It’s Heartbreak Drake’s Curtain Call!

Jackson Drake is undefeated as WWE Evolve Champion, but win, lose, or draw, he must give it up! Will the Carolina Reaper survive his Final Evolution?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kam Hendrix w/ Harley Riggins VS Dante Chen; Kam wins.
• Laynie Luck VS Zena Sterling; Laynie wins.
• WWE Evolve Championship Final Evolution: Jackson Drake w/ Swipe Right VS Aaron Rourke; Rourke wins and becomes the new WWE Evolve Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Vanity Project is in the dorm.

Jackson Drake tells Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes that he doesn’t know about them, but it feels like the Vanity Project was formed only just yesterday. Smokes says since day one, they immediately shook this place. Brad agrees, they literally locked everyone down. Dr. Thirst, the first and only champ for 287 DAYS! Every challenger that’s stepped to Drake, he’s knocked them down. Lince Dorado, beat ’em. Sean Legacy, beat ’em. Even Kam Hendrix and the athlete cronies. They’ve even started taking over NXT! Nothing has changed: Vanity Project runs Evolve. He is the first, only, and longest-reigning Evolve Champion. It’s not just a slogan, VP runs Evolve! Literally no lies.

But if Timothy Thatcher wants a final evaluation of Drake, fine. He’ll give Thatcher something to evaluate when he destroys Aaron Rourke again, and cements himself and Vanity Project as the foundation of Evolve and the future of WWE. V’s up! These three still have egos even as they’re on the way out, but will the Dime Piece make sure to give them a proper parting gift?

Kam Hendrix w/ Harley Riggins VS Dante Chen!

Speaking of those “athlete cronies,” it’s time for Mr. Showtime to back up his talk with actions. Will he make sure it is Lights, Kam-era, Action? Or will the Singapore Warrior show Kam he still needs to level up?

The bell rings and the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Kam finds a point of leverage to push Dante to the corner. The ref counts, Kam gets in Dante’s face, but Dante pushes him back. They tie up, Kam arm-drags, but Dante gets up fast. Kam hits his pose to taunt Dante, but Dante storms up. They tie up, Kam wrenches and wristlocks, then UPPERCUTS and CLUBS and RAMS the arm. Kam puts on pressure but Dante powers up and whips him to ropes. Kam reverses, but Dante stops himself, avoiding the arm-drag. Dante then copies Kam’s pose to taunt him! Then fans cheer but Kam gets mad! Kam runs up but Dante dodges!

Dante arm-drags Kam, and arm-drags again! And again! And again! The fans fire up as Dante just keeps going, he’s an arm-drag machine! TEN ARM-DRAGS?! The fans fire up as Kam bails out! Harley checks on Kam, coaches him up, but Dante storms out there. Harley gets in the way, Dante pushes him aside, but Kam sucker punches Dante! And POSTS him! The fans boo but Harley taunts Dante. Kam waits in the ring while the count climbs. Dante stands at 5 of 10, staggers around, and he rolls in at 7. Kam stomps away and CLUBS Dante at the ropes. Kam then wrenches, mule kicks, and knee lifts! Then he LARIATS in the corner! And LARIATS again!

Kam keeps moving, and he SOMERSAULT LARIATS Dante down! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Dante toughs it out, but Kam clamps on with a chinlock. Kam grinds Dante down, but Dante endures as the fans rally. Dante fights around, the fans cheer him on, even as Harley tries to get a chant for Kam going. Dante rises up, wrenches free, but Kam CLUBS him on the back! Kam sends Dante to the corner, runs corner to corner, but Dante dodges the somersault to GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up while both men are down! Kam and Dante stand, and Dante counter punches Kam! Dante fires palm strikes and ROCKS Kam!

Dante whips, Kam reverses, but Dante BOOTS Kam down! And LARIATS! The fans fire up with Dante and he ELBOWS, BACKHANDS, and UPPERCUTS! Then SUPERKICK! The fans fire up again and Dante runs to LARIAT Kam up and out! Kam hits the floor, but Dante DIVES onto him! Direct hit on Kam and Harley freaks out! Dante puts Kam back in, aims from the corner, and springboards to FLYING RIDGEHAND CHOP! Dante roars and the fans are with him! Dante powers up as Kam rises, but Harley runs in! GENTLE TOUCH for Harley! SHOWTIME KICK for Kam, then the URENAGE! Cover, Kam wins!

