Evolve
Date: August 13, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Robert Stone, Peter Rosenberg

The title pictures are starting to heat up around here, with the big story being Keanu Carver setting his sights on the Evolve Title. That isn’t going to go well for Jackson Drake and the rest of the Vanity Project as they have their hands full. Other than that, a few women are coming for the Women’s Title and that could cause some problems for Kali Armstrong. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Tate Wilder vs. Brooks Jensen

Jensen’s headlock doesn’t get him very far so they trade shoulders, with Wilder getting the better of things. Jensen is sent outside and Wilder hits a quick moonsault, followed by a sunset flip for two back inside. Back up and Jensen forearms him down, including some shots to the chest. A chinlock doesn’t last long and Wilder sends him into the corner. Another moonsault misses though and Jensen hits a pair of lariats for the pin at 4:59.

Rating: C-. I kind of like the fact that Wilder isn’t going out there and winning everything to start, as the point seems to be bringing him along slowly. At the same time, I’m not sure how much there is about having two cowboy/southerner characters facing off. Odds are this is just a one off, but it wasn’t the most interesting start.

Post match Jordan Oasis runs in to brawl with Jensen, knocking him out to the floor.

Wendy Choo laughs about her win last week.

Adrenaline Drip is in the gym when Jax Presley and Harley Riggins (they’re new and much bigger than Cartwheel and Jones) are bragging about their own strength. A match is set for later.

Earlier today, Jackson Drake yelled at Bryce Donovan about his loss last week. Donovan doesn’t care for his tone but everything seems to be ok, with Donovan apologizing for his loss. Donovan has even gotten the team some matches, but he doesn’t reveal the opponents, which has the rest of the team annoyed.

Dante Chen vs. Edris Enofe

During his entrance, Enofe pulls a turnbuckle pad off but can’t send Chen into it. The referee sees the exposed buckle and goes to fix it, meaning Chen’s rollup gets a delayed two. A Rock Bottom plants Enofe but Chen is sent into the exposed buckle. Enofe misses a Stinger Splash into the buckle and gets kicked out to the floor. Back in and Chen hits a suplex into a suplex drop but Enofe sends him outside again.

Enofe rams into various things, setting up a top rope elbow for two back inside. Chen slaps him in the face, earning himself some knees to the jaw. Chen’s top rope superplex gets two but the Chentle Touch misses. Instead Enofe grabs a rollup with trunks for two but gets caught, only to walk into the Chentle Touch for the pin at 6:27.

Rating: C. The match itself was ok, but at the same time, there is a reason these two have never really made it that far up the ladder. It was completely acceptable wrestling, but that doesn’t mean it’s overly interesting. Both of them are fairly dull, though there is a good chance that we’ll be seeing a rubber match. It’s not a terrible idea, but it’s nothing I’m thrilled to see.

Tate Wilder is banged up when Ridge Holland comes in to mock him over two losses. Wilder sees them as lessons instead of losses but Holland is focused on Sean Legacy next week.

Kylie Rae rants to Stevie Turner about Chantel Monroe and gets a match with her last week. Jordan Oasis comes in so Turner yells at him over his recent actions. Turner will figure out this thing with Oasis and Brooks Jensen.

Layla Diggs vs. Zayda Steel

Masyn Holiday is here with Diggs and Bryce Donovan is here with Steel. They fight over arm control with neither being able to get very far. A quick takedown sets up a headscissors on Steel, who gets dropped with a running Blockbuster. Back up and Steel starts in on the arm, including a half crab. Diggs fights up and hits a running shoulder in the corner, followed by a suplex for two. Donovan tries to get involved and is quickly ejected, allowing Diggs to hit Diggity Splits (egads) for the pin at 4:03.

Rating: C+. Sweet goodness it really is called Diggity Splits. Diggs is someone who has gotten my attention a few times and while she is still very new at this, she has the athleticism to be worth another look. At the same time, things are not going well for the Vanity Project and there is a good chance that things are going to be getting worse in the coming weeks.

Jamar Hampton doesn’t like It’s Gal coming out to watch his match recently. Gal suggests he was just watching but Hampton is off to train. Gal offers to show him a workout, with Hampton seeming intrigued.

Sean Legacy is upset with his recent loss but wants to see Keanu Carver go after the Vanity Project because he doesn’t like either of them. Then he’s coming after the Evolve Title. We see Ice Williams calling out Legacy at a recent independent event, which Legacy calls “just noise”. For now, Williams wants to go after Ridge Holland.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Tyra Mae Steele vs. Karmen Petrovic

Steele wastes no time in sending her flying with a release German suplex and we take a break. We come back with Steele hitting more suplexes before tying up Petrovic’s legs. Back up and Steele misses a charge into the corner, allowing Petrovic to strike away. Some Sling Blades put Steele down and the Petrifier finishes for Petrovic at 4:40.

Rating: C. Uh….ok then. Steele has already been appearing on NXT and has felt like one of the bigger prospects around here, but she just loses to Petrovic? It’s not like Petrovic is bad, but she hasn’t been doing anything in recent months and here she is beating Steele. I’m not sure I get that, as putting Petrovic closer to the title match is fine, but why do that to Steele?

Kali Armstrong comes out for the staredown with Petrovic to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This wasn’t the show that seemed to matter but rather the show that was setting up the bigger show. The Vanity Project seemingly falling apart is the biggest story and that should make for a big shift around here, whenever it happens. Other than that, Armstrong and Drake both seem to have their next opponents, with the title matches likely coming sooner than later. The wrestling wasn’t exactly great this time, but at least some stuff was set up for the future.

Results
Brooks Jensen b. Tate Wilder – Lariat
Dante Chen b. Edris Enofe – Chentle Touch
Layla Diggs b. Zayda Steel – Diggity Splits
Karmen Petrovic b. Tyra Mae Steele – Petrifier

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

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Evolve
Date: August 6, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

It’s time for another showdown here as Wendy Choo is facing Carlee Bright. In addition, Kali Armstrong is dealing with Jin Tala, who is coming for the Women’s Title. Other than that, Keanu Carver is going after the ID Program and some people are not pleased with what he has been doing. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Jin Tala coming after Kali Armstrong and the Women’s Title.

Here is Armstrong to call out Tala for a fight. Cue Tala for the brawl so the referees break it up, but Stevie Turner comes in to make the match for right now.

Women’s Title: Kali Armstrong vs. Jin Tala

Tala is challenging. Armstrong knocks her around the ring to start and hammers in the corner as commentary talks about how this match was scheduled for later tonight so Tala isn’t ready. Tala fights back and works on the arm, allowing her to kick away at the ribs. A 619 to the ribs keeps Armstrong in trouble and we take a break.

We come back with Tala staying on the ribs, including a seated abdominal stretch with some driving elbows. Armstrong Hulks Up (as commentary puts it) and hits a spinebuster to put Tala in trouble for a change. Tala avoids a charge into the post, followed by a kick to the ribs. Another 619 is cut off though and the Kali Connection retains the title at 7:03.

Rating: C+. Perfectly logical match here but it’s nice to see Armstrong get another title defense under her belt. She overcame some adversity here and should be done with Tala as a result. Armstrong has the physical stuff and the talking is starting to come around, as there is always a place for someone with her natural abilities.

Post match Karmen Petrovic comes out to say she and Armstrong have unfinished business (Jordynne Grace interfered in their match on NXT) so Petrovic wants the title.

The Vanity Project isn’t worried about Keanu Carver because he’s probably just jealous. Jackson Drake is a bit nervous though and Brooks Jensen is coming for him too. Bryce Donovan is going to take Carver out…but no one told Donovan about that. This was seemingly filmed by a hidden camera or someone hiding.

Carlee Bright and Kendal Grey both want to hurt Wendy Choo, with Bright getting the chance this week.

Over the weekend, Cappuccino Jones and Kylie Rae won the inaugural ID Titles. I still have no idea why these are necessary when there are already Evolve Titles.

Karmen Petrovic is trying to get a Women’s Title shot but Tyra Mae Steele comes in to say they can have a #1 contenders match next week.

