Leighty’s WWE Evolve Review 10.7.26

-Written: 10.07.26
-Source: Tubi
-Run Time: 44:42
-Episode: 82

-Plug: Nitro 6.02.97
-Book Plug: All my 1996 PPV Reviews in Kindle and Paperback form.

-Announce Team: Blake Howard and Robert Stone
-WWE PC, Orlando, FL

-Then! Now! Forever! Together!

-Earlier today Harlem Lewis is walking outside and talks about facing Harley Riggins next week at Succession IV. Tonight they sign the contract.

-Earlier today Harley Riggins is walking outside and is still determined to get “cool your ass off” as a catchphrase.

Marcus Mathers vs. Cutler James

-Marcus gets promo time before the match and he hasn’t forgotten about Braxton Cole injuring him. He hasn’t forgotten about Elijah Holyfield knocking him out and he isn’t afraid of Cutler James. That brings out Cutler, and hey, Cole is watching from The VIP Lounge. This is a rematch from August when James ran through Mathers. Bell sounds and Mathers starts fast with a dropkick. He goes for a splash in the corner, but James side steps and sends him into the top buckle. He follows by taking Mathers down to the mat with a side headlock. Mathers escapes and switches lanes when running the ropes to avoid a Pump Kick. He gets caught though and James hooks a Stretch Muffler. Mathers escapes and uses his speed to avoid again. He comes off the top with a missile dropkick and hits a modified hook kick. He flies off the ropes again, but James catches him and throws him over the top to the floor with a Helicopter Slam. We head to a break at 2:55.

-Money in The Bank! New Orleans! This Saturday!

-Back at 3:25 with James still in control. Mathers throws chops, but his leg gives out and James drops him knee first on the mat. Mathers sells the knee as he struggles to his feet. He avoids a charge in the corner and fights to get a Code Red for two. James goes for Dark Matter, but Mathers slides out. He counters a second attempt into a Tornado DDT. He springs off one leg and hits a cutter. He sends James to the floor and Mathers follows with a running knee strike. Not smart! He hobbles to the middle rope and hits a moonsault to the floor. Braxton leaves VIP and gets into a shouting match. Here’s Elijah Holyfield and he chases Braxton away from the ring. Maters tries another springboard moonsault, but gets caught and Dark Matter hits this time. That gets the pin at 6:50.

Winner: Cutler James via pin at 6:50
-This was solid and Mathers sold the knee well. I was wondering if they would go 50/50, but James gets another win over Mathers. I wonder if a tag match is coming though. **1/2

-Last month Veronica Haven attacked Anyna Rune from behind. Then Rune used her anime powers to beat Capri.

Veronica Haven vs. Anyna Rune

-Haven starts fast and gets a running knee for a two count. She screams at the ref and throws a temper tantrum. She buries a knee to the back and yanks back on Rune’s arms. She goes for another running knee, but Rune stops that and fires off a series of strikes. Running forearm connects. We get the anime powers again, and still not a fan. Rune gets the pin at 2:05.

Winner: Anya Rune via pin at 2:05
-Again, this isn’t for me and that’s fine as others out there are likely into it. 1/4*

-Nikkita Lyons and Sloane Jacobs are out. They attack and put a garbage can over Rune’s head. Lyons counts to 10 and then gets on the mic to accept Wendy’s challenge for their match to be Last Woman Standing.

-PJ Vasa is watching backstage and is not happy.

-Earlier today AJ STYLES showed up to speak with Conan Lycan and Nathan Frazer. Nathan put in a good word and AJ tells Conan they are offering him an WWE ID contract. He tells AJ he is going to prove him right and will be the fourth champion to come from WWE ID.

-WWE takes over Perth with SmackDown, Wrestlepalooza, and RAW!

-Mog Squad is backstage flexing and doing what they do. They are annoyed they have to miss arm day because Max is booked in a match against a mystery opponent.

-Adriana Rizzo is with Cappuccino Jones. Once he is cleared, he is coming for all the “jive turkeys” in the Mog Squad.

Aaron Rourke vs. Kale Dixon (w/ Alix Brooks)

-Kale out quick with a short arm clothesline and follows with a slam. Another slam! A third one is avoided as Rourke slides out and delivers shoulders in the corner. Kale back with a boot to the face but Rourke responds with a superkick. He hits a splash and running Euro Uppercut in the corner. Brooks grabs the leg and then uses what’s left of the jacket to choke. That is a DQ at 1:19.

Winner: Aaron Rourke via DQ at 1:19
-This was more about continuing the feud vs. having a proper wrestling match. 1/2*

-Kale uses a chair and he and Alix stand tall over Rourke. I assume they are building towards some kind of stipulation match.

-Blake Howard sat down with Wendy Cboo earlier in the day. She calls Nikkita a cheater and is coming for her Championship at Succession IV. She chose LWS to level the playing field and is going to take back what’s hers.

-John Cena hocks Club WWE.

-Laynie Luck video package that is interrupted by video of Vanta The Unknown. Cool!

-The Mog Squad are backstage, but Max isn’t sure if he can do it tonight due to his nose issues. He backs out and offers his spot to CJ Valor.

CJ Valor vs. Jasper Troy

-Jasper is down from NXT and was the winner of LFG Season One. The crowd lets CJ know “Jasper’s gonna kill you.” Valor uses the ropes to keep Troy away from him. Troy works the arm and shoulder with elbows. He lifts Valor off the may by his arm and gets a splash for a two count. Valor gets a brief flurry of offense, but gets knocked down. He comes off the second rope, but gets caught. Troy goes for a spinning Rock Bottom, but Valor gets a DDT out of that. He sends Troy to the floor and comes off the apron with a shoulder tackle. We take a break at 2:28.

-WrestleMania: Saudi Arabia!

-Back at 3:16 and Valor stomps away in the ring. Stone notes he debuted sixteen years ago today in TNA wrestling. Valor with a knee to the ribs and goes ground and poud. Standing splash gets two! Troy runs Valor into the corner and gets a hip-toss. Troy starts to run wild with clotheslines and splashes in the corner. Powerslam gets a two count! Chokeslam, but Valor counters with an armbar. Tory blocks out, but can’t follow up as CJ goes to the eyes. He hits Chaos Theory! Cool! He delivers a spear, but Jasper is out at two. He shoves Valor away and gets the sit-out chokeslam. Black Hole Slam finishes at 6:50.

Winner: Jasper Troy via pin at 6:50
-This ended up being a solid HOSS FIGHT. Not sure if Troy is full time in Evolve or if this was a one-shot deal. Troy could be useful down here as we don’t have a lot of HOSS fighters. **

-Aaron Rourke is selling the back as he cuts a promo on Kale. Harley and Harlem fight past Aaron and fight as they get to ring side. Security tries to separate them and that doesn’t go well for security. Harley ends up getting free to deliver a low blow and then hits Shot Gun. He stands above Harlem with the Evolve Championship.

-Thanks for reading!

6.0

The final score: review Average

The 411

Not much to the episode this week as the focus is on next week's Succession IV. The two matches that got time were solid and I found them enjoyable. I am still not a fan of Rune's light beam deal, but again, I am not the demographic for that kind of character. Rourke/Dixon was the first scuffle in what will be a series of matches I assume. As always, an easy watch, but this was a week where we are just waiting for the following week. The closing brawl worked for me as we didn't need a contract signing. Harlem and Harley brawling backstage and to the ring works for them, and I am ready to see what they can do next week.