The first-ever special edition of Evolve!

Tonight, BOTH the WWE Men’s and Women’s Evolve Championships will be defended! Who will succeed at Succession?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE Evolve Championship: Jackson Drake VS Bryce Donovan; Drake wins and retains the title.
• Bull Rope Match: Tate Wilder VS Brooks Jensen; Tate wins.
• WWE Evolve Women’s Championship: Kali Armstrong VS Kendal Grey; Kendal wins and becomes the new WWE Evolve Women’s Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

A promotion beginning with humble foundations…

Looking forward with a limitless and unrestricted endgame. A breeding ground for tomorrow’s legends. And ultimately, providing an even bigger showcase with the WWE. A platform for the hungry, the untested, the dwellers on the threshold, just steps away from NXT and the endless possibilities of WWE Superstardom. Which brings us to tonight. Where ego and confidence are put to the test. Where reputation and integrity are placed on the line. And where the premier spot is up for grabs. Tonight is where the evolution continues. This is Succession.

WWE Evolve Championship: Jackson Drake w/ The Vanity Project VS Bryce Donovan!

The Carolina Reaper may lead the Vanity Project, but he doesn’t know how to be a true leader with how he treated his “Enforcer.” Bryce Donovan went from the VIP Lounge bouncer to the muscle of Evolve’s premier faction, to the man they all took for granted. Bryce removed Keanu Carver from the picture not for Drake’s sake, but so that he could step into the spotlight! Will Bryce make sure to break Heartbreak Drake? Or will Drake still find a way to hold Bryce down?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s the real trendsetter!

The bell rings and Drake SLAPS Bryce! The fans fire up and Vanity Project sure enjoys seeing that! Drake taunts Bryce, Bryce runs up, BIG BOSS MAN SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Drake survives, flounders, and Zayda has to catch her breath! Bryce runs up on Drake to LARIAT in the corner, then he HIP TOSSES Drake across the ring! Swipe Right can’t even as Bryce LARIATS Drake again! The fans rally up for Bryce’s FLAPJACK! Bryce clamps onto Drake and CLUBS away on Drake’s chest! Bryce tells this is for Brad, Smokes, even Zayda for treating him so badly! Bryce CLUBS Drake again, then prepares the hand.

Brad gets up so Bryce DECKS him first! And then FLYING LARIATS! Smokes runs up but the BOOT smokes him! Zayda shouts at Bryce, Drake DIVES, down goes Bryce! Zayda laughs at Bryce, the fans boo, but Drake applauds his team for helping out. Drake puts Bryce in, and #DoctorThirst taunts the fans. The fans chant “You Suck!” But wait! KEANU CARVER is here! Bad arm or not, he wants to rip everyone apart, Bryce included! Drake taunts Keanu as he grinds Bryce’s arm in the armlock, and Evolve goes to break.

Evolve returns and Bryce ROCKS Drake! Bryce scoops, Drake slips free, and Drake kicks a leg out! Then Drake grabs that leg, and he DRAGON SCREWS the leg! Kip up and HALF CRAB! The fans boo as Drake pulls on Bryce’s leg! Bryce crawls over, reaches out, and Vanity Project taunt him. Bryce still gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Drake lets go at 4, and Bryce grabs Smokes! Drake drags Bryce away, stomps the leg, then drops an ELBOW on the knee! Drake steps through, but Bryce BOOTS Drake into buckles! The fans fire up but Vanity Project freaks out. Bryce dodges Drake to BOOT him down!

Drake staggers up, runs in, but is sent into buckles! Then the BACKDROP sends him flying! The fans fire up and Bryce ROCKS Drake again and again! Bryce whips, Drake reverses, but Bryce LEAPING LARIAT! Bryce slaps the bad leg into working as he LARIATS, ELBOWS, and then sidesteps to POP-UP POWERBOMB!! And FIST DROP! Cover, TWO!! Drake survives again and Bryce grows frustrated. Bryce rises, the fans are behind him, and he waits on Drake. Vanity Project panics a bit as Bryce guzels Drake, but Drake flips free of the choke slam! Drake kicks the bad leg, then DROPKICKS Bryce outta the ring!

