Donovan signed the contract for the title match and quit the team, promising to take the title here.

Evolve Title: Bryce Donovan vs. Jackson Drake

Drake, with the Vanity Project is defending and slaps Donovan in the face to start. That earns him a Black Hole Slam before Donovan sends him flying into the corner. A flapjack sets up some forearms to Drake’s chest, with Donovan pointing down at the Project. Donovan goes outside to yell at the Project, allowing Drake to hit a suicide dive to take over. Cue Keanu Carver, with security holding him back as we take a break. We come back with Donovan working on a half crab. That’s broken up and Donovan fights back, including a pop up powerbomb for two.

Drake goes back to the knee and dropkicks him to the floor, where Donovan grabs a chokeslam onto the apron. Donovan’s running charge hits the steps though and Drake drops the knee into those steps. Back in and a Swanton (possibly onto the knee) gets two on Donovan, who hits a hard clothesline of his own. A middle rope chokeslam plants Drake but the cover sends his feet in the ropes. Drake goes back to the knee though and a pair of Unalivings retain the title at 8:23.

Rating: C+. The match was a nice back and forth fight and I’m glad Drake won, as the Donovan turn was a last minute thing. It would have been odd to see Drake win the title only a week after his turn, which wasn’t so big in the first place. The title change should come at a bigger moment so the match going this way makes sense. At the same time, that’s quite the death knell in Donovan for the time being, as he’s going to need a change to come back from that kind of a loss.

Stevie Turner is on the phone with someone from AAA and is excited to have an up coming guest start. A celebrity (seemingly from some series) Bigg Jahh comes in to say the title match was fire. They’ll watch the rest of the show together.

Video on Adrenaline Drip vs. Harley Riggins and Jax Presley.

Masyn Holiday and Layla Diggs are in the back with Wendy Choo. As Choo is about to talk, Chantel Monroe comes in to mock the idea of Choo talking and then leaves. Choo says AJ Lee says therapy works. They’re off to find Bigg Jahh, who apparently makes movies.

Tate Wilder vs. Brooks Jensen

Bullrope match with pinfall or submission to win. They pull at the rope to start until Jensen misses a kick and gets tripped down. Wilder misses some whips with the rope and gets forearmed in the corner. Jensen gets tied up in the rope again though and Wilder pulls him down, followed by a dropkick to the floor. That lets Jensen pull him into the ropes for a knockdown as we take a break.

We come back with Jensen missing a bell shot to the face but dropping Wilder over the top rope. A middle rope elbow to the head gets two on Wilder and the rope is pulled across Wilder’s mouth. Jensen whips him with the rope, which helps wake Wilder up to start the comeback. Wilder whips him down for a change and they slug it out until Jensen knocks him out of the air with a bell shot. Jensen goes up and gets pulled back down, setting up a powerbomb into the Wilde Ride for the pin at 6:18.

Rating: B-. Nice match here and Wilder got the win that he needed. It was another result that needed to happen as Wilder would be absolutely done if he lost here. Jensen isn’t exactly a top name but he’s a big enough deal that Wilder gets something out of beating him. At some point you need to move someone up the ladder and that’s what we’re getting here.

Video on the WWE ID Program, with new names arriving soon.

We recap Kendal Grey challenging Kali Armstrong for the Women’s Title. Armstrong is the monster while Grey has been rising up the ranks and is ready to challenge for the top spot.

Quick video on Aaron Rourke.

Sean Legacy is in Stevie Turner’s office and wants to face Edris Enofe next week. Bigg Jahh says he should so Turner makes….Jah the GM next week. Layla Diggs and Masyn Holiday come in and try to get parts in his new movie.

Women’s Title: Kendal Grey vs. Kali Armstrong

Grey is challenging and after the Big Match Intros, takes Armstrong down and hammers away. Armstrong powers her into the corner to hammer away but gets fireman’s carries back down. A missed charge in the corner lets Grey score with a dropkick out to the floor. Grey hits a nice dive and they fight up to the apron. Armstrong cuts off a slingshot though and Grey gets driven back first into the apron over and over.

We take a break and come back with Armstrong dropping an elbow for two, followed by a reverse slam. The chinlock goes on but Grey fights up and sweeps the leg. A DDT gives Grey two and a moonsault press connects for the same. Armstrong is back with a pop up powerslam for two of her own and a top rope superplex gets two more. They slug it out with Armstrong getting the better of it and loading up the Kali Connection, which is countered into a powerslam to give Grey the pin and the title at 9:36.

Rating: B. This was a well put together match and I liked what we got out of it, with Armstrong going with with what worked to get her here, only to get caught going too far. Grey was built up well in the last few weeks and it makes sense for her to be the one to slay the monster champion. Good stuff here and well worthy of the main event slot on this show.

Wren Sinclair and Carlee Bright run in for the celebration to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. They nailed this one pretty well, with all three matches going as they should have and the quality going up as the card moved along. I liked this rather well and it was nice to have it be the length of a regular episode rather than making it some kind of big elongated special. As usual, Evolve is well produced and structured, which makes the show that much easier to watch.

Results
Jackson Drake b. Bryce Donovan – Unaliving
Tate Wilder b. Brooks Jensen – Wilde Ride
Kendal Grey b. Kali Armstrong – 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: 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