Impact Wrestling
Date: August 6, 2026
Location: Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We’re still on the way to Lockdown and the big story is that we’re coming up on Nic Nemeth defending the World Title against Jeff Hardy. Granted the match isn’t taking place at Lockdown, but at least it’s taking place. If nothing else, it’s better than seeing the Hardys vs. the Righteous again. In other news, the Righteous are back tonight. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Matt Hardy vs. Ryan Nemeth

Jeff Hardy is here with Matt, who is a better actor than Ryan, who is here with his brother Nic. Ryan shoulders him in the corner to start so Matt is back with the rapid fire rams into the buckle. The Twist Of Fate is countered with a clothesline but Matt no sells a suplex to hammer away. Matt hits a clothesline of his own and the Side Effect gets two. Nic trips Matt down so Jeff gets on the apron, allowing Ryan to grab a DDT. Matt doesn’t seem to mind as it’s the Twist Of Fate to pin Ryan at 5:49.

Rating: C. Were you expecting anything else? This was all about Matt getting to beat Ryan up like it was a legend against a goof and…well yeah that’s exactly what it was. The match wasn’t meant to be anything bigger than this and that’s kind of nice to see for a change, as there were no shenanigans and the logical result took place.

Xia Brookside isn’t letting Wendy Choo take the Knockouts Title back to NXT. As for Elayna Black, who pops up, Brookside hopes she’s watching so she’ll know what she’s getting into by coming for the title.

We look at Jason Hotch winning the International Title in a huge upset.

Hotch, with his family, says he’s not just a sidekick and he’s not taking being champion for granted. Rich Swann and BDE come in to offer congratulations.

Knockouts TV Title Tournament Quarterfinals: Mara Sade vs. Heather By Elegance

The Brand is here with Heather. Sade works on the arm to start so Heather stomps on her foot. That’s broken up and Sade sends her into the rope for a running shot to the back. A dropkick gets two on Heather back inside but she sends Sade outside, where Sade comes up holding her arm.

Back in and Heather works on the arm but Sade is able to power her up for a powerbomb into the corner. Some right hands have Heather in more trouble and Sade powerbombs the heck out of here for two. Sade goes up top but gets her arm pulled down onto the rope, setting up a top rope double stomp to give Heather the pin at 8:54.

Rating: C+. This was better than I was expecting, with Heather working on an injury and taking her apart until she won. That’s rare to see but it wound up working rather well, even with a somewhat surprising result. At the same time, Sade has since departed the company so the loss makes a bit more sense in hindsight.

Moose is ready to fight Frankie Kazarian and wants to face him for the first time so Kazarian can see what Moose is all about.

Jason Hotch has to go do something and leaves his family in the back, with Mustafa Ali coming in a few moments later. With the wife looking anxious, Ali talks about saving Hotch’s job and now he has to do what he has to do. Worry not though, as he’ll take care of the two of them after getting the title back. Ali was a good villain here as he felt evil.

KC Navarro vs. Brian Myers

Feeling out process to start until Bear Bronson offers a distraction. That earns him an ejection so here is Ricky Sosa to jump Bronson with a chair. Navarro takes over again but here is Eddie Edwards to spear Navarro for the DQ at 2:08.

Post match the beatdown is on so Fabian Aichner makes the save. Santino Marella, tag match.

The System vs. KC Navarro/Fabian Aichner

Aichner slams Myers down to start and the good guys hit stereo dives as we take an early break. We come back with Aichner getting chopped on the floor but he suplexes his way to freedom back inside. Aichner’s moonsault takes out a standing Myers and it’s back to Navarro vs. Edwards.

Everything breaks down and Edwards small packages Aichner for two but it’s a butterfly superplex to send Edwards into Navarro’s frog splash. Myers makes a diving save so Aichner gives him a sitout Last Ride. That earns Aichner a Boston Knee Party though and everyone is down. Alisha Edwards sends in a kendo stick so Eddie can knock Navarro silly, followed by a package piledriver for the pin at 11:13.

Rating: B-. This was getting going near the end, though I’m not wild on seeing Navarro take another fall after he lost his big World Title shot last month. The good thing though is that he feels like he belongs here and that is more than I would have bet on when this run started. It definitely doesn’t feel like it’s over yet though so we should have more coming up.

Post match Ricky Sosa runs in to chase the System off.

The Righteous run into the Hardys and respect is shown.

Jason Hotch freaks out on Mustafa Ali and the rematch is made for Lockdown. Hotch talks to John Skyler, who reluctantly says he needs this job, which has Hotch storming off. Makes sense.

Here is the Righteous for a chat. The Lake Of Reincarnation changed their direction, meaning they are going away from the Hardys (WOO HOO!). They’re not looking for opponents, but rather someone hanging to life who wants to bloom into something better.

Santino Marella talks to Harley Hudson, whose job is hanging by a thread. Alisha Edwards comes in to run her mouth and gets in an argument with Jada Stone. Hudson isn’t happy with this and gets a match with Edwards. That’s one way to help keep her job.

Allie looks for Rosemary but finds some miniature tarot cards.

AJ Francis vs. Home Town Man

The spear looks to set up the Down Payment but Elijah’s guitar offers a distraction. Man gets a rollup pin at 48 seconds.

We get a sitdown interview with Cedric Alexander, who talks about working so hard to get here and earn what he has become. Leon Slater comes in to face off with Alexander, where he asks for one more title shot. Alexander says no because Slater has had everything handed to him. They go nose to nose and Alexander turns him down again. He wants to erase Slater’s history with the title, which sounds ominous.

Daria Rae interrupts Frankie Kazarian (who is on a pay phone) and says that Kazarian is going to have to face Moose. That’s fine with Kazarian, who wants it in a cage at Lockdown. With Rae gone, Kazarian promises to show Moose why he’s the king.

Knockouts Title: Wendy Choo vs. Xia Brookside

Choo is challenging and hammers away to send Brookside outside. Brookside gets kicked down and we take an early break. We come back with Choo firing off some clotheslines and runs her over for two. A Codebreaker gives Brookside two of her own so Choo is back with the Snooze Button for the same. The Dirt Nap goes on so Brookside sends her into the ropes for the break. The Darkside retains the title at 9:21.

Rating: C+. This could have been worse, but it was mainly just a quick match without getting very far off the ground. Choo never felt like she was a major threat to win the title but that’s going to be the case every so often. It helps to have Brookside getting another win though, as she’s starting to feel like a strong champion.

Post match here is Elayna Black for the staredown with Brookside.

Jeff Hardy is drawing in the back (possibly more so than he does in the arena these days) but Nic Nemeth comes in to mock Jeff for not doing anything important. Nemeth says he’s the best in the world and gets annoyed when Hardy won’t pay attention to him. They both sign the contract for their title match (in Sharpie) and Hardy still won’t talk, with Nemeth storming off in frustration. This feels like it should be at Lockdown but instead it’s just for an upcoming Impact. That doesn’t give them much time to set something up for Lockdown and that has me worried/curious.

Overall Rating: C+. They set things up for Lockdown and that’s good to see, though there is only so much to be said for the wrestling this week. It was perfectly fine but not exactly something that you need to see. Either way, Lockdown is the big goal but we have the weird side trip of Jeff Hardy vs. Nic Nemeth in their big match in the next week or so. Good enough show here, but mainly there to set things up for Lockdown rather than anything here.

