The future is now, but where are is it going?

Tensions are running high and battlelines have been drawn! WWE ID VS WWE PC, who proves they are truly Evolve’s cream of the crop?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Evolve Team Gauntlet: WWE ID VS WWE Performance Center; Team PC wins and Kam Hendrix earns an WWE Evolve Championship match.
• No Disqualifications: Wendy Choo VS Chantel Monroe; rescheduled to January 7th.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s Gal speaks.

“What’s up, dummies? Tonight, the culture war here at Evolve is at a breaking point, and ready to explode. Team ID VS Team PC, a feud that has completely engulfed Evolve, bringing chaos to everything it touches, and the results of tonight’s 5v5 gauntlet match will change the landscape here forever! It’s Gal always preaches no feelings, only facts, but tonight, I’m bringing the feelings and the facts! FACT: Each team has five competitors of their choosing. Locked in for Team ID: Cappuccino Jones, Mike Cunningham, Aaron Rourke and Marcus Mathers. However, with Sean Legacy not medically cleared, Team ID have chosen to keep their wild card fifth entrant as a mystery.

“What a smart move! It’s Gal loves surprises! Team PC has chosen Keanu Carver, Brooks Jensen, Harley Riggins, Jax Presley & Braxton Cole. Apparently, they have some tricks up their sleeve. FACT: The competitors will face off in gauntlet style one-on-one matches. Once an elimination happens, that competitor is gone, whilst the victor stays in the ring, waiting for the opposing team to send out their next competitor. The match continues until one team has all five competitors eliminated!

“Feeling: This conflict was started by the Team PC athletes, who were recruited destined to go straight to the top of the industry. These guys feel they’re superior to the ‘Indy Trash’ from the WWE ID system. For Team ID, this is a fight for survival, for the continued opportunity to achieve their dream of becoming a WWE Superstar. FACT: The winning team will have full control of Evolve for one week, running shop as they see fit. Also, the competitor who scores the final winning fall gets a shot at the WWE Evolve Championship. Talk about the spoils of war!

“Tonight, we find out which culture will dominate the future of Evolve! Team PC VS Team ID! Ladies and dummies, welcome to Evolve!”

Kendal Grey is here!

The fans cheer as the WWE Evolve Women’s Champion is back again, and this time accompanied by Wren Sinclair! They were victorious just last night on NXT over The Fatal Influence, and Kendal is on her way to New Year’s Evil to go after THE NXT Women’s Championship! Kendal steps into the ring and grabs the mic to say, “The last few months of 2025 for Kendal Grey have been crazy, huh? From winning the WWE Evolve Women’s Championship to joining Wren in the #WrenQCC, to competing here on Evolve and on NXT, and accomplishing so many goals of mine that I’ve had so far.

“But you see, I love the grind. I live for the grind. Because I know the moment I let my guard down is the moment it all crumbles. I mean, you’ve all seen it. Since I beat Kali Armstrong at Succession, I’ve thrown myself into the fire. Defending my championship against Chantel Monroe on Evolve, defending it on NXT and at NXT Live events. Because that’s the champion that i choose to be, that I love to be, that i want to be. One that doesn’t back down from any action!” The fans cheer, and Kendal says being a champion comes with pressure, but pressure makes diamonds! And it made Kendal a champion.

“And now, with Evolve on my back, and being the face of the Women’s Division, I welcome all challengers. And anybody that wants to come step up can come taste what it’s like to be a champion.” But wait! Kali Armstrong is back! Kali tells Kendal, “You been doing your thing, I give you that. But if I had to choose one woman to carry my torch and to continue the momentum of the Evolve Women’s Championship that i had, it’d be you.” The fans cheer that, and Kali steps into the ring. “I see the way you be draggin’ them chicks into the Grey Area. But don’t forget, you been eating off the table that I set. So basically, you’ve been eating off me!

