wrestling / TV Reports
Leighty’s WWE Evolve Review 12.10.25
Image Credit: WWE
Loading...-Written: 12.10.25
-Source: Tubi
-Run-Time: 50:40
-Episode 40
-I decided to review the SmackDown episode where Cena made his debut, and it should be up later this week. For now, we Evolve!
-Announce Team: Peter Rosenberg and Robert Stone
-Taped: WWE PC, Orlando, FL
-We start with Vanity Project in the VIP Dorm. It looks like a Frat House with a dart board and beer pong. They just give the lay of the land and mention Legacy vs. Wilder is a #1 contender’s match and the show is starting with Lyons vs. Diggs. It’s nice to see they are watching on a TV that is actually turned towards them and not on a wall so we can see and they have to stand awkwardly.
Layla Diggs (w/ Masyn Holiday) vs. Nikkita Lyons
-Malik Blade is in the VIP section and I forgot he was still on the roster. Nice to see him back. Lyons grabs a leg and throws Diggs on her face. Diggs back with a side kick and she hits a running knee in the corner. She mocks Lyons and gets a standing moonsault for two. Side headlock but Lyons puts her on the apron and uses the ropes to her advantage. She goes to the ground and pound with elbows. She hits a version of the Rear View and follows with a snap suplex. Heavy kick to the ribs and she throws body blows in the corner. Diggs flips off Lyon’s shoulders and gets a roll-up for two. Lyons gets to her feet first and hits a superkick for two. Lyons hits a reverse bronco buster in the corner and bounces up and down a few times. Lyons flirts with Blade and starts a dance off with Holiday. That lets Diggs get a roll-up for the pin at 3:21.
Winner: Layla Diggs via pin at 3:21
-Not much to this one as the small crowd was silent and they weren’t given much time. Not a fan of the finish either. *
-Sean Legacy is backstage and he appreciates the support from Jones, Mathers, and the new ID kids. They talk about Evolve nearing it’s one year anniversary. Aaron O’Rourke says they have his back if Vanity Project tries to get involved. Timothy Thatcher pops in and they call him coach. He tells them it is important they keep building. He is sick of Vanity Project and knows Legacy can win the Evolve Championship. He announces we are getting a 5 vs.5 Gauntlet. I guess it’s single matches, but when you lose you are out. First team to lose every member is gone. It will be next week and feature WWE PC vs. WWE ID.
-John Cena’s last match is Saturday! SNME commercial! Cena has been doing a ton of press (as you would expect) to hype this show.
-It is official: WWE PC vs. WWE ID Gauntlet Match. The winning team gets complete authority of one Evolve show and whoever gets the final pin, earns a Evolve Title Match.
-Carlee Bright and Kendal Grey meet backstage. Carlee loves Kendal, but lately feels like she is seen as Kendal’s friend. She wants to make her own mark. Kendal tells Carlee to find her edge. ADAM COPELAND CONFIRMED TO EVOLVE!
Dante Chen vs. Drake Morreaux
-Drake was on both seasons of LFG, but he had several matches on Level Up, so he should be fine for his Evolve debut. Stone reads my mind by mentioning these two faced off and were on a team in Level Up. I searched and my review for the episode they wrestled is here. Drake hits a running splash in the corner but misses a discus clothesline. Chen with a German Suplex but gets caught and Drake hits a slam. Splash catches knees from Chen. He hits Drake with a running clothesline in the corner. Drake eats a chop and just stares at Chen. He tries a charge, but it gets blocked and Chen comes off the middle ropes with a shoulder tackle for two. Jax and Harley are in VIP scouting this match. Chen hooks a reverse chinlock, but Drake gets to his feet. Chen tries a suplex but no dice and Drake hits a gourdbuster. He uses the bottom rope to spring for a Vader Bomb. Atomic Drop, which we don’t see often. Big Boot drops Chen but he misses an elbow in the corner. Super Kick from Chen and this time he hits the vertical suplex. Chen tries a suicide dive, but Drake catches him and puts him back in the ring. Gentle Touch is blocked and Drake hits a bellowing clothesline. Stone mocks the yelling. Chokeslam finishes at 5:11.
Winner: Drake Morreaux via pin at 5:11
-This was a Level Up Match, but I have a soft spot for those kinds of matches. It was fine. **
-Chuey interviews Drake after the match and he is approached by Jax and Harley. They want him part of their team but he tells them he appreciates the offer, but he isn’t ready to join up with anyone yet. They wish him good luck. I would be shocked if we don’t get Jax and Harley vs. Drake and Dante at some point.
