Will the Blackbelt add a gold belt to her collection?

After building up momentum week after week, Karmen Petrovic now challenges Kendal Grey for the WWE Evolve Women’s Championship!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Swipe Right w/ Jackson Drake VS Eli Knight & Mike Cunningham; Swipe Right wins.
• Aaron Rourke VS It’s Gal; Rourke wins.
• WWE Evolve Women’s Championship: Kendal Grey VS Karmen Petrovic; Grey wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

The WrenQCC talks backstage.

Kendal Grey wants to confirm that the vibe in here is weird. Wren Sinclair checks the air, and says yeah, it’s a little weird. Kendal says the Women’s Division is insane right now. The woman who ran this place six months ago is now a shell of her former self. Wren feels so bad for Kali Armstrong. Surely she’ll find what she needs to get back up, she is the Difference Maker. Kendal agrees there. Then there’s Tyra Mae Steele rising up the ranks, and PJ Vasa is breathing down Kendal’s neck for another title match! Wren says tonight, Kendal has Karmen Petrovic. Why does Kendal keep doing this to herself?

Kendal says going back and forth between NXT and Evolve is the grind, but she loves it. Wren says Kendal’s crazy. That’s way too much pressure. Kendal says pressure is a privilege, it means people expect things from her. So tonight, Kendal will beat Karmen and retain the title. Wren adds to watch for the kicks. Kendal says that’s true, Karmen is sneaky good. But Kendal won this title at the first Succession, so she’s gonna walk in the champion for Succession 2. Wren has no doubt Kendal will kill it. Now, let’s get dressed so Kendal can get a warmup in. The WrenQCC is confident in Kendal, but will Karmen use the Shing-Shing to cut down The Grey Area?

Swipe Right w/ Jackson Drake VS Eli Knight & Mike Cunningham!

While they were all on the same side against Kam Hendrix & Team Performance Center, it’s back to Vanity Project VS Team ID to prove who does this better! But will Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes be able to focus when they’ve got the #1 contenders Fatal 4 Way next week? Or will the Disrespectfully Athletic & #MainManMike show them they still need to Evolve?

Meanwhile, the Modern Day Cowboy, Tate Wilder is watching from the VIP Lounge. He might be a Performance Center guy but we know he’s more on Team ID’s side. The teams sort out and Mike starts against Smokes. They tie up, go around, and Smokes powers Mike to the ropes. The ref counts, Smokes stops at 4 but he messes Mike’s hair. Mike shoots around to waistlock but Smokes switches. Smokes SLAMS Mike, then scuffs him before shouting, ‘Swipe Right!” The fans boo, but Mike shoots around, waistlocks, but Smokes switches again. Tag to Brad and Brad takes the waistlock to SLAM Mike!

Brad wrenches Mike, wristlocks, but Mikes wrenches through to wristlock. Brad rolls, tags Smokes, and they handoff the wristlock. Smokes wrenches and RAMS Mike’s shoulder. Mike spins through, headlocks, and he gives Smokes a noogie! Smokes powers up and out but Mike RUNS him over! Mike does a dance, speeds things up, then ducks a shot to shove, hurdle, and HIP TOSS! The fans fire up while Mike DROPKICKS Smokes down! Brad runs in but Mike dodges! Mike SHOTGUNS Brad down! The fans cheer, and Mike wrenches Smokes to tag in Eli. Eli goes up to DOUBLE STOMP Smokes’ arm!

Eli wrenches the arm, tags Mike back in, and Mike goes up to HIP DROP Smokes’ arm! Even Tate likes that one. Mike wrenches Smokes then tags Eli back in. They double whip and BODY BLOW, then JUMPING DOUBLE STOMP! Then a NECK BREAKER DROP! And a BIG SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Smokes stays in this but Eli stays on him with a wrench. Smokes fires a body shot then tags Brad. Brad DECKS Eli, then whips him into the corner. The fans chant “Swipe Left!” but Brad CHOPS! Eli CHOPS! Brad CHOPS again! Tag to Smokes, Drake says those are his boys! Smokes whips Brad in, but Eli goes up and out!