“But see, I’m done with all that now. I’m ready to take back what’s mine. So you and your little WrenQCC friends can get back to making your little Instagram and TikTok videos. And the Difference Maker is ready to take back the number one spot here in Evolve. So how about you give the people what they been asking for? How ’bout you run back the greatest WWE Evolve championship match in history!?” But wait, PJ Vasa shows up! And she has them cut her music so she can tell Kali, “Did I knock a few screws out your head or something? Or are you always this stupid? You over here begging Kendal for a title rematch when I was the one that left yo’ ass laid out on the mat just a few weeks ago!”

Kali says she knows PJ ain’t talking to her like that. PJ steps in and says she’d wanna forget that, too. But when it comes to this title, PJ Vasa don’t forget nothing. Don’t believe her? Just ask Kendal. She got her Issue, too. So, when it comes to this title, PJ is coming for that. Kendal says we get it, PJ, you’re big and bad and all that. And Kali, you say Kendal is eating off the same table, but that was already four months ago. And this ain’t LFG, PJ, this is Evolve! And Kendal is the champion for a reason! She doesn’t back down from anyone bigger or stronger. She’ll take them both on at the same time in the same ring on the same night! Let’s go!

The fans like the sound of this, but what will Evolve management have to say? Will it be Kendal VS Kali part 2? Will the Grey Area have an Issue with #PNasty? Or will it be a Triple Threat to settle all the scores at once?

Wendy Choo speaks.

“Chantel Monroe. Yeah, I ruined your title shot, but that’s because you were running your filthy little mouth. And then you had the audacity to come into my space, my therapy session! Is that even legal? I don’t even know! But girl, we are far from even. You think you’re the Reflection of Perfection~, Showstopping Diva~, Wendy Choo is nothing~! Hmph. And I’ll admit it, those words did cut me. But… I know that I’m tougher than you. So tonight, it’s going to be No Disqualification, anything goes! And what I did learn in therapy is I don’t have to hold back anymore! So when I beat you, your reflection is gonna be anything but perfection.”

No longer sleepy, but maybe still psycho, will Wendy Choo bring out that Queens, New York attitude on Evolve’s resident mean girl?

PROGRAMMING NOTE!

Happy Holidays from Evolve, which means they’re taking a winter break! Evolve returns Wednesday, January 7th, so go enjoy Christmas and New Year’s with your loved ones!

Chantel Monroe speaks.

“Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the biggest freak of them all? Heh, Wendy Choo, I mean, duh, what kind of stupid question is that? Oh, and Wendy, I did you a favor cutting your last therapy session short. I mean, I saved you time, energy, I saved you money! Because clearly, your little shrink isn’t getting through your head. Costing me my championship match is the dumbest thing you could’ve ever done. But it’s okay. Because your little therapist may have been able to save you from yourself, but she won’t be able to save you from me.” The Reflection of Perfection is ready to get wicked, but is she the one playing with fire?

Charlie Dempsey finds Timothy Thatcher backstage.

The Professor of Pain is even doing the same bell weight training Charlie Dempsey was doing last week. Charlie says hey, Tim, there you are. Can’t help but notice it’s been a week now and Thatcher hasn’t responded to the challenge. Charlie takes a guess and says Thatcher has no phone, no social media, no internet, didn’t hear it at all. How about this? Next time, Charlie will use carrier pigeon. Thatcher asks Charlie if he knows how long it takes to train a pigeon. But sorry, yes, Thatcher did hear the message. Charlie has ambition, but- Fantastic! Let’s make the match official then! If Charlie would let Thatcher finish…

Thatcher says he is not about personal glory. He returned to Evolve to help the future superstars and maintain the integrity of the brand. What is Thatcher on about? They both know there’s always something to prove in that ring. Don’t try to hide behind the “integrity” of Evolve and the “future” of WWE. Guess what? Charlie IS the future! So do your job, step in the ring with Charlie, and allow Charlie to prove he is the best technical wrestler there is. Thatcher says, “Sir, you need to chill your beans. We are not competition. We are not traveling the same path. So I must respectfully decline. Now, I’m about helping, so I could use a training partner, mate.”

