Leighty’s 2025 Countdown: The Matches of WWE Evolve

-Evolve is on hiatus for the Christmas and New Year’s Holiday, but no worries as I have one last Evolve column for 2025. For those that don’t know, I like countdowns and I like looking back at the year that was. With 205 Live/Level Up and Main Event I would keep a ranking of every match I reviewed for the year. At first I didn’t want to tackle this for Evolve because those other shows only feature two matches a week. I quickly realized I had to do it because it’s what I do.

-Evolve has been a wonderful show that is an easy watch and features simple and straightforward booking. The downside is the times when the men and women were released, yet were featured for weeks because the show is taped so far in advance. It has been a place for veterans of NXT to try to find something to continue their careers and for the PC and LFG crew to get some TV work done. Level Up was a few short matches with no angles or Championships. Evolve has fixed that and has produced a fine wrestling show that has developed a dedicated following.

Looking ahead to 2026 it will be interesting to see if we ever get the long teased Tag Titles. The other question is who will be the one to dethrone the only WWE Evolve Champion, Jackson Drake. That is for 2026, but for now we visit 2025 one last time with my ranking of all 34 matches that took place since the show debuted on Tubi in March.

As I mentioned in previous countdown columns, I enjoyed when Larry would do a column like this and rank WrestleMania weekend matches, or Hulk Hogan’s WrestleMania Matches. As a note there are a ton of matches on this list, and I ranked them as each show completed and I would just slot them based on what I felt at that moment. I am human, so I do give preference to those wrestlers I am more entertained by, and the result of a match can also elevate or drop my opinion. As Larry would always write: The only rules are “have a take, be respectful, and don’t be a dick.

135) Haze Jameson and Kalyx vs. Aria Bennett and Layla Diggs (03.26.25) 1/2*

134) Carlee Bright vs. Arianna Grace (12.3.25) *

133) Layla Diggs vs. Nikkia Lyons (12.10.25) *

132) Layla Diggs vs. Zayda Steel (08.13.25) *

131) Thea Hail vs. Zayda Steel (10.22.25) *

130) Wendy Choo vs. Summer Sorrell (05.07.25) *

129) Carlee Bright vs. Kalyx (04.23.25) *

128) Kali Armstrong vs. Masyn Holiday (05.14.25) *

127) Kendal Grey vs. Zara Zakher (06.25.25) *

126) Wendy Choo vs. Aria Bennett (03.12.25) SQUASH

125) Harlem Lewis vs. Braxton Cole (03.12.25) SQUASH

124) Kali Armstrong vs. Haze Jameson (03.19.25) SQUASH

123) Haze Jameson vs. PJ Vasa (11.05.25) *

122) Chantel Monroe vs. Masyn Holiday (07.09.25) *1/4

121) Carlee Bright vs. Layla Diggs (09.10.25) *1/4

120) Masyn Holiday vs. Jin Tala (10.29.25) *1/2

119) Jin Tala vs. Carlee Bright (06.04.25) *1/2

118) Jin Tala vs. Carlee Bright (07.16.25) *1/2

117) Zena Sterling vs. Karmen Petrovic (11.19.25) *1/2

116) Brinley Reece vs. Masyn Holiday (03.19.25) *1/2

115) Zara Zakher vs. Aria Bennett (04.23.25) *1/2

114) Chantel Monroe vs. Masyn Holiday (04.02.25) *1/2

113) Layla Diggs vs. Jin Tala (07.02.25) *1/2

112) Layla Diggs vs. Chantel Monroe (03.19.25) *1/2

111) Zayda Steel and Nikkita Lyons vs. Masyn Holiday and Layla Diggs (06.11.25) *3/4

110) Zayda Steel vs. Kendal Grey (07.23.25) *3/4

109) Keanu Carver vs. It’s Gal (03.12.25) SQUASH

108) Trill London vs. Harlem Lewis (06.16.25) SQUASH

107) Keanu Carver vs. Trill London (03.05.25) SQUASH

106) Marcus Mathers and Aaron Rourke vs. Cappuccino Jones and Mike Cunningham (12.03.25) **