Eli then goes up and over as Smokes runs in, then a somersault and hot tag to Mike! Mike ELBOWS Smokes, LARIATS Brad, and whips Smokes. Smokes reverses to CHOP! Smokes runs, but Mike FLYING UPPERCUTS! Mike goes to the corner, climbs up top, but Drake distracts the ref! Brad SHOVES Mike down! Tate protests, the fans boo, but Evolve goes to break.

Evolve returns as Smokes holds Mike back from Eli. Eli and Mike reach out, but Smokes ROCKS Mike! Smokes whips Mike to the corner, runs in, but is put on the apron! Mike staggers forward but Smokes SLINGSHOT SPEARS him down! Tag to Brad and he steps in for the SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Brad CLUBS away on Mike for it, then shouts, “V’s up!” The fans boo and Tate says V’s down! Brad drags Mike up and reels him into a COBRA TWIST! Mike endures, but Smokes and Brad link up! The fans boo, Tate points it out, and the ref reprimands Swipe Right! Drake argues with Tate for being a goody goody while Smokes tags in.

But Mike HIP TOSSES Brad away! Smokes hurries to reel Mike in, but Mike HIP TOSSES him, too! The fans fire up for Mike but Swipe Right stands in his way! Mike ducks the lariats to hot tag Eli! Eli springboards to DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK! Eli kips up and the fans fire up! Eli LARIATS Smokes, BOOTS Brad, then he wrenches Smokes’ arm for the facelock. Eli kicks off Brad to hit the TORNADO DDT on Smokes! The fans fire up with Eli and he gets moving! DOUBLE QUEBRADA! Cover, Smokes! Smokes survives and Drake is relieved, but Eli scoops to MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!

Eli is shocked and the fans boo, but Smokes survives. Eli powers up and brings Smokes to the drop zone. Eli goes up, up, SUPERMAN- NO, Smokes avoids the diving body press! Eli rolls through, and he SMACKS Brad! Smokes DROPKICKS Eli! Tag to Brad and feed to the lift! DROPKICK SPINEBUSTER COMBO! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Eli survive and Drake is frustrated. Brad rains down fists on Eli, then he tags Smokes back in. Smokes rains down fists of his own, then snarls as he drags Eli up. Tag to Brad and he scoops Eli while Smokes runs. But Mike trips Smokes! Eli cradles Brad, TWO!! Brad escapes, but the JUMP KNEE hits!

Eli tags Mike, then he dodges Brad! Mike BOOTS Brad, Eli GERMAN SUPLEXES, and Mike hits the FAMOUSER! #MainObjective! Cover, TWO!! Brad survives the string of attacks but Mike tags Eli back in. The fans rally up as Mike fireman’s carries and Eli climbs. But Smokes makes the save! Eli leaps over as Smokes POSTS Mike! Eli turns around but into Brad’s JUMP KNEE! Brad tags Smokes and they get Eli up. Scoop and SUPER SWIPE!! Cover, BUT MIKE BREAKS IT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! Drake is begging Eli to just give up if he knows what’s good for him. Eli and Smokes slap each other around, then stand up to throw hands!

The fans rally as Smokes SMACKS Eli, and Eli ROCKS Smokes! Smokes winds up to ROCK Eli, but Eli ROCKS Smokes! Eli then SOBATS, UPPERCUTS, but Smokes BACKHANDS! Tate admits, that was good. Eli goes to a corner, but he BOOTS Smokes away. Eli goes up, but Smokes jumps up to KNEE him! Smokes then climbs up, but Eli fights him off! Brad tags in and he joins them up top! But Eli DECKS Brad! Mike gets under Smokes for a fireman’s carry! Eli goes up and he uses Smokes and Mike as a platform to hit the SUPERMAN BODY PRESS!! Cover, SMOKES USES MIKE TO BREAK IT!

