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Welcome to PWInsider.com’s coverage of WWE EVOLVE: Succession, which aired on Tubi earlier tonight, Wednesday, 10/15.
The special opened with a look back at EVOLVE’s early beginnings, featuring clips of current WWE talents appearing for the promotion when they were young, and Paul Heyman commenting that the promotion was “the future.” They then showed clips of WWE EVOLVE’s run over the last year, noting the competitors were “steps away from NXT.” The show previewed the matches slated for Succession.
The commentary team was Blake Howard and Robert Stone.
They ran a video package previewing the EVOLVE Men’s Championship bout.
WWE Men’s EVOLVE Champion Jackson Drake (with The Vanity Project) vs. Bryce Donovan
Drake slapped Donovan at the bell, leading to the challenger exploding with a Black Hole Slam for a two count. Drake was manhandled early on. Donovan nailed a flapjack and delivered hard shots across the chest.
The Vanity Project tried to get on the apron but were laid out by Donovan. Zayda Steel exchanged words with the challenger, allowing Drake to attack him from behind. Keanu Carver tried to make his way to the ring but was held back by security.
During a commercial break, they promoted NXT Halloween Havoc.
When they returned, Drake worked over Donovan, locking in a single-leg crab. Donovan made it to the ropes, but when the move was broken, he went after The Vanity Project. That allowed Drake to attack and continue the assault. Donovan came back with a big boot to the face. He sidestepped a charge, causing Drake to crash into the turnbuckles, then backdropped him over. Donovan nailed a leaping clothesline and then a big powerbomb. He followed with a forearm smash for a two count.
They battled to the floor, where Donovan missed a charge and hit the ring steps. Drake focused on his knee, attacking it. He came off the ropes with a swanton to the knees, scoring a two count. Donovan battled back, and they slugged it out. Jackson avoided a chokeslam and nailed a kick to the face. Donovan grabbed him for a big chokeslam for a close two count, but the champion got his foot across the ropes.
Drake attacked the back of his knee and hit a series of running knees for the pin.
Your winner and still champion: Jackson Drake!
Good match. They worked hard. Drake and The Vanity Project are a great heel act—just brash young jerks. Donovan looked good but young. As he matures, I expect he’ll develop even more presence.
GM Stevie Turner was on the phone with someone from AAA, saying they appreciated the talent agreement and looked forward to having someone appear on the show. Big Jah, a YouTube personality, arrived. Turner said she was happy to have a celebrity like him on the show, and they went to watch the rest of the special together.
They ran a video feature on Adrenaline Drip.
Chuey Martinez spoke with Layla Diggs and Masyn Holliday backstage about tonight’s show. Wendy Choo was asked about the Women’s bout, but Chantel Monroe walked in and mocked her before leaving. Choo said, “AJ Lee said therapy works,” and walked off.
Brooks Jensen vs. Tate Wilder – Bullrope Match
There is no escape, and the match must end by pinfall or submission.
They battled over possession of the bullrope, which had a cowbell in the center. Wilder used the bullrope to trip up Jensen. He missed a strike in the corner, allowing Jensen to clean house. The bullrope ended up between Jensen’s legs, crotching him. He tried to walk out but was still attached to the bullrope. They had a tug of war, which Wilder snapped into the ropes as they went to commercial.
When they returned, Jensen was mauling Wilder against the ropes. Jensen came off the ropes with a knee for a two count. He pulled the rope into Wilder’s mouth, trying to force a submission. Wilder attempted to reach the cowbell and used it to drill Jensen but was nailed back to the mat. Jensen whipped him across the back with the bullrope.
Wilder absorbed it and fought back with right hands. He whipped Jensen across the back and gave him a beating with the bullrope. He nailed a suplex and hit a standing moonsault press for a two count. They battled back and forth. Wilder nailed a kick and then went to the ropes. He springboarded off but was whipped with the bullrope as he sailed through the air.
Jensen went to the ropes but was pulled off and hit with a powerbomb. Wilder came off the top with a moonsault and scored the pin.
Your winner: Tate Wilder!
Each man shined in his role. Wilder came off well as the babyface cowboy. Jensen was a good heel here.
They aired a video feature on the WWE ID program, revealing that a new class of prospects will be announced soon on WWE EVOLVE.
They aired a video preview for the main event. Kali Armstrong came off as the biggest star with the best swagger of anyone on the show thus far, by far.
Backstage, Big Jah suggested Sean Legacy vs. Edris Enofe for next week. Stevie Turner suggested he be Guest GM next week.
WWE Women’s EVOLVE Champion Kali Armstrong vs. Kendal Grey
Real physical match early on. It felt like it was a fight, not a performance. Good intensity in the early moments. Grey kicked away at Armstrong in the corner. She went for a cross armbreaker and wrestled as if it was important she scored a win. Armstrong cut her off in the corner and went for a slam but Grey escaped and shoved her off. She evaded several attacks and nailed a dropkick.
Armstrong went to the floor but Grey hit the top rope and hit a Hiroshi Tanahashi style splash to the floor. They battled to the apron with Armstrong sent into the ring. Armstrong knocked her to the floor, then drove her backwards into the canvas. Armstrong looked great as a heel here.
When they returned from the commercial, Armstrong maintained control and glowered at Grey. Grey battled back but was slammed face-first to the mat for another two count. Armstrong wore her down on the mat. The crowd chanted, “This is awesome.” Grey fought to escape the side headlock but was kneed in the gut and driven back to the mat. Armstrong wouldn’t give her a quarter but Grey battled her way out of the corner and nailed several clotheslines.
The crowd chanted for Kendall as she tripped up the champ and nailed a double stomp. They battled to the top with Armstrong going for a German superplex. Armstrong was knocked into the ring. Kendall nailed a great moonsault for a two count. Armstrong battered her but was nailed with a superkick. Armstrong caught her and nailed an over the shoulder powerslam for another two count.
They continued to battle. Kali nailed a big superplex and hustled to pin the challenger but Grey kicked out, shocking the champion. They battled back and forth. Armstrong went for a powerslam but Grey reversed it into an inside cradle for a two count. Armstrong charged but was caught with a snap powerslam and pinned. New champ!
Your winner and new WWE Women’s EVOLVE Champion, Kendall Grey!
This was an excellent match and both came off as stars. If they don’t make a dent on the main roster one day, something truly unforeseen and stupid will have happened.
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