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Tonight, the Evolve team got to put on a showcase for all of the members of the WWE Universe, giving us three incredible hours of nonstop action. The Evolve Tag Team Titles were on the line, as the Skulk challenged the Unwanted. Evolve Champion Austin Theory and WWN Champion JD Drake fought each other in a brutal war to unify the titles. Finally, the main event featured the NXT Champion Adam Cole defending his title against the Stamina Monster himself, Akira Tozawa.
Evolve kicked off with several of their stars who had moved onto the WWE over the years. Daniel Bryan, Tony Nese, Drew McIntyre, Richochet, Cesaro, Aleister Black, and more revealed just how important the company was for them, and why without them, they may not be where they are today.
Lenny Leonard stood in the ring with several of the company's top talents, including big Josh Briggs. Leonard thanked the fans for tuning in and kicked off the show rather quickly.
Following a small brawl, Briggs was the last man left in the ring, taking the mic from the ring announcer. Briggs said that tonight is about opportunity, and tonight he'll be taking it. He and his opponent Anthony Greene started off the night.
Josh Briggs vs Anthony Greene w/ Brandi Lauren
Briggs caught Greene rushing in, tossing him into the corner and back across the ring. Greene tried to put some space between them, getting to the apron, but Briggs brought him over with a backbreaker. Greene managed to take Briggs down with a hurricanrana, but the former offensive lineman got right back to his feet, bringing him down with another backbreaker, followed by a mat slam and jumping splash.
Anthony Greene kicked out of the pin attempt, rolling to the apron before Briggs could catch him with a chokeslam. Brandi Lauren held onto him as he tried to get back inside, allowing Greene to damage his leg. A dragon whip left Greene hurt, but after he was knocked off the apron, he caught Greene who launched himself into Briggs via suicide dive. Briggs dropped him on the apron with a chokeslam.
Back on the apron, Lauren distracted Briggs, allowing Retro AG to superkick him and spike him head first thanks to a leaping cutter from the turnbuckle. As Briggs was sent inside, Greene leaped onto him with a rope-walking leaping crossbody. Briggs kicked out.
In the corner, Briggs countered an Irish whip, but a snapmare from Greene sent him into the middle turnbuckle. Greene then went to work on his lower body, targetting Briggs' hip that kept him out of action for some time.
Lauren punched Briggs in the jaw as Greene distracted the referee, and he brought the big man down with a nasty neckbreaker. He brought Briggs up to his feet as the crowd chanted "Retro Sucks" and the distraction allowed Briggs to counter a suplex with a release suplex. A running clothesline nearly turned Greene inside out and sent him into the corner.
However, as he rushed in, Greene stuffed him with another superkick. Briggs shook it off quickly, and a series of running boots in the corner left Greene in a serious daze. A pair of backbreakers nearly gave Briggs the win, but Greene kicked out again.
Greene was rocked by another big boot, and a spinning inverted powerslam nearly brought him through the ring. Still, AG kicked out. Greene got some offense in again, but the series of kicks he delivered only seemed to anger Briggs. Another enziguri did the trick, though, and a back suplex driver took him down for another pinfall. Briggs kicked out, ony for Greene to transition to the single leg Boston crab.
Briggs made it to the ropes, forcing the break. Greene set up for the 450 Splash, and Briggs launched him into the turnbuckle. Greene countered with another enziguri, and took him down with a schoolboy into the bottom turnbuckle. Greene ascended the ropes again, where Briggs met him at the top.
Brandi Lauren tried to interfere, forcing the referee to send her to the back. Greene took Briggs to the mat with a super victory roll. When it didn't finish him off, a series of superkicks rocked Briggs. Still, he countered the third one, and hit a dominant Go to Hell spinout knee strike. The M6 put Greene away.
Results: Josh Briggs defeated Anthony Greene via pinfall.
