WWE Evolve Review 09.03.25

Didn’t I start off my morning reviewing something? Why am I back on my couch, with my laptop on my actual lap, like GOD INTENDED, watching a C-level WWE show? I know why: it’s because I love you people. Now the mushy stuff is out of the way, let’s forget Kali Armstrong lost to Jordynne Grace on NXT last night and get to some Evolve action!

THEN. NOW. TOGETHER. FOREVER.

LAST WEEK ON EVOLVE, Kali Armstrong overcame three strong opponents to retain her Evolve championship. Luckily, one of them wasn’t Jordynne Grace. Chantel Monroe and Kylie Rae also had undisclosed issues we’ll hear more about, I’m sure. This week, though, Stevie Turner also has an undisclosed plan to determine Jackson Drake’s #1 contender for the NXT title.

To the ring we go….

SEAN LEGACY VS. ICE WILLIAMS

Well, considering one of these two is no longer associated with the WWE, take a wild guess as to how this is going to go. Aesthetically, I’m not seeing why Ice wouldn’t still be an ID talent. He’s certainly a handsome devil and has some pretty good height to him compared to Legacy, at least. Headlock from Legacy goes nowhere. They go for a test of strength, and Ice pulls the hair for the takedown, working the arm. Legacy gets up and procures a hammerlock, which Williams can’t seem to easily solve, not even by pulling the hair! Ice finally hits the rope and hits an elbow on the break. Nice clothesline and some chops from Ice. Other than the promo skills last week, I’m not seeing the issue with Williams here. Legacy applies the surfboard, with Ice also showing he can sell well. Legacy with chops of his own in the corner, and some reversals lead to a beautiful dropkick by Williams. Are you sure that release wasn’t addressed to Jack Cartwheel, because I’ll take this dude over him. BIIIIG suplex by Legacy, kick to the head, and standing moonsault get two for Sean. Ice goes outside, and here comes the BIIIG dive from Legacy as we cut to break. No Candy Crush ads, but an ad for Zales’ Jewelry? Dream big, Tubi. Don’t you know Meltzer said only stupid people watch WWE developmental? We return from break to Ice sending Legacy into the post on the floor, then hits an elbow to the back of the head off the apron. I’m no wrestling expert, but I wouldn’t have cut this guy’s meal stipend. Ice works the headlock on the mat. Legacy hits some punches, some kicks, and a nice German suplex. Springboard missile dropkick gets two for Legacy. Ice reverses Shambles into a spinning vertical suplex for two. Ice goes for a superkick, but Legacy reverses into an STF. Ice almost reaches the ropes, then kicks Legacy off. Legacy comes back, but misses the springboard shooting star press. Ice nails the superkick (dubbed the “Icebreaker’) for two. Legacy catches Ice on the top rope, then somersaults off the push-off, jumps back on, and hits a Spanish Fly. Shooting Star Press gets two for Legacy. Ice temporarily dumps Sean to the outside. Legacy tries to go to the top, gets caught, and another Ice Breaker gets two. Top rope action fails, Sean gets a couple of kicks in, and the Shambles gets the three count.

WINNER: SEAN LEGACY

Match Rating: A Well, that’s a solid start tonight. Both guys absolutely brought their best, and gave us a Tuesday night caliber match with several false finishes I absolutely bit on.

Legacy: A There he is. SUPER Sean Legacy had been missing for a few weeks, but he showed here that he’s still a damn good prospect who still has a whole lot of room to grow on a solid foundation.

Williams: A So there must be a story as to why they released this guy since, based on this match, I’d easily put him in the top three or four ID talents. His stuff was crisp. He sold well. He’s got a good look and size. What’s the issue?