Thatcher hands the weight to Charlie, Charlie hands it back and says, “To think I used to look up to you.” Charlie heads out, will he just have to prove he’s the best technical wrestler against everyone else?

Evolve Team Gauntlet: WWE ID VS WWE Performance Center!

It may not be the main event but this the main attraction! WWE wants to better all of sports entertainment by making sure the best from the independent scene and the best collegiate athletes have the opportunity to truly become Superstars! But like a sibling rivalry, each side thinks they’re the best, they’re the favorite, they’re the rightful heir to it all! Who proves themselves by overcoming the competition in not just Evolve’s first gauntlet, but the first gauntlet of its kind in WWE history?

Attempting to “run the gauntlet,” our first participants are… Aaron Rourke and Keanu Carver! Will the Dime Piece survive the One Man Demolition Crew? Or will Keanu carve a path so long, his teammates won’t even be needed?

Aaron Rourke VS Keanu Carver!

The bell rings, the two circle, and the fans rally up. Rourke eggs Keanu on, dodges him, then SPANKS him! The fans fire up, Rourke goes for a leg, but Keanu THROWS Rourke away! Keanu RAMS Rourke in a corner, RAMS him again and again, then runs, but Rourke dodges! Rourke RAMS Keanu again and again, smothers him, but stops at 4 to frisk Keanu! The fans are torn, Keanu is furious, but Rourke blows a kiss and eggs Keanu on more. Keanu storms up on Rourke, but Rourke headlocks. Keanu picks Rourke up and THROWS him into the corner! Rourke hits buckles, slumps back, and Keanu stomps a mudhole!

The ref counts, Keanu stops, and he stands Rourke up to TOSS him across the ring! Rourke flounders, Keanu goes after him again, and he THROWS Rourke back the other way! Keanu says Rourke’s playing with the wrong one! fireman’s carry and GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! Rourke survives but Keanu slaps him around. Rourke fires body shots, but Keanu KNEES low! Keanu eggs Rourke on now, then ROCKS him with a right! Keanu pie faces Rourke, reels him in, and goes for the corner, but Rourke kicks off buckles! CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up, Keanu stands, but Rourke fires body shots!

Keanu ROCKS Rourke, Rourke ROCKS Keanu! And ROCKS him again! Keanu ROCKS Rourke back, but Rourke SOBATS! KNEE LIFTS! And roars! HEEL KICK! Keanu flounders, Rourke roars, and the fans fire up! Rourke hits a 619! Then he goes up, DROP THE DIME! Cover, TWO!! Keanu survives and he gets Rourke up! Scoop and- NO, Rourke slips free, rolls Keanu up, ONE!! Keanu is up and he BOOTS Rourke down! Keanu then scoops, CARVE ‘EM UP! Cover, Keanu ELIMINATES Rourke! One down, four to go, but who is second up? Cowboy Mike Cunningham! Will he rope Team ID their first point?

Keanu Carver VS Mike Cunningham!

Cunningham jumps in, dodges Keanu, and DROPKICKS! Keanu wobbles, Cunningham DROPKICKS again! And DROPKICKS again! The fans fire up with Cunningham and he runs, slips through a lariat, but Keanu stops the crucifix takedown! Keanu TOSSES Cunningham to a corner, LARIATS, then shoves him down! Keanu eggs Mike on, stalks him to the ropes, then TOSSES him across the ring! Mike flounders around, Keanu stalks him and taunts him, then ROCKS him! Keanu whips Mike corner to corner hard and Mike falls to the mat! Keanu drags Mike up, scoops him, and SLAMS him! And scoops to SLAM him again!

Keanu brings Mike around, scoops and SLAMS again, then covers, TWO! Mike toughs it out but Keanu drags him up. Mike fires body shots, Keanu pulls him up by his hair, the ref reprimands, but Keanu CLUBS Mike back down! Keanu eggs Mike on, drags him back up, and talks trash. But Mike SMACKS Keanu! Keanu is pissed, but Mike fires more body shots! Keanu wobbles as Mike fires haymaker after haymaker! But then Keanu KNEES low! Keanu whips Mike, runs in, but Mike ELBOWS him away! And SUPERKICKS! Mike goes up, up, and LASSO LAUNCHER DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!! Keanu survives again!