A short recap of Evolve 130 saw the Unwanted cut a promo on Leon Ruff and AR Fox. Eddie Kingston said that they worked too hard to get beaten on the WWE Network by those two. Cruiserweight Classic competitor Sean Maluta has also joined the group.
Sean Maluta vs Curt Stallion vs Stephen Wolf vs Harlem Bravado
Wolf rushed Bravado, while Stallion took on Maluta. Wolf and Bravado went outside, allowing Maluta to stun Stallion with a rolling boot to the gut. Stallion countered a roll-up with a kick to the jaw and a double stomp. Maluta kicked out at two.
Maluta struck Stallion with a roundhouse to the jaw and sent him outside with a neckbreaker. Wolf came in at this time, connecting with a dropkick and a springboard crossbody. Bravado took him out from behind as he played to the crowd. Stallion tried to go after him but was met by a big boot. Wolf managed to send Bravado outside, though, and a high-speed tope con hilo took him out. Maluta followed up with a dive of his own, as did Stallion, bringing all three men down after the Fosbury Flop.
Back on the inside, a German suplex took Maluta down on his neck. Maluta kicked out of the pinfall and caught Stallion in the throat. As he went running off the ropes, Bravado held them open, sending Maluda crashing to the ground. Wolf and Stallion went after Bravado, but they were both taken down at the same time with a reverse DDT/flatliner combo. As Stallion rolled out, Bravado focused on Wolf.
The Globetrotter dropped WOlf with a back suplex, but as he went up top was taken out by Maluta. A series of superkicks from the Unwanted Dragon took out all three competitors, including a superkick that caught Wolf coming in with a springboard. After kicking out of the pinfall, Wolf and Maluta met in the middle with a pair of crossbodies, leaving them clutching their ribs. Stallion rushed in and spiked Maluta with a German suplex. Wolf took out a returning Bravado, with he and Maluta being sent into opposite corners.
Wolf and Stallion dished out some serious damage to their opponents, and both men went for the pin. Maluta and Bravado kicked out, leading to a strikefest from Wolf and Stallion. Maluta and Bravado came in again, and after the dust settled, all four men were left crawling towards the ropes in an attempt to get back to their feet.
Wolf fought off Maluta, and Bravado launched him to the outside. A death valley driver took out Wolf, while Stallion dropped the big man with an air raid siren neckbreaker. Maluta connected with a leaping Codebreaker to Stallion, leading to a showdown between Maluta and Wolf once again.
Wolf was left up top, while Stallion brought Maluta crashing down with a super back suplex. Bravado connected with a spinning double underhook facebuster. However, a Shooting Star Press gave Wolf the victory.
Results: Stephen Wolf defeated Harlem Bravado via pinfall.
Arturo Ruas vs Anthony Henry
Henry avoided a huge kick from Ruas but was driven into the corner with a tackle. He attempted an armbar, but Henry made it to the ropes. Henry took down Ruas, picking him up and dropping him with a mat slam. As he went for an armbar, it was clear that his nose had been broken.
Ruas escaped quickly, attempting to lock in an armbar of his own. Henry turned it around only to be dropped on his head with a powerbomb. After a series of punches, he went for the pinfall. Henry kicked out, and Ruas continued the punishment with heavy hands and kicks, driving Henry into the corner.
Ruas brought Henry out to the middle of the ring, where Henry caught him with a series of slaps and a roll-up into a double stomp. A leaping wheel kick took Ruas down, and a missile dropkick from the top rope sent him into the opposite corner. Henry took him down with a back suplex, a northern lights suplex, and attempted another armbar.
Ruas stacked up Henry, turning it into a pinfall. Henry broke out and followed Ruas to the outside. A flying knee from the apron sent Ruas into the barricade. Back inside, Henry ascended the ropes. The double stomp was avoided, and Ruas stunned him with a huge knee strike after a series of punches to the sternum. A running kick to the face set Henry up for another pinfall. He kicked out once again.
