Will Keanu Carver break Heartbreak Drake?

After breaking his hand and then trying to use excuse after excuse, Jackson Drake MUST face Keanu Carver for the WWE Evolve Championship!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Sean Legacy VS Eli Knight; Legacy wins.
• Masyn Holiday w/ Layla Diggs VS Nikkita Lyons; Lyons wins.
• WWE Evolve Championship: Jackson Drake VS Keanu Carver; Drake wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Vanity Project arrives backstage.

Ricky Smokes says, “Tonight’s not gonna be easy, boys. Keanu is lurking.” Brad Baylor says, “Hundos, bro. Keanu’s relentless, he’s strong, and the more I keep thinking about it, he’s got a little bit of aura to him.” Jackson Drake frowns and says, “He’s strong and has aura. Okay, y’know what? If we’re gonna glaze this guy, let’s glaze him. I would say Keanu has every single tool in the playbook, except the most important one.” Swipe Right asks which one is that, and Drake says, “That would be brains.” There’s a reason Drake is the pinnacle of Evolve as champion. Check the track record: Fatal 4 Ways, Triple Threats, 1v1, they’ve thrown everything at Drake and he’s still the champ!

Facts, hundos! Big facts! Keanu can crash out on Twitter, have as many tantrums and put his fragile hand through as many walls as he wants. The one thing he can’t do is beat Jackson Drake. Tonight, Drake proves that. Brad says the Vanity Project is not the same, but they’re only stronger for it. The OG3 VP will run Evolve and WWE. Damn straight. V’s up! Drake, Brad & Smokes think they’re hot, but will they get stomped out by the One Man Demolition Crew?

Kali Armstrong is here!

The fans cheer “Too Strong! Armstrong!” as she makes her way to the ring. Kali picks up the mic to say, “Last time y’all saw me, I was at war against Kendal Grey at Succession.” The fans applaud that, and Kali says she won’t lie, Kendal caught her slipping. Kali gives credit where credit is due, Kendal is a great competitor. She pushed Kali to her limits, took her to a place she ain’t been in a long time. At least not since becoming Evolve Women’s Champions. Kali won’t say it didn’t piss her off to lose that title, but she won’t let emotions get the best of her. Kali doesn’t lose, she either wins or learns.

So Kali took the time off to gather herself, and that’s what she did. She doesn’t know what the road back to the top will look like, but she’s ready. She knows how to handle adversity. She can’t even tell how many times women stepped to her and she beat ’em down. That’s what she’s getting back to. But she understands that starts with her regaining what she once lost. So Kendal Grey, she knows you’re there listening. Let’s give the people what they want: Kali VS Kendal 2 for the Evolve Women’s Championship, TONIGHT! But wait, PJ VASA interrupts! The fans fire up as P-Nasty steps to the Difference Maker!

Vasa gets a mic for herself, and she tells Kali, “Lemme teach you something. This ain’t the same house you up and left when the result at Succession didn’t go your way. Evolve moves fast, and it done moved on without you! You gave Evolve the shot in the arm that it needed to get it up and running. But now that it’s up, there’s a new hard body in the house. It’s me, PJ Vasa! I’m the most dominant girl in Evolve right now! It’s plain and simple, Kali: I’ve replaced you! So if anybody’s gonna get a shot at Kendal Grey for the Evolve Women’s Championship, it’s me.” The fans are torn, but Kali says, “Is that so?”

PJ takes a swing and the brawl is on! PJ RAMS Kali into the corner again and again but the refs and security rush in! Fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but that’s up to the Prime Minister to decide! Will we see a clash of titans in the Evolve Women’s Division?

The Evolve VIP Lounge is open again!

It’s been gone for a few weeks, but its somewhat-grand reopening has Jax Presley & Harley Riggins as its first guests.

Sean Legacy VS Eli Knight!

After last night on NXT, Super Sean knows he gets the winner of tonight’s main event at Gold Rush. But he also knows as a WWE ID OG, he’s got a lot to prove to this new class coming in. Will Sean-senpai #StaySuper? Or will this new wave sink his ship?

The bell rings and the two tie up. Legacy headlocks, Knight powers up and out, but Legacy RUNS him over! Cover, ONE, but Legacy facelocks and whips. Knight reverses, Legacy redirects and DROPKICKS the legs out! Then he DOUBLE STOMPS Knight on the back, and DROPKICKS him back down! The fans fire up with Legacy as Knight stands, and Legacy hits a BIG atomic drop! Legacy KICKS once, but Knight ducks the next to roll Legacy up! TWO, Legacy goes to a corner, and he goes up and over as Knight runs in! Knight BOOTS Legacy in return, then goes up to swing and RANA! The fans fire up and Legacy goes to ropes.