Drake throws off his wrist tape, builds speed and DIVES, but into the guzel! APRON CHOKE SLAM! Bryce drags Drake up, Drake pushes free, and Bryce runs up! Drake dodges, Bryce hits steel steps! Drake DROPKICKS the bad leg against the steps! Vanity Project cheers but the fans boo as Drake puts Bryce in. Drake goes up, up, and SWANTON BOMBS targeting the leg! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Bryce survives! Drake is frustrated, and he KICKS Bryce’s leg! Drake steps on the leg, pie faces Bryce and says Bryce was nothing without Drake! Drake does the Vanity Project V right to Bryce’s face, but Bryce grabs those fingers! And SNAPS them!

The fans fire up as Bryce LARIATS Drake inside-out! The fans are thunderous for Bryce as he rises up, and he watches Drake flounder. Bryce ROCKS Drake, Drake ROCKS Bryce, then Bryce counter punches! Bryce bobs ‘n’ weaves, ROCKS Drake again, then he blocks a kick to guzel! Drake CLUBS the arm, ROUNDHOUSES Bryce, and he runs, but Bryce gets him on the ropes! SUPER CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Bryce miscalculated, that deep hook was too deep! Drake survives but Bryce whips him! Fireman’s carry, but Drake grabs ropes! Drake fights free, runs and CHOP BLOCKS the leg!

Drake sets up to UNALIVING KNEE!! But he isn’t done, another UNALIVING!! Cover, DRAKE WINS!

Winner: Jackson Drake, by pinfall (still WWE Evolve Champion)

The fans don’t like it, but between having Vanity Project’s numbers and just some good ol’ fashioned luck, Heartbreak Drake survives! But are the walls closing in? Will someone find a way to beat the numbers game and take that title off Drake?

Stevie Turner is on the phone.

The Evolve Prime Minister tells the other person that Evolve greatly appreciates the partnership of WWE and AAA, and they are so excited to have him on their show. If there is anything AAA needs at all, just reach out. But hold on, a special guest just walked in, she’ll talk later. Stevie ends the call to shake hands with Bigg Jah! She is a big fan of My Roommate Pays All the Bills, and this is such a great Tubi crossover. Jah says thank you for having him, he is a big fan of WWE and Evolve. That men’s title match was fire. Stevie agrees, that was great stuff. Jah is pumped up to the max. Stevie says lets go watch the rest of the show! Jah’s down. If the opening was that good, how great will the rest of Succession be?

Adrenaline Drip speaks.

Cappuccino Jones says ever since they evened the score with Jax Presley & Harley Riggins, the pot has been super hot! Jack Cartwheel agrees, but he hoped the caffeine would’ve done a bit more. Because the adrenaline rush that Jack felt hitting the Flip ‘n’ Sip for the win, that was addictive! They proved that their speed won over strength, and that their agility won over muscles. That is to say, WWE ID Program won over WWE Perfo- Jones has Jack chill, don’t get them in trouble. Jack’s cut off for today. But they gotta lock in, they’re 1-1. Jax & Harley have the size, but they didn’t have the grind like Adrenaline Drip has their whole lives.

So here’s what they gotta do: One more time! That’s the rush! Jones finishes his cup, Jack is still cut off, but can they make it a big two match comeback in the series? Or will Space Cowboy Jax & Gnarly Harley Riggins make the drip dry up?

Layla Diggs, Masyn Holiday & Wendy Choo are backstage with Chuey Martinez.

And they’re talking that the roster has been on fire. Drake VS Bryce was good, but they’re pumped for Kali VS Kendal in the main event. Chuey has Team Kali all day, but Layla says Kendal’s been on fire, too. Wendy’s had her share of matches with Kendal, how is she feeling? Wendy hesitates, but then Chantel Monroe walks in. “Oh, wow~! Does W-W-Wendy finally have something to say? Sorry, couldn’t hear you, what was that? That’s exactly what I thought.” The Showstopping Diva struts away, and Wendy says, “AJ Lee says therapy works.” Wendy heads out, is she going to try talking out her feelings before taking them out on another bully?

Layla and Masyn really do wonder what is going on around here. But in the meantime, how about they hang out with Bigg Jah? They gotta get casted for his next movie! Chuey asks what movie. Layla & Masyn head out, will they enjoy the show along with the rest of us?