Ruas attempted a powerslam, only for Henry to slide down his back, locking in a sleeper hold. Ruas drove him into the corner twice, leading to Henry tripping him up. Ruas evaded another attack, and a capoeira kick connected, leading to a German suplex. Henry kicked out.
Back to his feet, Henry took several punches to the ribs. A kick to the ankle left him on his knees, but he blocked Ruas's big knee. A kick to his knee allowed Henry to take him down with a roundhouse kick. Ruas managed to follow him up top, but was knocked off. A leaping double stomp to a bent over Ruas allowed him to connect with a tornado DDT. Ruas kicked out of another double stomp. Henry was ready, however, and immediately transitioned into the ankle lock, cinching it in hard.
Ruas managed to pick his ankle, leading to both men attempting the hold. They found themselves sitting in the middle of the ring, and traded slaps, then went to their feet to trade punches. Henry thought he had Ruas, but was met by another rolling capoeira kick, knocking him out.
Results: Arturo Ruas defeated Anthony Henry via pinfall.
Brandi Lauren vs Shotzi Blackheart
Natalya Markova attacked Brandi Lauren as the bell rang. Brandi Lauren directed traffic as Markova hit her with a series of boots, a spinning X-Factor, and a rolling kick in the corner. Shotzi responded with a series of kicks, and a Tiger Feint Kick launched her across the ring. A missile dropkick took Markova outside.
As Lauren and Markova talked strategy, Blackheart launched herself at them with a suicide dive. A series of chairs were pulled out as we saw blood begin to drip from Blackheart's nose. Lauren came in with a chair but a kick to the gut forced her to drop it. She was sent inside, and as Blackheart set up the chairs outside, Lauren came in with a wrecking ball dropkick, driving a chair into Blackheart's face.
Lauren punished Shotzi Blackheart, dragging her around ringside. Blackheart managed to kick her, though, sending her into a chair where Blackheart launched herself into Lauren, crushing the chair in the process. She brought Lauren up to the apron, looking for a cutter. Lauren escaped, and sent her spine first into the apron with a powerbomb.
Inside, Lauren went for the pinfall. Blackheart kicked out and rocked Lauren with a striking series, ending with an enziguri that dropped her into the bottom turnbuckle. A senton forced Lauren to roll to the apron again. Blackheart followed, and attempted a Sliced Bread No. 2. Lauren prevented it, which frustrated Blackheart more. She brought Lauren over to the stacked chairs, placing her on top of the pile.
Retro Anthony Greene saved Lauren, pulling her out of harm's way as Shotzi Blackheart came out like a bullet with a suicide dive, crashing into the chairs. Somehow, she broke out of the pinfall inside the ring. Greene handed Lauren a kendo stick, and for his interference he was met by Curt Stallion. Still, the kendo stick was enough to put Shotzi Blackheart away.
Results: Brandi Lauren defeated Shotzi Blackheart via pinfall.
Colby Corino vs Babatunde
Corino chopped Babatunde a few times, which didn't work out for him, as the 6' 10'' monster crushed his hand and launched him across the ring with a toss. Outside, Maluta tried to distract him, but Corino was caught by Babatunde, launching him into the ropes and hitting a massive Walter-like chop.
Babatunde played to the crowd, allowing Corino to hit him with a running knee in the ropes. As the ref admonished Corino, Maluta hit a superkick on Babatunde. The big man was dragged back inside, and a springboard senton bomb connected. However, when he went up top, Babatunde managed to catch him coming down, sending him into the corner for a running body splash and an open palm strike to the chest.
A running elbow drop and body splash were enough to put Corino away.
Results: Babatunde defeated Colby Corino via pinfall.
Following the match, The Unwanted made their way ringside. Eddie Kingston told Corino he did well, and go to the back to rest. Kingston berated Babatunde for getting everything handed to them, while the Unwanted had to scratch and claw to earn their spot. Before they could jump Babatunde, though, their challengers AR Fox and Leon Ruff rushed the ring, taking out the Evolve Tag Team Champions with a pair of dives.