Winner: Kam Hendrix, by pinfall

Give Harley the assist for defending his quarterback, Dante could not stop the touchdown! Kam then mockingly asks where Tate Wilder went. Harley calls him “Tater Tot!” They’ll break him in half next time they see him! The arrogance of “Team PC” is getting out of hand, will The Modern Day Cowboy finally find a way to humble them?

Timothy Thatcher is in his office.

And it’s a bit of a mess… The Foreman of Evolve has his helmet, his toolbox, his landline rotary phone… and why did he take the shade off his lamp? There’s balled up paper and a lot of broken pencils all over the place, too. Thatcher looks to the camera to say, “Things are always evolving. And being the Foreman, a lot of issues that come across my desk that you deserve to be updated on. I’m gonna leave the vacant Women’s Championship until next week, but I do have exciting news. Brand new talent from North America and Europe has been found. The contracts are currently being signed, so in two weeks, we’ll have an Evolve special that will showcase these European talents, and brand new WWE ID prospects.”

But then It’s Gal steps in and asks, “Hey, dummy! What about It’s Gal?” Thatcher just throws a paper ball at him. Thatcher asks to try that again. Gal calms down, and politely asks Mr. Foreman, it is all about It’s Gal! What about him? Take a peek at these peaks! Thatcher says Gal wants attention. Oh, yeah! Then in two weeks, he’s on the special Evolve card. Gal loves it! Good. Now see yourself out. Gal leaves, pumping himself up. Thatcher says he’s gonna need to put a lock on that door. But what bright new faces are going to join this ever-evolving roster?

Braxton Cole speaks

“‘The educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living differ from the dead.’ Aristotle, 384 BC. Now that is an interesting concept to ponder. Actually, my Ivy League intellect is what makes me truly different from the uneducated deadweight around here. Ah, excuse me, where are my manners? I’m Braxton Cole, the Epitome of Privilege, the Eclectic of Excellence. A top-of-the-class Brown University graduate and an all-league defensive end football player. And what sets me apart from these one-dimensional athletes is that I am the perfect conglomeration of brains and brawn. Now while they’re working hard, I am working smart.

“And pretty soon, when I’m at the top of the class in Evolve, you will all see why I am straight A’s in every way. Now begone, you’re taking up my precious oxygen, and I need to get my mental work.” Braxton sure thinks he’s Evolve’s valedictorian, but will he really ace every test in that ring?

Laynie Luck VS Zena Sterling!

The WWE ID Women’s Champion is ready to Evolve, but so is the Ukrainian Paradox! Will Zena prove she’s not just a pretty face, but championship material? Or will she run out of luck going up against Laynie?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. Laynie and Zena tie up, go around, and they end up on the ropes, then in a corner. Zena powers Laynie back, but stops as the ref counts. Zena then headlocks and grinds the hold. Zena snapmares Laynie, but Laynie bridges up to snapmare back! Zena bridges up to snapmare again, but so does Laynie, only for Zena to roll Laynie to a cover, ONE! Laynie trips and covers, ONE! Zena trips and covers, ONE! The two stand, Laynie rolls Zena but Zena rolls through! Both women kip up, Zena ducks a roundhouse but Laynie dodegs a lariat! They RAM shoulders and the fans cheer!

Laynie and Zena nod and shake hands in respect. The fans rally up, the two tie up, but Zena wrenches an arm. Laynie endures but Zena throws her down by her hair! The ref reprimands but Zena keeps on the grind. Laynie fights up, whips Zena away, but Zena RUNS her over! Zena does a little dance then keeps moving, but Laynie drops down. Zena hits a fireman’s carry takeover, then another! Zena wrenches and whips but Laynie reverses. Laynie runs up but Zena dodges to waistlock and O’Conner Roll! TWO and Laynie sends Zena into buckles! Zena staggers back, into the UP KICK! The fans rally as Laynie rises, and she storms up on Zena in the corner.

Laynie fires KNEE after KNEE, then sends Zena to the apron. Zena holds onto ropes, but Laynie avoid the shoulder thrust! Laynie DRAPING CODE BREAKERS and Zena falls to the apron. Laynie slingshots to DOUBLE STOMP, then she has Zena in the ring for the SHORT HOP FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Zena is still in this but Laynie stays on her with an armlock. Zena endures, the fans rally up, and Zena fights up. Zena fires body shots, shoves Laynie away, but Laynie comes back! Zena gets under to hit a BIG back suplex! Both women are down and the fans rally up. Zena and Laynie meet at center, and they start throwing hands!