Drake is freaking out, but the fans know “This is Awesome!” Mike and Brad crawl outside, but then Mike goes up?! “MAIN MAN ENERGY!” FLYING UPPERCUT on Smokes! Brad is back in, and he suplexes for a GHOST BUSTER! Brad has Eli but Eli turns the suplex into a STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRE, and then a SLICE O’ KNIGHT! Eli builds speed and FLIES, but onto Mike!! Swipe Right avoided disaster, and now they swarm Eli! Eli DECKS Smokes, but Brad LARIATS Eli! Brad puts Eli in and he tags Smokes. Brad has the dragon sleeper, Smokes goes up, DOUBLE STOMP DDT COMBO!! Cover, Swipe Right wins!

Winners: Swipe Right, by pinfall

Eli and Mike brought the energy, but the momentum is all behind Swipe Right! Even Tate has to admit, they earned that one. Drake gets a mic to say, “Yep! Yep! Those’re my boys! Swipe Right with the W! Now listen, I don’t know if you guys have noticed or anything like that, but um, since last week, we’ve kinda been on a little bit of a roll. I mean, I’m still the champion. Those PC thugs are down bad crying somewhere. And most importantly, we carried the entire WWE ID Program on our shoulders last week!” The fans cheer, and Drake says they know he doesn’t mean to kill the vibe or anything like that… Smokes says they call him Heartbreak Drake for a reason.

Well, anyways, time to get down to brass tacks. As painful as this is for Drake to say, Drake does owe Cappuccino Jones a favor. So at Succession 2 in three weeks, Jones gets his shot at THE Evolve Championship! Brad & Smokes laugh, but that’s because Jones is light work. But wait, HARLEM LEWIS is here! And he says no, no, no. Drake, that’s not how this works. Lewis EARNED a title shot a couple weeks ago, so he DEMANDS his shot at Succession! Drake says hold on, that was Kam Hendrix’s deal, and you saw how that ended up last week, right? Lewis says well, he’ll just have to kick all three VP’s asses then.

Lewis storms to the ring, but BROOKS JENSEN attacks! The fans boo as the Lost Cause hammers away on Lewis! Jensen won’t let anyone cut in front of him! The fans boo but Jensen stomps and KICKS Lewis around! The Bad Man from Ala-Bam-Bam-Bama clearly thinks he’s higher in the pecking order, but will he regret getting in the way of the bad man from the Big Apple?

Arianna Grace & Nikkita Lyons are backstage.

The Pageant Queen isn’t sure, but she thinks she’s hallucinating. Big Kat Kita has a headache. She doesn’t know how much longer she can just be… nice! Arianna had to gouache her face for hours last night to get the fake smile out, and she might be stuck. She moves her jaw and it creaks. Lyons points out her acne returning from the stress, but then Masyn Holliday & Layla Diggs walk in. They’re very excited about how things have been going. They never thought they’d see the day where Grace & Lyons were nice to them. Lyons says it is their pleasure. Anything they need, just ask. Anything? Well, there’s one thing.

Do they mind switching lockers with them? Grace & Lyons have the bigger lockers, and they’re in a great location. Lyons shouts, “ENOUGH! Enough! Enough~!” Grace reminds Lyons about the omen but Lyons says no! They did that HEINOUS TikTok with Masyn & Layla, they posted it, and by the way, it did NOTHING for Lyons’ brand! But she is not giving up her Big Kat locker! Layla knew these two couldn’t be saved. Not even the psychic- Wait, what? They know about the psychic? Masyn says yeah, these two have no redeeming qualities, even when you scare the mess out of them.

Wait, wait, wait. That psychic… wasn’t real? Layla admits that no, that was just her chiropractor, Doris, she’s from Daytona. Grace is relieved, but Lyons says this is perfect. Because you’re gonna need chiropractors after Lyons breaks you in half! Well, fine! Masyn & Layla have tried it nice, they’ve tried it with a very, very elaborate plan, but have it your way. They’ll do this in the ring! See you next Wednesday. Masyn & Layla leave, Grace asks if they can just sue. But now that we know what’s really in store for the future, can Masyn & Layla humble Grace & Lyons directly? Or will the mean girls unleash the worst in themselves?

Team Performance Center are… in the Performance Center.