Mike hurries up the ropes, leaps again, but into Keanu’s arms! Keanu pops Mike around, to CARVE ‘EM UP! Cover, Keanu ELIMINATES Cunningham! That’s two just for Keanu, but who is next? WAIT! Sean Legacy!? He’s not even cleared! Chuey Martinez is there to remind everyone of that! Super Sean wants to go, but he can’t if the docs didn’t say so! Then if Legacy isn’t the wild card, who is? We’ll have to wait and see, after the break.

Evolve returns and Legacy says Keanu is lucky it isn’t Legacy. Legacy’s bad arm is keeping him out, but wait, who is sneaking in from the back?! That’s Sam Holloway!

Keanu Carver VS Sam Holloway!

SHOTGUN on Keanu! Keanu bounces off buckles, Holloway reels him in, HARD WAY CHOKE SLAM! Then Holloway goes up, up, DIVING BODY PRESS!! Cover, HOLLOWAY ELIMINATES KEANU! What a way to return to Evolve! Keanu wanted to run the gauntlet but he still did a lot of the heavy lifting. Who is next for Team PC, then? The Bad, Bad Man From Ala-Bam-Bam-Bama, Brooks Jensen!

Sam Holloway VS Brooks Jensen!

The Lost Cause goes right at Holloway, but gets a BOOT for it! And then Holloway BUTTERFLY SUPLEXES! Jensen writhes, the fans fire up, and Holloway runs up to LARIAT Jensen up and out! Jensen staggers around, Holloway goes to the ropes, but Jensen grabs a foot. Holloway BOOTS Jensen away, and Jensen hits railing! Holloway goes out to fire hands on Jensen! The fans fire up, the ref counts, and Holloway ROCKS Jensen! Jensen rolls into the ring, but he stomps Holloway on his way in! Jensen jumps, but Holloway avoids the stomp! Jensen falls, Holloway steps up the ropes to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!

Jensen survives but Holloway stays on him. Holloway scoops but Jensen slips free to fire hands! Jensen whips while the fans boo, but Holloway reverses and ELBOWS Jensen down! Jensen sputters out of the ring, and Holloway builds speed!? Jensen runs in, and he SPINEBUSTERS! Jensen fires up, reels Holloway in, and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Holloway is tougher than that but Jensen clamps on a chinlock. The fans rally, Holloway fights up, but Jensen wrangles him back down. Jensen squeezes tight, the fans rally up harder, and Holloway fights up to fire body shots! Jensen CLUBS Holloway, shoves him tot he corner, then CHOPS and LARIATS!

Jensen CHOPS and LARIATS again, and again, then short arm- NO, Holloway ducks and LARIATS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Holloway runs up, but Jensen BOOTS him! But Holloway LARIATS in return! Jensen flounders and staggers before he flops back down. Holloway snarls as he rises up, and he guzels! Jensen CLUBS at the arm again and again, then breaks free! Jensen LARIATS, Holloway stays up! Holloway LARIATS, Jensen stays up! They fire LARIATS back and forth, but neither man falls! Holloway blocks one, Jensen BOOTS back! Jensen runs, but into an URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Jensen survives and the fans boo!

Holloway reels Jensen in, suplexes, but Jensen knees free! Jensen KNEES Holloway again! The knee brace is helping Jensen as he then WHEEL KICKS! Cover, Jensen ELIMINATES Holloway!! The fans don’t like it but Holloway just lost to the Lost Cause! But who is fourth for Team ID? The WWE ID Champion himself, Cappuccino Jones!

Brooks Jensen VS Cappuccino Jones!