Evolve Tag Team Championship Match: The Skulk (AR Fox & Leon Ruff) vs The Unwanted (Eddie Kingston & Joey Gacy) (c)
Ruff leaped onto the Unwanted with a top rope senton. AR Fox follwoed up, dropping onto both men with a springboard inverted 450 Splash. Ruff and Fox then rocked Joey Gacy with a series of kicks and a German suplex. Kingston broke up the pinfall.
The challengers avoided clotheslines from Kingston, but some miscomunication led to Ruff and Fox taking each other out. A pair of forearm strikes nearly knocked out Ruff. Ruff kicked out at two.
Gacy dropped Ruff with a body slam, and took him up to Kingston, who was waiting no the to prope. A super powerslam wasn't enough to take down Ruff. Fox ran in, only to be immediately knocked out again with an STO/clothesline combination. The Unwanted took Ruff to the corner where they pelted the young high flyer with chops and headbutts.
A superplex/powerbomb combination from the Unwanted still wasn't enough, as Ruff continued to power out of pinfalls. Fox came in and saved Ruff from another double team maneuver. A superkick stunned Kingston and Ruff went after Gacy up top. Kingston sent Fox into the corner, but Ruff was able to spike him with a leaping tornado DDT. Fox connected with a Spanish Fly to Gacy. The Unwanted kicked out.
The veterans Fox and Kingston traded strikes in the middle, with Kingston taking out Fox with a clothesline. Ruff was then held by Kingston, taking him down with a clothesline/half-and-half suplex.
Incredibly, Ruff kicked out again, leading to Gacy breaking out a table. Kingston took Ruff up top as the table was set up outside. Fox came in with a dropkick, though, knocking Gacy into the table. Ruff took Kingston to the mat with the Ruffrider. Ruff then dove onto Gacy, sending him into the table. A 450 Splash from Fox finished off Kingston, giving us new Evolve Tag Team Champions.
Results: The Skulk defeated The Unwanted via pinfall.
A Catch Point hype package was shown, with Drew Gulak and Matt Riddle's history being brought into the light for WWE fans unfamiliar with their work together.
Gulak and Riddle discussed their philosophy with Catch Point, taking advantage of other's mistakes, never taking a step backward. Tonight, the former partners faced off in one-on-one competition.
Catch Point Reunion: Matt Riddle vs Drew Gulak
Gulak and Riddle looked for early submissions. Riddle caught Gulak with a takedown, but the Cruiserweight Champion escaped, looking for an ankle lock. Riddle escaped, looking a bit flummoxed.
Gulak was taken down with a reverse mat slam, where Riddle took his former ally's left arm to the back. The Submission Specialist broke away, attempting to catch Riddle with the Gu-Lock. Riddle rolled over, attempting an armbar, but Gulak was in the ropes. In the corner, Gulak was pelted with hard high kicks. Gulak met Riddle with a leaping double kick, but coming off the second rope was hit by a jumping knee.
Riddle followed up with the Broton, and tried to put Gulak away with the Bromission. Gulak escaped, nearly getting a pinfall victory over the King of Bros. Back to their feet, they traded strikes. Gulak shot inside, grabbing Riddle's head and bringing him over with a suplex. A cravate snapmare rolled Riddle over, and held him down with a headscissors on Riddle's head. Riddle escaped, trying to knock Gulak's head off with a penalty kick. Gulak rolled back, getting to his feet.
The champ was taken down with a powerbomb, but hit Riddle with one of his own after ducking a kick. Riddle kicked out, getting turned into a single leg Boston crab. Riddle reached the ropes, but only after some significant damage was done. Back to his feet, the two men traded strikes again. A ripcord knee connected to Gulak's jaw, but he was able to kick out of a pinning predicament.