Results
Matt Hardy b. Ryan Nemeth – Twist Of Fate
Heather By Elegance b. Mara Sade – Top rope double stomp
KC Navarro b. Brian Myers via DQ when Eddie Edwards interfered
The System b. KC Navarro/Fabian Aichner – Package piledriver to Navarro
Home Town Man b. AJ Francis – Rollup
Xia Brookside b. Wendy Choo – Darkside

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

Impact Wrestling
Date: July 23, 2026
Location: Broadview Arena, Albany, New York
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

With about a month to go before Lockdown, it’s time to wrap up the stories before we get to the pay per view. That includes the World Title being on the line tonight, with KC Navarro getting his one and only title shot against Nic Nemeth. We should be in for a good match as Navarro seems rather motivated so let’s get to it.

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

AJ Francis/Frankie Kazarian vs. Moose/Elijah

Elijah knocks Kazarian down to start and it’s quickly off to Moose to take over on Francis. It’s already back to Elijah, who gets tripped from the floor to put him in trouble. Moose isn’t having that and cleans house, only to get knocked down by Francis. Kazarian’s springboard spinning legdrop gets two and Elijah comes back in. The Old School is broken up as Expressions shakes the rope though and Francis hits the Cash Out for the pin at 3:47.

Rating: C. Well that was quick. The ending was more about establishing Expressions (what a name) as the new cheating manager and that’s kind of a weird way to end a shot match. There is a good chance that they are going to run it back and see what else they can do, as this really doesn’t feel done yet.

Post match Moose and Elijah lay out Expressions, likely writing him out of the next TV taping.

Order 4 is ready to open voting on the next #1 contender to the International Title. The roster will be voting, they get a vote each, and they can’t vote for themselves.

Knockouts TV Title Tournament First Round: Wendy Choo vs. Elayna Black

Choo wrestles her down to start fast and then grabs a headlock takeover. A dropkick puts Black on the floor and it’s already time to be frustrated. Choo follows her out and gets caught for a change, with Black sending her back inside for two. The chinlock, with trash talk of course, goes on before Black switches to a double arm crank.

Choo is back up for a running neckbreaker but Black gives her some running knees. A belly to belly gives Black two but Choo is able to catch her on top with a superplex. That’s enough for them both to need a breather and they’re both down…as time expires at 10:00. Well that’s a surprise.

Rating: C. This wasn’t much to see with Black continuing to do her usual mediocre stuff. At the same time, it’s nice to see a TNA name survive against an NXT guest star. If nothing else, this is the kind of thing you need to see in a tournament for the sake of cutting out some of the time. That being said, Black felt like a favorite to win the whole thing and she’s already out. Odd indeed.

Post match Xia Brookside runs out to jump both of them.

Some wrestlers vote for the International Title shot.

Here is the System for a chat. Bear Bronson doesn’t like Ricky Sosa and the team is ready to decide who is a star here and who isn’t. Tonight, they’re on the way to adding some more gold but here is Sosa to interrupt. They’re not impressed with each other so here is Leon Slater to interrupt. The challenge is made for a tag match but the System says we’ll do it next week in Philadelphia. Slater is ready.

Jason Hotch wins the election, which comes after he was looking at the ballot box earlier. Mustafa Ali seems to think it’s rather amusing and a rib from the roster.

BDE vs. Mr. Elegance

This is billed as an AMC+/Impact+ Exclusive match (it doesn’t appear on the AMC broadcast). BDE knocks him down to start but misses a springboard. Elegance takes over with a running forearm but BDE gives him a running forearm. A springboard cutter gives BDE two and a frog splash gets the same, with M By Elegance putting the foot on the rope. The distraction lets Elegance hit a swinging Downward Spiral for the pin at 3:18.

Rating: C-. Yeah this happened. I’m assuming this was something of a way to fill in some time and cut something out from the Hardy Compound match. The match was about what you would expect, with Elegance being his usual goofy self and BDE still looking for his first win, which might actually be a good moment if/when it finally happens.

And now, to the Hardy Compound.

Hardys vs. Righteous

I’m assuming this is non-title. The Righteous don’t like the darkness and turn on the sunshine. Matt Hardy wakes up and realizes they’re here, so the Righteous walk through the woods. The Hardys go to find them so the Righteous go into a building and touch a light, which teleports them to wherever the Hardys are (Yeah this stuff is going to be weird. Just get used to it.).

The brawl starts with Dutch being sent into a dilapidated boat and then a tree. The Hardys teleport away from a boat shot and the Righteous are teleported into the same barn. As usual, there is a ring with a referee there as well and the fight is on again. The brawl is on with the Righteous taking over but Matt gets in a Twist of Fate. The Swanton is blocked so Jeff and Vincent brawl off. Dutch takes over on Matt and they fight to the floor.

We cut to Jeff and Vincent outside (where it’s night)…and then we cut to the Righteous walking through the house and looking at some mementos of the Hardys’ lives. Then Matt bulldogs Dutch into the pool and we cut to the four of them sitting around and having some drinks (though Jeff has water). Matt’s son comes in and Vincent disappears, with the son saying he needs Dutch’s help. They go inside and Matt says Vincent has died. Dutch: “That is some heavy news. You got a cigarette?”

They open a coffin with Vincent inside, but he pops up to put the poison flower in Dutch’s mouth. The Hardys pop up to say this dream is orgasmic and now we’re back in the ring. Dutch is thrown inside, where he’s beaten up by Matt’s children and wife Reby. One of the daughters uses the power of confetti and now Vincent is there too. Matt, no longer Broken, pops in with a barbed wire baseball bat and does the Walking Dead pick of who he’s going to get their head cracked.

We cut inside where Dutch, back in his suit, meets Willow (in an Umaga shirt), who beats him up with the umbrella. Then Dutch gets out of the pool and I think we go back to reality. Jeff and Vincent slug it out and of course it’s time for the fireworks. Dutch comes up with some kind of necklace and the Righteous win the firework war.

Matt winds up eating the poisonous flower and the Righteous throw both of them into the Lake Of Reincarnation. The Hardys come out in goat masks (because they’re the GOATs you see) but Jeff needs another goat so he runs back into the water. Jeff comes out with his 2010 Immortal title (now a blue/green rather than purple) and gets into what I think is a bulldozer. A Swanton out of the bulldozer puts Dutch through a table for the pin at 19:47.

Rating: In the Romanian folk tale The Bear Fooled By The Fox, a fox steals some fish from a woman. The fox then refuses to share them with a bear, who is still hungry. Realizing there is a chance the bear might eat him, the fox tells the bear to put his tail in the water as a fishing pole. The tail then freezes off (or is eaten by the fish, depending on the version you read) and the bear tries to get the fox. That doesn’t happen though as the fox is smart enough to hide in a tree and the bear eventually gives up and walks away. That has as much to do with wrestling as this….thing did.

Then the Hardys throw the Righteous into the Lake. That’s it. Yeah I can’t stand this stuff. It was fun once or twice but doing it over and over for years on end makes it lose its charm really quickly. This is all the Hardys getting to show how creative and amazing they can be and you only need to have been watching for the last ten years to know what this was about. I’m assuming this is the big finale to the whole feud, and we’re right back where we started in December when it all started: the Hardys as the greatest, most amazing team in ALL of TNA with pretty much no one to challenge them. Great.