Carlee Bright vs. Wendy Choo

Kendal Grey is here with Bright. Choo takes her down to start and crawls along on the mat for some mind games. Bright gets in a headlock takeover and works on the arm, with Choo giving some rather disturbing facial reactions. That’s reversed into a wristlock from Choo but Bright flips out and sends her to the floor. Grey offers a quick distraction so Bright can hit a flip dive off the apron.

We take a break and come back with Choo flipping her off the top for a crash. A double elbow to the chest gives Choo two and we hit the neck crank. Bright fights up and hits a neckbreaker into a standing moonsault for two. Choo rolls through a high crossbody for two but the Dirt Nap is broken up. Bright forearms away but gets dropped with a clothesline. Now the Dirt Nap finishes Bright at 8:34.

Rating: B. These two had a good, back and forth match and it’s far better than anything Bright has done before. The result sets up Choo’s next match against Grey and that’s how it should be going. I liked this more than I was expecting and I’d call it quite the success, as Bright doesn’t have the experience to make something like this work, but they pulled it off.

Tate Wilder is happy to have had his first match in Evolve but he’s disappointed in coming up short. Brooks Jensen interrupts and Wilder isn’t happy, with Jensen insulting Jordan Oasis making it even worse. Wilder challenges him and a match seems likely.

Dante Chen talks about how he’s been in NXT for a long time so now he’s taking his chance in Evolve. He didn’t expect Edris Enofe to turn into something like this. Just because Enofe says he’s great doesn’t mean he should be handed everything. Chen is fighting up the hill while someone carries Enofe up. They’re facing each other again next week. Chen was pretty fired up here and I’ve seen worse.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Bryce Donovan vs. Keanu Carver

The rest of the Vanity Project is here with Donovan, who kicks Carver into the corner to start. Some elbows to the face stagger Carver, who could out with a running shoulder. Donovan knocks him outside, where Carver gets in a knockdown of his own. Carver gets in a staredown with Jackson Drake and we take a break. We come back with Donovan booting him down for two and pounding some forearms into Carver’s chest. Back up and a hard clothesline puts Carver down again, followed by the chinlock.

Carver fights up and blocks a boot in the corner before hitting hit own hard clothesline. Donovan gets launched with a fall away slam but manages to plant Carver again. Carver is fine enough to hit a Samoan drop but Zayda Steel distracts the referee. Cue Brooks Jensen to go after the Vanity Project but Jordan Oasis comes in to brawl Jensen off. Carver gets back up and hits a Pounce into the spinning powerslam for the pin at 7:52.

Rating: C+. Nice power brawl here, with Carver continuing to look like he is on the way to becoming Evolve Champion. The Vanity Project is a fine choice for an early heel stable, but there comes a point where it’s time for someone better to come along. That might be what Carver is doing, as he is smashing through a variety of people. Odds are the title match is coming after Carver gets rid of the rest of the team, which is a nice story to see.

Overall Rating: B. This show featured a bunch of different stories, nice action, and teasing things for the future. Evolve has gone from not existing about five months ago to being more organized than some long running shows. That’s an impressive feat and they did it in about forty five minutes this week. Nice job, as this show is finding new ways to improve week after week.

Results
Kali Armstrong b. Jin Tala – Kali Connection
Wendy Choo b. Carlee Bright – Dirt Nap
Keanu Carver b. Bryce Donovan – Spinning powerslam

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

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

We’re back in the developmental’s developmental and that could make for some interesting developments. The Vanity Project is still the big thing around here and we are likely going to be seeing someone new showing up. One of the best things around here has been all of the surprise appearances, which might be the case again this week. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at Keanu Carver running through the WWE ID Program, including Sean Legacy.

Opening sequence.

Bryce Donovan vs. Marcus Mathers

The rest of the Vanity Project is with Donovan, which is good as I regularly forget his name. Donovan runs him over with a shoulder to start but Mathers is right back with a crossbody for two. Back up and Donovan drops Mathers with a shot to the face and then knocks him outside for a crash.

The abdominal stretch keeps Donovan in trouble but Mathers fights out and hits some running clotheslines. Mathers’ comeback is countered with a pop up powerbomb and a big clothesline gets two. Another comeback sees Mathers knock down Swipe Right but Zayda Steel cuts off the big dive. That lets Donovan hit a Black Hole Slam for the win at 6:19.

Rating: C+. Donovan continues to feel like the “oh yeah he’s there too” member of the Vanity Project but he’s not bad at what he does. At the same time, it’s a bit annoying to see Mathers losing, as he feels like someone who could be a solid prospect around here. Naturally it isn’t the end of his run, but that’s rather early for a first loss.

Timothy Thatcher wishes Sean Legacy luck, with Legacy telling him that he’s still mad over what Keanu Carver did. Thatcher tells him to forget all that and fight through the pain.

Here is Kali Armstrong, who gets straight to the point: she wants Jin Tala out here right now. She didn’t hide from anyone and doesn’t want Tala to hide either. Instead it’s Tyra Mae Steele interrupting, saying she’s the one who won the triple threat two weeks ago. Armstrong needs to be looking out for her before Steele takes the title.

Cue Tala, who says she wants the Women’s Title. Armstrong gives her the shot, but Steele takes issue with Tala getting the shot by attacking some people rather than winning anything. The brawl is on with Tala standing tall. There’s an interesting story here and that’s a good sign.

Jamar Hampton is ready for Jack Cartwheel, even though Cartwheel is way more experienced. With Hampton gone, It’s Gal comes in to have some issues exercising. He’ll do it because he can’t stand Adrenaline Drip.

Jamar Hampton vs. Jack Cartwheel

Cappuccino Jones is here with Cartwheel. Hampton starts in on the arm to start but Cartwheel is back with a headlock takeover. Back up and Cartwheel’s dropkick doesn’t even stagger Hampton, who hits a much bigger dropkick for two. Cartwheel knocks him down again and hits a slingshot splash, followed by an armbar.

A Muta Lock has Hampton in more trouble but he powers up and hits some dropkicks. Hampton’s running Blockbuster gets two and he sends Cartwheel outside. The slingshot dive misses so Cartwheel hits a flipping dive, followed by a slingshot 450 (geez) for two back inside. Cue It’s Gal to keep exercising as Cartwheel knocks Hampton off the top, setting up a corkscrew shooting star press for the pin at 6:03.

Rating: B-. Hampton continues to look like a prospect, but he’s going to need to have some more success. That being said, he’s still a rookie and is losing to people with some more success. What matters right now is that he’s getting his feet wet in front of people, and that could give him a good foundation later on.

Video on Zara Zakher.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Keanu Carver vs. Sean Legacy

Carver shrugs off the early attack and sends him into the corner for the heavy shots. Legacy gets dropped on the ropes and sent flying with a fall away slam. Legacy has to skin the cat to pull himself over the top, with a headscissors bringing Carver outside. A dive takes Carver out and we take a break.

We come back with Carver hitting a Pounce and putting on a cobra clutch. A backbreaker gives Carver two and some running shoulders in the corner get the same. The bearhug has Legacy in more trouble but he fights out and gets in a shot of his own for a breather. Legacy’s running DDT drops Carver and a German suplex gets two. Carver cuts off a springboard though and hits a hard right hand for two. Back up and Legacy knocks him down again for another near fall but Shambles is blocked. Instead Carver slingshots him up into the spinning powerslam for the pin at 11:35.

Rating: B-. This was telling a nice story, with Legacy fighting back for the sake of revenge but getting crushed by the power of the monster. That’s a good way to make Carver feel like a big deal and odds are he’s on the way to the Evolve Title picture. At the same time, Legacy has cooled off a good bit since the start of Evolve and he could use a turn around somewhere in the near future.

Post march Carver calls out Jackson Drake and the Vanity Project to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. Good show here as it felt like an old NXT show. The stories feel like they are all getting attention and being well developed. That helps avoid what feel like weaker parts of the show and making everything feel that much more interesting. I’m starting to like this one more and more every week and that was on display again here.