Chuey Martinez is waiting for Sean Legacy at ringside. He congratulates him on the win and asks him about his future goals. Legacy says he’s stopped being tunnel-visioned and is focused on getting his mind straight and getting wins. Edris Enofe interrupts, looking like MC Hammer during his preacher phase, and I don’t trust his sudden statement of pride in Legacy’s maturity one bit. Edris tells Sean he’s not ready to be either champion or carry this brand. Enofe offers Sean some advice: Once he’s declared #1 contender, he wants Legacy to watch him do what he couldn’t, and defeat Jackson Drake for the Evolve championship. Legacy offers his own advice, and it’s kind of the same advice Enofe gave him. Does that count? Shoving and officials ensue.

Kylie Rae tells Chantel Monroe they are not alike. Chantel took shortcuts against Kyle Rae, and that won’t be forgotten easily. Kylie will be facing someone she actually likes, Masyn Holiday, next. Ok, then.

We now have an ad for VRBO. Suck it, Meltzer.

We return to the Vanity Project backstage, where Zayda Steel and Bryce Donovan have been discussing US history. Jackson Drake is upset at Stevie Turner, though, and the disrespect being wrought on him with all this #1 contender drama. The VP discusses possibilities, and here’s Kali Armstrong. Kali wonders who will be first to lose their championship.

KYLIE RAE VS. MASYN HOLIDAY (W/ LAYLA DIGGS)

Masyn and Layla do their dance as Masyn’s entrance, and I’ve become a fan since learning she was valedictorian of her class at Howard U. Robert Stone references 90’s R&B girl group Zhane when he looks at this. Hey Mr. DJ, shut up. Handshake for good sportsmanship starts, and armbars are exchanged. Firefighter’s carry by Masyn takes Kylie down, and she works the arm. Kylie eventually reverses, and Masyn looks much improved from her earlier Evolve matches so far. Big shoulderblock from Kylie, who ducks underneath a leapfrog and gets two quick two-counts. Armdrag takes down Masyn, and I’m wondering who goes heel-ish first. Masyn with a big shoulderblock of her own and does a bit of showboating. Rough high cross body off the ropes gets a two for Masyn. Kylie hits another armdrag off the top, followed by a big European uppercut and cannonball in the corner, which gets a two count. Gotta keep it real: I’m kinda bored. Kylie now leans a tinge heel-ish herself. Kylie gets tripped off the top by Masyn for two. More dancing ensues, followed by a charge in the corner, a slam, and a standing splash for two. Masyn’s office needs work. She doesn’t fully cinch in a half Boston crab, and Kylie kicks her off. Kylie with those big American right hands and two clotheslines. Nice leg whip and big kick take Masyn down. Moonsault off the second rope gets two. Masyn escapes a cannonball into the corner. Roll-up gets two for Masyn. A rough sunset flip gets two, as they continue to exchange roll-ups. Kylie slaps on the crossface out of nowhere for the tap.

WINNER: KYLIE RAE

Match Rating: C+ Kylie did a LOT of heavy lifting to get this to something passable.

Kylie A- Probably Kylie’s most impressive performance at Evolve so far, as she played the ring general well and got a lot out of a clearly green performer.

Holiday: C- After a nice starting flurry, it really went downhill for Masyn. Her offense was really rough the rest of the way, although I didn’t see much wrong with her selling. I’m still a fan, but we’re on the ground floor here.

Kylie brings Masyn in for the handshake. This goes on for way too long, but it goes without incident.

Jax Presley and Harley Riggins are backstage with Chuey, and this ain’t the indies. They are blue-chip prospects, and they’re going to take Adrenaline Drip down as their first victims next.

Ah, here’s the Draft Kings Casino ads we know and love. Dave knew.

Tate Wilder is backstage with Draco Knox (other than working as backstage security, where the hell he’s been?), and Draco motivates Tate into challenging Ridge Holland.