Jason Hotch goes to talk to management, but Leon Slater says not so fast. Slater believes in him and wants him to have the title match.

Knockouts TV Title Tournament First Round: Alisha Edwards vs. Jada Stone

Edwards slugs away to start but gets kicked down, with Stone hitting a standing moonsault. Stone sends her outside, where Eddie Edwards saves Alisha from a dive. That means a big dive onto the two of them, followed by a kick to the head back inside. Edwards goes to the eyes though and a Downward Spiral gets two. Stone’s handspring is broken up by some Eddie interference, but Stone is fine enough to grab a rollup for the pin at 5:05.

Rating: C. Maybe it was after seeing the Hardys stuff, but this was perfectly fine. They only had so much time and neither of them are the most regular wrestlers so this was only going to be able to get so far. Stone has been presented as a prospect though and it makes sense to have her move forward, as it helps make her look a bit bigger.

Post match Alisha goes after her again but Stone fights back and clears Alisha out.

Jason Hotch tells Mustafa Ali that he didn’t back out of the match and thinks he deserves this for the sake of his family. Ali is not pleased.

TNA World Title: Nic Nemeth vs. KC Navarro

Navarro is challenging and mocks the hip shaking Nemeth entrance. Nemeth yells at him and a quick superkick gives Navarro two. Back up and Nemeth is ticked off and rakes the face in the ropes. Nemeth starts going after the leg but Navarro is fine enough to snap off a headscissors. That’s enough for Nemeth to get a breather on the floor, where Navarro scores with a suicide dive. Back in and a frog splash gives Navarro two but Nemeth knocks him down as we take a break.

We come back with Navarro fighting out of a chinlock but getting taken right back down. Nemeth misses a charge in the corner though and it’s time for the comeback. A very spinning Downward Spiral gives Navarro two and he gets the same off a rollup. Navarro powerbombs him out of the corner for another near fall and they both need a breather. Navarro’s Fameasser gets two more but Nemeth is back up with a superkick for the rather near fall, leaving Nemeth stunned. Back up and a Code Red gives Navarro two more but Nemeth reverses a cutter into the Danger Zone to retain at 13:38.

Rating: B. This was a match where the result was never in any serious doubt, as Navarro is hardly a main event star around here. What he is though is someone who the fans can get behind rather quickly and that’s what they’ve done recently. I wanted to see how close he could get and he did give Nemeth a sweat here, which is all you can ask for. Nice job.

Overall Rating: C. The main event helped but the Hardys/Righteous thing was the big deal here and…no. I don’t get it and I’d rather keep it that way so we’ll move on. It’s not their greatest show, but at least it clears a lot of things out on the way to the final push towards Lockdown. This wasn’t their best show, but the last match did bring it up a good bit.

Results
AJ Francis/Frankie Kazarian b. Moose/Elijah – Cash Out to Elijah
Elayna Black vs. Wendy Choo went to a time limit draw
Mr. Elegance b. BDE – Swinging Downward Spiral
Hardys b. Righteous – Swanton through a table to Dutch
Jada Stone b. Alisha Edwards – Rollup
Nic Nemeth b. KC Navarro – Danger Zone

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: June 24, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

It’s time for another big show here with Succession III. As usual that means we have a pair of title matches, with Nikkita Lyons challenging Wendy Choo for the Women’s Title and Aaron Rourke defending the Evolve Title against Max Abrams. In addition, we have some fresh names debuting here, which should be interesting. Let’s get to it.

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

Aaron Rourke and company arrived, saying he owned Succession.

Max Abrams and the Mog Squad seem to disagree.

Nikkita Lyons, with Sloane Jacobs, is ready to win her first title.

Wendy Choo is ready to retain.

Opening sequence.

Women’s Title: Nikkita Lyons vs. Wendy Choo

Lyons, with Sloane Jacobs, is challenging. They fight over a lockup to start and even go to the mat without breaking it up. Choo switches over to a headlock to grind away but Lyons gets up and sweeps the leg. Back up and Choo gets in a Thesz press to hammer away, followed by a hurricanrana out of the corner. Choo sends her outside but Jacobs gets in a distraction, allowing Lyons to get in a kick to the head as we take a break.

We come back with Lyons fighting out of the corner but getting caught with a heck of a DDT. They get up and strike it out until Choo fires off some clotheslines. A hammerlock lariat sends Lyons into the corner and a neckbreaker back out of the corner gets two more. The sleeper is blocked though and Lyons hits an overdrive of all things for two of her own. Choo’s full nelson slam gets two more and the Dirt Nap goes on.

They fall outside with the hold not being broken so Lyons rams her into the steps for the break. Back in and a super Michinoku Driver of all things gives Lyons another near fall. Lyons punches her down and tries a Vader Bomb, which is countered into a powerbomb. The Dirt Nap goes back on so Jacobs puts the title on the apron. Jacobs’ distraction means the referee doesn’t see Lyons tapping so here is Laynie Luck to cut Jacobs off. Choo cuts off a belt shot and rolls Lyons up for two so Lyons hits her with a crystal. The spinning kick gives Lyons the pin and the title at 11:14.

Rating: C+. The match was ok enough and while I don’t get the appeal, it was pretty much now or never with Lyons. She has been around for a long time now and hasn’t won anything and that could only go on for so long. The match had enough shenanigans to protect Choo but she never felt like a top level champion anyway. Lyons gets her chance to do something though and that could be quite the run, one way or another.

Video on how important a title can be for an Evolve star.

KevOnStage, next week’s guest GM, talks about being a big fan his entire life but It’s Gal interrupts. He wants a match next week so Kev gives him Cutler James.

Kai Kavari vs. Kale Dixon

Dixon is hyped up as a veteran of THIRTY MATCHES in NXT and shoves Kaivari around to start. That includes some trash talk before Dixon gives him a reverse gordbuster before stomping away in the corner. A clothesline lets Dixon swivel his hips a bit and he drops Kaivari with a superkick for two.

The chinlock goes on, allowing commentary to make vegetable puns. Kaivari fights up and strikes away, with a dropkick knocking Dixon into the corner. A blonde woman (commentary doesn’t recognize her) pops up for a distraction and Dixon hits the 96 (a discus forearm) for the pin at 3:38.

Rating: C. Of all the people who get their names changed because a tag wrestler on another roster might have the same last name, the man named after a vegetable can’t get a name change. He can be as talented as he wants but that is a heck of a mountain to overcome. The match itself was fine, with Dixon seemingly getting something of a push in his debut. I’ve heard worse ideas, including naming a wrestler “Kale”.

We get a vignette of a woman whose face is all glitchy. She describes herself as the voice that keeps you awake at night and the nightmares you can’t wake up from. Evolve will fear the unknown and she is already here. Her face is imposed over a bunch of rather creepy images as she keeps talking about fearing the unknown. I’ve seen worse.

Evolve Title: Max Abrams vs. Aaron Rourke

Abrams, with the Mog Squad, is challenging and hang on as KevOnStage says all the Squad has is hair and muscle. They have a match against the ID team next week and it’s going to be an elimination match. What a time to make an announcement. After the Big Match Intros, and seeing Harlem Lewis in the VIP area, Abrams misses a running kick to start and gets stomped in the corner.