105) Brooks Jensen vs. Jordan Oasis (08.27.25) **

104) Karver and Lewis vs. Gallus (05.14.25) **

103) Jamar Hampton vs. Edris Enofe (07.02.25) **

102) Jamar Hampton vs. Jack Cartwheel (07.30.25) **

101) Karmen Petrovic vs. Tyra Mae Steele (08.13.25) **

100) Bryce Donovan vs. Marcus Mathers (07.30.25) **

99) Natalya and Kali Armstrong vs. Zayda Steel and Nikkita Lyons (06.18.25) **

98) It’s Gal vs. Javier Bernal (05.14.25) **

97) Edris Enofe vs. Sean Legacy (10.22.25) **

96) Adrenaline Drip vs. Jax and Harley (09.03.25) **

95) Kylie Rae vs. Tyra Mae Steele vs. Chantel Monroe (07.16.25) **

94) Brinley Reece vs. Zayda Steel (04.02.25) **

93) Dante Chen vs. Drake Morreaux (12.10.25) **

92) Zayda Steel vs. Layla Diggs (04.30.25) **

91) Kylie Rae vs. Masyn Holiday (09.03.25) **

90) Keanu Carver vs. Ice Williams (06.25.25) **

89) Evolve Women’s Championship: Kali Armstrong (c) vs. Jin Tala (08.06.25) **

88) Luca Crusifino vs. Javier Bernal (03.19.25) **

87) Tyriek Igwe and Tyson Dupont vs. Aaron Rourke and Freedom Ramsey (04.30.25) **

86) Tate Wilder and Drako Knox vs. Tyriek Igwe and Tyson Dupont (03.19.25) **

85) Keanu Carver and Harlem Lewis vs. Swipe Right (04.30.25) **

84) Jamar Hampton vs. It’s Gal (06.11.25) **1/4

83) Dante Chen vs. It’s Gal (10.08.25) **1/4

82) Eli Knight vs. It’s Gal (12.10.25) **1/4

81) Marcus Mathers vs. Jordan Oasis (06.18.25) **1/4

80) Masyn Holiday vs. Nikkita Lyons (11.12.25) **1/4

79) Brooks Jensen vs. Mike Cunningham (11.05.25) **1/4

78) Ridge Holland vs. Tate Wilder (09.10.25) **1/4

77) Carlee Bright vs. Wendy Choo (08.06.25) **1/4

76) Tate Wilder vs, Edris Enofe (10.01.25) **1/4

75) Tate Wilder vs. Edris Enofe (07.16.25) **1/4

74) Dante Chen vs. Edris Enofe (07.23.25) **1/4

73) Zayda Steel vs. Aria Bennett vs. Chantel Monroe vs. Kylie Rae (05.21.25) **1/4

72) Tate Wilder vs. Brooks Jensen (08.13.25) **1/4

71) Timothy Thatcher vs. Bryce Donovan (04.23.25) **1/4

70) Kylie Rae vs. Zara Zakher (03.12.25) **1/4

69) Wolfgang vs. Sam Holloway (03.26.25) **1/4

68) Gallus vs. Jordan Oasis and Sam Holloway (03.19.25) **1/2

67) Sean Legacy vs. Tate Wilder (12.10.25) **1/2

66) Kylie Rae vs. Chantel Monroe (08.20.25) **1/2

65) Chante Monroe vs. Wendy Choo (11.05.25) **1/2

64) Swipe Right vs. Jordan Oasis and Brooks Jensen (07.23.25) **1/2

63) Gauntlet Match: Sean Legacy vs. Vanity Project (06.18.25) **1/2

62) Keanu Carver vs. Sean Legacy (07.30.25) **1/2

61) Kali Armstrong vs. Carlee Bright (10.01.25) **1/2

60) Gallus vs. Cappuccino Jones, Jordan Oasis, and Jack Cartwheel (04.16.25) **1/2

