Csonka’s EVOLVE 104 Preview

WELCOME back to column time with Larry! Today, I am going to discuss and preview tonight’s EVOLVE 104 event. EVOLVE is about to enter another chapter in the company’s history, with the longtime champion and main eventer Zack Sabre Jr. gone, and Keith Lee finishing up this weekend, the landscape is again about to change. The company is bringing in a lot of new talent this weekend to give them a look, and they could possibly earn a roster spot if they have good outings. It will be another interesting week for the company as they are coming off of a successful Mania weekend set of shows. But what does the future hold for EVOLVE? Feel free to make your picks in the comment section. Thanks for reading! It’s wrestling, we love it and will disagree. The only rules are “have a take, be respectful, and don’t be a dick.”

Matt Knicks, Chris Castro & Isaias Velazquez vs. J.Spade, Amarok & Jonny Flex: This is a Freelance vs. WildKat six-man tag team match, with Freelance looking to even the score after losing to the WildKat team at Style Battle S1: Finale in New Orleans during WrestleMania week. I’ve seen very little from the men involved here, but am expecting a spirited performance as they are all looking to impress and possibly earn future bookings. WINNERS: Matt Knicks, Chris Castro & Isaias Velazquez

Darby Allin vs. Trey Miguel vs. Myron Reed vs. Snoop Strikes: This is a four-way freestyle match, which is basically an anything goes style scramble match. Trey Miguel is a guy that EVOLVE is looking at bringing in as a regular, so I expect him to get a lot of run here, and possibly win. Darby Allin is making his return from a concussion suffered Mania weekend, and is a star that the company had done a good job building, but injury issues have halted his ascension up the card, despite some great performances. With the recent departures, I could see this match being used to get Allin back on track as he works towards a title match with Austin Theory. WINNER: Darby Allin

Anthony Henry vs. Stevie Fierce: These two have feuded in Freelance wrestling, and are now bringing the fight to EVOLVE. I’ve heard rave reviews of their first two matches, and if they can bring that magic to EVOLVE, this could be a sleeper in terms of stealing the show. Henry has been great in EVOLVE, and being a regular here, I see him picking up the win. WINNER: Anthony Henry

AR Fox vs. Zachary Wentz: AR Fox returned to EVOLVE with a vengeance, putting together a hell of a run, and eventually getting a title shot. He lost to Keith Lee, and is looking to get back on track here against Zachary Wentz. Wentz spent the first 2.5 months of 2018 working a Dragon Gate excursion, and did really well there. He also looked good at the WWN Supershow in the six-man tag, and has been impressing in AAW, CZW, & PWG. This should be a fun and wild highflying match, and Fox is a great choice to pair with Wentz because he’s always about stealing the show. This could be really great, and while I see Wentz losing, I think he’ll come out of the match looking great. And that’s really the goal of this match. WINNER: AR Fox

Tracy Williams vs. Dominic Garrini: The new Catch Point under Stokely Hathaway has started to fall apart, as Tracy Williams started to show displeasure in how Hathaway was running things. This led to Williams being ousted from the group that Drew Gulak left in his care. Dominic Garrini is the newest member of the group and Hathaway’s personal security. Williams is looking for a new path, and he starts at the bottom of Catch Point with his former tag team partner. Williams has been a constant for the promotion, always around for a good match and to be plugged in as a viable contender, but it feels as if he should be more. I think he beats Garrini here and then will have to run the gauntlet of Catch Point to finally break away, and likely get back into the title hunt, which is needed with the departures of Sabre & Lee. WINNER: Tracy Williams

Keith Lee vs. James Drake: As previously mentioned, this is Keith Lee’s final weekend with EVOLVE, and this is one of his final matches for the company. Ina perfect world, Drake would pick up a huge win here in a hard-hitting, hoss style battle. And while I am sure that we’ll get a hard-hitting, hoss style battle; I highly doubt that Drake will take the win here. I think that this will be another chance for Drake to step up like he did with Riddle, but will ultimately fail. The reason being is that Lee will have his final battle against Riddle the next night, and will need to look like a threat, even though everyone knows he’s leaving. I see Lee winning in a hard fought battle, with Drake coming away looking good in defeat. WINNER: Keith Lee

Evolve Tag Team Title Match: Champions Chris Dickinson & Jaka vs. The End (Parrow & Odinson): The End earned this shot by winning the Tag Team Scramble in New Orleans at EVOLVE 102 during WrestleMania week. This is being billed as their final showdown, and they need to have a really good match, as I have found the feud disappointing. I think that the champions retain here, and drop the titles to Anthony Henry & James Drake the next night as Dickinson & Jake start to transition to singles stars for the brand. WINNERS: Champions Chris Dickinson & Jaka

Non-Title Match: EVOLVE Champion Matt Riddle vs. Shane Strickland: It’s great to see Strickland getting brought into EVOLVE. Strickland was a guy that took me a long time to come around on, as I initially found him to be an inferior version of Rich Swann. But between his work as Killshot in Lucha Underground and his desire to bust his ass and work everywhere, Strickland has really grown into a great performer. He also has a history with Riddle, defeating him to win the MLW title. Since they have some history, and their MLW title match was quite good, I have high hopes for the match. Riddle is one of the few top names EVOLVE has left, rarely disappoints in his matches, and Strickland will be out to impress. Strickland could win to set up a future title match, which isn’t the worst idea, but with Riddle facing Lee the next night, I’d think it’s the best idea for him win here and go into that final match with Lee with full momentum. Strickland has a better chance the next night to win over Darby Allin, but will have the chance to put on a hell of a performance here. WINNER: Matt Riddle

WWN Championship Match: Champion Austin Theory with Priscilla Kelly defends vs. DJZ: At EVOLVE 103, Austin Theory won the WWN Title from Keith Lee in a complete surprise, and a result that tipped the hat that Lee was WWE bound. But while Theory added WWN gold to his FIP gold, he also took losses to DJZ at EVOLVE 102 and at the WWN Supershow. Theory is not only looking for revenge, but to also secure his spot as a top guy in WWN with the departures of Sabre & Lee. Theory has had good performances, and is constantly growing as a performer; while DJZ has been great for EVOLVE while Impact Wrestling wasn’t using him. This has the makings of a very good match, as long as it isn’t overbooked with Priscilla Kelly shenanigans. Theory should retain and get his revenge and take his place as one of WWN’s top guys. WINNER: Austin Theory

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– End Scene.

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“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”