EVOLVE Review with PaperclipMike, April 23

Welcome to the weekly Evolve on Tubi review. I am your humble office supply, PaperclipMike. We are coming hot off the heels of Wrestlemania and are headed on to see what the rest of the year holds. During all of the activities during the week, both GCW and FSW held their events showcasing the WWE ID tournaments to crown the first holders of male and female WWE ID holders. And since we do see a lot of these wrestlers on Evolve, I will keep you up to date on anything about the titles.

We also have great news here on the Evolve review front. As those of you who follow both me and the Main Event Wrestling Network on X, we always post when someone releases content. Well, last week, we were seen by none other than Big Body Javi himself, none other than Evolve superstar Javier Bernal!

So big thanks to Javier for checking us out! Everyone, go follow him on X and show him some love. Now, on with the show!

The show opens with the group Swipe Right seems to have formed called Vanity Project. We get the intro video as Peter Rosenberg and Robert Stone go over the matches for the night. Evolve GM Stevie Turner then comes down and says she is close to finalizing a huge announcement. Before she can say anything, she is indeed interrupted by Vanity Project and has her microphone taken by Zayda Steel. We also see Drako Knox is sitting VIP.

Brad Baylor gets on the mic to brag about his team but is drowned out by boos. By the way, Bryce Donovan has some of the straightest hair I have seen. The crowd absolutely hates them, and I love the reaction. Stevie is still ringside, and she does not look happy. Stevie has a new mic and says she makes the rules. And since Jackson Drake is in the ring, he is going to have his match now, so we go to…

Jackson Drake vs. Sean Legacy

In all honesty, Sean Legacy might legit be top 3 on my list of fave Evolve roster members.  He is starting off with some insane speed right off the jump. I need a Sean Legacy shirt right now. But just as quick is a powerslam from Jackson Drake. And just as fast as that is Legacy with some kicks and a standing moonsault. He then not only hits a drive to the outside and lands on his feet, but you can hear him say…

Zayda Steel helps distract the ref so Swipe Right can get some shots in. However, the referee throws every other member of Vanity Project out as we go commercial. Both men are fighting hard, with Legacy hitting a moonsault into a sort of reverse falcon arrow. Gorgeous springboard dropkick from Legacy gets a two count. Drake goes to the injured eye and takes control after hitting a springboard cutter. Both men hit the mat after huge, powerful strikes. Insane counter wrestling, too quick to put down everything, but Drake hits a poison rana. Drake goes for another springboard cutter, but Legacy counters with Shambles for the win in a crazy match.

Winner: Sean Legacy

We then get a pre taped segment with Kylie Rae and her feud with Wendy Choo. And it seems we get a remtach next week.

Back from commercial and we get a Showdown between Harlem Lewis and Keanu Carver. These Showdown segments have been a nice touch, something we don’t see elsewhere. And not only that, we get it between two of the biggest, meanest dudes on the roster. Both of these men seem to be in the upcoming Evolve title tournament. As the beasts argue, in comes Evolve PM (Prime Minister) Stevie Turner. She says she has the men set in a match next week…but as a tag team. Oh, this is gonna be good! Not only that, they will be facing Swipe Right! PUT THIS IN MY VEINS NOW!!!!

Zara Zakher vs. Aria Bennet

A show of sportsmanship between the women before a pin battle as they both try to get the quick win. Bennet does finally gain control. Zara takes over after a flying scissors and a cross-body. But Aria manages to hit a top rope hurricanrana. She keeps the pressure with an enzugira and neckbreaker. Suddenly, out of nowhere, she hits her Control Z finish for the win.

Winner: Zara Zakher

Chuey Martinez is ringside with her and asks Zara if she still feels like the underdog. Before she can get her full answer out, the lights in the arena start to flicker. As they come back on, there is a teddy bear with a note from Wendy Choo saying she accepts the challenge. Funny moment from Chuey where he wants none of the spookiness, caught myself chuckling. Good stuff from him. After that, we see Vanity Project enter the VIP area.

Carlee Bright vs Kalyx

Kalyx is in control at the start with a mean, vicious streak.Funny moment. Throughout Evolve, there have been little pop ups giving facts, background, and character work from the wrestlers. One for Calyx popped up, and all it said was ‘?’. Carlee finally fights back and locks in a Black Widow, which Kalyx counters into a backbreaker. Kalyx puts Carlee on her shoulders, but Carlee wriggles out and rolls her up for the win.

Winner: Carlee Bright

Timothy Thatcher vs Bryce Donovan

Been a fan of Timothy Thatcher for years. Pretty nice European upper cuts from Thatcher, even if he is from Sacramento. Back from commercial, and we saw Thatcher with some of the joint manipulation he is known for. Bryce finally takes over after a huge clothesline. Surprised by how Bryce has been taking control of Thatcher like this, doesn't happen very often. Donovan tosses Timothy to the outside and into a ringpost. Bryce suplexes him back into the ring but gets a two count. Thatcher fights back with an enzugiri. He is finally able to hit a double underhook suplex but is distracted by Swipe Right, leading to Donovan hitting a black hole slam for the win.

Winner: Bryce Donovan

Backstage, Stevie Turner is watching on a monitor, not happy with the antics of Swipe Right. Harlem Lweis and Keanu Carver come up next to her and promise to ‘beat the breaks off them boys. The look on her face says it all. 

There you have it, folks! This actually may be my favorite episode yet. Fantastic opening match. The Showdown between Lewis and Carver was insane, and if they are on the same page next week, Swipe Right will be demolished. So until then, follow me on all socials at PaperclipMike. See you at Evolve!