59) Bryce Donovan vs. Keanu Carver (08.06.25) **1/2

58) Harlem Lewis vs. Joe Coffey (04.02.25) **1/2

57) Javier Bernal vs. Riley Osborne (04.09.25) **1/2

56) Jackson Drake vs. Drako Knox (05.07.25) **1/2

55) Keanu Carver vs. Luca Crusifino (04.02.25) **1/2

54) Kendal Grey vs. Zara Zakher (03.26.25) **1/2

53) Oro Mensah vs. Edris Enofe (05.21.25) **1/2

52) Kendal Grey vs. Nikkita Lyons (05.07.25) **1/2

51) Kali Armstrong vs. PJ Vasa (11.19.25) **1/2

50) Swipe Right vs. Sean Legacy and Timothy Thatcher (05.21.25) **1/2

49) Marcus Mathers and Aaron Rourke vs. High Ryze (10.08.25) **3/4

48) Jax and Harley vs. OTM (11.19.25) **3/4

47) Adrenaline Drip vs. Jax and Harley (10.01.25) **3/4

46) The Vanity Project vs. OTM and Keanu Carver (10.22.25) **3/4

45) Kylie Rae vs. Wend Choo (04.02.25) **3/4

44) Kylie Rae vs. Wendy Choo (04.20.25) **3/4

43) Javier Bernal vs. Oro Mensah (04.16.250 **3/4

42) Bull Rope Match: Tate Wilder vs. Brooks Jensen (Succession: 10.15.25) **3/4

41) Timothy Thatcher vs. Keanu Carver (07.09.25) **3/4

40) Kali Armstrong vs. Dani Palmer (04.09.25) **3/4

39) Evolve Championship: Jackson Drake (c) vs. Keanu Carver vs. Brooks Jensen (09.10.25) ***

38) Marcus Mathers and Aaron Rourke vs. It’s Gal and Jamar Hampton (09.17.25) ***

37) Dante Chen vs. Edris Enofe (08.13.25) ***

36) Wendy Choo vs. Nikkita Lyons (10.08.25) ***

35) Brooks Jensen vs. Keanu Carver (10.02.25) ***

34) Adrenaline Drip vs. Harley and Jax (11.05.25) ***

33) Evolve Women’s Championship: Kali Armstrong (c) vs. Nikkita Lyons vs. Chantel Monroe vs. Karmen Petrovic (08.27.25) ***

32) Evolve Championship: Fatal 4-Way: Jackson Drake vs. Keanu Carver vs. Sean Legacy vs. Edris Enofe (06.04.25) ***

31) Oro Mensah vs. Riley Osborne (03.12.25) ***

30) Sean Legacy vs. Lexis King (05.14.25) ***

29) Sean Legacy vs. Ridge Holland (08.20.25) ***

28) WWE Evolve Championship: Jackson Drake (c) vs. Bryce Donovan (Succession: 10.15.25) ***

27) WWE Evolve Championship: Jackson Drake (c) vs. Lince Dorado (07.16.25) ***

26) Last Woman Standing: Kylie Rae vs. Wendy Choo (06.25.25) ***

25) Timothy Thatcher vs. Sean Legacy (03.26.25) ***

24) Keanu Carver vs. Harlem Lewis (05.21.25) ***

23) Sean Legacy vs. Ice Williams (09.03.25) ***1/4

22) Sean Legacy vs. Eli Knight (11.12.25) ***1/4

21) WWE Evolve Women’s Championship: Kendal Grey (c) vs. Chantel Monroe (12.03.25) ***1/4

20) Jack Cartwheel, Cappuccino Jones, Sean Legacy vs. Swipe Right and Jackson Drake (03.05.25) ***1/4

19) Kendal Grey vs. Wendy Choo (08.27.25) ***1/4

18) Kendal Grey vs. Chantel Monroe (09.24.25) ***1/4

17) Sean Legacy vs. Jackson Drake (04.23.25) ***1/4

16) Wes Lee vs. Cappuccino Jones (06.11.25) ***1/4

15) Swipe Right vs. Marcus Mathers and Aaron Rourke (08.20.25) ***1/4

14) Swipe Right vs. Chase U (09.24.25) ***1/4

13) Tate Wilder vs. Laredo Kid vs. Marcus Mathers (10.29.25) ***14

12) I Quit Match: Kendal Grey vs. Wendy Choo (09.17.25) ***1/4

11) Vanity Project vs. Dante Chen, Drako Knox, Tyra Mae Steele, and Sean Legacy (09.17.25) ***1/4