ADRENALINE DRIP (CAPPUCINO JONES AND JACK CARTWHEEL) VS. JAX PRESLEY AND HARLEY RIGGINS (DEBUT)

Speedball Baily thinks Cartwheel’s looking a bit dorky lately. Can we give Ice Williams Jack’s wardrobe stipend, since he’s clearly not using it? Speaking of which. Cap and Cartwheel look like they could each be one of their opponents’ legs. Cartwheel uses his speed against the HUGE Jax Presley, and takes in Cap. Some fast double-teaming helps them get a two-count on Riggins, and Cap enters the ring. Riggins gets a big backbreaker off the distraction from Presley. Cap hits the post on the outside, courtesy of Presley, while the drip is distracted. Big clothesline from Riggins, who then applies a headlock like he’s just standing there. More impressively, Presley hits a backstabber for two. Jamar Hampton and It’s Gal appear in PIP and are disgusted by Adrenaline Drip’s attempt at wrestling. I’m more disheartened by Cartwheel’s wardrobe, guys. Back in the ring, Presley applies the couple of submissions he’s learned so far, and at least is cinching things up more than his partner. Cap gets a crucifix for two. Presley attempts to back suplex him, but meets a big dropkick. Both guys make the tag, and here’s Cartwheel and Higgins. Cartwheel hits his indie boy flippy offense, which looks ridiculous because he looks like he could be Harley’s dick. Cartwheel stays on offense for way too long and tags in Cap. Their finisher misses, but they still take Riggins to the outside. Attempts at dives to the outside are caught by the heels, though, because NERDS. Back on the inside, Cartwheel is set up for a damn good-looking spear from Presley for the three.

WINNERS: JAX PRESLEY AND HARLEY RIGGINS

Match Rating: C A fun match in which two high flyers did their darndest to beat two green big men, but the power differential was just too much.

Adrenaline Drip: B- Workmanlike effort from both guys, but we’re at the point where I’m not sure what more either guy has to offer. Cappuccino, in particular, has noticeably faded into the background despite his strong gimmick.

Presley/Riggins: C Yes, they’re green and, for every impressive moment, there was a less-than-impressive one. They’ve got the look, size, and athleticism to be players as long as they don’t trip over themselves. It’s damn early, but I like what I see here.

The fearless Prime Minister Stevie Turner heads to the ring for her big announcement as we cut to break.

We get a nice recap of the WWE ID-approved training facilities when we return, which seems to serve the purpose of letting us know they’ve never really heard of Rikishi, and were never really close. Stevie Turner is in the ring when we return, and, as she talks about her big decision, the entire Vanity Project interrupts. Stevie is clearly not happy with this, as Ricky Smokes grabs the mic and tells her to stop stalling. Jackson Drake wants to know who his #1 contender is, and Brad Baylor wants to know why Stevie treats them like their bench players. Comparisons to Lebron James and Patrick Mahomes follow until Keanu Carver’s music hits. Keanu tells us the VP is scared and asks Stevie Turner how it’s going to be. Brooks Jensen’s music then hits, and you can literally hear everyone in the crowd individually boo him. If you think that’s bad, we now get Ridge Holland’s music. As Ridge tries to put his name in the running, Tate Wilder attacks from behind, and they disappear backstage brawling. Drake finally gets the mic and calls Stevie Wonder “toots.” Bryce Donovan is all like “what he said,” but then proceeds to put his foot in his mouth by saying Drake can beat both Keanu Carver and Brooks Jensen. Stevie picked up on what Bryce was selling and books a triple threat for the tile next week. A furious Jackson Drake orders the attack on both Carver and Jensen. Jensen gets double-suplexed on the outside as Donovan and Drake beat on Carver in the corner. A table gets pulled out by Swipe Right, but Jensen fights both guys off as Keanu recovers on the inside. Carver press slams Drake onto the rest of the VP. Jensen then sends Drake through the table to finish the show.

OVERALL RATING: B- I was pleasantly sports-entertained by a couple of decent matches and a closing angle which, while not featuring my favorite talents on earth, got done what it was supposed to get done.

See y’all Sunday (or Monday) for LFG!