Bull Rope Match: Tate Wilder VS Brooks Jensen!

Two modern day cowboys with very different attitudes are about to have quite the showdown. But while this ain’t their first rodeo, it’s about to look like one as the bull rope binds them together! Will Tate show he can get wilder than Jensen? Or will the Bad Man from Ala-Bam-Bam-Bama go from Lost Cause to a future title contender?

The bell rings and it is a tug-o-war right away! The fans rally for Tate as he and Jensen start to reel in the slack. Then Jensen runs up! Tate dodges, the tug-o-war continues, and each man gathers slack again. Jensen runs up, Tate dodges, and Tate uses the rope to SWEEP the legs! Then he uses the slack to LASH! Jensen dodges, ends up in the corner, but Tate winds up! Jensen dodges to then stomp a mudhole into Tate! The fans boo but Jensen whips corner to corner. Then he uses the ropes to reel Tate in! Tate slides under, and Jensen realizes what’s about to happen. Jensen pleads with Tate, but Tate still YANKS and FLIPS Jensen over!

Tate pushes Jensen down to KNEE DROP! Then he DROPKICKS! Jensen falls and flops out of the ring while the fans fire up. Tate grabs at Jensen, Jensen pushes free, and Jensen wants to run away? But the rope won’t let him! Tate reels Jensen in, but Jensen uses the apron as an anchor to YANK Tate into the ropes! Tate writhes and Jensen grins while the fans boo, and Evolve goes to break.

Evolve returns and Jensen CHOKES Tate on the ring rope while grinding the bull rope into Tate’s face! The ref reprimands but that’s all he can do, and Jensen pushes Tate down. The fans boo as Jensen drags Tate out of the ring and to the apron. Jensen wraps his fist in rope to ROCK Tate! The fans boo, but then Jensen sees the cowbell. Jensen nods, and winds up, but Tate dodges! Cowbell hits post and Jensen’s hands are shaking! Tate WRECKS Jensen with a dropkick! Tate reels Jensen in like a fish and runs up, but Jensen avoids the knee drop! Jensen runs up and CLOBBERS Tate! Jensen then wraps rope around his fist for a ROPE FIST DROP!

The fans boo more but Jensen drags Tate up. Jensen suplexes Tate to hang him out to dry! Tate sputters on the top rope as Jensen climbs! Jensen aims for a FLYING AX HANDLE! Direct hit and down goes Tate! Cover, TWO! Tate is tougher than that and the fans rally up. Jensen sits Tate up and then gags Tate with the bull rope! The fans boo, Tate endures, and Tate reaches out! Jensen pulls Tate back, but Tate reels in the cowbell! But Jensen HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS Tate down! Jensen then gathers up some slack to LASH Tate! The fans boo while Tate writhes, but Jensen talks trash. Jensen LASHES Tate again!

The fans boo but Jensen winds up to LASH again! Tate eggs Jensen on, and Jensen LASHES him again and again! The fans fire up, Tate dodges, and he ROCKS Jensen! And ROCKS him again! And again! Jensen flops down, Tate grabs the slack, and he LASHES Jensen! And LASHES him again! Tate winds up to LASH Jensen again! The fans fire up as Tate then kicks Jensen low, reels him in, and snap suplexes! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Jensen survives but Tate stays focused. Tate untangles himself from bull rope to drag Jensen up and reel him in. But Jensen wrenches out to ROCK Tate! Tate ROCKS Jensen back!

Jensen wobbles, but he UPPERCUTS! The fans boo, but Tate ROCKS Jensen! Jensen ELBOWS and ROCKS and throat chops! The fans boo but both men stagger back. Jensen grabs the cowbell, but Tate BOOTS Jensen! Tate springboards, but into a COWBELL STRIKE!! Cover, TWO!! Tate survives and shocks Jensen! Jensen drags Tate around, goes up the corner, and he wraps more rope around his fist. But Tate uses the rope to YANK Jensen off the corner! And then POWERBOMB! Tate drags Jensen to the drop zone, goes up the corner, and WILD RIDE MOONSAULT! Cover, TATE WINS!