10) Trill London and Tate Wilder vs. Swipe Right (11.19.25) ***1/4

9) Adrenaline Drop vs. It’s Gal and Sam Holloway (07.23.25) ***1/2

8) Brinley Reece vs. Chantel Monroe vs. Kendal Grey vs. Kali Armstrong (04.16.25) ***1/2

7) 5 vs. 5 Gauntlet Match: Team ID vs. Team PC (12.17.25) ***1/2

6) WWE Evolve Championship: Jackson Drake (c) vs. Keanu Carver (11.12.25) ***1/2

5) Kendal Grey and Carlee Bright vs. Kali Armstrong and Dani Palmer (03.05.25) ***1/2

-Palmer does a back flip as part of her entrance and I always enjoyed her as part of Level Up. Kali is a track athlete and of the four, I saw her the least on Level Up. Armstrong starts Grey and they lockup. Armstrong puts her on the top rope in the corner and pats her on the head before playing to the crowd. Palmer makes the blind tag and Grey works the arm. Tag to Bright and she gets a sunset flip for two. They fight for a backslide and Bright wins the battle and gets a two count. Palmer with an armdrag, but Bright counters into a head scissors. Palmer flips into a pin attempt that gets two and then gets a splash. We get little pop-ups giving us some facts on the competitors in the ring which is cool. Rana from Bright, but Palmer flips out and lands on her feet. Armstrong tags herself back in and runs into a drop toe-hold into an armbar. Armstrong gets a reversal and starts raining down elbows to the arm. She talks some trash as the crowd there chants “Too Strong, Armstrong.” Tag made to Grey and they try a double clothesline, but Armstrong runs through that. Grey catches her with an armdrag though and takes it to the mat. Armstrong breaks, but Grey gets a fireman’s carry back into the armbar. Small package from Grey gets a one count. If this was Level Up the match would be over by now as they have gone past the 5 minute mark, so it’s nice to see them get more time and not look rushed. Bright back in and double hip-toss gets two. Armstrong with a whip and catches Bright with a powerslam. She drags Bright to the corner and talks trash to the camera as we take a break at 6:48. That was a weird transition to a commercial.

-Back at 7:27 with Armstrong controlling with a side headlock. She drops Bright with a clothesline and makes the tag to Palmer. She uses the ropes to leap in the air and deliver double knees to the back. She goes for a back flip splash, but Bright gets the knees up to block. The race is on as each crawls for the tag. Both get there and Grey runs down Armstrong with a series of elbows and then a DDT. Palmer in and misses a clothesline which lets Grey hit a nice overhead release suplex. She tries going over Armstrong in the corner but gets caught and Armstrong gets a powerslam for two. Armstrong heads up top, but Grey lands some rights and goes up to meet here. They fight there as Palmer makes a blind tag. Superplex, but Palmer comes off top with a frog-splash for two. Yo! Codebreaker from Bright to Armstrong which leaves Palmer and Grey alone. Slice Bread is countered. Grey hits a spear, but Armstrong is in to break up the pin. Here’s Bright as she jumps on Armstrong’s back. Grey pushes both of them to the floor but walks into a small package for two. They fight on the apron and everyone ends up on the floor. PALMER WITH A CORKSCREW MOONSAULT OFF THE TOP ONTO THE PILE! NICE! Back in the ring Kendal catches Palmer with a flying armbar and gets the submission at 12:12.

Winner: Kendal Grey and Carlee Bright via pin at 12:12
-Yo, this just keep getting better and better as they went. They are definitely giving them more freedom and letting cut loose compared to what we would get on Level Up. I am cool with that as they need to sink or swim in an environment like this. As mentioned I’ve been a Palmer fan and great to see her doing well after the injuries she had. This was fun and a great start to the show.