Results
Bryce Donovan b. Marcus Mathers – Black Hole Slam
Jack Cartwheel b. Jamar Hampton – Corkscrew shooting star press
Keanu Carver b. Sean Legacy – Spinning powerslam

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

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Evolve
Date: July 16, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

Things have been picking up around here, but also in places not so much around here. In this case that was earlier this week, as the Evolve Women’s Title was defended on NXT. That’s the kind of showcase Evolve can use and it went fairly well. As for this week, Lince Dorado is getting his Evolve Title shot. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Kylie Rae vs. Chantel Monroe vs. Tyra Mae Steele

Rae and Steele throw Monroe out to start and Steele wrestles Rae down without much trouble. Monroe is back in and they trade rollups for some near falls until Rae kicks Monroe outside again. A suicide dive takes out Steele and Monroe at the same time and a moonsault gets two on Steele back inside. Steele gets up and cleans house with raw power until a spinning Codebreaker gives Monroe one. Back up and Steele rams Monroe into Rae, followed by a bridging German suplex to pin Monroe at 4:43.

Rating: C+. That’s the right result, as Steele feels like she could be a huge star down the line. She has the charisma and certainly has the athletic background, so if she can put everything together, there are some real possibilities there. For now, it’s smart to put her in the ring for a few minutes to get her feet wet, which can increase in the coming weeks and months.

Earlier today, Jin Tala sat down for an interview and talked about revealing herself as the backstage attacker. She knew that she had to be aggressive and was going to go after everyone by any means necessary. Tala was eliminated from LFG because she wasn’t eliminated and now she is going to become the next Women’s Champion. Tonight against Carlee Bright, she is going to show us what real aggression is about. Tala sounded dangerous here.

Jordan Oasis is in Stevie Turner’s office and says he wants the winner of the Evolve Title match. He wants to fight Swipe Right too so Turner says if he can find a partner, the match can be on for next week.

Jin Tala vs. Carlee Bright

Kendal Grey is here with Bright, who goes right after Tala to start the fight fast. They trade hard shots in the corner before going outside. Tala rams her into various things and then chokes on the ropes back inside. Bright’s dropkick into a jumping neckbreaker sets up a standing moonsault for two but cue Wendy Choo to glare at Grey. Tala uses the distraction to hit the Direct Effect for the pin at 3:10.

Rating: C. The result was right, but this should have been a lot more one sided. Tala should have been a smashing machine here and run through someone (not necessarily Bright) but instead she felt like just another run of the mill wrestler. That’s not a great sign, but at least she did win so it could have been worse.

Ridge Holland comes up to Tate Wilder and seems to apologize. Wilder is cool with that, but Holland is really saying that Wilder is going to prove he doesn’t belong. Wilder has a match tonight but he’d love to face Holland after that. Holland turns that down, because Wilder is beneath him.

Tate Wilder vs. Edris Enofe

Wilder is a cowboy. They fight over a lockup to start and trade slaps until Enofe works on a wristlock. That’s broken up with a dropkick and some left hands in the corner have Enofe in more trouble. Wilder flips him to the floor and hits a dive before they slug it out inside again. Enofe gets the better of things and we hit the chinlock, including some choking. That’s broken up and Wilder hits a spinning elbow but Enofe knees his way out of a suplex attempt. Wilder hits an enziguri but misses a nice looking step up moonsault attempt. Enofe grabs a neckbreaker for the win at 4:22.

Rating: C+. Wilder had a decent enough debut here, with that moonsault looking rather nice. I can get why you wouldn’t want to have him beat Enofe in his first match, but this basically just proves Holland right. That feels like a bit of a bad idea, though Wilder does at least have some potential.

Post match Dante Chen comes out and, after apologizing, decks Enofe with a right hand.

Keanu Carver tells Sean Legacy to avoid him amid threats of violence.

The Vanity Project is worried about the main event but Jackson Drake says he has this because he’s the champion for a reason.

Edris Enofe comes into Stevie Turner’s office and rants about Dante Chen. Turner says Enofe did the same thing a few weeks ago and she liked what she saw out there tonight. Enofe accuses her of being biased, which doesn’t work for Turner. She makes Enofe vs. Chen for next week and throws him out.

Evolve Title: Lince Dorado vs. Jackson Drake

Drake is defending and the Vanity Project is banned from ringside. Drake rolls him up for a fast two but Dorado gets a cradle for the same. A top rope armdrag and anklescissors have Drake on the floor but Dorado would rather pose than dive. We take a break and come back with Drake shoving him off the top for a big crash out to the floor. Drake hits a dive and hammers away before taking it back inside.

Some stomps to the hand have Dorado in pain and a powerslam has him in a near fall. Drake’s chinlock doesn’t last long but he blocks a hurricanrana. The second attempt works better for Dorado and the Golden Rewind staggers Drake. A Backstabber gives Dorado two but Drake gets out of a cross armbreaker. Instead Dorado kicks him down and goes up but the Vanity Project’s music plays.

The distraction lets Drake hit a gutbuster and powerbomb for two, with the kickout leaving Drake stunned. Dorado hits a superkick into a brainbuster, followed by a running palm strike. The shooting star press connects but Drake rolls outside in a smart move. A running flip dive connects but Ricky Smokes is underneath the ring and grabs Dorado’s leg. Drake’s running knee retains the title at 10:38.

Rating: B-. I’m really going to need an explanation for why Dorado isn’t the champion after the interference. There is no reason for Stevie Turner to not see what happened and enforce the stipulations, but there is a good chance it won’t be mentioned. Other than that, it was a good match with Drake having a nice trick with the music, but the ending hurt it a bit as the interference felt rather weak.

Post match Brooks Jensen runs in to lay Drake out, with the Vanity Project chasing Jensen off to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. There were some holes in this show and it hurt things a good bit. Stuff like Tala not not exactly dominating, Wilder losing in his debut, and the interference in the main event didn’t feel great, though the rest of the show worked out fairly well. I’m not wild on Jensen being added at the end, but I guess he needs something to do. Not a bad show, but a bit of a step down from their recent efforts.

Results
Tyra Mae Steele b. Chantel Monroe and Kylie Rae – Bridging German suplex to Monroe
Jin Tala b. Carlee Bright – Direct Effect
Edris Enofe b. Tate Wilder – Neckbreaker
Jackson Drake b. Lince Dorado – Running knee

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

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

Evolve
Date: July 9, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

Things are shaping up around here as we have a big Women’s Title match between Natalya and Kali Armstrong. That is the kind of challenge that Armstrong needs as it could set up some things for her future. Other than that, Jackson Drake is likely getting ready to deal with Lince Dorado coming for his Evolve Title. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at the Women’s Title match, with Natalya making a save but Armstrong not respecting her. The title match was set up as a result.

Opening sequence.

Timothy Thatcher vs. Keanu Carver

Thatcher grabs him to start but gets powered into the corner. That’s broken up so Thatcher takes him down by the leg, allowing him to go after the arm. As usual, Thatcher switches to the leg, even grabbing a bow and arrow. Carver breaks out and sends Thatcher flying with a standing fall away slam before hammering him down.

A hard clothesline gives Carver two and a World’s Strongest Slam gets the same. Back up and Carver misses a charge into the corner, allowing Thatcher to uppercut away. Thatcher pulls him into a Fujiwara armbar but Carver is back up. One heck of a Pounce sends Thatcher into the ropes, where Carver chokes away for the DQ at 6:53.

Rating: C+. This was a way to get Thatcher into something going forward as he hasn’t win much around here (if at all). Carver gets to run Thatcher over and leave him laying, which means either Thatcher or perhaps Sean Legacy will be fighting back. It makes Carver feel like a monster and that’s a good way to go.

Stevie Turner comes in to see the Vanity Project, saying that Lince Dorado does indeed get the next title shot at Jackson Drake. The contract signing is tonight. Jordan Oasis strolls in to say Drake needs to make sure he signs the contract properly.

Chantel Monroe vs. Masyn Holiday

Layla Diggs is here with Holiday. Monroe takes her down by the arm to start but Holiday is back up with a quickly broken armbar. Back up and Monroe sends her into the corner a few times, until Holiday reverses a shot into a rollup for two. Monroe grabs the chinlock, which doesn’t last long as Holiday is back up with a dropkick into a splash for two more. That’s shrugged off and Monroe grabs a Codebreaker for the pin at 3:54.

Rating: C. I’m still not feeling much from either of these two, but at some point they have to get in the ring and show what they can do. Neither of them really stood out here, though it was a perfectly fine match. Monroe winning clean is a bit of a surprise, but at least she is doing something other than sitting in the locker room working on her makeup.