Winner: Tate Wilder, by pinfall

Tate’s good, Jensen’s bad, and for a second, this got ugly. But in the end, Tate is riding high with a huge win! Will Tate not just ride off into the sunset, but off towards a golden opportunity?

Aaron Rourke speaks.

“So… You wanna hear a story?” Does it have to do with Marcus Mathers not being by his side…?

Sean Legacy talks with Stevie Turner.

“Super” Sean says he’s not asking for anything too crazy, he just wants to find Edris Enofe and punch him in the mouth for what he did. But then Bigg Jah steps in and suggests they just have a match next week. Stevie agrees, Legacy VS Enofe next week. Sean says super! Legacy heads out, and Stevie asks Jah, wasn’t he here to hang out? Now he’s making matches? Well, yeah, but this is way too fun. Can he put another match together? Sure, next week: Bigg Jah is the Bigg GM for one week only. Layla & Masyn then step in and try not to fangirl too hard meeting Jah. They ask if he’s got any big films in the works.

Because trust them, they’ve got range! Layla can cry on command, watch! Stevie lets Jah handle this while she goes to watch the main event. Layla works up her tears, and Masyn says they’ve been dreaming of a moment like this for years! They could be like Beyonce’s children. Wait, Beyonce’s kids? So like, Beyoncetts? Exactly! He’s got it! Singing is a bit rocky, but they can dance, flip, they’re entertaining! Um, if he says no, are they gonna beat him up? Um… Well, they’ll do what they gotta do. Jah says facts, he’ll see what he can do.

WWE Evolve Women’s Championship: Kali Armstrong VS Kendal Grey!

They’ve been here in WWE Evolve since day one, but it was #TooStrongArmstrong that became the inaugural champion in that original Fatal 4 Way. Kali has stayed champion through top tier challenges, but Kendal has proven she’s a top tier challenger in her own right. It is Difference Maker VS Arm Breaker, but who will be the true game changer?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and history’s already being made, but now we see how it all turns out!

The bell rings and Kali shoves Kendal! Kendal shove Kali, Kali SHOVES Kendal down! Kendal TACKLES Kali! The fans fire up as Kendal rains down fists! Kali pushes Kendal away, then gets up to RAM Kendal to the corner! Kali fires fast hands in the corner, stops as the ref counts, and she follows Kendal to the corner. Kali stomps Kendal, throws body shots, then ROCKS Kendal! Kendal staggers away to another corner, but then dodges Kali to stomp away! The ref counts, Kendal CHOPS, and Kendal stalks Kali to a corner. Kendal CHOPS again, then hits a fireman’s carry takeover! Kendal rolls Kali to go for the arm!

Kali rolls Kendal to a stack, TWO! Kali ROCKS Kendal, then brings her around to bump off buckles. Kendal staggers, Kali is after her, and Kali bumps Kendal off buckles. Kendal staggers while fans duel, “Too Strong~! Armstrong!” “Kendal!” Kali CLUBS Kendal, reels her in and scoops, but Kendal slips free! Kendal shoves Kali away, goes up and over, then out, to slide under! Kendal runs, redirects Kali, then trips her up! Kali sits up into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Kendal goes up, up, and SUPER CROSSBODIES! Down goes Kali and the fans fire up! Kendal points to the title on its pedestal before she puts Kali back in the ring.

Kendal goes to the apron but Kali ROCKS her! Kali goes to the apron, reels her in, but Kendal fights the lift! Kendal fireman’s carries, Kali slips free! Kendal RAMS into Kali, slingshots, but Kali trips her up! Kendal falls to the apron then the floor while the fans are torn. Kali goes out to fetch Kendal, drags her up, and RAMS her into the apron! Then RAMS her in again! And then again! The fans are torn as Kali pops Kendal up for a HAYMAKER! Kali says the title is staying with her, and Evolve goes to break.

Evolve returns, Kali drops an ELBOW, another ELBOW, then runs to basement BOOT! The fans duel, Kali fires up, ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Kendal survives the onslaught but Kali pushes her around. Kali eggs Kendal on, drags her up to SMACK her off the mat, and the fans rally up. Kendal fires body shots and kicks, but Kali scoops, INVERTED SLAM! Cover, TWO! Kali is frustrated, but she clamps onto Kendal with a half nelson and chinbar. The fans rally, “This is Awesome!” as Kendal endures. Kendal pries at the chinbar, then rises up. Kali KNEES low, THROWS her down by her hair, and cleans off Kendal’s hair from her fingers.