4) Vanity Project vs. Jack Cartwheel, Ice Williams, Drako Knox, and Cappuccino Jones (04.09.25) ***1/2

-They want to test me with remembering who everyone is at this point while also trying to keep up with what they are doing in the ring. I’m ready for it! Knox starts with Jackson Drake and we get an opening slap from Drako. Lockup and Drako gets a standing side headlock. Jackson shoves off, but gets run down. Drake with a trip, but runs into an armdrag into an armbar. Drake throws chops in the corner and lands a forearm. Whip to the corner and he tries a hip-toss, Knox rips his head off with a clothesline. Tag to Jones and he goes to work on the arm. Stone mentions Jones and crew are more concerned with naming their moves than winning. Jones elbows off the shoulders and shows his leaping ability and then gets a dropkick for two. Drake makes the tag to Smokes and Jones has no issue as he gets a two count and then goes to work on the arm. Cartwheel with the tag and he flips into the ring and turns to get a splash for two. Cool! The Man of 1000 cartwheels apparently! Smokes fires off some body shots but we get to see a cartwheel from Cartwheel and then a standing corkscrew splash for two. WOW! Blind tag from Donovan and he hits a heavy clothesline on Cartwheel. Taylor in and he fires off chops in the corner. Taylor is the youngest talent in the ID program at 20 years old. He beats Cartwheel down in the corner with strikes. Cartwheel throws elbows to get some space, but Taylor slugs him down. They start trading chops and Cartwheel wins the exchange, but a clothesline cuts off the tag. Taylor charges and gets backdropped to the floor. Everyone in the ring and the heels gets sent to the floor. Cartwheel gets a drink from Jones and does a cartwheel into a flip dive over the top to the floor. Again, WOW! We take a break at 6:25.

-We are back at 6:52 and Ice Williams makes the tag to Knox. Poor Ice, his offense was cut out by the commercial. Never mind as he tags back in. He gets a boot up in the corner to catch Smokes charging in. Ice gets decked from the apron and now Swipe Right goes to work with their double team offense. Baylor fires off some forearms to the back and makes the tag to Drake. He rakes the back and gets a Side Russian Leg Sweep for two. It seems Drake was a fan of the original Evolve and always wanted to be part of that show. Ice fights back with chops but Drake lands a really loud one and then a powerbomb for two. Smokes back in and he throws some piston punches to the head. Ice backdrops out, but Donovan is in and cuts off the tag. Stone compares Donovan to Test and I can see that. Baylor back in and he buries some knees to the back for a two count. He hooks a side headlock and I hate that when there is 6 other people on the apron. Just give me the fun party match! Ice hits an enziguiri but he is too far away from his corner and Smokes is in. He knocks the other team off the apron, but Ice is finally to make the hot tag to Drako. He runs wild with suplexes and forearms. He goes old school and breaks out some Dr. Death offense for a two count. Cartwheel in with a cartwheel into a superkick while Jones takes him back with a suplex. Cool! That gets two as Donovan makes the save. Now we get the party match as everyone just starts popping off moves. Zayda distracts the ref so Swipe Right can hit a double team move for two as another save is made. Knox with Red Bone on Smokes for two. Handspring Cutter (Lethal InJacktion?) from Drake. Jones hits him with a twisting neckbreaker. Next is Baylor with another type of neckbreaker. Here’s Baylor with a twisting neckbreaker suplex. Cartwheel in and he gets a small package for two. He back flips and hits a jumping neckbreaker followed by a DVD. He heads up and tries a SSP, but lands on his feet and rolls out as Baylor moved. Baylor makes the tag and Donovan runs in and catches Cartwheel with a Black Hole Slam for the pin at 14:53.

Winners: Bryce Donovan, Swipe Right, and Jackson Drake via pin at 14:53
-This got fun once they just let loose and everyone started hitting everyone with whatever they could. They had some time and everyone got a little bit of shine. They need to do more of these party matches and sure there isn’t much as far as story, but let them have fun. They seem to be high on Donovan so makes sense he got the pin and Swipe Right is already getting over with the crowd. Cartwheel and Jones can do some crazy stuff and fit in right at home here. I want to see more of Ice though and Knox was there so that team had someone that was more of a bruiser.