-Charley Dempsey (YES) is backstage in a ring and mentions he had a great time in Pro Wrestling NOAH. He kept hearing rumors about a return in Evolve and brings up Timothy Thatcher. Yo, I am all for Thatcher vs. Dempsey! Dempsey throws out the challenge and GIVE ME THIS MATCH!
-It’s Gal is backstage and he feels like a weatherman because there is a storm brewing between Team PC and Team ID. Both sides want him and he goes over what it would mean to join either side. He calls himself Big Daddy Red which made me laugh. He will join whatever team can pay him the most and they need to reach out to his agent. I found this interview funny and enjoyed it.
-Elimination Chamber! Chicago!
-Tate Wilder is backstage and he is greeted by Carver, Jax, and Harley. They want him to send Legacy back to the Bing Hall, but Wilder says it’s not about that. Tate says he has to lock in as Sean is one of the best. The crew says they are nothing like these indie darlings. They tell Tate they are only one call away and are looking for a spot to fill in The Gauntlet Match. I assume they are going to SMASH him at some point.
WWE ID Showcase Match: Eli Knight vs. It’s Gal
-Gal shoves Knight and hits a double bicep. Knight flips back to him and hits his own pose. He hooks a side headlock, but gets shoved off. Gal catches Knight on his shoulders and does some squats. Got to get that pump! Knight uses his hops and hits a splash in the corner followed by a dropkick to the bac of the head. He charges in the corner and Gal presses him above his and throws him across the ring. Clothesline gets two! Gal throws forearms in the corner and hits double knees to the gut for two. He goes to an abdominal stretch and makes sure to grind the elbow on the ribs. Knight is able to escape and mounts a comeback. Lionsault gets two! He heads up and goes for a 450 but Gal moves. He hits a big boot and tries a suplex, but Knight lands on his feet. He drops Gal with an enziguiri. He goes for another spring from the middle ropes, but Gal kicks the ropes to knock him down. The Ferocious Bomb finishes at 4:12.
Winner: It’s Gal via pin at 4:12
-This was better than the previous match, but we are getting a lot of short matches tonight. This has felt like an extended episode of Level Up at this point. **1/4
-WWE Live commercial!
-Wendy Choo is back on the couch and feels like she is spiraling. She loses it every time Chantel is in the way. She has been working on being better and is frustrated. Chantel is in the room, calls her a loser, and attacks.
#1 Contender’s Match: “Super” Sean Legacy vs. Tate Wilder
-Rourke, Cappuccino, and Mathers are sitting VIP as promised. Handshake to start and they lockup. They fight over a wrist-lock and Legacy gets control. He works the fingers and hand as we get small joint manipulation. Rosenberg asks Stone what that feels like and Stone tells him to shake his hand. Funny! Legacy with a kip up, but Wilder gets a Japanese arm-drag. Legacy lands a clubbing blow to the back and they start trading strikes. Slam from Wilder and he hits a springboard Coffin Drop. Cool! We take a break at 3:15.
-Becky Lynch WrestleMania Vegas commercial and she looks great! I should offer more than that, but it is what it is.
-Back at 4:05 and Legacy is in control with a reverse chinlock. Wilder breaks with a belly-to-back suplex. They struggle to their feet and start trading strikes again. Wilder starts rolling with shoulder tackles and a brainbuster for two. We are told next week is Choo vs. Chantel in a No DQ Match. That should be interesting. Tate gets knocked off balance on the top and Legacy goes up for a suplex. Wilder elbows Legacy down and goes for the Wild Ride, but Legacy avoids. Wilder lands on his feet but gets caught with a superkick and a spinning backbreaker for two. Wilder lands an elbow and backdrops Legacy to the floor. Suicide Dive connects and nearly takes out VIP. Here comes Jax, Harley, and Keanu to back their boy, but Wilder tells them he is good. Braxton Cole rushes out and posts Legacy. Wilder argues with him and Jones goes to hit Braxton, but he moves and Wilder gets decked. Legacy sends Wilder back into the ring and Shambles gets the pin at 8:18.
Winner: Sean Legacy via pin at 8:18
-I was disappointed by this. They started slow and we had the break. They never hit the next gear before the over booked finish. I understand the point was to continue the PC vs. ID war, but it was at the expense of a #1 contender’s match. Legacy has to win at some point as he is going to get Lugered if he keeps losing these title matches. **1/2
-Jackson Drake attacks Legacy after the match and stands tall as everyone else brawl on the floor. It sounded like the Rosenberg commentary here was added in post for some reason.
-Thanks for reading!