Knight whips, Legacy reverses, but Knight flips up and over! Knight ducks ‘n’ slides to DROPKICK! Legacy tumbles out and the fans fire up! Knight builds speed and he FLIES! Down goes Legacy and the fans fire up again! Knight asks, “What’s good?” Jax & Harley aren’t impressed by flips but Knight puts Legacy in the ring. Knight slingshots to DROPKICK, then he BOX JUMP MOONSAULTS! Cover, ONE!! Legacy toughs it out but Knight keeps him down with a facelock. The fans rally, Legacy fights up, and he powers Knight to the ropes, to then TOSS him! The ropes send Knight back and he lands hard on the mat!

Legacy KICKS, KICKS, and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Knight toughs it out but Legacy stays cool. The fans rally and Knight crawls to ropes. Legacy storms up on Knight, bumps him off buckles, and then CHOPS! The fans fire up for that one, and Legacy stands Knight back up. But Knight avoids the chop to CHOP in return! The fans rally, Legacy kicks low, and then he Kawada Kicks away on Knight! Knight falls, Legacy covers, TWO! The fans cheer as Knight stays in this, but Legacy stays on him. Legacy whips, Knight reverses, and Knight runs up, but into an ELBOW! The fans duel as Legacy waistlocks, but Knight ELBOWS free!

Knight swings, misses, and Legacy GERMAN SUPLEXES! Knight tumbles hard to the corner, but he BOOTS Legacy away! Somersault and LEAPING LARIAT! The fans fire up as Knight grits his teeth and rises up! Legacy goes to ropes, he storms up, but Knight counter punches! And counter punches! Knight ROCKS Legacy again and again, then whips corner to corner. Legacy reverses, Knight box jumps to go up and over! DROPKICK! Then a cravat, SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO! Knight is stunned as Legacy survives, but the fans rally up. Knight says he’s about to go super, and he goes up, up, and MOOONSAULT- NO, Legacy moves!

Knight lands out of his “Superman Press,” but Legacy BOOTS Knight! But then Knight fireman’s carries! Legacy fights free, reels Knight in, but Knight turns suplex to cradle! TWO!! JUMP KNEE! Knight runs, Legacy slips around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Legacy roars, but Knight BOOTS him again! Legacy falls back, Knight runs up, but Legacy SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up as Knight wobbles! Knight ducks a haymaker to ROLLING ELBOW! Then he ducks again to BOOT! Legacy staggers around, but so does Knight. Legacy manages to drop toehold Knight onto ropes! Legacy then yoyos in the ropes for the UP KICK!

Knight staggers, but he jumps up! RANA! Cover, TWO!! Legacy escapes in time! And he GAMANGIRIS in the corner! The fans fire up again and Legacy torture racks! SHAMBLES!! Cover, Legacy wins!

Winner: Sean Legacy, by pinfall

Both men went superhuman in this match, but Legacy shows why he’s still the WWE ID frontrunner. Chuey Martinez is here for the ringside interview, and he has the fans give it up for Legacy. Chuey says Legacy is on a roll. Legacy says in order to create a legacy, you gotta win championships. Legacy will enjoy watching Drake and Keanu beat the hell out of each other in the main event. Legacy then sees Knight stumble over, and he tells him, “Chin up, man. You hear this? You did great!” The fans cheer for “ELI! ELI!” Knight says yeah, he hears it! Legacy says Knight has a bright future, can’t wait to see what he does with the WWE ID Program behind him.

But Jax & Harley talk smack as they walk over, saying “pipsqueak” should pipe down. The fans boo but Harley says he is sick and tired of WWE ID. Jax says you see two Blue Chip big dogs like them, then you see the bingo hall rejects like those two, who do you decide to cheer for? It’s pathetic. And in fact, they should have a tag match with them right now. Jax got a solid pump in, let’s get this done! But wait! TIMOTHY THATCHER is here! The Player Coach, the Professor of Pain, steps right up to Jax & Harley. Thatcher tells them, “Hey, I’ve been watching Evolve, and I know what you two divs have been up to.

“None of that! No tag match this week, Sean and Eli just wrestled. But… I have a tag team for you next week.” Bet! They’ll squash those bums! Bring it! The big boys think they’ve got this in the bag, but does Thatcher have a big surprise in store for them?

Layla Diggs & Masyn Holiday set their phone cam up.