3) WWE Evolve Women’s Championship: Kali Armstrong (c) vs. Natalya (07.09.25) ***1/2

-Super, special in ring introductions! Lockup and nothing doing. We go again and they jockey for position. Again, nothing doing so Kali shoves Nattie. She shows off, so Nattie trips her and hooks a submission. Nattie floats over and gets a one count. Now she plays to the crowd and then gets a side headlock. She out wrestles Kali and counters whatever Kali tries which isn’t surprising. Kali looks for a kick, but Nattie catches her foot and slams her down on her face. Surfboard from Nattie, but Kali is able to escape. Nattie counters her again and lands some strikes. She avoids a charge in the corner, but Kali lands a clothesline as we take a break at 2:50.

-Back at 3:50 with Kali landing body shots in corner as Stone calls her The Omega. KENNY OMEGA TO WWE CONFIRMED or something. Kali hooks an abdominal stretch, but Nattie finds a way out and hooks her own. Again, that makes all the sense in the world. Kali must have learned something as she reverses back. Nattie escapes and gets an armdrag followed by the discus clothesline for two. Both women are down for a beat, but Kali is up first. They start trading strikes and Nattie gains the advantage. Kali cuts her off but misses a clothesline. Nattie counters a hold with a Side Russian Leg Sweep for two. Nattie with a heel trip and gets another two count. She tries for the Sharpshooter, but Kali kicks her away. Nattie drops Kali on her ass, hits a stomp to the neck and then lands a kick for a two count. Kali reverses a whip and catches Nattie off a cross-body and hits a powerslam for two. Cool! Camel Clutch but Nattie won’t give up so Kali releases. She goes for a slam, but Nattie counters into an ankle-lock. The crowd wants to see a tap, but Kali rolls to break. Nattie with a roll-up for two. She gets another roll for a pin and then a crucifix for another two count. Crossface, but Kali escapes and counters a discus lariat with a powerslam. Kali Connection misses and Nattie hooks The Sharpshooter. Kali fights her way to the bottom rope to force a break. She then pulls Nattie throat first into the ropes and hits The Kali Connection. Nattie nearly goes out of the ring, but Kali pulls her back to the middle of the ring and gets the pin at 11:09.

Winner: Kali Armstrong via pin at 11:09
-Good stuff here with Nattie doing what Nattie does and Kali hanging in there with her. Kali did not look out of place and delivered in the biggest match of her career. This was suitably epic for this show and they delivered. Kali getting a win over Nattie is a big deal on this show and sets her Title reign off on the right foot. Just a good old school match here where Nattie put over the new Champion.

2) Vanity Project vs. Lince Dorado and The LWO (07.02.25)***1/2

-Wilde and Del Toro back on my screens. Level Up flashback! Lince starts with Ricky Smokes and Smokes backs him into the corner and pats him on the head. Shoulder tackle, but Dorado is back and works on the arm. Smokes with a kick to the gut and he goes after the arm with a hammerlock. Elbow from Dorado and he gets a head scissors followed by a dropkick. Tag to Wilde, but Baylor is in as well. Stone notes he is best friends with Wilde and they used to be tag partner. TNA! TNA! TNA! Cruz in and Baylor eats a double elbow. Wilde suplexes Cruz onto Baylor! Two count and we get all six in the ring staring each other down as we head to a break.