Post match Monroe says she’s leaving Holiday and Diggs in the past, meaning it’s time to focus on the Women’s Title. She wants the next title shot but here is Kylie Rae to interrupt. Rae says she’s in the title picture, which brings out Tyra Mae Steele. She is VERY excited to be here and she wants her first match to be for the Women’s Title.

Rae says she’s getting the title but would be glad to give Steele a shot. Monroe says the title is hers and the brawl is on, with Rae being dropped and Steele grabbing a German suplex to put Monroe down. Steele feels like she is going to be a star as soon as she gets the chance and this might be the start.

Stevie Turner is about to give an update on Timothy Thatcher but Ridge Holland pops in. Holland calls himself the Ghost Of Wrestling Future because he’s going to hurt everyone around here. Turner isn’t impressed but Tate Wilder pops in, saying his medical records are all good so he’s ready to get in the ring. Holland doesn’t want to hear from him and words are exchanged but Turner leaves without making the expected match.

Here is Stevie Turner to run the contract signing between Lince Dorado and Jackson Drake, who has the Vanity Project with him. Turner hypes up the match but Drake says he talks first. He doesn’t understand why Dorado is getting a title shot after winning one match, which he won with help from the LWO, but there will not be a lucha house party for him. Dorado says he was originally here for the sake of helping the future, but now he wants to shut up the cocky, arrogant Drake.

That doesn’t work for Drake because he’s on top and likes the view from there. Drake signs and an excited Dorado calls that a mistake. The thing is, Drake didn’t see a clause in there: the Vanity Project is banned from ringside and if they interfere, Drake loses the title by DQ. Dorado sings the Goodbye Song to wrap it up. Simple and to the point here, though it really shows how little Drake stands out. The Vanity Project is fine as a heel stable, but Drake, as the singles star, doesn’t do anything that makes him feel like a much bigger deal than the other members.

Kendal Grey and Carlee Bright are in the back and Bright is struggling with her rehab. She’s cleared this weekend though and they’ll find the attacker.

Sean Legacy is ready to get revenge on Keanu Carver for the sake of Timothy Thatcher.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Women’s Title: Natalya vs. Kali Armstrong

Armstrong is defending. An early lockup doesn’t work so Armstrong powers her down. A trip takes Armstrong down as well though and Natalya grabs a headlock takeover. Back up and Armstrong gets in another big knockdown and we take a break. We come back with Armstrong hitting a hard running shoulder in the corner. They trade abdominal stretches until Natalya drops her with a discus lariat for two.

A Russian legsweep gives Natalya two more, followed by a legsweep for the same. The slingshot belly to back drop and a kick to the chest gets two more as these kickouts are making Armstrong look good. Armstrong is back with an Oklahoma Stampede of all things for two but Natalya pulls her into an ankle lock.

Armstrong pulls her into a choke, which is reversed into a cradle for two more. The crossface has Armstrong in more trouble and she misses the Kali Connection. Natalya gets the Sharpshooter but Armstrong makes the rope. Back up and the Kali Connection is enough to retain the title at 11:08.

Rating: B. All things considered, this was a heck of a match with Armstrong looking like a star who survived everything Natalya threw at her, including the Sharpshooter. This was a great example of how to use a veteran like Natalya to boost someone up and it was a heck of a showcase. Armstrong was being walked through the match but she did her part as well. Rather impressive showing here and it worked well.

Post match respect is shown and Natalya leaves but Jin Tala runs in to jump Armstrong. Tala reveals that she is the attacker and promises to do anything to get to the title to end the show. Well that’s as to the point as it can get, and it’s nice to see it explained so simply.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a good show, with the main event as a highlight. You can tell that the show has been put together well with the stories standing on their own and having different people involved. It’s a well structured show and that’s a great sign with everything that they have been doing lately.

Results
Timothy Thatcher b. Keanu Carver via DQ when Carver choked on the ropes.
Chantel Monroe b. Masyn Holiday – Codebreaker
Kali Armstrong b. Natalya – Kali Connection

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

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

It’s the last show before both the Great American Bash and Evolution, both of which will have some NXT involvement. Therefore, it’s time to see who is going to be in the Evolution battle royal, plus finding out any last minute additions to the shows. That should make for a nice evening so let’s get to it.

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

Ricky Saints vs. Vanity Project

Gauntlet match, Jackson’s Drake’s Evolve Title isn’t on the line, and if Saints wins, he gets to pick the stipulation for his match with Ethan Page (here too). Brad Baylor starts for the Project and Saints strikes away, including a middle rope dropkick. Baylor gets in a shot of his own though and hammers away, including a spinning butterfly suplex. Saints makes a quick comeback though and hits the springboard tornado DDT for the first pin at 3:09.

Ricky Smokes is in second and grabs a quick suplex for two on Saints. We take a break and come back with Smokes hitting a fireman’s carry backbreaker for two more. Saints comes back again and grabs an overhead belly to belly for two of his own. An atomic drop into a jackknife rollup gives Saints the pin at 8:38 total.

Drake is in third and stomps away in the corner to start fast. A kick to the back gives Drake two and he grabs a surfboard. The fireman’s carry gutbuster gets two more and Drake is getting a bit frustrated. Drake misses a running kick to the chest and Saints gets his knees up to block a springboard Swanton. The Roshambo gives Saints the pin at 12:13 total.

Rating: C+. The Vanity Project is a good choice for something like this as they’re still a level beneath the NXT roster so it’s not like they lose any status here. Saints gets to run through some people and head on to his big match with Page at the Bash. For now, good enough opener for the show and it sets up some things for the future.

Post match Saints makes it an anything goes, falls count anywhere match with Page at the Bash.

Zaria and Sol Ruca are fired up for the Women’s Tag Team Title match at Evolution but Lainey Reid says she should be in the battle royal. She’s asked what she’s done to earn that spot and doesn’t have much of an answer.

Earlier today, Blake Monroe blew off a training session with Jordynne Grace, who wants her to have a glamorous workout. Grace agreed, and we’ll see more of this later.

Tavion Heights vs. Charlie Dempsey

If Heights wins, he is out of the No Quarter Catch Crew. Heights armdrags him down a few times to start and they take turns sending each other to the floor. Back in and Dempsey grabs a cravate to frustrate Heights. That’s broken up so Heights tackles him down and hammers away. They head outside again and knock each other down as we take a break.

We come back with Heights fighting off a crossface chickenwing and throwing him down a few times. They crash out to the floor again, but this time Dempsey crushes the knee with the steps. The half crab goes on back inside, followed by a stepover toehold. Dempsey turns it into an STF and Wren Sinclair throws in the towel at 9:39.

Rating: B-. The idea of Heights trying to get out of the team but not being able to do it is a good way to set something up for him, especially here where he didn’t give up. Sinclair could be going either way here and I like what they’re doing with the story. The match itself was a nice technical vs. power showdown as well, so we’ll call this a nice outing.

Hank & Tank are ready for their match while Lexis King messes with stuff behind them. Je’Von Evans comes in for a pep talk but gets jumped by Jasper Troy.

Mike Santana/Joe Hendry vs. High Ryze

Wes Lee is here with High Ryze. Hendry and Igwe take each other down for an early standoff and it’s off to Santana for a dropkick. DuPont gets sent flying with the fall away slam and we take an early break. We come back with Hendry getting two off a rollup but a clothesline drops him for the same. A series of splashes get two as we see Natalya and Maxxine Dupri arriving in the back.

Hendry muscles Igwe up for a suplex and the tag brings in Santana to clean house. The Rolling Buck Fifty (rolling cutter) hits Igwe and a big flip dive to the floor takes him out again. Everything breaks down and Hendry hits a dive to the floor of his own. Cue Trick Williams for a distraction but Santana hits Spin The Block (discus lariat) to pin DuPont at 8:45.

Rating: B-. Good enough match here, though it continued to show that Hendry isn’t quite as interesting as Santana no matter how he is presented. Santana is just on fire right now and Hendry has already had his moment, but Hendry being there adds some star power to the title match. I’m not sure Santana wins the title, but dang it’s fun to see him in the ring every time.

Post match Williams drops Santana so Hendry goes after him. High Ryze comes back in for the beatdown.