Abrams goes outside for a meeting with the Squad but gets taken out by a dive. Back in and Rourke cuts off a leapfrog with a flapjack before chopping away in the corner. That lets Rourke strut a bit (makes sense in his case) but the Squad trips him down on the apron. A flipping neckbreaker gives Abrams two and we go split screen for an interview with Lewis, who doesn’t like the interference.

Lewis acknowledges that Rourke is tough, but Rourke has never pinned him. When Lewis is done with Braxton Cole, Rourke is next. We take a break and come back with Abrams getting two off a missile dropkick but the Main Objective is blocked. A release Rock Bottom out of the corner drops Abrams again and Rourke scores with a corner dropkick. Abrams knocks him back and goes up but gets super powerslammed back down.

Rourke stomps away but bangs up his knee and gets sent face first into the middle buckle. Abrams catches Rourke up top and pulls him into a neckbreaker for two and it’s time for the yelling while punching. Rourke forearms his way out of trouble and catches him with a spinning kick to the face. Abrams gets in a shot of his own and falls on top for two, leaving them both down.

Back up and Abrams drives him into the corner and the referee gets kicked down by mistake. Rourke’s kick connects for no count so the Squad comes in. Lewis is there to cancel them out but Braxton Cole is here to pull Lewis outside. The Squad gets in a belt shot to give Abrams a rather close two and here are the ID stars to even things up. Abrams takes Rourke up top but gets dropped down, setting up the Molly Go Round to retain the title at 13:44.

Rating: B. This got better near the end when things went insane but it was only so interesting until then. Rourke has come a very, very long way and feels like the top star around here, which is a heck of an accomplishment. I was expecting Abrams to win here but it should let Rourke go on for a bit, even if Lewis seems to be waiting for him in the end.

Post match the ID guys and Squad have a staredown but security come in…and lay out everyone to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This definitely felt like a big show and that is nice to see, as the whole point is giving Evolve a special show. The good thing is they haven’t run these things into the ground, which can often happen with WWE specials. The main event got better as it went along and the ending is intriguing, especially with Thatcher gone next week. Good show here, odd vegetable man’s name aside.

Results
Nikkita Lyons b. Wendy Choo – Spinning kick to the head
Kale Dixon b. Kai Kavari – 96
Aaron Rourke b. Max Abrams – Molly Go Round

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: June 17, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Blake Howard, Peter Rosenberg

It’s the week before Succession III and at least the biggest matches on the card are put together. That should make for an interesting week here as we have the final push towards the event. If nothing else we should be getting some of the hard sell for the title matches, which often works well. Let’s get to it.

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

Timothy Thatcher is excited for Succession and runs down tonight’s card. Wendy Choo (Thatcher: “Come on in champ two!”) comes in and signs the card to face Nikkita Lyons at Succession but she’ll be watching tonight to see who might be her next contender.

Opening sequence.

Elijah Holyfield vs. Brooks Jensen

Jensen backs him up against the ropes and gets punched in the ribs for his efforts. Back up and Jensen fires off some forearms before sending him throat first into the middle rope. Things slow down, with Jensen kicking him to the mat and grabbing the chinlock. That’s broken up and Holyfield hits a heck of a shoulder, followed by the clothesline comeback. A whip out of the corner is blocked but Jensen pulls the turnbuckle pad off. The spinebuster drops Jensen and Holyfield hammers away in the corner, only to get dropped onto the turnbuckle. Jensen’s rollup gets the pin at 4:25.

Rating: C. This was very basic and you could see Jensen walking Holyfield through the match. That’s how you need to treat someone like Holyfield at this point, as he’s still so brand new and has no idea what he’s doing. The only thing that is going to make that better is experience and this kind of match, plus house shows, is the way he gets better.

Chazz Hall vs. Tristan Angels

Hall takes him down to start and Angels is frustrated, causing him to walk into an armdrag. Hall sticks the landing on a monkey flip but gets caught up top with a step up enziguri. Back in and Hall is sent into the buckle, setting up the chinlock. That’s broken up and Hall hits a middle rope clothesline, setting up a standing Sliced Bread.

The standing corkscrew moonsault gives Hall two and he hurricanranas Angels outside. A Lionsault connects on Angels, who catches Hall back inside with an apron superplex for two of his own. Angels’ powerbomb is countered into a DDT but the shooting star press misses as well. The Shire’s Kiss finishes for Angels at 7:13.

Rating: C+. Angels is someone that WWE clearly wants to have around in whatever way they can and that’s an interesting way to go for him. He’s getting time both in Evolve and on NXT, which isn’t surprising given how easy it is to dis like him in general. Hall losing is a bit of a surprise but Angels feels like the bigger priority, as he should be.

Post match Angels brags about his success and calls himself the definition of elegance, excellence and class.

Zena Sterling is glad to be back after everything that she has been through.

Zena Sterling vs. Anya Rune

Rune gets an insert interview, saying she wants people to get to notice her. Rune’s wristlock doesn’t work early on as Sterling takes her down into an armbar. That’s broken up and Rune flips her over by the wrist for a nasty crash. Rune goes up top and has to break up a superplex, only to fall off with no one touching her. She was shouting about flying so I’m assuming she was supposed to slip?

Either way, with that weird deal covered, Rune gets two off a small package and kicks her into the corner. Rune goes up top and slips again, then slips a third time (with the turnbuckle pad falling off) before going to the mat and hitting a running crossbody. Back up and Sterling sends her into the exposed buckle and a spinning side slam (ala Victoria, but nowhere near as smooth) finishes Rune at 3:56.

Rating: D. I’m not sure what in the world they were going for here but it didn’t work. The slipping off the top thing didn’t make me want to see Rune more. It just made me think that she wasn’t very good, which is hardly how you want to present anyone. Sterling being back is a good thing, but this really didn’t make me want to see her again, as she almost lucked into a win over someone in over her head. This was a big miss, and that’s a rarity in WWE these days.

Post match Gianna Capri comes out to yell at Rune, saying she doesn’t belong here. Masyn Holiday and Layla Diggs comes in to scare Capri off.

Earlier today, Harlem Lewis was training in the gym and is asked about his injured arm. Apparently Lewis is medically cleared but he was scared that he was going to be done with wrestling after his injury. He can’t stand Cole being all smug and rich when Lewis is trying so hard to make it to the next level to make his family financially secure. Therefore, he wants Cole in a No DQ match. Lewis and Howard talk about boxing as we wrap this up.

Nikkita Lyons, with Sloane Jacobs, signs for the Succession title match as well. It’s written in the stars for her to be the best champion ever. KevOnStage, an actor from a Tubi series, comes in to praise Timothy Thatcher, while Lyons says the it’s Kev’s honor to meet them. Kev tries to give Lyons some advice on going viral and the women leave in a huff. Thatcher says that he’ll be on a scouting trip in two weeks and invites Kev to run the show in two weeks. That works for Kev, who makes Harlem Lewis vs. Braxton Cole in the No DQ match.

Succession rundown.

Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno vs. Harley Riggins/Kam Hendrix

For some reason commentary seems surprised that Dar and Moreno are teaming, even though the match was mentioned earlier in the night. Riggins requests and receives Moreno to start, with a big boot putting Moreno down rather quickly. Moreno flips up with a headscissors before it’s off to Hendrix, who can’t keep up with Dar’s speed. Dar gets two off a left hand but gets taken into the wrong corner.