Jones dodges Jensen, waistlocks, but Jensen bucks the O’Conner Roll. Jensen then RUNS Jones over, runs the ropes, but Jones drops down, hurdles, but Jensen catches him! Jones sunset flips it, Jensen stays up, but Jones avoids the fist drop! O’Conner Roll, TWO! Jensen KNEES low, puts Jones in the corner, but Jones BOOTS him! Jones goes up and RANAS! Then he DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Jensen is still in this, but Jones drags him around to CLUB him. Jones brings Jensen up but Jensen fights the suplex! Jensen suplexes, Jones lands out, but Jensen grabs ropes! No neckbreaker, but then Jones dodges the elbow drop!

Jones turns Jensen, Jensen hooks the ropes to fight the backslide, and he spins Jones to ROCK him! Jensen reels Jones in, suplexes, and he hangs Jones out to dry! Jensen SLINGSHOTS Jones off the ropes, then paces around. Jensen taunts Jones with that 3-1 lead while Evolve goes to break.

Evolve returns again and Jensen has Jones in a BEARHUG! The fans rally while Jones endures, and Jones fires elbows! Jones is free, but then Jensen scoops! Jones slips free, he shoves Jensen into the corner, but Jensen clinches for an URENAGE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Jones survives, but Jensen snarls as he drags Jones over. DOUBLE STOMP! Jensen mocks the fans clapping for Jones, then he scuffs Jones. Jones fires body shots, but Jensen CLUBS him down and scuffs him! Jensen runs to KNEE FLOP as Jones moves! Jensen hobbles, the bad knee taking the fall! Jones KICKS that leg! And KICKS! And KICKS!

The fans fire up but Jensen KNEES low again! Jensen suplexes, but Jones lands safe on the apron this time! GAMANGIRI! Jones springboards in, MISSILE DROPKICK! Jensen flounders to the ropes and the fans fire up! But now BOTH Jax Presley & Harley Riggins storm out here, armed with chairs! They ask Jensen if he needs an assist, but TATE WILDER hurries out here to stop them both! The Modern Day Cowboy says they gotta win this fair and square! Harley says stop being a boy scout! But while Tate and Harley argue, Jax tries to help Jensen. But while Jensen goes for the chair, Jones O’Conner Rolls him! With bridge! JONES ELIMINATES JENSEN!!

The fans fire up as things are now 3-2, but then Jensen CHOP BLOCKS Jones! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but it seems the PC boys ain’t being so PC, if you catch my drift. The fans boo as Jensen stomps Jones, and that serves him up for Braxton Cole! The new kid is ready to show what he’s got, is Team PC about to finish this off?

Cappuccino Jones VS Braxton Cole!

Cole slides in and he CHOP BLOCKS Jones’ leg! The fans boo but Cole stomps away on Jones’ leg! And he YANKS the leg! The fans boo but Cole mockingly asks what’s wrong. Cole stomps Jones, CLUBS him, and stomps him more. Cole hooks up the leg for the SNAP LOCK! Jones writhes, Cole stalks him, and Cole drags him back! Cole SMASHES the knee on the mat! Then he drags Jones up, SHIN BREAKER! Jones writhes but he refuses to give up! Cole covers, TWO! Cole snarls, he drags Jones around, and he gets the leg again. STRETCH MUFFLER! We go picture in picture as Chuey checks in with Wendy and some of the ladies watching this match.

Chuey informs Wendy that well, with this gauntlet match going a bit long, they’re gonna have to move Wendy VS Chantel to the January 7th show. Sorry about that. Wendy sighs, the other girls are just as upset for her, but Wendy calms down to say, “It doesn’t matter if it’s today or in three weeks, I’m gonna beat her ass!” Karmen Petrovic sure likes that spirit. But at the same time, she is upset that Wendy’s match is postponed, and other women are getting opportunities they don’t deserve, she doesn’t understand what is going on in Evolve anymore! Karmen storms off, and both Masyn Holiday & Layla Diggs agree, Evolve is getting hostile.