-Back at 3:8 with Baylor delivering knees to the ribs of Wilde. Drake in for the first time and he hits a release German Suplex. Stone makes the joke that Drake is the Greatest WWE Evolve Champion of all time. Smokes back in and he lands a boot to the arm and grounds Wilde. Baylor back in with a double ax to the back and then a forearm. Quick tag back to Smokes and he lands a big boot to the face for two. Jackson lands a head kick from the apron and is back in the match. Wilde fights to get to his corner, and escapes a suplex to roll and make the hot tag to Lince. Running forearm and an enziguiri from Dorado. He knocks Swipe Right off the apron and lights Drake up with chops. Handspring Stunner! Drake gets dumped to the floor and Lince clears the top rope with a flip dive. He misses a charge in the corner, but lands on his feet and hits a superkick. Moonsault, but Drake gets his boots up to block and that looked sweet! Del Toro made a blind tag in the middle of all of that so the ref won’t count a pin attempt on Dorado. Del Toro rolls Drake around the ring like a ball and gets a cradle for a two count. Drake it bleeding from the mouth, but catches Cruz with a stungun. Swipe Right double team and then Drake off the top with a Swanton, but Wilde breaks up the pin. Smokes and Wilde exchange blows as this one is hitting another gear. Tornado DDT from Wilde! Baylor in and he hits a suplex into a backbreaker on his knee. Sweet! Cruz springs in with a dropkick. Drake in and ends up on the apron. He hangs Cruz on the top rope and heads up, but Cruz hits a kick to stop that. Dorado in and he slaps Drake. Up top and he brings Drake down with a rana that sends him into Swipe Right. LWO hit stereo suicide dives on Swipe Right and Dorado hits a Shoot Star Press to pin Drake at 11:06.

Winner: Lince Dorado and The LWO via pin at 11:06
-This is obviously setting Dorado up as Drake’s first challenger, which is fine. This was a pretty sweet match that took off when they just all went for it and ditched the tagging in and out. I believe the term is PARTY MATCH! I like Swipe Right as they have a nice mix of old school tag wrestling with the current style. This was going to be good just because of the talent involved. Dorado and LWO are pros, and they knew what to do with the kids out there. One of the better Evolve matches we have had since the show launched.

1) WWE Evolve Women’s Championship: Kali Armstrong (c) vs. Kendal Grey (Succession 10.15.25) ****

-Super special in ring introductions! We start fast as they shove each other and Kendal shoots in. Kali runs her into the corner and goes to another corner to land strikes and kicks. Kendal is game and responds with her own kicks and some chops. Kendal goes for the arm immediately, but Kali reverses to a pin for two. Kendal gets sent into the buckle, but slides out of a slam and avoids a charge in the corner. Kendal picks the ankle and lands a basement dropkick. Nice! Kali rolls to the floor, so Kendal heads up top and hits a jackknife cross-body to the floor! Sweet! They battle on the apron and Kali teases a piledriver. No dice obviously, but she does trip Kendal as she looked to spring back in. Kali runs her into the apron and lands a heavy right hand as we take a break at 3:10.

Back at 4:44 with Kali landing a running boot and dropping an elbow for a two count. The crowd starts a Kendal chant, but she gets spun backwards and dropped on her face for two. The crowd lets them know this is awesome. There is certainly a lot more energy with a full crowd. Kendal blocks a charge in the corner and gets an overhead throw. She slides to the floorand trips Kali. She sling shots back in with a double stomp and then a DDT for two. Kendal heads up, but is too slow as Kali stops her. They tease a Super German Suplex, but Kendal elbows out and gets a great near fall off a moonsault press for two. Nice superkick from Kendal! Kali eats it though and hits a powerslam for another nice near fall. They are rocking now! Kali sets up for a superplex, but Kendal knocks her down again. Kali sprints back up the ropes and gets a superplex for two. Powerslam is countered into a small package for two. Kali goes shoulder first into the post, but catches Kendal off the ropes with the powerslam. Nice! Kali Connection is attempted, but Kendal hits her own snap powerslam and we have a NEW EVOLVE WOMEN’S Champion at 10:35.

Winner and New WWE Evolve Women’s Champion: Kendal Grey via pin at 10:35
-This was fantastic as it started great and just hit a higher gear after the commercial break. Those final few minutes with the near falls was wonderful. Congrats to Kendal and here’s hoping Kali becomes a star on NXT and then beyond. This was so fun to watch!

-There was only one choice for Match of the Year in Evolve as Kendal Kali crushed in the Main Event of Evolve’s first Tubi Special. This show produced a lot of good wrestling and if you haven’t checked out the show yet, it is worth the 50 minutes or so it takes to watch on Tubi. Thanks for reading!