We look at Yoshiki Inamura becoming #1 contender to the NXT Title last week. Various Japanese stars, including THE GREAT MUTA and Iyo Sky say they believe in Inamura.

Darkstate brags about invading TNA and suggest they’re coming for the Tag Team Titles.

Here are Oba Femi and Yoshiki Inamura, with Josh Briggs, for a face to face chat. Inamura says Femi is his greatest challenge but he is ready. He has the support of his friends and family and now he must make them proud. Femi says it’s good that Inamura has support, because maybe those people can pick up his pieces. No one is taking the title from him, but Briggs says Inamura beat Jasper Troy a lot more easily than Femi did.

Inamura may be a man of honor but Briggs isn’t, so he will do everything he can to make Inamura champion. This is “their” chance and the brawl is on, albeit quickly broken up. This was a good showing from Inamura, who feels like someone who is trying to prove he belongs here. At the same time, this is the second straight major event where Femi is defending against a pretty low level challenger, but it brings up a big issue in NXT: who else is there to come after the title?

Jordynne Grace shows up for Blake Monroe’s makeover and rips the sleeves off the robe she is given. They get their nails done and a massage, plus makeup. Grace admits she kind of likes this and they’re ready for the tag match at the Bash.

Kelani Jordan vs. Lainey Reid

They trade early takedowns to start with Jordan grabbing a monkey flip and dropkick out to the floor. Back in and Reid ties her leg up in the ropes and cranks away but a Figure Four attempt is blocked. Reid’s spinebuster gets two and the half crab goes on. Jordan tries to use the free leg to kick her way out but Reid just pulls her into a Boston crab for a smart counter. That’s broken up as well and Jordan hits a handspring elbow into a nipup (impressive after having her leg and back cranked). Reid catches her up top but gets shoved down, setting up One Of A Kind to give Jordan the win at 4:23.

Rating: C. I wasn’t wild about Jordan’s lack of selling but the ending was a nice touch which showed off Jordan’s rather impressive athleticism. The win gives her a boost going into the battle royal, which she isn’t likely to win but at least she could have a good showing. Reid is still finding her footing around here, but she’s far from a lost cause.

Post match here is Thea Hail to brawl to the back with Reid.

Jasper Troy jumps Je’Von Evans in the trainer’s room.

We have a meeting of the former D’Angelo Family, with all four members showing up. Riz tries to talk but gets shut down by Stacks. Riz isn’t having that and talks about what happened between Stacks and Tony. She realizes this can’t be fixed but she has set up a triple threat next week. While she doesn’t know if their paths will cross again, this will be the final battle. Stacks says he’s bigger than all of them and they can’t take it. Next week, he’ll prove it. D’Angelo says he’s done here and everyone stares at each other. That could go in a few different ways and that’s a good thing.

Here is Jasper Troy, who wants in on the NXT Title match. Cue Je’Von Evans to jump him and hit a big dive onto both Troy and security.

Tatum Paxley likes being part of the Culling, who are ready to win the Tag Team Titles.

Tag Team Titles: The Culling vs. Hank & Tank

Hank & Tank are defending and charge in to start the fight fast. We settle down to Spears stomping on Hank, allowing Vance to send him into the turnbuckle. Tank comes in for some dancing into a double splash but Spears is back with a neckbreaker. That doesn’t last long as the champs fight back, only for Hank to miss a top rope clothesline. The Culling runs Hank over on the floor and we take a break.

We come back with Hank knocking Vance off the top, allowing Tank to come in and clean house. Everything breaks down and Vance’s top rope headbutt hits Tank for two. Izzi Dame gets in a cheap shot so Spears can grab an implant DDT for two more. Cue Zaria and Sol Ruca to take out Tatum Paxley and Dame, leaving the champs to hit their powerslam/neckbreaker combination on Spears to retain at 10:49.

Rating: C+. Hank & Tank still don’t feel like the most serious champions, but they’ve at least figured out something that fits for them. That’s a good thing for them to have and it would be nice to see it continue to grow. That being said, if Darkstate comes after the belts, there is no reason to believe the title reign will be lasting much longer.

Great American Bash rundown.

Kale Dixon couldn’t wrestle as scheduled due to high blood pressure, caused by nerves. Andre Chase isn’t happy but seems to understand.

Here is Ava, who talks about the original Evolution, which took place when she was in high school. She’s so proud that NXT will be all over Evolution, with Jaida Parker, Lola Vice, Kelani Jordan, Lash Legend, Izzi Dame and Tatum Paxley being in the battle royal. Cue Fatal Influence to interrupt, with Ava saying she just talked about Jacy Jayne. We get a rant from Jayne about how she’s the focal point of the show, but cue Jordynne Grace saying she’ll take the title.

Lash Legend comes out to say she’s going to win the battle royal. Stephanie Vaquer returns to NXT and says Grace will win. Maxxine Dupri and Natalya come out to say they’ll be the last two in the battle royal. Jaida Parker pops up in the crowd to say she’ll win. Everyone gets in and the big brawl is on to end the show. This was more than Raw and Smackdown have done for the show, and that’s not surprising given how much of a focus the women’s division has received around here.

Overall Rating: B. I came into this show not particularly wanting to see either Evolution or the Bash and I left a lot more interested in both. They did a heck of a job building up both shows and there is even some stuff set up for next week’s regular show. That’s a very nice way to go, even if the wrestling was pretty middle of the road this week. What mattered was everything else, and that stuff was quite well done.

Results
Ricky Saints b. Vanity Project last eliminating Jackson Drake
Charlie Dempsey b. Tavion Heights when Wren Sinclair threw in the towel
Mike Santana/Joe Hendry b. High Ryze – Spin The Block to DuPont
Kelani Jordan b. Lainey Reid – One Of A Kind
Hank & Tank b. The Culling – Powerslam/running neckbreaker combination to Spears

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

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Evolve
Date: July 2, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenburg, Robert Stone

We’re back to the developmental’s developmental and that means we should be seeing someone new coming after the Evolve Title. While Sean Legacy couldn’t quite get through the Vanity Project, someone else is probably going to be coming for the shot instead. That opens up some doors and now we get to see where it goes. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of the Vanity Project wrecking people, leading to Lince Dorado and the LWO stepping up to face them this week.

Opening sequence.

Jamar Hampton vs. Edris Enofe

This is fallout from last week when Enofe interrupted Dante Chen’s Evolve debut. Hampton shoves him around to start and grabs a headlock but Enofe powers out. A jumping ax handle to the back hits Hampton, who is right back with a crossbody. Enofe avoids a dropkick though and stomps on Hampton’s chest for two.

The chinlock goes on, followed by a headscissors to keep Hampton in trouble. Hampton gets up and powers his own way out, with the dropkick connecting this time. A running splash gives Hampton one but Enofe kicks him into the corner. They wind up on the apron, where Enofe snaps him throat first across the top. A Regal Cutter finishes Hampton at 5:49.

Rating: C. Hampton feels like someone who could go somewhere and putting him in there with one of the slightly more experienced hands is a good sign. The loss isn’t as good of a sign, but it’s so early in Hampton’s run that this shouldn’t be much of a setback. Hampton is crazy athletic and has an awesome look, but he’ll need a lot more than that to get anywhere. Granted that’s why he’s here, so he’s hardy out of place.

Lince Dorado and the LWO are in Stevie Turner’s office. She’s happy that the LWO is here but Dorado wants to get into Evolve Title contention.

Cappuccino Jones and Jack Cartwheel talk about bonding over coffee. Their name is now Adrenaline Drip. I’m not so sure on that one. They want some Evolve Tag Team Titles. Well those are all but guaranteed at this point.

Layla Diggs vs. Jin Tala

Feeling out process to start until Diggs takes over and hits a powerslam for two. Back up and Tala sends her to the apron, where Diggs’ arm is snapped over the top rope. Tala works on the arm, including a full nelson with the legs to send Diggs face first to the mat. Diggs gets out and hits a quick ax kick for two but the arm gives out on a slam attempt. Tala takes her down and ties up the arm in kind of a crossface with the leg for the tap at 4:34.

Rating: C. There’ something to Tala as she has a nice mixture of submissions and simple logic to what she does. Give her some more time and that could work out well. At the same time, Diggs is another on the list of very athletic people with a good look who could turn into something if she gets some development so she at least has some potential.