That’s broken up and it’s back to Moreno as the good guys clear the ring. Moreno hits a big dive but gets taken down by the ankle to slow him down. We take a break and come back with Moreno still in trouble as Hendrix grabs an ankle lock. With that broken up, Riggins comes in but gets knocked away, allowing Dar to get the tag.

Dar quickly takes over and locks Hendrix’s ankle, with Hendrix making a quick save. Everything breaks down and Riggins knocks Moreno down for two, followed by a spear for the same. We settle down to Moreno in trouble with his leg messed up so Riggins grabs a trashcan. Cue Tate Wilder to cut him off and Moreno gets two off a small package. Back in and Dar’s spinning backfist finishes Riggins at 8:56.

Rating: C+. Moreno continues to do nothing for me but I can see what they’re going for with Dar as a bit of an NXT/indy legend. The match was good enough and Dar gets a win to help establish the new team. At least Hendrix didn’t lose here, as that has been happening too much as of late.

We get the official faceoff between Evolve Champion Aaron Rourke and Max Abrams. Rourke talks about how great the ID Program has been and how much they have helped him get better. Then you have Abrams knocking the title out of Rourke’s hands, with Abrams going all the way back to Sean Legacy’s farewell. Legacy ignored him and that didn’t work for Abrams, because everyone around here is useless. Outside of the Vanity Project, who are now in NXT, no one here means anything.

Abrams says that Rourke’s family knows he’s a joke, which gets Rourke out of his chair. Security comes in to hold him back and Abrams gets in a slap to the top of the head to end the show. Abrams getting underneath Rourke’s skin there was a bit of a surprise as Rourke tends to keep his cool. That’s a good way to go for the title match and this did make it feel better.

Overall Rating: C-. This was the big preview for Succession and outside of the main event promo off, which lasted about three minutes, I wasn’t overly interested in a bunch of this show. The Sterling vs. Rune match was weird and the Holyfield match wasn’t going to be good due to his inexperience. This was a miss for the most part, but Succession is what matters the most and we’ll get to that soon enough.

Results
Brooks Jensen b. Elijah Holyfield – Rollup
Tristan Angels b. Chazz Hall – Shire’s Kiss
Zena Sterling b. Anya Rune – Spinning side slam
Noam Dar/Romeo Moreno b. Harley Riggins/Kam Hendrix – Spinning backfist to Riggins

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

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

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

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

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

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

Masyn Holiday vs. Gianna Capri

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

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

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

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

Harley Riggins vs. Romeo Moreno

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

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

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

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

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

Max Abrams vs. Cappuccino Jones

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

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

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

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

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

Elijah Holyfield vs. Kai Kavari

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

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

Women’s Title: Sloane Jacobs vs. Wendy Choo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Opening sequence.

Harlem Lewis vs. Braxton Cole

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Video on PJ Vasa.

It’s Gal is in the VIP area.

Evolve Title: Aaron Rourke vs. Tristan Angels

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Evolve
Date: May 20, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

Things are staying interesting around here, even with another change of cast members likely taking place soon. The big story for this week is Tate Wilder getting to face Kam Hendrix in a battle of two people already on NXT. Other than that, we’re coming up on Tristan Angels getting his Evolve Title shot. Let’s get to it.

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

Hendrix talks about Wilder messing with the wrong people in recent weeks.

Wilder is ready to keep fighting no matter what.

Opening sequence.

Anya Rune vs. Layla Diggs

Masyn Holiday is here with Diggs. Rune grabs a headlock takeover to start before an armdrag sets up an armbar. Diggs is back up with a shot to the face and we hit a seated full nelson. That’s reversed into a backslide to give Rune two but Diggs kicks her in the head. A running shot in the corner gets two and we’re back to the full nelson. Back up and Rune avoids a running knee in the corner and forearms her down. Diggs backflips away from a shot to the face and keeps flipping to hit a Pele kick (that was sweet). A great looking moonsault finishes Rune at 4:20.

Rating: B-. That flip into the kick and moonsault looked awesome, with Diggs having one of her best performances in all of her time in WWE. She was able to make everything look smooth and that is quite the trick to pull off. Rune is still mainly just an idea rather than someone who has really gotten to show much skill thus far. That could easily be turned around, but this was much more about Diggs and it worked rather well.

Post match Gianna Capri comes in and mocks Rune, with Diggs and Holiday glaring her off.

Timothy Thatcher talks about everything he does around here, including still wrestling on the independent circuit. He lists off some independent promotions and says he might be showing up to both wrestle and scout. This was basically an ad for the promotions the WWE works with and that’s about it.

Chazz Hall vs. CJ Valor

Before the match, Valor and the Mog Squad are ready to take out Hall and hit the town. Hall grabs a headlock to start and is easily shouldered down. Valor’s gorilla press doesn’t work as Hall is back up with a jumping spin kick to the face. Sliced Bread is countered into Snake Eyes though and Valor turns him inside out with a running clothesline. A hip check gets two on Hall and Valor yells at him, with Hall’s right hands not getting him very far.

Valor mocks Hall’s guitar playing and the neck crank goes on. Hall gets up and hits a jawbreaker, followed by a springboard headscissors. The standing Sliced Bread sets up a standing corkscrew moonsault to give Hall two and he sends Valor outside. The flip dive connects on the floor but a high crossbody is pulled out of the air. Something that was either a tornado DDT or a sunset flip gives Hall two and he kicks Valor in the head. The shooting star press gives Hall the pin at 6:48.

Rating: B-. This was good enough as Hall continues to have some pretty nice success. I’m still not wild on him for the most part, but he’s certainly capable in the ring. Valor is a big guy, though being part of the four man team doesn’t exactly let him stand out much. Then again with so many people to run through the process so fast around here, stables are the most practical way to go.

Laynie Luck and Wendy Choo are in the back with Luck thanking her for the title shot. That being said, neither of them wanted it to end with the double interference. The challenge is officially issued for next week.

It’s contract signing time so here are Tristan Angels and Aaron Rourke. Angels asks the fans if they find Rourke’s time as champion satisfactory. It’s true that Rourke became an overnight sensation and has all of his sparkles and such. If Angels had been around, none of those things would have ever happened. Now it’s time for Angels to burn Sparkle City to the ground.

Angels signs and Rourke does the same before asking if Angels is done. Rourke asks if Angels really calls himself the most beautiful man in England. Rourke finds that cool but thinks we should just call him Mr. Evolve, because it would be cute and fun. Rourke talks about how inner beauty is about bringing people up. Therefore, Angels is an ugly narcissist. Rourke offers to let Angels hit him in the face but security runs in to cut it off. Cue Harlem Lewis to announce that he’s facing Braxton Cole next week. Then Elijah Holyfield (Evander’s son) pops up to say he’s here to look at what is going on.

Sloane Jacobs and Nikkita Lyons are ready for their tag match against Wendy Choo and Laynie Luck next week. They’ll even provide the tissues for when Choo and Luck cry. When Lyons pins Choo, she’s coming for the Women’s Title.