Kali winds up, but Kendal avoids the elbow drop! The fans rally for “Women’s Wrestling!” as Kendal ELBOWS Kali away. Kali runs up, but Kendal BOOTS her away! Kendal rallies with ELBOW after ELBOW, then an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up as Kali flounders. Kendal runs up, she trips Kali, and then spins her for the slingshot and DOUBLE STOMPS! Kali sputters, Kendal gets her for a DDT! Cover, TWO! Kali survives and Kendal is a bit stunned, but she pushes Kali back down. Kendal goes up, up, but Kali CLUBS her! Kali climbs, waistlocks, but Kendal fights the lift! Kendal ELBOWS Kali away, to QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO!

Kali survives and Kendal is stunned again but the fans fire up. Kendal drags Kali up, but Kali ROCKS her! Kendal SUPERKICKS! Kendal runs, but into a POP-UP POWERSLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Kali is shocked but the fans are thunderous as Kendal survives! The fans fire up again, “This is Awesome!” Kali drags Kendal up, talks trash, and then suplexes Kendal to the top rope. Kali climbs back up, fires hands, but Kendal fires back! Kendal HEADBUTTS Kali away! But Kali is right back up! Kali hits a SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Kendal survives and shocks everyone again! The fans rally as Kali drags Kendal up and throws hands!

Kendal fires back, then Kendal kicks low. Kali punches, Kendal kicks, then Kendal ducks ‘n’ dodges, but into a SNAP POWER- NO, Kendal CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!! Kali escapes the turnaround, runs in at the corner, but Kendal goes up! Kali POSTS herself, staggers back, and Kali CROSSBODIES, into the SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up as Kali roars! Kali builds up that speed, KALI- SNAP POWERSLAM!??! Cover, KENDAL WINS!!

Winner: Kendal Grey, by pinfall (NEW WWE Evolve Women’s Champion)

Powerslam for powerslam, and Kendal used Kali’s momentum against her! Carlee Bright & Wren Sinclair both hurry out here to celebrate with their friend, and a new era for Evolve has begun! Grey has gold, but who will be next in line after Succession?

My Thoughts:

A great episode for Evolve with Succession, though I guess the only special thing about it was the title matches and being in the full Performance Center like NXT. Because this was still under an hour instead of being like 70 or 80 minutes with like a fourth match that could just be a WWE ID Showcase or something. I do appreciate we got a special guest with Bigg Jah, and just as Stevie said, great Tubi crossover. Good promos with Jah helping out, and while he’s “Bigg GM” for next week, I feel like Stevie’s about to be written off since WWE isn’t renewing her contract, aka letting her go, which is a bunch of garbage. Though, it’s not like WWE hasn’t done dumb releases before…

For that matter, they also do weird things in story. Where is Mathers? Why is Rourke just being plugged alone? I haven’t seen anything in terms of changing his WWE ID deal, or about injury, so is Mathers gonna have a solo vignette next week before the two combine forces again? The Men’s title opening the show should’ve been an obvious indicator that the title was staying with Drake. Bryce is great in the ring, on the mic, and has the look, especially the height, but Vanity Project sticking together was naturally why Drake won out. Though there’s complications there, too, with Zayda’s WWE ID not being renewed, a real shame there with a new women’s champion crowned.

Tate VS Jensen in a bull rope match was obviously not going to be what we’ve seen from even main roster WWE, i.e. it wasn’t going to be bloody or even rough and gritty, but it was still solid stuff. Great win for Tate Wilder, maybe he is on the slow burn rise towards a title opportunity. Same for Sean Legacy facing Edris Enofe for next week. And then a great main event from Kali VS Kendal, the strongest women’s division clearly extends from NXT into Evolve as well. And with this being a special edition, something like a title change had to happen, so I’m glad for Kendal that she gets her moment. Kendal is now champion, and Kali is clearly ready for NXT with how she did well in the battle royal.

My Score: 8.7/10