Post match Tala is accused of a hair pull (she did it) but she’s just doing what she was taught on LFG. The wins are all that matter.

The Vanity Project is ready for Lince Dorado and the LWO.

It’s time for a contract signing between Natalya and Kali Armstrong. Armstrong knows who she’s about to face and immediately signs. Natalya respects Armstrong but doesn’t like her rudeness. That’s not how Armstrong sees it, because she had to fight to get to the title (Natalya: “Cry me a river!”). Then Natalya looked at the title was a bit disrespectful, just like when she got the pin in their tag match.

Natalya is a legend but this is Evolve and that means it’s Armstrong’s show. Natalya goes on a rant about carrying a division on her shoulders for eighteen years (that is one heck of a stretch) so Armstrong tells her to sign. That’s exactly what Natalya does and they go nose to nose. Armstrong swings at her but gets put in the Sharpshooter in a hurry. This is a rather simple story and it should benefit Armstrong rather well.

Timothy Thatcher and Sean Legacy are in the back, with Thatcher saying Legacy put himself in a no win situation (er, yeah there was a way to win). Legacy wants to be a champion and Thatcher says use that motivation. Thatcher is ready to stand up to Keanu Carver for disrespecting the ID Program next week and isn’t scared of him.

Keanu Carver is lifting weights and doesn’t want to hear from Thatcher. Violence is promised for next week.

Chantel Monroe doesn’t like the women’s locker room and she’s now lowering her standards for the women’s division.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Vanity Project vs. LWO/Lince Dorado

Smokes backs Dorado into the corner to start and then runs him over with a shoulder. Dorado elbows his way out of trouble and grabs an anklescissors so it’s off to Wilde vs. Baylor. Wilde kicks him into the corner rather quickly and an assisted springboard splash crushes Baylor again. Del Toro adds a splash for two and everything breaks down as we take a break.

We come back with Baylor kneeing Wilde down and handing it off to Drake for the corner stomps. Wilde gets dragged back into the corner so Baylor can whip Wilde into a big boot for two. A belly to back suplex is broken up though and the rolling tag brings in Dorado to pick up the pace. The Golden Rewind hits Drake and the big running flip dive to the floor takes him down again.

Back in and Dorado misses a charge in the corner and a moonsault hits raised boots to put him down again. Del Toro comes in off a blind tag and a springboard high crossbody hits Drake. A rather spinning la majistral gets two on Drake but he’s fine enough to come back with a hot shot. Something like a Hart Attack (with a dropkick) hits del Toro and a Swanton gives Drake two.

Wilde fights up and hits a tornado DDT but Baylor puts him down rather quickly. Drake is back in with a gorilla press gutbuster for two on del Toro but he catches Drake on top. Dorado’s super hurricanrana sends Drake into Baylor and Smokes, leaving the LWO to hit stereo dives. Dorado hits a shooting star press to pin Drake at 11:06.

Rating: B-. Much like Armstrong and Natalya, they aren’t being subtle about what they’re going for with this story. Dorado should get an Evolve Title shot out of this and Drake can get a win over a main roster name. Commentary kept hyping up how important it was to have the LWO around here and that’s fair enough, as bringing any main roster stars down here feels like a big deal. This was a good use of them as well, as you don’t want the Vanity Project running over everyone, but at the same time, it hardly crushes the up and coming heels.

Overall Rating: B-. This show has come such a long way in just a few months and while it might not be the best series in the world, it does things exactly as it should be. You’re seeing these names get some experience in the WWE style and the work in the ring is good enough. It’s also letting some main roster wrestlers get some reps, which is a good idea if they’re just sitting on the sidelines. Nice show here, as tends to be the case with Evolve.

Results
Edris Enofe b. Jamar Hampton – Regal Cutter
Jin Tala b. Layla Diggs – Arm lock
LWO/Lince Dorado b. Vanity Project – Shooting star press to Drake

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

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

We’re officially in the second half of the year and less than two weeks away from the Great American Bash. The card is starting to come together and we are going to be seeing some more added this week. In addition, TNA’s Joe Hendry is here to face Wes Lee, which should be a fun one. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Joe Hendry vs. Wes Lee

Trick Williams is on commentary and the rest of High Ryze is here with Lee. Hendry takes him down by the arm to start as Williams says his challengers (Hendry and Mike Santana) need to be the ones getting ready for Slammiversary. Lee rolls around and kicks him in the ribs before sending Hendry outside. That’s fine with Hendry, who blasts him with a clothesline.

We take a break and come back with Hendry glaring at the High Ryze, allowing Lee to hit a suicide dive. A middle rope phoenix splash gives Lee two but Hendry suplexes his way out of trouble. The comeback is on quickly but Lee slips out of the Standing Ovation. A fireman’s carry slam gives Hendry two so High Ryze gets up. Cue Santana to cut them off though and the Standing Ovation finishes for Hendry at 9:29.

Rating: B-. Well Hendry wasn’t going to lose here so this was about giving him a victory on the way to his big rematch with Trick Williams at Slammiversary. The good thing is that Lee is someone who can make just about anyone look good. Hendry’s charisma and star power are more than enough to carry him but he can back it up in the ring well enough, which was on display here.

Santana and Hendry stand tall as Williams doesn’t look happy.

We look at Tatum Paxley seemingly joining the Culling, with Zaria and Sol Ruca letting her go.

Here is Luca Crusifino for a chat. He wants to talk to Tony D’Angelo, who comes out to say the tables have turned. They argue over who has done what to whom in the last few weeks but Crusifino doesn’t want to hear it. Crusifino talks about the things he has sacrificed for D’Angelo and the Family and that is loyalty. Cue Stacks to interrupt but Crusifino doesn’t want to hear it. Crusifino decks D’Angelo…and then does the same to Stacks, saying his loyalty belongs to himself. There’s your big moment, with another betrayal/surprise likely coming sooner than later.

Oba Femi wants to see if Yoshiki Inamura has the fire to come after him. Inamura, with Josh Briggs, comes in to say he’s ready, but Femi says he is the hunter rather than the hunted.

Lexis King vs. Myles Borne

They fight over wrist control to start and King steps on his back a bit for some mind games. Borne takes him down and does the Florida Gator chomp, only for King to nail a dropkick on top. A top rope superplex brings Borne down for two and a running corner dropkick gives King two. The seated abdominal stretch goes on for a bit before King hits a running slap in the corner. That’s enough for Borne to fight up, including an Angle Slam for a breather. Borne’s big dropkick sets up a Zig Zag for the pin at 4:40. Well at least it’s a finisher.

Rating: C+. Good enough match here as the idea is to turn Borne into something more important. He had his big moment against Oba Femi and now the goal is to do something to keep him at a higher level. A clean win like this is a good way to start and I could go for seeing more of him. It’s nice to see NXT trying with someone who got a nice reaction and they’re doing it again here, which has potential.

Darkstate says everything that happens around here is because they allow it. They know what they’re going to do next, but we don’t.

Thea Hail vs. Lainey Reid

Hail isn’t happy and takes her down to start for some forearms to the face. Reid drops her face first into the corner and chokes away, followed by a spinning clothesline. A double underhook shoulderbreaker gives Reid two but Hail is back with a Codebreaker to the arm. The Kimura is blocked and Reid grabs a rollup but gets caught caught with her feet on the ropes. Hail’s rollup gets two so Reid kicks her away, setting up a running knee for the pin (while grabbing the rope and with Hail’s hand under the rope) at 4:22.

Rating: C+. And that’s another loss for Hail, who doesn’t really seem to win much of note…ever really. They’ve tried a few things with her but ever since that whole ordeal of Andre Chase throwing in the towel, Hail hasn’t felt like anything important. Reid isn’t that much further ahead, but she seems to be going in a rather different direction than Hail at the moment.

Tavion Heights isn’t happy with still being in the No Quarter Catch Crew. Charlie Dempsey agrees to give him one more “win and you’re out” match but this is his last chance.

Jasper Troy says you should fear him and Oba Femi knows what is coming for him if Troy wins tonight.