Kam Hendrix vs. Tate Wilder

Wilder slugs away to start and knocks him into the corner but a springboard is broken up. Hendrix knocks him out to the floor, setting up a suplex onto the apron. Wilde is thrown into the VIP Area, where he pulls Hendrix inside as well to take over again. A crossbody off the barricade connects but Hendrix backdrops him onto the apron for an even bigger crash

We take a break and come back with Hendrix release suplexing him for two. Wilder fights up and hits some running elbows to the face, only to get spinebustered back down. Back up and Wilder gets a shot of his own and they pull each other up to slowly trade fists. Hendrix gets the better of things but Lights, Kam, Action is blocked. The Wilde Ride gets two and here is Harley Riggins, who is kicked in the face by Romeo Moreno. Wilde is back up with a UFO Splash for the pin at 9:12.

Rating: B-. Good stuff again here and it’s nice to see Wilder getting a chance to show what he can. He’s starting to show what he can do and it’s turned him from little more than a cowboy to someone who is getting better in general. Granted this is just in Evolve, but he has is going to have to do that on a higher level as well. Then you have Hendrix, who still feels like he could be a big deal with the talent he has but he hasn’t had a chance to do much on his own thus far.

Post match Timothy Thatcher comes out to talk to Elijah Holyfield, who will be introduced next week.

Overall Rating: B. They’re keeping things moving around here and it’s rather nice to see the stories moving around so well. Hopefully they keep the pace going as it makes for a rather fun show to watch every single week. You can see things moving from one place to another and it makes for probably the easiest show to watch week to week. We’re coming up on the big Rourke vs. Angels title match and that feels like an important showdown despite it being set up out of nowhere. I would think that’s a good sign of how things are going here, which has been the case for a long time now.

Results
Layla Diggs b. Anya Rune – Moonsault
Chazz Hall b. CJ Valor – Shooting star press
Tate Wilder b. Kam Hendrix – UFO Splash

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

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Evolve
Date: May 13, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

We’re coming up on another Evolve Title match and in this case we have a four way to crown a new #1 contender. That should make for a good main event and I’m curious to see which way they go. Other than that, we might be seeing some of the names who are on their way to NXT wrapping things up around here. Let’s get to it.

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

Kam Hendrix and Harley Riggins arrive and talk about how it’s time for Hendrix to get the Evolve Title. I kind of like these little recaps as done by the wrestlers, as it’s a bit of a change of pace from the usual narrated versions or just showing clips.

Opening sequence.

Nikkita Lyons vs. Karmen Petrovic

Lyons drops outside at the bell before coming back inside so they can both miss some kicks. Legsweeps miss for both of them as well so Petrovic kicks Lyons’ hand. Petrovic grabs a headlock to cut off the kicks, only to get hit in the stomach. Back up and Petrovic hits her in the stomach as well, followed by a hair takedown, allowing Petrovic to mock the hand licking thing.

The headlock goes on again, with Lyons going down to the mat this time. A double arm crank keeps Lyons in trouble as Petrovic is getting a lot of control here. Petrovic switches to a full nelson with her legs but Lyons gets up for a fall away slam. We take a break and come back with Lyons working on Petrovic’s ribs and dropping the splits splash. A running shoulder in the corner stays on the bad ribs and Lyons bends the back over her knee.

Petrovic fights up and grabs a suplex, followed by the sliding kick to the chest. A Sling Blade gives Petrovic two but Lyons knocks her down, only to miss a Vader Bomb. Cue Sloane Jacobs for a distraction but Laynie Luck runs out to cut her off. Wendy Choo pops up to trip Lyons and the Petrifier gives Petrovic the pin at 9:06.

Rating: C+. This was mainly a bunch of strikes and that’s what it should have been, as it’s their signature styles. At the same time, the ending gives Choo some revenge on Lyons and hopefully it wraps up their story. Petrovic doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, but at least she got a win here.

Brooks Jensen comes up to Dorian Van Dux, who offers to take Jensen’s advice…and throw it in the trash. Dux says something in French but Jensen doesn’t care where Dux is from because Jensen just wants to beat someone up. Jensen still does not feel remotely important.

Here is Harlem Lewis who calls out Braxton Cole for awakening something inside of him. Cole lost the Evolve Title match so he wants the loser out here right now. Cue Cole, with Lewis getting ready to go after him. The security guards come out and get between them, leaving Cole to mock Lewis for not having as wealthy of an upbringing.

Tate Wilder comes up to a depressed Romeo Moreno. Wilder doesn’t like the mindset and says Evolve is about developing and growing. Wilder lost a lot when he got here and look at how far he has come. It’s just a matter of time before Moreno rises up as well. Moreno seems to appreciate the kind words.

Tristan Angels is ready to become #1 contender because he’s an Englishman facing some Americans and a Belgian. Why would he be worried about someone from a country famous for chocolates and waffles? The Americans are nothing to worry about either because he’s tough and handsome.

CJ Valor vs. It’s Gal

Valor’s friends are here too as he misses a charge into the corner to start. Gal strikes away and wrestles him down to the mat, meaning it’s time for some posing. A running hurricanrana and enziguri drop Valor, setting up a double legdrop for two. Valor fights out of a waistlock and judo throws Gal down for two of his own.

Gal gets whipped hard into the corner and we hit the chinlock. That’s broken up and Gal fights back, including throwing Valor out of the corner. A springboard dropkick gives Gal two but valor pulls him into an ankle lock. That’s broken up and Gal forearms away, drawing Max Abrams to the apron. Jacari Ball chop blocks Gal and a pop up spinebuster gives Valor the pin at 5:25.

Rating: C. Gal as a good guy is still a new experiment but he was so over the top that he had to go in this direction. On the other hand you have the new evil group and it makes perfect sense for them to get a win by cheating. This went fine, though the action was just pretty ok all things considered.

Post match the group gets in the ring, with Abrams bragging about all of their skills and what they bring to the team. Apparently they are the Mog Squad. Howard: “I don’t get it.”

Cappuccino Jones is filmed from behind a bush and is heard on the phone, seemingly bringing in reinforcements.

Gianna Capri blames her first loss on Anya Rune. Veronica Haven doesn’t like the disrespect but Rune gets up to say she’s going to get a match against Layla Diggs. Capri still isn’t impressed.

Dorian Van Dux vs. Kam Hendrix vs. Tristan Angels vs. Brooks Jensen

For a title shot against Aaron Rourke, who is in the VIP area. Dux and Jensen jaw at each other but get jumped and sent outside. Hendrix backslides Angels for two and Jensen rolls Hendrix up for the same. Dux is back up with a double missile dropkick and snaps off a running hurricanrana to Angels.

A flipping clothesline causes Jensen to DDT Hendrix and Angels sends Jensen outside. Dux’s clothesline to the back of Angels’ head gets two but Angels crotches him on top. Hendrix dives onto Dux on the floor and Jensen hits a dive off the top to Hendrix and Angels. Dux moonsaults onto all of them and we take a break.

We come back with Dux tossing Jensen onto Hendrix and powerbombing Angels onto the two of them. They fight up until a 3D gives Jensen two on Angels. Dux and Jensen slug it out until Jensen hits a running lariat. Dux’s Stundog Millionaire gets him out of trouble and a shooting star press hits Angels for two, with Hendrix making a save.