Masyn says she got that TikTok Layla sent, and Layla asks if she learned the steps. She did, so here goes. A five six seven eight! Hands out, side, side, bam, snap! Layla tries: Boom boom boom, bada dup, snap! But then Nikkita Lyons mocks the steps and says, “Boom boom boom, bada dup, trash.” Uh, can they help her? No, they’re the ones who need help. They look like things are buffering a bit, if you know what she means. She can help cuz she’s got it going on, y’know? Oh, so Lyons thinks her moves are better. Here’s a collab they can do: Masyn’s fist, Lyons’ face, in the ring. Um, one second. Lyons snaps a selfie with them.

She says this is the before, and she’ll get the after after she gets the W. Lyons dances her way out and Masyn says she cannot stand that girl. Talking about their dance moves are trash, when she sings like that? Well, will the Renaissance Woman of Evolve show #NikkitaMultimedia a thing or two about talent? Or will Lyons pounce and have her own trending moment?

Keanu Carver speaks.

“Man, who them Vanity Project clowns think they dealing with? They think they gone break my hand and I’ll stop? They think they gone do me dirty and I’ll stop? I’ve been tracking Jackson Drake since the moment he won that title. And I know when I fight Drake, I’m fighting Swipe Right, too, but I don’t give a damn! I done ran up on numbers before, that’s not gonna stop me. Tonight, you better bring everything you got, cuz y’all not gonna walk away from this. No mercy, no excuses, y’all gonna see me, Keanu Carver, walk out the NEW WWE Evolve Champion.” Keanu is ready to carve it up, will he get his pound of flesh along with those ten pounds of gold?

Masyn Holiday w/ Layla Diggs VS Nikkita Lyons!

The vibe is about to change from chill to cold as Masyn looks to make Lyons put up or shut up! Who will have their moment in the spotlight with a win here tonight?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Maysn waistlocks. Lyons wrenches out and wristlocks, but Masyn rolls, then flips with the ropes. Masyn WRINGS Lyons out, then runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Lyons shakes out the arm but Masyn headlocks. Lyons powers up and out, but Masyn RUNS her over! Masyn pushes Lyons down, digs her heel in with some swagger, then things speed up. Masyn hurdles over, but then Lyons scoops and POWERSLAMS! Lyons rains down forearms, then hits the SPLIT LEG DROP! Masyn sputters and goes to a corner, but the fans boo Lyons as she talks trash.

Lyons runs up, forearm SMASH! Then she fires body shots! Lyons ELBOWS Masyn down, she taunts the fans, and she stalks Masyn to the ropes. Lyons CHOKES Masyn, steps off as the ref counts, then she SNAPS Masyn back with the ropes. Lyons taunts Masyn, swaggers around, then she runs up at the corner. Masyn ELBOWS Lyons, then fires forearms! Masyn ROCKS and kicks and whips, but Lyons reverses, only for Masyn to sunset flip! TWO, and Lyons THROAT CHAKRA KICKS Masyn down! Cover, TWO! Masyn survives, but Lyons keeps on her with the body scissor squeeze! Masyn pushes back to a cover, TWO!

The fans rally up, but wait! Arianna Grace?! What’s the Pageant Queen doing on Evolve? And certainly at this moment. She blows kisses and waves to the fans, then just makes her way back out? Lyons and Masyn fire hands, then Masyn dodges to LARIAT! And LARIAT! The fans fire up with Masyn as she ducks a kick to NECKBREAKER! Masyn roars, gets crunk, and runs up to BACK BODY BLOCK! Then she reels Lyons in, BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! Lyons is still in this but the fans rally for Masyn. Masyn STANDING MOONSAULT FLOPS! BUZZSAW! Lyons roars, she goes up, up, LYONS DEN! Cover, Lyons wins!

Winner: Nikkita Lyons, by pinfall

Arianna Grace’s cameo aside, Lyons finishes this off all herself! Will this be the before to Lyons’ championship “after?”

It’s Gal speaks.

“Listen up, dummies! It’s Gal has put his emotions to one side, and has been locked in on finding a new pump partner. No feelings, only facts, I’m looking for a pump partner who is jacked, stacked, and ready to attack, and I’ve been testing out some of the best athletes in the PC to find my new match made in hypertrophy heaven. And guys, the PC is full of studs, but It’s Gal is looking for the super to his set. Oh yeah! First up, Harley Riggins & Jax Presley. Two blue chip athletes, ferocious, but as soon as I gave them some It’s Gal premium training advice, they flipped out, broke my stud glasses! Doesn’t matter, I have 3000 pairs. I guess It’s Gal wasn’t the right fit for them.