The fans rally as the shots go back and forth! Zena then blocks a shot to ROCK Laynie, CHOP Laynie, and repeat! Zena whips, Laynie reverses, but Zena reverses back for a REVERSE DDT! Cover, TWO! Zena is stunned but the fans fire up as Laynie survives! Zena clamps onto Laynie, drags her up and fireman’s carries, but Laynie fights free! Laynie SOBATS, then fireman’s carries for a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, Laynie wins!

Winner: Laynie Luck, by pinfall

Her first win on Evolve is a big win on Evolve! Will Laynie turn her luck around and get TURNT?

Lince Dorado speaks.

The Golden Lynx says, “Another purr-fect day here at the PC. Huricanranas, h-” But then Mike Cunningham hurries to catch up to Lince, “mi amigo!” Sunglasses off, Mike just wants to say that to be able to train with a cat like Lince, he remembers growing up watching Lince in the Cruiserweight Classic! And now look at ’em, here at the PC just choppin’ it up! Plus, catch the vibe! Lucha Lit is basically Main Man Energy while throwing a mask on! No, it’s not just “throwing a mask on.” There’s more to that, gatito. He’s got much to learn, but they’ll get to that later.

Lince turns to go but Mike says hold on, hold on! Mike and Lince, 1v1, that’d be a killer learning experience. Plus, we can see how many lives Lince’s got left. Main Man VS Lucha Lit? Well, that sounds purr-fect. But Lince will teach Mike something now. When you’re in the ring with Lince Dorado, you won’t be the Main Man, you’ll just be the next man. Lince heads out, and Mike says nice. Sunglasses back on. Main Man Mike thinks he’s ready for this fiesta, but will he need a siesta after going up against Lince?

Cappuccino Jones is here!

The fans cheer, and even toast with their coffee cups, because the pot is hot. Jones goes to the ring, and he gets the mic to say, “Yo, the pot IS hot tonight! I know y’all like that. And it’s gonna be a crazy rush when Aaron Rourke walks out the NEW WWE Evolve Champion.” The fans cheer that! Jones says Dime Piece, for real, you’ve got all their support! Let’s take it home! The fans cheer that, too! But Jones says for real, before the main event goes down, there has been something that’s been brewing for weeks. Brooks Jensen, Jones is calling you out! Jensen is a student of the game, he can remember matches from the 80s, 90s, and even early 2000s.

But what Jensen doesn’t remember is Jones beating Jensen in that gauntlet match! Clock it! And one thing Jensen brings up is beating Jones with one arm tied behind Jones’ back. Here’s the thing, Jensen, this ain’t about Team ID VS Team PC, that’s over with. This is personal now. This is about Jones whooping that ass! Next week- Well, Jensen interrupts! Jensen says “Personal? Personal? Personal?! Cappuccino Jones, you just made the biggest mistake of your life! You wanna make it personal with the Bad Man that hails from Ala-Bam-Bam-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAMA, the so be it! You didn’t just call me out, you just ended your own career!”

Jones and Jensen are at a boiling point, but who’s about to get burned?

Backstage interview with Luca Crusifino.

Chuey Martinez is with the former Consigliere, and Chuey isn’t sure about the secret handshake yet. Luca says just put up two fingers, touch, then they make the heart hand, then hold hands. Luca slides a friendship bracelet onto Chuey’s wrist, and says that is his gift to him. Chuey thanks Luca for that and welcomes him back to Evolve. How is he feeling? Luca says he is too blessed to express, the whole place is bouncing, and the stars from all over the world are shining here! Just look at Kendal Grey and Sean Legacy, they figured it out under these lights, and now get to shine under the lights of NXT. That is truly peak inspiration.

Luca is about to loop it all back, and the whole crowd will be rolling with the Life of the Party as he cruises his way through. Chuey loves it. But will the party be a distraction? Luca gets how an outsider might think the priorities are mixed up, upside-down, helter skelter, but he can assure us that inside, “Crus” figured it out. When his energy is vibrating with love, connection and fun, that he is at his most effective, and at his most dangerous. He’ll put it this way: His flow state is his go state. Wow. Seems Luca’s done the internal work. Yeah, it’s all #PLUR. Chuey knows PLUR, right? For those who don’t, it is Peace, Love, Unity & Respect.

PLUR is a staple of the rave community, values that we just don’t have in Evolve. It’s all big egos, insecurities, and guys like Kam & Harley, all vibe killers. We need someone to shine the light, and Luca knows who: Luca Crusifino! And this is just the build. Wait for the beat to drop. They fist bump and beatbox, but will Luca get the crowd jumping for his new rhythm?

WWE Evolve Championship Final Evolution: Jackson Drake w/ Swipe Right VS Aaron Rourke!