Cue Tate Wilder to go after Hendrix and Jensen removes his boot to knock Dux silly. A Neutralizer hits Dux but Angels steals the cover for two. Dux half crabs Angels until Jensen kicks Dux…to no avail. Jensen hammers away to break it up but gets dropped with a clothesline. Angels’ rollup gets two and Dux gives him a springboard cutter. Jensen knocks Dux outside but gets small packaged to give Angels the pin at 9:12.

Rating: B-. This was a bunch of good action and it had the Jensen vs. Dux feud to keep the match going. Dux got to show off some athleticism here, with the flips and fast paced offense looking impressive. Angels has been treated as an important deal and it makes sense to have him get the title shot. It wouldn’t shock me to see him win the title, which very well may be where we’re going from here.

Rourke and Angels stare each other down to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. I love this kind of show, as it felt like they had a bunch of stuff to cover and they made it work. It was an effective show and covered a few different stories, including setting up Rourke’s next challenger for the title. That’s all you need sometimes as the big show is probably coming soon. It’s not a must see show, but it kept things moving for another week.

Results
Karmen Petrovic b. Nikkita Lyons – Petrifier
CJ Valor b. It’s Gal – Pop up spinebuster
Tristan Angels b. Brooks Jensen, Dorian Van Dux and Kam Hendrix – Small package to Jensen

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

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Evolve
Date: May 6, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

We’re in a bit of a transition period here as a bunch of stars are on their way up to NXT but haven’t quite gotten there yet. As a result, some people here are probably finishing up what they’re doing, which could take a few weeks. We need a new #1 contender to the Evolve Title, with Harlem Lewis being a real possibility after not getting pinned in last week’s triple threat. Let’s get to it.

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

We look at what happened last week after the show went off the air. Kam Hendrix and Harley Riggins went after Aaron Rourke, who fought back for a bit and then bailed from the numbers’ advantage.

Wendy Choo is nervous about her first title defense and previews the show.

Opening sequence.

Max Abrams/Santi Rivera/Jacari Ball vs. Cappuccino Jones/Chazz Hall/Romeo Moreno

CJ Valor is with Abrams and company. Abrams starts and immediately hands it off to Ball, who gets punched in the face by Jones. Ball takes over and hands it off to Rivera who misses an elbow by half a mile, allowing Jones to work on the arm. Hall comes in and the good guys clear the ring without much trouble.

We settle down to Abrams taking over on Moreno and handing it back to Ball for the rolling gutwrench suplexes. Moreno is able to knock Rivera to the floor though and it’s back to Hall to flip around a bit. Ball hits Abrams by mistake though and Hall snaps off a springboard headscissors. Everything breaks down again and Hall hits a big dive to the floor, meaning the good guys get to pose as we take a break.

We come back with Hall in trouble and getting sent into the wrong corner. Rivera grabs the chinlock and Hall’s comeback being cut off. As usual, the real tag goes through a few seconds later, with Jones coming in to make Abrams beg off. Abrams gets knocked down and Jones knocks Ball outside. A knee to the head knocks Jones silly though and it’s a Sling Blade to give Rivera two. It’s back to Moreno, who hits a brainbuster on Rivera, setting up Hall’s shooting star press for two with everyone making the save.

Everyone gets up for the three on three showdown with Hall getting suplexed down. Abrams hits a frog splash for two with Moreno making the save. Moreno is left alone with Abrams and hits a super Spanish Fly. Valor gets up for a distraction so here is It’s Gal to go after him. The unnamed security guards drag Gal away (yes he poses while being carried off), leaving Abrams to hit the Main Objective (running Fameasser) to pin Moreno at 15:18.

Rating: B. That’s an especially long match for Evolve but it let the people involved showcase their talents a bit better. Abrams and company needed to get the big win as they haven’t been together that long and could use the boost. Finally, It’s Gal possibly turning good is an interesting way to go as I’ve been a fan of his for awhile now.

Post match the winners brag about their win because they take opportunities, unlike say Sam Holloway and Marcus Mathers.

Laynie Luck is ready for the biggest match of her life tonight. She talks about everything she has been through to get here but she never crumbled and gave up. Then she saw Wendy Choo win the Evolve Women’s Title and it was such an inspiration. Tonight is her chance.

Earlier today, Sloane Jacobs and Nikkita Lyons tried to throw Karmen Petrovic out of the gym but she challenged one of them for next week.

Here is Timothy Thatcher, who praises Wendy Choo for a bit before moving on to the Evolve Title. We need a new #1 contender to Aaron Rourke, who joins Thatcher in for the chat. Rourke is ready for anyone and calls himself the diamond because he is built from pressure. He’s ready for anyone so line them up. This brings out Kam Hendrix and Harley Riggins, with Hendrix bragging about his GM abilities and wanting a title shot next week.

Brooks Jensen interrupts, who wants a title shot based on winning his bullrope match. Rourke doesn’t look impressed but cue Tristan Angels, who says everyone’s efforts are in vane. Angels demands order but now it’s Dorian Van Dux interrupting. Tate Wilder runs in for a brawl but Thatcher cuts them off and announces Jensen vs. Hendrix vs. Van Dux vs. Angels in a four way next week for a future title shot. As for now, Wilder and Riggins can face each other.

Tate Wilder vs. Harley Riggins

Wilder plants Riggins to start fast and hits a Lionsault but stops to yell at Hendrix. Riggins drops Wilder onto the apron and starts going after the back with some heavy forearms. A swinging Side Effect gives Riggins two but a double clothesline leaves both of them down. Wilder’s twisting suplex gets two but Riggins hits a Backstabber out of the corner for two. Riggins hits him in the ribs and tries a backdrop, only to get reversed into a sunset flip to give Wilder the pin at 6:04.

Rating: C+. A sunset flip? Ok then. Anyway, the match was just a quick way for Wilder to get a win and put him on the show. Wilder feels like someone who is getting a focus and it’s working fairly well. He’s definitely in a better place than he was a few months ago and it would be nice to see what he can do if he keeps developing.

Post match Hendrix lays Wilder out.

Dorian Van Dux is ready to show what he can do and he has a chance next week.

Women’s Title: Wendy Choo vs. Laynie Luck

Luck is challenging and sends Choo down, with Choo not being thrilled with the handshake offer. They go to a test of strength and wind up on the mat, with Choo backflipping but not breaking the grip. Choo’s jackknife rollup gets two and they go into a pinfall reversal sequence. Back up and Choo kicks her in the chest for two more but the Dirt Nap is broken up.

Luck sends her outside and knocks her down followed by a step up Swanton for two back inside. An Octopus on the mat is broken up as Choo cradles her for two but Luck’s running dropkick gets the same. The Dirt Nap is broken up again but Choo catches her on top for a superplex. They’re slowly getting up but Sloane Jacobs and Nikkita Lyons run in for the double DQ at 7:31.

Rating: C. I get going for the title match in the main event spot as there aren’t many title matches around here. At the same time, the match never really took off and Lyons being involved in any way brings things down. I do appreciate not having Luck take a fall here, though she never felt like a threat to win the title.

Post match the beatdown is on until Karmen Petrovic runs in for the save to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This started off rather good with the six man tag and fallout but things went a bit down after that. Maybe it’s Lyons dragging the main event down, but the second half of this show only did so much for me. It’s far from bad though and next week’s four way should be good. They’re still pushing a bunch of new people, even if a bunch of them are already in NXT. Either way, it’s a perfectly decent show and the six man was good, which is enough to carry the week.