They’re quite literally working out their frustrations as Keanu Carver pushes the weight sled and Kam Hendrix does bicep curls. Kam grumbles about Tate Wilder and that crooked ref! Harley Riggins tells him that Kam was robbed last week! Keanu says the ID clowns always do something funny! Jax Presley says time to nuke Team ID! Braxton Cole says they need a new game plan. No more divided and conquer, no more 1v1. They just work as one and steamroll everyone in their way! Kam says that’s a great idea! Ten man tag, 5v5! Look at Team ID, look at Team PC! These five are fired up, but will it really be as easy as overwhelming with size and strength?

Aaron Rourke VS It’s Gal!

While Team ID was helping Sean Legacy with his burden, The Dime Piece confronted Mr. Mint Condition for not helping. Rourke isn’t about that kind of pride, so will he humble this big red meathead once and for all? Or will It’s Gal be the one standing tall?

Now Trill London has joined Tate in the VIP to watch this one. The bell rings, Rourke and Gal rush right up, and Gal goes for a leg! Rourke CLUBS away on Gal but Gal RAMS him into a corner! Rourke dodges a shot to fire hands, but Gal puts Rourke in the corner. Gal returns fire, then whips Rourke back into the corner. Rourke goes up and over, handsprings and DROPKICKS! Then Rourke RAMS into Gal again and again! Rourke rolls back, runs up, and RAMS Gal again! Rourke CLUBS Gal while the fans fire up. Rourke fires a body blow, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Rourke stops at 4, but Rourke comes back to CHOP! And CHOP! And CLUB!

Rourke stomps away on Gal again but the ref backs him off. Rourke storms up on Gal, but Gal ROCKS Rourke! Gal huffs ‘n’ puffs and knees low! Gal CLUBS Rourke, whips, but Rourke ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Gal tumbles out but Rourke builds speed! Rourke DIVES and down goes Gal! The fans fire up and Rourke gives Gal some SPANKS! The fans cheer, but Gal swings back! Rourke dodges and DECKS Gal! The ring count climbs but Gal ELBOWS Rourke! Gal SPANKS Rourke, SMACKS him off the apron, then whips him at the apron, only for Rourke to tiger feint and ROLLING ELBOW!

The fans fire up while Gal sputters and Rourke “kicks dirt” at him. Rourke puts Gal in the ring but Gal uses ropes as a defense. The ref keeps Rourke back, but then Rourke blocks the cheap shot! Gal swipes at Rourke but Rourke spins him and ROCKS him in the back! Rourke whips, Gal reverses, but Rourke tilt-o-whirls again, only for Gal to block it! Gal swings Rourke up to HOTSHOT him off the ropes! Then Gal runs, DISCUS LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Rourke survives the “Flexline,” but Gal says he is tanned and jacked, ready to attack! Gal sits Rourke up to BOOT him down! The fans boo but Gal flexes and grins.

Gal drags Rourke up, UPPERCUTS him, then talks more trash. Gal CHOPS Rourke, soaks up heat, and he drags Rourke up by his beard. But Rourke fires body shots and forearms! The fans rally as Rourke ROCKS Gal, but Gal SHOVES Rourke away! Rourke comes back, but Gal pops him up to THROW him away! And then BOOT him down! Cover, TWO! Rourke survives but Gal grows frustrated. Gal drags Rourke up, talks trash, but Rourke pulls Gal’s beard to tell him shut up! But Gal BACKDROPS Rourke! Rourke sunset flips, Gal flexes, but Rourke avoids the fist drop! And then UP KICKS! Rourke kips up to LARIAT!

Rourke ELBOWS Gal, SUPERKICKS him down, then takes aim from a corner. Rourke runs corner to corner, but Gal gets up for a DOUBLE LARIAT! Rourke staggers back, Gal hops up the corner, but Rourke runs up for a STRATUSPHERE! The fans fire up as Gal flounders to the far corner. Rourke says kiss this! Rourke runs in, HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Gal survives and the fans can’t believe it! Rourke waits on Gal to get up, then fireman’s carries! But Gal pulls the beard to get free! Gal shoves Rourke, Rourke ELBOWS Gal, then Rourke goes up! CROSSBODY, but into Gal’s arms! Gal fireman’s carries for a GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Rourke survives, and both Tate and Trill cheer Rourke on. Gal is frustrated as he tells the fans to shut up. Gal fireman’s carries, then he drops Rourke on the top rope! Gal climbs up, brings Rourke to the top, and fireman’s carries, only for Rourke to SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Rourke then skins the cat and takes aim, OVER THE RAINBOW SEATED SENTON! Cover, Rourke wins!