Back in the ring, Jones fights up from the Stretch Muffler to handstand and then RANA Cole into a victory roll! TWO! Cole runs up, Jones ducks and rolls him up, TWO! Jones fires hands in the corner, but Cole SHOVES him back! Jones returns, but Cole LARIATS him down! The fans rally while Cole paces, and Cole drags Jones up. SHIN- NO, Jones sunset flips! Cole stays up, he YANKS Jones back up, and TOSSES him to the corner! Cole runs up, but Jones dodges! UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! And then UPPERCUT! Cole kicks a leg out! The fans boo but Cole lifts Jones, only for Jones to slip free and SMACK Cole!

Jones reels Cole in, DECAFFINATOR!! Cover, JONES ELIMINATES COLE! The team captain survives, but he’s gotta keep up the grind, we’re still at 3-3! Who is fourth for PC? KAM HENDRIX?! Didn’t they lock in with the Blue Chippers? Are last minute substitutions like this allowed?! Well, this IS the first match of its kind, and Team PC says L F G, it’s #Showtime!

Cappuccino Jones VS Kam Hendrix!

Evolve returns from break Kam is already all over Jones in a corner! Kam then puts a leg in the ropes to JUMP STOMP it! The fans rally, Kam eggs Jones on, and he stomps Jones’ leg again! The Vanity Project is in the VIP Lounge, and they grimace seeing Kam work over Jones’ leg. But are they pulling for Team ID being WWE ID discoveries themselves? Or are they just worried someone big and mean like Kam could be after Jackson Drake’s title? Either way, Jones dodges Kam in the corner! Jones LARIATS, then goes up and out to RAM and slingshot! But Jones’ leg jams! Kam gets the leg and taunts Jones.

Jones swipes at Kam, but Kam DRAGON SCREWS! Kam swaggers and breaks it down, then he drops ELBOW after ELBOW on Jones’ leg! Kam gets the leg again, but Jones DROPKICKS free! Jones hobbles and the fans rally up. Jones ELBOWS Kam, then BOOTS him! Jones then dodges to POST Kam! The fans fire up as Kam staggers back, into the JUMP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Kam survives and the fans rally up. Jones brings Kam up, but Kam gets the leg! FOOT DDT! Kam runs the corner, goes up and comes back, somersault and LARIAT! Showtime is showing off, but he brings Jones right back up!

Modified SIDE EFFECT! Cover, Kam ELIMINATES Jones!! That was Lights, Kam-era, Action, and this could be the last scene for Team ID! Philly’s Finest is here, but can he make the underdog comeback against Team PC?

Kam Hendrix VS Marcus Mathers!

The bell rings and Mathers kicks, but Kam blocks! Kam grins, taunts Mathers, then spins him to back suplex! Mathers lands out and HOOK KICKS! Kam tumbles out, Mathers builds speed, and Mathers FLIES! Down goes Kam and the fans fire up! Mathers gets Kam up and in, storms up and waistlocks, but Kam’s a lot to lift. Kam ELBOWS free, but Mathers ducks the lariat to tilt-o-whirl! But Kam POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Kam scuffs and slaps Mathers around. Kam tells Mathers to just quit already. Mathers snarls, stands up, and he CHOPS! And ROCKS! And repeat! Kam wrenches to mule kick, FOREARM, and CLUB Mathers down!

Kam looms over Mathers while the fans boo. Mathers sits up but Kam KICKS him in the side! Kam scuffs Mathers, drags him up, and tells him to smile for the Kam-era! But Mathers makes it a DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Kam survives, but Mathers hurries to a corner! The fans rally up, Kam rises, but then Kam is right up after Mathers! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! They almost hit the rafters! But both Kam and Mathers are down, so we check in with Chuey again as he now gives Chantel the news. She is livid! What do they mean they ran outta time?! Chantel storms off, and Arianna Grace sees this. Oh, poor thing seems so upset.