Results
Max Abrams/Santi Rivera/Jacari Ball b. Cappuccino Jones/Chazz Hall/Romeo Moreno – Main Objective to Moreno
Tate Wilder b. Harley Riggins – Sunset flip
Wendy Choo vs. Laynie Luck went to a double DQ when Sloane Jacobs and Nikkita Lyons interfered

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: April 29, 2026
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Peter Rosenberg, Blake Howard

So about half a dozen Evolve names showed up this week on NXT and that means their time in Evolve is likely numbered. At the same time though, there is not likely to be much in the way of change here, as this show, which features a triple threat for the Evolve Title, was likely taped weeks ago. In other words, enjoy these people while you can. Let’s get to it.

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

Harlem Lewis is ready to finally win the Evolve Title.

Opening sequence.

Kali Armstrong vs. Tyra Mae Steele

The fans certainly seem to think positively of Armstrong and this is fallout from Steele causing Armstrong to be eliminated from the Women’s Title gauntlet match. They go with the grappling to start and shockingly enough, the Olympic gold medal winning wrestler easily takes over. Armstrong gets back up to shoulder her down but Steele is right back with a headscissors. That’s reversed back into the headlock before Armstrong snaps off some right hands.

A headscissors attempt out of the corner results in Steele being tossed out to the floor, where she blocks a baseball slide. Steele starts cranking on the ankle and we take a break. We come back with Steele snapping off some gutwrench suplexes before going back to the ankle. Armstrong fights up and hits some shots to the face but Steele pulls her down into the ankle lock. That’s broken up but Steele gets it right back on, which is broken up again. This time Steele tries the Angle Slam so Armstrong reverses it into a powerslam. The Kali Connection finishes Steele at 8:37.

Rating: C+. Armstrong winning is hardly a surprised as Steele was released earlier this week. Maybe it’s because she’s yet another Olympian/amateur wrestler who does the same Kurt Angle style offense. That stuff feels so lame, as it has been done multiple times and just feels like a played out concept. Find something new, which might be in a different promotion going forward.

Post match we get a THANK YOU KALI graphic and she talks about how she grew up around here and she’s the first ever Evolve Women’s Champion. She built this place, and now it’s time to let others live in it. Until she gets hers, it’s all gas, no brakes.

It’s Gal talks about how he is treated as a machine but he has feelings too. He’s lost partners, been ignored by the teams and been misunderstood by the new boss. Is he the dummy? Where does he go from here with these feelings? It’s time to peak like no stud has peaked before.

Romeo Moreno vs. Chazz Hall

Hold on though as here are Max Abrams and his new team from last week. Abrams mocks Hall and even takes off his sunglasses before offering Hall a spot on the new ID squad. Hall isn’t feeling that but Santi Rivera isn’t feeling his lack of feeling. Moreno tells the team goodbye and Jacari Ball jumps him from behind. Hall comes in to break it up but CJ Valor beats him down as well. No match.

Timothy Thatcher offers congratulations to Kali Armstrong (not here) for moving up to NXT. He moves on to the new ID talent but someone knocks on the door. Two men come in and say they would like an opportunity. Thatcher does have a job he needs to get done and that’s security, mainly dealing with Max Abrams and company. They’re in.

Tristan Angels talks about the pressure of being the future of WWE. No one has the shoulders to carry that weight but he is from Dorset, England and ready to do it.

Masyn Holiday/Layla Diggs vs. Ayna Rune/Gianna Capri

Diggs and Rune start things off and go to the mat, with Holiday coming in for a dropkick. It’s off to Capri, who knocks Diggs down for two and grabs the chinlock. That’s broken up so Diggs gives Rune a fall away slam. Everything breaks down and Diggs ax kicks Rune for the pin at 4:35.

Rating: C. I’m getting close to giving up on Holiday and Diggs. They’re good enough in the ring, but the TikTok dancing stuff has lost the limited charm and still feels like their main trait. They have talent, but I’m going to need something a bit more interesting than “they dance a lot” to care about them. Rune and Capri are still finding their footing, though at least they’ve started.

Post match the winners dance and Capri yells at Rune for ruining this.

We get a sitdown interview with Laynie Luck and Wendy Choo. Luck talks about how this is the biggest chance of her career and people, like luck, can turn on you in an instant. She doesn’t know which version of her you’ll get out there but she’s not letting her guard down. Choo says her past has been all over the place and yes it was questionable, but she isn’t changing anytime soon. Choo meant what she said when she wanted Luck to get the first shot, but the title isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Cappuccino Jones apologizes to Romeo Moreno and Chazz Hall. He wanted to see them have a match and is sick of everyone thinking they can do whatever they want around here. They need to do something, maybe like a six man tag next week. Hall: “Oh Hall yeah!”

Evolve Title: Aaron Rourke vs. Harlem Lewis vs. Braxton Cole

Rourke is defending and says he’s build from pressure and thrives in it, so now all eyes are on him. Kam Hendrix and Harley Riggins are in the VIP section and we’re ready after the Big Match Intros. Cole jumps Lewis to start fast and slams Rourke as well. That earns Cole a trip out to the floor so Rourke gives Cole La Mistica into a Russian legsweep. Lewis is back in to take Rourke out but Cole sends both of them outside as we take a break.

We come back with Cole hitting a suplex neckbreaker for two on Rourke as things slow down a bit. Lewis is back in and Rourke gets dropped ribs first over the top rope. Cole sends Lewis into the corner and neckbreakers him for two more. Lewis comes out of the corner with a clothesline and hits a basement dropkick for two of his own. Rourke is back in to assist Lewis on a DDT before going after Lewis’ knee. There’s a Backstabber to Cole and a middle rope Codebreaker drops him to give Rourke two more.

Rourke goes up and gets caught on top, meaning it’s a Tower Of Doom to bring everyone down. Back up and Rourke kicks Cole in the face, leaving him to slug it out with Lewis. A flip leaves Rourke on his face though and the Boom Slang connects, with Cole pulling Lewis to the floor for the save. Rourke sends Cole back inside for the Molly Go Round to retain at 11:12.

Rating: B. That’s pretty much the only way this could have gone, as you don’t want Rourke losing in his first really big defense and Cole was there to avoid Lewis from taking the fall. That’s all they needed to do and the match was a good, back and forth triple threat. Rourke feels like a champion, and that’s a great sign for his status.

Post match Brooks Jensen comes out for the staredown, with Rourke telling him to bring it. Hendrix and Riggins get on the apron and slowly come after Rourke to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The Armstrong sendoff and main event were good, though I’m a bit hesitant to get into another stable war. The catch though is that with so many people on this roster and how fast everyone moves in one direction or another, having stables make sense as a way to present a bunch of people as fast as possible. I’m not sure if it’s going to make for the best show, but Evolve has earned the benefit of the doubt.

Results
Kali Armstrong b. Tyra Mae Steele – Kali Connection to Steele
Masyn Holiday/Layla Diggs b. Ayna Rune/Gianna Capri – Ax kick to Rune
Aaron Rourke b. Harlem Lewis and Braxton Cole – Molly Go Round to Cole

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