Winner: Aaron Rourke, by pinfall

It was put up or shot up, and “Big Daddy Red” is pretty quiet now. Will this win help The Dime Piece head for some gold?

Chuey Martinez meanwhile goes to the VIP Lounge to talk with Tate and Trill. They gonna be hanging out for the whole show? Tate says he just wanted to check on the ID talent, and he talks with Trill as he admits, ID’s got something going on. Trill says facts. Chuey brings up how Tate helped the ref last week, but Tate says he wasn’t gonna stand by and watch that injustice. Team PC breaks all the rules and does whatever they want! It’s time someone stands up and ends the chaos! Trill says yeah, a lot of bad stuff going on. Trill & Tate head out, will they show everyone how to do things the right way?

Tyra Mae Steele speaks.

The Olympic Gold Medalist says, “I dipped my toe in the Evolve water, and now it’s time to make it my own! In 2020, I captured gold in the Tokyo Olympics. And with that same grit, drive, and determination, I’m gonna make it to the top of Evolve. In 2026, I’m going to be the Evolve Women’s Champion!” Who will be next to test Steele’s iron will on her road to the top?

Wendy Choo talks with Kali Armstrong.

Wendy is careful as she says hi. She knows they don’t really know each other, but Wendy heard Kali talking down on herself, so Wendy just thought there was something- Kali says get to the point. Wendy says she knows that therapy was a great start for her to figure herself out, so maybe it could help Kali? Kali nods as she thinks on that, then she gives Wendy a BODY BLOW! Kali says this is all the therapy she needs. Kali storms off while Wendy frowns. Not everyone wants help, but will Wendy have to show Kali what she needs to get out of her slump?

WWE Evolve Women’s Championship: Kendal Grey VS Karmen Petrovic!

Just as the WrenQCC said, the Women’s Division is stacked, and that means there is a line of contenders out the door. The Ice Woman enjoys the grind, but will she end up Petrofied tonight? Or can she prove no one survives the Grey Area?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who heads for Succession as the champion!

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Kendal waistlocks. Karmen bucks the O’Conner and the fans applaud. The two reset, Kendal waistlocks, but Karmen throws her away. Kendal comes back but Karmen sweeps the leg to cover, ONE! Kendal sweeps to cover, ONE! Karmen sweeps the legs with a kick to cover, ONE! The fans cheer the standoff! Kendal and Karmen reset again, and Karmen tests the waters by showing kick. They tie up again, Kendal grabs an arm and wrenches to wristlock. Karmen high kicks to step over, then she whips Kendal to a corner. Karmen ELBOWS Kendal, snapmares, and runs up to BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Kendal stays in this, but Karmen clamps onto the arm. The fans rally and duel while Karmen wrenches the arm. Kendal rolls and handsprings up to wrench and fireman’s carry takeover! The fans cheer while Kendal has Karmen in an armlock. Karmen fights around, fights up, but Kendal whips her to a corner. Kendal runs up, Karmen dodges, but Kendal ROCKS her! Kendal goes up, over, and out to then slide under and get moving! Kendal redirects Karmen, trips her up, and basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Karmen toughs it out but Kendal facelocks. Kendal whips Karmen to a corner, but Karmen goes up to JUMP SOBAT!

Karmen runs and BULLDOGS Kendal down! The fans cheer while Kendal bails out, and Evolve goes to break.