Nikkita Lyons struts by and asks what’s terrible. Did they see Layla’s & Masyn’s newest TikTok? Lyons laughs at her own insult, but Arianna says Chantel’s main event was postponed. Oh. Well, the TikTok is much worse. Lyons & Arianna both laugh, and we see in the ring that Kam and Mathers snarl and storm up to each other. Mathers ROCKS Kam, Kam ROCKS Mathers! The fans rally as both men stand, and Mathers CHOPS! Kam ROCKS Mathers! Mathers ROCKS and CHOPS again, but Kam mule kicks! And STEP PUNCH! But Mathers KNEES, ROUNDHOUSES, and ENZIGIRIS! Kam staggers, but he comes back to KNEE low!

Kam whips, Mathers tilt-o-whirls and slips free, then he dodges! Kam hits buckles, Mathers goes to another corner. Kam runs up, but into a BOOT! Mathers ROUNDHOUSES, then jumps up to STUNNER! Kam wobbles, Mathers reels him in, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Kam survives and Mathers seethes, and Vanity Project is still locked in as they watch. Mathers goes up, up, but Kam jumps up to get him! Mathers fires forearms first, then HEADBUTTS! Mathers hops down to CHOP, and GAMANGIRI! Kam falls, Mathers goes up, and DIVING- NO, Kam avoids the stomps to RUNNING LEG LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!

Mathers survives and shocks Kam! Kam drags Mathers up, LIGHTS- Mathers victory rolls! TWO, and JUMP SOBAT from Mathers! Mathers springboards, but into LIGHTS, KAMERA, ACTION!! Cover, KAM WINS?!?

Winners: Team PC, by pinfall; Kam Hendrix earns a future title opportunity

What a way to debut! Kam not only seals the deal from Team PC to take over Evolve (for one week), but he also earns himself the next shot at the title! But will it be Showtime for Jackson Drake or Sean Legacy in the New Year?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode, but also a bit booty. I knew from the start the gauntlet was going to be the only match on the card, so it’s a little odd they were playing up there being another match. But I think it works in story to “reschedule” the advertised No DQ match. Karmen is upset on Wendy’s behalf, and perhaps they use this to get us a new Evolve GM when they should’ve never gotten rid of Stevie Turner at all. That’s half the reason they’re doing the “winning team runs Evolve for a night” gimmick, too. And with Lyons and Arianna both making fun of Layla & Masyn, there’s our tag match we’ve been looking for.

But to that point, I wonder if It’s Gal is a candidate for Evolve GM 2026. He already does a lot more promos than wrestling, and he’s so great as a character anyway. either that, or Timothy Thatcher. Good promo from Thatcher with Dempsey to deny Dempsey the match, but I feel like something will change Thatcher’s mind. Thatcher being the coach and trainer, he could easily shift into the GM role. Very good promos from Kendal, Kali and PJ, and the Triple Threat is going to be great. But with Evolve taking a break the next couple of weeks, Kendal actually will be going to New Year’s Evil still the champion. But all the more reason she won’t beat Jacy Jayne then…

And of course, the gauntlet was great stuff, but some very confusing and maybe even disappointing choices in that. For one, Kam Hendrix joining in when It’s Gal gave us the line-up to open the show, and he wasn’t mentioned! Was Gal an “unreliable narrator” in this story? Did Team PC make the audible after Jax & Harley kinda messed Jensen up there? And why did “Kam Hendrix” have to change his name? Anthony Luke had great branding on his trunks with that AL logo, they could’ve/should’ve gone with those initials for the new name.

Even then, I’m a little surprised we didn’t push this to the final showdown, the last man from both team fighting it out. I suppose with the singles title being the prize, it would’ve been obvious tag team guys weren’t going to win the whole thing. They would’ve been obvious eliminations so they basically skipped them to give us the guy who would win. And on top of all that, I continue to be annoyed that WWE themselves are favoring PC over ID so blatantly. Jax & Harley beating Adrenaline Drip 2-1, and now Kam going from debut to title contender. I just hope this means Sean Legacy finally wins the title off Jackson Drake to be the Face champion that faces Kam.

My Score: 8.5/10