A Broton to the back of Gulak set Riddle up for a dive. Gulak chased him up, bringing him crashing down with a belly-to-back superplex. It only led to a nearfall. A penalty kick from Riddle seemingly had the match wrapped up. Gulak broke out, leading to Riddle picking up Gulak to dish out some more punishment. Gulak got the better of him in a striking contest, but the former Evolve Champion trapped Gulak in his own Gu-Lock. Gulak escaped, getting trapped in a triangle choke before finding the ropes.
Gulak rolled up Riddle, and the King of Bros broke out, driving Gulak down with a fisherman's buster. Gulak broke out and crawled to the apron. Riddle tried to catch him with a sleeper, but the crafty Cruiserweight Champion used the ropes to hang him up. Too much time catching his breath allowed Riddle to leap onto the ropes, bringing him down with the deadlift German suplex.
A Broton from the top rope was turned into the Gu-Lock by Gulak. He locked it in tight, but Riddle managed to roll through, turning it into BroDerek.
Results: Matt Riddle defeated Drew Gulak via pinfall.
Gulak was handed his championship and a microphone after the match. He said that Catch Point was founded on three things: competition, opportunity, and respect.
He thanked Riddle, saying that it's always an honor to face him. The two men then hit the Catch Point pose. Gulak then pointed to Curt Stallion, shaking his hand and wishing him luck on his match with Riddle tomorrow night.
Bryan Idol was made the special guest ring announcer for the WWN/Evolve Title Unification match. He coughed into the microphone several times, having a difficult time getting words to come out. However, the lights went out, and when they came back up he was replaced by Paul Heyman. The crowd broke out in ECW chants as Heyman thanked them all.
Heyman said it was happy to be back home and happy to be a part of a promotion that's the future of the industry. When fans look back on this night five years from now, they'll know that this was when the industry truly evolved. And, like many WWE fans and competitors, Heyman was jealous of Evolve's pyro.
Unification Match: Evolve Champion Austin Theory vs WWN Champion JD Drake
Theory responded to a shove from Drake with a slap across the jaw. Both men looked for their finishers, and they were both blocked. Theory connected with a picture perfect standing dropkick. As he ran off the ropes, Drake hit one of his own, sending Theory to the outside.
As he ran in for a suicide dive, Theory rocked him with an elbow. On the outside, Theory attempted to elbow Drake again, but met steel instead, hammering the ring post. Drake chopped Theory several times across the chest, turning it beet red.
Drake followed a retreating Theory up the ramp, looking for a powerbomb. Theory turned it into a backbody drop, landing the big man on the hard surface. Back inside the ring, Drake broke out of a pinfall at one, though Theory believed it was five. In the corner, Theory delivered a pair of chops, which didn't faze Drake a bit. The Bluecollar chopped Theory, hitting him so hard he left his feet.
Theory got back on top, however, sending him into the ropes and taking him down with a suplex. A straightjacket choke hold was broken up with some massive open palm strikes to Theory's face. The Evolve Champion didn't give him time to breathe, hitting the standing moonsault.
Drake kicked out of another pinfall, and was placed in the corner, where he pelted the big man with hard right punches. Drake demanded he hit him harder, claiming he can't hit him harder than life has. Drake responded with a chop, but Theory took him down to one knee with a series of short arm clotheslines.
Drake responded by catching Theory's last shot, turning him inside out with a clothesline. As Theory ran in, Drake turned him over with a body slam, crashing his 300+ pound frame on top of his opponent. Theory made it out to the apron, knocking Drake away and connecting with a rolling leaping dropkick. Drake was shot into the corner, but rolled to the outside, where he turned out Theory's lights with a massive right hand.
Theory rolled to the other side of the ring and was met by a suicide dive. Back inside, a body slam allowed Drake to hit the Vader Bomb. Theory kicked out at two. Drake went to the well for a second time, and was followed up by Theory, who was sent crashing down to the mat. A leaping leg lariat from the second rope left Theory coughing, as it looked like he was bleeding from the nose.