Evolve returns again as Kendal rolls Karmen up, TWO! Karmen leg scissor cradles, TWO! Karmen ducks a shot but Kendal ducks a kick! Both women run, and DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while both women are down! Karmen and Kendal crawl to opposite ends, then drag themselves up with ropes. The fans rally again as Kendal runs up and UPPERCUTS at the ropes! Kendal runs again, but Karmen follows to ROCK her! Karmen runs, but Kendal follows to UPPERCUT! The fans cheer as they go again and Karmen KNEES low! Karmen runs, but Kendal UPPERCUTS one more time!

Kendal gets moving, but Karmen KNEES her again! Then Karmen fakes Kendal out to trip her and have the legs! Karmen uses what Nattie taught her in the SHARPSHOOTER! Kendal endures while the fans fire up! Kendal reaches out but Karmen sits deep! Wren coaches Kendal and Kendal fights her way forward. Kendal struggles, but she pushes up so she can reach out, but Karmen drags her back to center! The fans rally harder as Kendal pushes up again! Kendal digs in and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Karmen lets go in frustration. Wren coaches Kendal up while Karmen storms back after her.

Karmen drags Kendal up, but Kendal hits the ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! The fans fire up again as Karmen endures and fights around! Kendal pries at the grip but Karmen stacks her, TWO! Both women run up, and Kendal POP-UP POWERBOMBS! High stack, TWO!! Karmen survives and Kendal is shocked! Kendal drags Karmen up, fireman’s carries, but Karmen fights free. Karmen waistlocks but Kendal fires elbows. Kendal goes up, up, and leaps, but into a SUPERKICK! Karmen then reels Kendal in for the TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Karmen is shocked now as Kendal survives! The fans fire up for “Women’s Wrestling!”

Karmen huffs ‘n’ puffs and gets the legs. Kendal stops the step through this time, and she BOOTS Karmen outta the ring! Karmen hurries back up as Kendal runs in, and Karmen ROUNDHOUSES Kendal down! Karmen goes up, but Kendal leaps up to get her! SUPER BELLY2BELLY! Karmen staggers around, into the SHADES OF GREY! Cover, Kendal wins!

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

Karmen got caught and Grey stays golden! Wren celebrates with her friend and teammate, but PJ VASA is here! And she has a mic to tell Kendal, “Hey, hey, hey, Kendal Grey! Come getcho issue! At Succession 2!!” The fans like the sound of that! Kendal says bring it! March 4th marks the next chapter for Evolve, but will that include a new champion? Or will Kendal stay undefeated as Evolve Women’s Champion?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode for Evolve, especially as we build towards the “season one finale” and then Succession 2 as the “season two premiere.” Swipe Right VS Mike & Eli was an awesome tag match, on the level of what you’d get for NXT or even main roster, but I figured Swipe Right would find a way to win. Mike’s new “Main Man” gimmick is clearly because there can’t be two cowboys and Tate Wilder has dibs on that gimmick. Harlem Lewis rightfully points out he won a title opportunity, but then Jensen seems to have already become Mr. Succession doing the major side story match. Jensen VS Lewis will be great, and will help Lewis be strong going into his own title match.

Drake VS Jones is going to be great, too, especially as a showdown between Evolve Champion and WWE ID Champion (and Jones is certainly still WWE ID Champion or they would’ve told us otherwise). It’d be kinda wild if Jones also becomes the first-ever Evolve & ID Champion, but something needs to happen where Drake is no longer Evolve Champion now that he’s on NXT. Rourke VS Gal was good stuff, and Rourke gets a great win for it. Good promo from Tate & Trill to put themselves forward as Faces against Team PC. Good promo from Team PC to set up a 5v5, that could probably be put on the season finale or even Succession.

Very good promo from Lyons, Grace, Masyn & Layla, and I knew they were gonna break the Heels. They’ll have a very good tag match, and I would think the Faces win since Layla & Masyn both lost before this point. Kali and Wendy had a good promo for it being so quick. I figured Kali would react that way when talking about therapy, and she’ll have a great match with Wendy. And great main event from Kendal and Karmen. Kendal of course won out, it’s a much bigger deal for her to lose that title at Succession. I feel like PJ should win at Succession to carry the title as the new Heel champion, with faces like Tyra Mae Steele chasing her.

My Score: 8.7/10