EVOLVE Review with PaperclipMike

Welcome to everyone to the newest blog on the Main Event Wrestling Network. I am PaperclipMike and I am here with your weekly Evolve review. Each week I will bring you the results from the news show from WWE on my favorite streaming service, Tubi.

 Evolve has replaced the former NXT LVL UP, a show which showcased the wrestlers working their way up the ladder in NXT. Evolve not only showcases them, but the independent wrestlers under the WWE ID program. So it is going to be a mix of those with wrestling experience and those really getting their feet wet.

Now eagle eye readers will notice that we are starting on episode two and not one. Simple explanation is I got this idea after the first episode was up. So while I have watched the episode to keep up, we will be starting here.

Peter Rosenberg and Robert Stone are on commentary and welcome us as they send it to assistant to NXT GM, Stevie Turner. She announces that the main event is Riley Osborne taking on Oro Mensah, who are now members of the Evolve Roster. And in a WWE ID women’s match, Kylie Ray goes up against Zara Zakher. They then take it to a roped off ‘VIP’ section, where the winners of the first match last week, Carlee Bright and Kendal Grey are interrupted by WWE ID It’s Gal who slips between them on the sofa. We then go to…

Harlem Lewis vs. Braxton Cole

One thing I like that they started with the last show is the intro videos for all the new wrestlers. Since a lot of us might not know who they are, it is a nice way to learn about who these wrestlers are and what they bring.

Lewis starts right off with a wicker clothesline and a press slam into a toss. Braxton tries a couple of shots but hits the floor after Harlem hits him once. Harlem Lewis catches a running Braxton and hits a powerslam for the quick and easy win. 

 Winner: Harlem Lewis

They cut to a ringside interview with the third man in the team, Chuey Martinez. To be fair, I am not a fan of his style. He seems to be loud for the sake of being loud and just like last week, has only asked those he interviewed “How you feelin”. Lewis talked about wanting real competition and out comes Keanu Carver, who had an equally impressive showing last week. While the men stare each other down, It’s Gal takes a microphone and gets in the ring saying he will be facing Carter next week. Well, Keanu did not want to wait, so we now get…

Keanu Carter vs. It’s Gal

This is what I wanted, a match between a NXT wrestler and someone in the WWE ID program. Hope we get more of this down the line. Carter lands a huge lariat before driving Gal into the corner. Gall tries to fight out of it, but is hit with a huge fallaway slam that actually causes him to spin a bit! Gal does land an enzuigiri but eats a huge press slam. Keanu Carter hits a crazy deadlift chokebomb for the win.

Winner: Keanu Carter

Back from commercial, Peter Rosenberg is at the VIP area with Carlee Bright and Kendal Grey. I love the dichotomy and chemistry between Bright and Grey as a tag team, but with different personalities. They are then interrupted by WWE ID Zayda Steel about why she does not have a match tonight.

Kylie Rae vs. Zara Zakher

We got our first WWE ID female match up. I am familiar with Kylie from her work mainly in the midwest, but am unfamiliar with Zara. Great exchange between the two to start the match. Huh, according to the trivia on the screen, Kylie was a stuntwoman on Divergent and Shameless. Huge spinebuster from Zakher got a close two count. Kylie locks in a cross face, but Zara was able to counter and stack her for another pin attempt, but eats a superkick. Kylie puts Zara on her shoulders, but Zakher fights out and rolls up Kylie for the win.

Winner: Zara Zakher

Chuey is back with an interview. He comes across as one of those hosts you see at an indie show and not an interviewer. We do get a nice show of respect between the women, which is nice to see. Zayda Steel comes over to confront the women, but out comes the Sleep Demon herself, Wendy Choo. Wendy hands Kylie Rae a teddy bear with a note on it as Wendy gets ready for her match. 

Wendy Choo vs. Aria Bennet

Interesting that Bennet was a member of WOW before this. Great mind games from Wendy to start, but a nice show of athleticism from Aria. However, during a handstand from Bennet, Wendy hits a spear to her back. Aria is making a comeback and lands a sort of reverse arm drag out of a crucifix. However soon after, Wendy was able to lock in her modified cobra clutch for the win. 

Winner: Wendy Choo

Brinley Reese is now over at the VIP area with the ladies talking about how she has a match next week.

We go to a sit down between Javier Bernal and Luca Crusifino. Javier talks about using Evolve as a new start after his severe injury and wanting to have what everyone else does. Luca says that anything he said last week was not directed at Bernal since Luca doesn’t think about him since Bernal gets in his own way. Javier asks for a match next week and Luca accepts. Great segment from both. 

Back from commercial and we have new people in the VIP area. We see the winners of the WWE ID six-man tag match: Sean Legacy, Jack Cartwheel, and Cappuccino Jones. 

Oro Mensah vs. Riley Osbourne

Great bit of chain wrestling and counters from both, which I always love. Oro is able to take control with a tornado DDT across the top rope and a top rope martial arts kick to Osboure, who rolls out of the ring. Back from commercial and Oro is back in control after trading blows with Riley.Great roll through into a hurricarana from Osboure, staying in the match.Insane dragon suplex from Mesah, dropping Riley on his head for a near three-count. Mensah springboarded to Osbourne who dropkicked him in the knee, great counter. As Mensah went to the outside, Osbourne hit a crossbody to him.

Both men back in the ring and Riley hits a Michonoku Driver II for a near fall. Fantastic strike exchange between both men. Mensah was able to hit a rolling Kopu kick for the win in a fantastic match.

Winner: Oro Mensah

As Oro celebrates near the entrance way, WWE ID tag team Swipe Right rush out of the back. The cameras follow and we see none other than Gallus causing trouble! Great way to end it.

Another great show, continuing last week. Good mix of matches from both NXT wrestlers and WWE ID wrestlers. We got a taste, but I hope we get more interaction between the two groups in the future. If you use TUBI like I do, you owe it to yourself to watch this. Thank me later.

MOTN: Oro Mensah vs. Riley Osbourne

Thanks for reading and we will see you next week for more EVOLVE!