“To find the right partner, I knew I had to have no fear in my journey. I needed the baddest man in the room on my side. So I took some pre-workout for courage, went straight up to Keanu Carver. It’s Gal politely told his ass to come spot me on the bench press. Keanu said I’m not the guy he’s looking for. And y’know what? It’s Gal totally respected that, the dude is a beast! It’s Gal must admit, I thought it’d be easy breezy to find a new pump partner. But apparently, building relationships is way harder than building muscle. But It’s Gal never gives up. Maybe it’s time to expand my horizon, because the sun never goes down on the Gain Train!”

Well, at least Mr. Mint Condition is learning a bit on growing his personality depth. Will he find just the right gym bro to be his bro? Or will the Real-Life Action Figure be stuck playing by himself?

Backstage interview with Chantel Monroe.

Chuey Martinez welcomes us back to the show, and says he is with the Reflection of Perfection. He congratulates her on the win over Wendy Choo. How does that stack up as far as career accomplishments? Chantel says honestly, she just doesn’t like Wendy. Personally, she thinks Wendy’s a freak. But a big win is a big win. Wendy has accomplished a lot, but a win over Chantel Monroe is not one of them. So she’ll let Kali and PJ have their little moment, because they’re just fighting over Chantel’s scraps. What does that mean? Chantel says she’s finally getting what she wanted, and that is a title opportunity with Kendal Grey.

Chantel knows Kendal will try and take her down and drag her into the “Grey Area.” Ew. Honestly, Chantel doesn’t like Kendal, either. The only thing being taken is Chantel taking the title. So Kendal, shine that title up real nice for her. Her reflection will look damn good in that title once she’s champion. Chantel is more than ready for her moment, but she’ll have to wait until December 3rd. Will Kendal Grey make it through the Gold Rush just to be stopped by The Showstopping Diva?

WWE Evolve Championship: Jackson Drake VS Keanu Carver!

Speaking of Gold Rush, Sean Legacy will be waiting for the winner of this match. Will the Carolina Reaper be the Unaliving of Keanu Carver? Or will the One Man Demolition Crew finally have his revenge?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who reigns in the Fall!

The bell rings and Drake runs up! He fires hands on Keanu but Keanu shoves him away! Drake ducks ‘n dodges but Keanu runs to RUN Drake over! Drake flounders to a corner and Keanu is after him! Keanu fires haymakers, then he bumps Drake off buckles. Keanu ROCKS Drake again and again, but Drake scrambles away. Drake goes to another corner but Keanu just fires more shots! And big ones! The ref backs Keanu down but Drake ENZIGIRIS! Drake then RAMS Keanu to a corner, to CHOP and KICK on repeat! The ref counts, Drake lets off and soaks up heat, then he scuffs and kicks Keanu. Keanu just gets mad, and he short arm LARIATS!

The fans fire up, and Tate Wilder is enjoying this from the VIP Lounge. Keanu runs up, Drake manages to go up and over, and Keanu POSTS himself! Drake stands on Keanu to then bend the bad arm! The ref counts, Drake steps off and stomps Keanu. Drake pulls Keanu’s arm again, Swipe Right talks trash, but Keanu slips out the back. Keanu gorilla presses Drake for the ROCKET LAUNCHER! The fans fire up, and Keanu scoops to SNAKE EYES! Drake staggers, Keanu gorilla presses for the GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! Tate nods while Keanu stalks Drake. Another scoop, and a FALL AWAY- NO, Drake manages to land out!

Keanu shakes out the bad hand, that could’ve held him back on the throw. Drake goes to a corner, Keanu runs at him, but Drake dodges! Keanu hits buckles, but he still hurries after Drake! Drake DUMPS Keanu up and out, then he stomps the bad hand! Swipe Right loves it, and Drake DIVES! Direct hit into the railing! The fans fire up and Drake hurries to ROUNDHOUSE Keanu! Keanu staggers to the steel steps, and Drake STOMPS the hand again! Drake soaks up the heat while Evolve goes to break.

Evolve returns and Drake isolates Keanu’s bad hand, to KNEE DROP! Keanu writhes, Drake covers, ONE!! Keanu still has gas in the tank, and now Legacy has joined Tate in the VIP Lounge. Drake fireman’s carries Keanu, but Keanu fights free! Keanu reels Drake in, but Drake suplexes! Keanu fighst that off, wrenches, but Drake dodges the lariat! Drake body blows, then dodges again to body blow! Keanu ELBOWS back, but Drake ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard! But Keanu catches him! The fans fire up as Keanu then pops Drake up for a suplex and SLAM! The fans fire up and Keanu snarls as his hand still hurts.