Sol Ruca/Zaria vs. Tatum Paxley/Izzi Dame

The rest of the Culling is here with Paxley and Dame. Ruca tries to talk some sends into Paxley to start but Zaria and Dame come in to argue as well. Ruca and Zaria clear the ring without much trouble and it’s Ruca grabbing a waistlock on Paxley. Some arm cranking has Paxley in more trouble and it’s off to Zaria to yell at Dame. They trade forearms until Paxley breaks it up with a high crossbody for two. Back up and Ruca and Zaria clear the ring again and we take a break.

We come back with Paxley tying Zaria up in the ropes for a running dropkick from Dame. A chokeslam drops Zaria again and a running flipping ax kick gives Paxley two more. The chinlock doesn’t last long so Paxley knocks her down again and puts it on for a second go. Zaria powers out without much trouble and it’s Ruca coming in to clean house.

A quick tag brings Zaria back in to clean house and an assisted splash from Ruca gives Zaria two. Dame hits a Codebreaker but there’s no Paxley, only for her to run back in and shove Dame out of the way. That means Zaria spears Ruca by mistake and Zaria is sent outside. A Sky High finishes Ruca at 13:17.

Rating: B-. Zaria and Ruca’s issues continue and it would not stun me to see them split for good in the near future. At the same time, Paxley seems to be finding a place with the Culling, though they don’t feel like the most trustworthy team in the world. There is a good chance that Dame gets a shot at Ruca out of this, and things might change even more once we get to that one.

Ethan Page, with the Vanity Project, and Ricky Saints are in Ava’s office. Page agrees to let Saints get a title shot if he can run the Vanity Project gauntlet (which happened recently on Evolve). Saints is in, but if he wins, he gets to pick the stipulation for the title shot. Deal.

We go to Chase U where Andre Chase actually apologizes. As a result, he has gotten Kale Dixon a match for next week and they hug. Chase does his swearing pep talk, but he does it WITH Dixon rather than at him.

Joe Hendry thanks Mike Santana, who says they’re uniting to fight for TNA. They’re not friends, but they’re fighting together against High Ryze next week. Works for them.

Josh Briggs gives Yoshiki Inamura a pep talk before his #1 contenders match, though Inamura says he has this.

Tatum Paxley is happy with their win and here is Ava to say Izzi Dame gets a Women’s North American Title shot at the Great American Bash. Hank & Tank come in to accuse the Culling of attacking them last week and Paxley talks them into giving the Culling a Tag Team Title shot next week.

Jasper Troy vs. Yoshiki Inamura

For an NXT Title shot at the Great American Bash. Inamura strikes away to start but Try gives him a hard whip into the corner. The chinlock is already on but Inamura powers out and shrugs off some clotheslines. A headlock grinds away at Troy and Inamura hits him with a sumo charges but Troy is right back with a side slam. Back up and Inamura knocks him to the floor as we take a break.

We come back with Troy hitting three straight splashes for two and a World’s Strongest Slam gets the same. The abdominal stretch goes on but Inamura is quickly out for a ran into the post. Inamura unloads with shots to the head but walks into a swinging Boss Man Slam (appropriate as commentary compared Troy to Abyss earlier). Inamura muscles him up for a slam and the top rope splash connects for the pin at 11:38.

Rating: B-. I’m a bit surprised by the result but maybe they’re going with the idea of “Inamura isn’t here long, get what we can out of him”. He’s gotten a bit more interesting lately, though maybe that’s due to having him actually get in the ring rather than just talking about it most of the time. Troy is still a good monster, but that aura goes away quickly if he keeps losing.

Post match Oba Femi comes in to stare at Inamura as Je’Von Evans comes in to drop Troy.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Here is Jordynne Grace for a chat. Getting here is the hardest thing she has ever done but last week reminded her that she thrives on pressure. Evolution is a major event for women’s wrestling and she will be making history. She’s terrified of being vulnerable though and she has been asking herself if she belongs here. She did everything to get here and became someone you can’t ignore.

Cue Fatal Influence to interrupt, with Jacy Jayne asking if Grace is done yet. Grace can bench press more than Jayne but she can’t carry as much as Jayne. Grace tells her to shut up and says it won’t be a surprise when there is a new champion at Evolution. The beatdown is on but Blake Monroe runs in for the save. Ava comes out to make the tag match for the Great American Bash. Jayne and Fallon Henley run back in and get knocked back down just as fast.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was much more about getting ready for the future with the Great American Bash, which is something that has been needed. At the same time, we’re building towards a big match at Slammiversary and likely some things at Evolution. That’s a tricky path to walk and they did it well enough here. NXT has found quite the balancing act of not having boring television while still setting things up for later. Other shows can’t make that work so well done for figuring out a nice formula.

Results
Joe Hendry b. Wes Lee – Standing Ovation
Myles Borne b. Lexis King – Zig Zag
Lainey Reid b. Thea Hail – Running knee while holding the rope
Tatum Paxley/Izzi Dame b. Sol Ruca/Zaria – Sky High to Ruca
Yoshiki Inamura b. Jasper Troy – Top rope splash

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

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

Evolve
Date: June 25, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Robert Stone, Peter Rosenberg

It’s time to get violent as this week features a Last Woman Standing match between Wendy Choo and Kylie Rae. The two of them have been feuding for a few months now and it is time to blow everything off. That should make for something interesting, but the rest of the show will need to fill in the gaps. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video is about Choo vs. Rae, which does make it feel like a big deal.

Opening sequence.

Keanu Carver doesn’t like the WWE ID talent taking food off his table.

Ice Williams vs. Keanu Carver

Carver jumps him from behind to start and knocks Williams outside before the bell. Back in and Williams gets in a knockdown of his own, with Carver being knocked outside for a baseball slide. Back in and Carver runs him over for two and hits a reverse AA for two (oh that should have been the fall). The chinlock doesn’t last long as Williams fights up and hits the Ice Breaker (superkick) for two of his own. The Pounce cuts Williams back down though and the spinning powerslam finishes for Carver at 5:13.

Rating: C+. Williams is someone who impressed me enough over Wrestlemania Weekend but that was about the last time I thought of him. Oddly enough, it’s also about the last time I thought of the ID Titles, which makes me wonder if they’ll ever actually happen. Other than that, Carver gets to look like a beast again, though he should go with that reverse AA as a finisher.

Cappuccino Jones and Jack Cartwheel talk about their journey to get here.

The Vanity Project was at a Beyond Wrestling event over the weekend and don’t think much of the LWO. They’ll face off next week.

Zara Zakher vs. Kendal Grey

Both have been accused of being the backstage attacker and they argue over it to start. Grey takes her down into an armbar but it’s broken up. That earns Zakher a cross armbreaker, sending her over to the rope. What looks to be an Angle Slam is escaped so Grey goes with a spinning belly to back suplex for the pin at 3:36.

Rating: C. Grey continues to feel like a project around here, though I could go for seeing her having some more development. At the moment, she’s just another athletic woman who only has so much making her stand out. Zakher had a Wolverine style to her gear here, which made sense given her smaller stature. That’s more than Grey has and that needs to change.

Edris Enofe can’t get Stevie Turner’s attention….and Aria Bennett has been attacked. Zara Zakher and Kendal Grey both come in from the ring, meaning they’re both innocent.

Video on the awesomeness that is the WWE ID Program.

Stevie Turner announces the newest Evolve signing: Dante Chen. The fans do Chen’s pose before he talks about getting to join such a great roster. Earlier this year, Ethan Page injured Chen’s ankle and it put him in some dark times. Now he is ready to come back but here is Edris Enofe to interrupt.

Chen is glad to see him, but Enofe says all of the hype for Chen isn’t special. A few weeks ago, Enofe was in this spot and got a lot of attention, but now he can’t get ten seconds of Stevie Turner’s time. And for who? Dante Chen? Enofe is sick of doing things the right way and just getting ignored. Chen isn’t hearing this and gets hit in the face.

Layla Diggs is glad she has evolved but Jin Tala interrupts, saying she’s replacing Aria Bennett in their match next week. Works for Diggs.

Remember how Tate Wilder was coming? He still is.

Lince Dorado thanks the LWO for help. We pan over to Jamar Hampton yelling at Edris Enofe, who doesn’t like it. Hampton tells him to do something about it, but Enofe isn’t doing anything for anyone else anymore.