As Vanity Project said themselves, it has been 287 DAYS of the Vanity Project’s reign of terror in Evolve. But as with Kendal Grey, Jackson Drake has reached the end of his journey in Evolve. Will the Carolina Reaper survive even to the end? Or will the Dime Piece be the one to break Heartbreak Drake?

The introductions are made, the title is raised, and win, lose or draw, Drake faces his Final Evolution!

The bell rings and the fans rally for “DIME PIECE! DIME PIECE!” And in the VIP Lounge, it is Main Man Mike, Sam Holloway, and Jha’quan McNair. Rourke and Drake tie up, Rourke wrenches and wristlocks, but Drake spins through to wrench back. Drake wristlocks but Rourke rolls, kips up, and rolls Drake up, TWO! Drake runs up, but into another roll-up, with a bridge! TWO, Rourke dodges and tilt-o-whirls to roll Drake again, TWO! Drake BOOTS Rourke down and snarls. The fans boo but Drake back suplexes, only for Rourke to land out! The fans fire up, Drake snarls again, but Rourke DROPKICKS him outta the ring! The fans fire up while Evolve goes to break.

Evolve returns as Drake runs up, but into a CHOP! And another CHOP! Drake dodges the third, but Rourke wrenches to JAWBREAKER then NECKBREAKER! Rourke keeps after Drake with the BIG back suplex! The fans fire up while Rourke runs, but Swipe Right is in the way! The fans boo, but Drake RAMS Rourke low, snapmares, and shows punch, only for Rourke to headscissor! Drake endures the squeeze, fights around, and pops free to then headlock back. But Rourke headscissors again! The fans rally and Rourke CHOPS Drake! Drake scuffs Rourke, then moves around to turn Rourke over. Drake bridges and rolls through to a HALF CRAB!

The fans rally for Rourke as he endures, but Drake stomps away on him! The fans boo but Drake lets off to soak up that heat. Rourke goes to ropes but Drake is on him. Drake CLUBS Rourke, Rourke CHOPS Drake, but Drake BOOTS Rourke down! Drake KNEE DROPS, then he pushes to a cover, TWO! Drake argues the count but Rourke is just tougher than that. Drake wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Cover, TWO! Drake again argues the count, then floats to a headlock. Drake puts on the pressure, almost making it a Bully Choke, but Rourke fights up. Rourke fires body shots, then RAMS Drake into a corner!

The fans rally as Rourke backs away, then runs back in, but into a BOOT! Drake goes up, but Rourke goes up! Drake SHOVES Rourke down, no Stratusfaction here! Drake then DOUBLE STOMPS Rourke down! The fans boo but Drake drags Rourke up for a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Rourke survives and the fans fire up! Drake is annoyed but he brushes that off to slap Rourke around. The fans rally for Rourke as Drake THROWS him into buckles! Rourke is down but Drake soaks up heat. Drake drags Rourke up, slaps him around, then climbs up to rain down fists! Swipe Right counts for Drake but no one else does. 6 7~!

But then Rourke stops the rest! And he YANKS Drake into buckles! Drake wobbles, Rourke tiger feint kicks the legs out! Drake hits buckles while the fans fire up! Then Rourke runs up to LARIAT! And ELBOW! And LEG LARIAT! Drake sputters, Rourke reels him in, but Drake elbows free! Rourke ducks the lariat to then SUPERKICK! And GERMAN SUPLEX! Drake tumbles to a corner while the fans fire up again. Rourke kips up and roars! The fans are with him as he runs up on Drake, but Drake ELBOWS him away! Drake goes up, but Rourke gets STRATUSFACTION! The fans cheer that, and then Rourke cartwheels to serve SOLE FOOD! Cover, TWO!!

Swipe Right is relieved as Drake survives, but the fans continue to rally behind “DIME PIECE! DIME PIECE!” Rourke runs corner to corner, but Drake catches him first! GERMAN SUPLEX into buckles! Drake then runs in, but Rourke manages to URENAGE! Drake is down, Rourke goes up, TWISTING VADER! Cover, TWO! Drake survives but the fans continue to rally for Rourke. Drake rolls to the apron, Rourke crawls over to join him, and they both stand. Rourke CLUBS Drake, but Drake CHOPS Rourke! Rourke CHOPS, Drake CHOPS, repeat! The fans “WOO~’ while the CHOPS keep going! But then Drake throat chops!

The fans boo but Drake reels Rourke in! SUPLEX TO THE FLOOR! A rough landing for both men but the fans cheer “EVOLVE! EVOLVE!” for this main event, even as Evolve goes to break.