Keanu grabs Drake, gorilla presses, and then just THROWS him! Drake flounders to a corner, Keanu SPLASHES! Then scoop and FALL AWAY SLAM! This time it hits! The fans fire up, Keanu hauls Drake up to scoop, but Drake slips free. Drake shoves Keanu to a corner, DROPKICKS, then fires up! Drake brings Keanu around, reels him in, but Keanu powers up! Keanu pops Drake up to SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Drake survives while Swipe Right is panicking! The fans rally, Keanu guzels, but Drake breaks free. Keanu tries gain, Drake breaks free, so Keanu HEADBUTTS! Keanu runs, Drake SUPERKICKS!

Drake runs, springboards, but into a POUNCE!! Cover, TWO!! Drake survives and Keanu seethes but the fans rally up. Drake goes to the apron, Keanu runs up, but Drake catches the bad arm! Drake wants after the cast, Keanu pulls hair, the ref reprimands them both! drake ELBOWS Keanu, Keanu staggers into the ref, and Drake GAMANGIRIS! Drake springboards to SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO! Keanu survives and Drake is beside himself! Drake argues with the ref, then he aims at Keanu. Keanu rises, UNAL- LARIAT!! Keanu reels Drake in, but Drake resists the gut wrench! The bad hand holds Keanu back, so he ONE HANDS IT?!

Keanu hits the CANADIAN HAMMER!! Cover, TWO!! Drake survives but fans argue, “That was Three! That was Three!” Keanu and Drake rise up, and Keanu lines up a shot. Keanu builds speed, and he POUNCES Drake to the ropes! Drake flounders around while fans go nuts! Smokes panics and grabs the title belt! Brad distracts the ref, Smokes takes a swing! Keanu blocks, THROWS the belt away, then he YANKS Smokes in! WAR HAMMER!! The fans fire up as Smokes is neutralized! Drake flounders, but he rises up to KNEE Keanu! Brad is up and he SLAMS the hand into the post! UNALIVING!! Cover, Drake wins!

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

The fans don’t like it, but what do you expect when Vanity Project still has the numbers advantage? The Carolina Reaper survives certain doom, and Swipe Right talks trash on Tate & Legacy. Legacy will get his shot at Drake soon enough, will he finally make the Evolve Championship super?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode for Evolve and we’re clearly in a new phase with a new intro video and, well, certain people already missing. As we saw on NXT, Vanity Project is down to three with Bryce Donovan having ditched them and Zayda Steel no longer in WWE ID. But clearly that’s all you need to cheat as a Heel faction anyway, which they did to Keanu. But as I even said for NXT, advertising Drake VS Legacy at Gold Rush gave away the ending to tonight. Personally hoping Legacy wins the title in New York then, but that obviously depends on how far they’ve planned Evolve through this taping session.

They clearly took Gold Rush into account for the Women’s Championship as Chantel Monroe will wait for December 3rd. I would think Kendal Grey defeats Lainey Reid, Lainey isn’t dropping down to Evolve while she’s also part of Fatal Influence. Kendal VS Chantel will be really good, and I feel like Kendal retains then, too. Kali Armstrong and PJ Vasa getting into a feud is great, that match will be great stuff, and the winner there can certainly be seen as next in line after Chantel. And PJ has a point, Evolve moves fast and things can change quickly when WWE/TKO just makes decisions without considering anything about the product. Stevie Turner was cut and she was the Evolve GM, who knows who else TKO won’t care about?

Legacy had a great match with Eli Knight, great win for Legacy, but good promo from him encouraging Knight. Jax & Harley thinking they can pick on Legacy and Knight was good Heel behavior, and Thatcher returning to set up a tag match with them is good stuff. Can’t wait to see who Thatcher has chosen, and I would hope this mystery team beats Jax & Harley to humble them. Very good promo from It’s Gal to continue his search for a partner, I wonder who they’ll find for him to team with. And maybe they’ll find someone who they don’t cut weeks later just because.

Good promo from Masyn, Layla and Lyons, and a very good match from Masyn VS Lyons. Good win for Lyons, and Arianna Grace perhaps made the most random debut of anything anywhere. Maybe Layla challenges Lyons to a match to get payback, and I could even see a tag match of Layla & Masyn VS Lyons & Arianna. I wonder if Evolve will add a Women’s Tag Division before getting midcard titles.

My Score: 8.5/10