Wendy Choo vs. Kylie Rae

Last Woman Standing. Rae starts fast and hammers away before kicking Choo outside. A suicide dive connects and Rae picks up a table, which takes too long. Rae is back up with a trashcan to put over Choo and strikes away with a broom. They get back inside with Rae grabbing a suplex, only to miss a Cannonball into the trashcan in the corner. It’s time for a toolbox as commentary makes various monster/slasher movie comparisons. Choo tapes Rae’s legs to the corner and hits her in the ribs with a wrench.

We take a break and come back with Choo tying her in the ring skirt for a beating, only for Rae to get in a fire extinguisher blast. Rae hits a Cannonball against the steps but Choo is back up at 8 and they get back inside. The crossface has Choo in more trouble but she gets out and drops Rae again.

It’s time for the pillow case full of Legos (I don’t like having to write that) but Rae hits her with a teddy bear….which apparently has a brick inside. Rae didn’t know it was in there and panics, earning herself a half nelson slam onto the Legos. They go to the apron where Choo gets the Dirt Nap, only for Rae to drop backwards through the table at ringside. That’s enough for Rae to beat the count for the win at 12:39.

Rating: B-. Good enough here and while the weapons use was getting silly, they didn’t go too insane for the most part. What matters the most is that Rae gets a big win, which she has been needing around here since she debuted. Hopefully it also ends things with Choo, as this feud has been needing to wrap up already.

Natalya is in Stevie Turner’s office and wants to help build Evolve. Turner thanks her but Natalya wants to face Kali Armstrong. Turner isn’t sure to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This show has found its groove and that is very impressive for a show about three and a half months old. They have done a nice job of putting everything together and making this feel like something rather logical most weeks. You have people coming in and stories that make sense. I’m finding myself liking this show more and more each week, which is a nice feeling to have as it never burns out its welcome. Another perfectly watchable show this week and it worked well.

Results
Keanu Carver b. Ice Williams – Spinning powerslam
Kendal Grey b. Zara Zakher – Spinning belly to back suplex
Kylie Rae b. Wendy Choo when Choo couldn’t answer the ten count

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

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

Evolve
Date: June 18, 2025
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Robert Stone

We’re back to the developmental’s developmental and as usual, we have a guest star or two. In this case, Natalya is here for a tag match and there is a good chance that someone else will be around as well. Other than that, we’re going to need some challengers for the inaugural Evolve Champions so let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap sets up tonight’s tag match between Natalya/Kali Armstrong vs. Zayda Steele/Nikkita Lyons.

Opening sequence.

Zayda Steel/Nikkita Lyons vs. Natalya/Kali Armstrong

Armstrong and Lyons start things off with Lyons winning an exchange of strikes. Natalya comes in and it’s way too early for a Sharpshooter, meaning Armstrong tags herself back in. Armstrong knocks Lyons into the corner and it’s off to Steel, who is pulled into the wrong corner. Steel blocks the Sharpshooter as well (Natalya seems to be a fan of that one) and Lyons gets in a boot to the side of the head to take over.

Commentary hypes up Lyons vs. Natalya as something you never thought you would get to see, which would be better if we hadn’t seen it about a minute and a half ago. Lyons kicks away in the corner and we take a break. We come back with Lyons chinlocking Natalya, who armdrags her way out rather quickly. Natalya gets sent into the wrong corner though as commentary makes sure that you know how much Natalya gives back.

A snap suplex gives Lyons two and we hit the chinlock again. It’s back to Steel to stomp away in the corner but Natalya slips away and brings in Armstrong to clean house. Everything breaks down and Armstrong doesn’t like Natalya helping her, allowing Steel to get a quick two. The Kali Connection connects…but Natalya tags herself in for the Sharpshooter and the win at 8:06.

Rating: C+. The match told a fine story and if it leads to Natalya putting Armstrong over, it will make up for a good bit of what we’ve had to sit through here. There is only so much “Natalya is just so amazing” that I can take and sweet goodness were they pounding that concept in during the match. It’s a fine enough story though and that’s what Armstrong needs to get her title reign off on the right foot.

Post match Natalya looks at the title.

Stevie Turner is with Sean Legacy and Timothy Thatcher, the former of whom wants the first Evolve Title shot. He’s even willing to run a Vanity Project gauntlet to get the chance. Thatcher: “You want to do what?”

Jordan Oasis and Marcus Mathers are ready for their showcase match. Oasis has worked to get here and is ready for the win, but Mathers doesn’t like the sound of that. Mathers is ready to get his first win.

Masyn Holiday and Layla Diggs aren’t happy that Carlee Bright was attacked and accusations are made. The result seems to be Kendal Grey vs. Zara Zakher.

Marcus Mathers vs. Jordan Oasis

Oasis grabs a headlock to start but Mathers is back up with a crucifix for two. Mathers dropkicks him into the corner for a running elbow but a middle rope crossbody is pulled out of the air. A fall away slam gives Oasis two and we hit the chinlock. Mathers fights up again but gets planted with a brainbuster for a quick two. Oasis hits a Cannonball but has to duck an enziguri. Instead Mathers slips out of a belly to back suplex and wraps a kick around to the face. The big running flip dive to the floor takes Oasis down again and it’s a 450 to give Mathers the pin at 5:05.

Rating: C+. Mathers is someone who has caught my eye elsewhere and it’s no surprise that he has wound up in WWE. They didn’t have much time here but they had a perfectly fine modern story match. I could go for more of both of them and that is a good sign for what is hopefully a long road each.

Post match respect is shown but Keanu Carver comes in to wreck both of them. Carver promises to send them both back to the bingo halls.

Tate Wilder, a cowboy, is coming soon.

Video on Kylie Rae vs. Wendy Choo, setting up next week’s Last Woman Standing match.

Sean Legacy vs. Vanity Project

Legacy has to win the gauntlet to earn a title shot against Jackson Drake (here at ringside with Zayda Steel). Ricky Smokes starts for the team and is quickly taken down for a standing moonsault. Legacy takes him out of the corner for a big kick to the back but Smokes is back up with right hands in the corner.

A spear gives Smokes two and we hit the chinlock. That’s broken up without much trouble and Legacy knocks him down for a needed breather. Some strikes into a release German suplex set up Shambles to give Legacy the first fall at 3:39. Brad Baylor is in second and takes out the leg as we go to a break. We come back with Baylor elbowing him in the face for two but Legacy avoids a charge. Legacy kicks him down and hits a springboard missile dropkick for two of his own. Back up and Legacy misses a charge into the corner as commentary talks about Tommy Dreamer running the gauntlet in 1995 ECW.

Baylor works on the leg but Legacy fights up, only for the leg to give out before he can hit Shambles. Legacy’s leg is fine enough to grab a suplex and backdrop Baylor out to the floor. Naturally the leg is fine enough to hit a running flip dive, with the leg giving out on the landing. Back in and Baylor catches him with a superplex, only for Legacy to reverse into a cradle for the pin at 9:00 total. Bryce Donovan is the last opponent and comes in with a big boot to finish Legacy at 9:19 total.

Rating: C+. This was about how the match should have gone and that’s not a bad way to go. The biggest thing here was having Legacy come close but not quite be able to pull it off, which made for a logical ending. There is a good chance that Legacy winds up getting a title shot, but at the same time, Legacy jumping straight to NXT is not out of the question either.

Post match the beatdown is on with Jackson Drake saying the Vanity Project calls the shots. Lince Dorado runs in with a chair for the save. Dorado says this isn’t how we do things around here…and he didn’t come alone. The LWO runs in and cleans house to end the show. Nothing wrong with that, as the LWO feel like big deals around here.

Overall Rating: C+. Evolve is starting to click, with one of the best aspects being that the stories are easy to follow. The show has only been around for a few months now but you can easily jump into things and know just about everything you need. It makes for an easy show to watch, which is what we got here. Nothing on here was complicated but it all made sense and they took steps forward with all of the stories. Nice, effective show here and I’ll take that every week.

Results
Kali Armstrong/Natalya b. Zayda Steel/Nikkita Lyons – Sharpshooter to Steel
Marcus Mathers b. Jordan Oasis – 450
Vanity Project b. Sean Legacy – Big boot

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