Evolve returns again as the ring count is climbing! Rourke stands at 9, and rolls in at 9.9! The fans cheer as Rourke survives, but Vanity Project is furious! Drake tastes his own blood from perhaps a cut lip or bit cheek. Drake storms up on Rourke, KICKS him in the chest, then KICKS him again! Drake talks trash, saying all those doubters were right! But Rourke UP KICKS Drake! Drake runs up but Rourke grabs a leg, trips Drake, and spins into the HALF CRAB! And it is deep! Drake endures, but Rourke gives those stomps back from before! Rourke goes to a corner, and he says he WILL be champion! Cartwheel and- NO, Drake scoops to GHOST BUSTER!

Drake runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, ONE?!? Rourke shocks Drake and the fans are thunderous! Then Rourke POP-UP POWERBOMBS! High stack, TWO!! Rourke is frustrated, but the fans rally behind him again. Rourke watches Drake crawl, stalks him to the ropes, and he CLUBS away on Drake’s back! The ref counts, Drake winds up, but he elbows the ref away! Even Drake is surprised that happened, but Rourke ROUNDHOUSES him! Drake is down, but Swipe Right rushes the ring! The fans boo as they scoop Rourke for the SUPER SWIPE!! The fans boo as Drake covers, TWO?!?! Rourke survives and no one can believe it!

Drake is at a loss for words, Swipe Right is beside themselves, but Rourke rises up! Drake runs up, but Rourke DUMPS him onto Swipe Right! The fans fire up as Rourke now goes up top! Vanity Project regroups, but the ASAI MOONSAULT takes them down! No, Drake got out of the way! Rourke hurries after him, but the PENALTY KICK finds him! Then a torture rack for the BURNING HAMMER! Drake builds speed, UNALIVING!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Rourke still lives and NOW no one knows what to think! Rourke rolls to a corner while Drake is furious! Drake runs in, but Rourke dodges! Rourke runs up, but into a BOOT, and ENZIGIRI!

Drake goes up, up, and leaps, but into a SPEAR?!? Rourke goes up the corner while the fans are thunderous! CLOUD NINE SEATED SENTON!! ROURKE WINS!!

Winner: Aaron Rourke, by pinfall (NEW WWE Evolve Champion)

Even the Dime Piece has to double check! And yes, he DID accomplish the dream! He has gold in WWE, and is only the second-ever WWE Evolve Men’s Champion! The fans chant “You Deserve It!” and the roster hurries out here to celebrate! Well, Mike gets a little rambunctious and causes Rourke to drop the belt. Mike apologizes and brings the belt back. We are truly in a new era for the purple ‘n’ silver, will Rourke only shine brighter now that he has the gold? And as for Vanity Project, they all move on from Evolve, will Drake just have to rebuild from the ground up in NXT?

My Thoughts:

A great Evolve, and they’ve already started building for what’s next. Very good match from Kam VS Dante, but of course Kam won thanks to Harley’s help. Them calling out Tate, I almost thought he would show up, but maybe that’s next week. Very good promo from Thatcher, I like this character of his where he doesn’t “get” technology. New prospects coming in sounds fun, can’t wait to see who WWE found. And for that matter, can’t wait to see who beats It’s Gal and how. Good promo from Jones and Jensen to set up their match for next week, that’ll be good stuff. Very good promo from Luca and Chuey, but uh, I still don’t dig Luca’s new gimmick. Again, it’s just what they did to Big Body Javi, but instead of emo rock, it’s rave techno pop.

Good match from Laynie VS Zena, very good win for Laynie, and with the Evolve Women’s Championship vacated, I hope Laynie can play a big part in whatever kind of match/match series they give us. Good promo from Braxton Cole to explore his Ivy League character, but the character itself is almost as cheesy as raver Luca. Good promo from Mike Cunningham with Lince Dorado. “Main Man Mike” is working better as a new gimmick because it feels more genuine than the others. Good promo from Vanity Project to hype up the main event, and that was a great match, maybe one of Evolve’s best. I am very glad to see they had Drake lose here. Drake needed the humbling, and this is a great spot for Rourke.

The very last bit with Mike “accidentally” sending the belt flying was a bit clunky and unnecessary. Unless it all builds to a reveal that Mike’s been passive aggressive and fake Face given that snub in Sean Legacy’s speech. Well, even then, it was really weird for them to do that and not just let everyone enjoy Rourke’s win. Have Mike be passive aggressive some other time so we can really stew on it.

My Score: 8.8/10