The Unproven One avoided a canonball senton into the corner, hitting a rolling Blockbuster. Drake managed to power out, and avoided Ataxia, driving Theory into the corner. Placed up top, Theory was hit by several open hand chops.As Drake ascended the ropes, Theory slid out from under him, bringing him out for a torture rack spin-out powerbomb.
Drake broke out, leading to a third attempt of Ataxia. Drake sent him over with a back body drop, and ran into the corner. Theory put his boot up, but following another rolling attack was caught by a stunner. The cannonball in the corner led to the Drillbit from Drake. Miraculously, Theory kicked out.
Drake went up top, and hit a massive moonsault. Theory still kicked out. Both men rose to their knees where they traded punches. Making it to their feet, they swapped chops, superkicks, and clotheslines. Drake landed on his feet after another Ataxia attempt. Another moonsault from Drake was dodged by Theory. A trio of superkicks allowed Theory to finally hit Ataxia for the win.
Results: Austin Theory defeated JD Drake to unify the WWN and Evolve Championships.
Following the match, Theory dropped the WWN Championship to the ground, stepping on it. The Real Superstar claimed that he was the measuring stick that all must go through in Evolve. The lights went out, and when they came back up, Josh Briggs stood behind Theory. A high-angle chokeslam spiked the champion, bouncing him nearly out of the ring.
NXT Championship: Akira Tozawa vs Adam Cole (c)
Cole and Tozawa locked up, leading to the champion bringing his challenger into the corner. He backed out to pop the crowd, taking several bows. Tozawa went after Cole's arm, but the wrist lock was countered. Tozawa did manage to take Cole to the mat first with a side headlock.
Cole tried to escape with a headscissors, but Tozawa regained his control, getting back to his feet. Cole shoved him off and took Tozawa down with a shoulder tackle. However, the Iron Octopus was locked in by the former Cruiserweight Champion.
An enziguri near the apron rocked Cole, but as Tozawa went up for a dropkick, Cole took his feet out from under him. Tozawa came crashing down, with the back of his head bouncing off the turnbuckle. Cole followed up with a neckbreaker and sent Tozawa bouncing off the corner.
Tozawa found himself in a side headlock, and worked his way towards the ropes. Cole pulled him back to the middle of the ring. Tozawa fought out with a series of elbows, standing up. Coming off the ropes, though, he was met by an elbow from the champion. Cole said that he was going to be NXT Champion forever, but was met with a slap across the face after he said the Stamina Monster sucked.
Cole was dropped by a fireman's carry facebuster, and Tozawa followed up, driving Cole into the barricade after a suicide dive. A second one was stopped short when Cole walked away. Still, he was met with a dive, as Tozawa rolled onto him from the apron with a rolling senton. The challenger's foot was caught in the guard rail, giving Cole some time to recuperate. As he finally freed himself, Tozawa sent Cole inside and took him down with a missile dropkick.
Tozawa was rocked by an enziguri, and Cole followed that up with a backstabber. He escaped an ushigoroshi neckbreaker spot, only to be hit with a boot and dropped following a second attempt. Cole pelted Tozawa with a series of forearm strikes. Champion and challenger stood up, trading strikes until Tozawa took over, pummeling him with a series of elbows. The two traded running boots, and Tozawa hit his patented fake-out right jab. Cole followed up with a superkick, leaving both men on their backs.
As he looked for the Senton Splash, Cole followed Tozawa up top. Tozawa finally knocked him off the apron, attempting another missile dropkick. Cole caught him with a superkick and another neckbreaker. Tozawa kicked out, leading to Cole going outside for the belt. He looked to end the match via DQ, but was distracted by his rival Johnny Gargano.
Cole kicked out of a roll-up, but was met with a snap German suplex and a rolling 360 kick. The Senton Splash didn't connect, as Cole put his knees up at the last second. The NXT Champion connected with the Panama Sunrise and the Last Shot, retaining his title.
Results: Adam Cole defeated Akira Tozawa via pinfall.
Folowing the match, Gargano challenged Cole to a fight right there. Cole rolled outside, saying that he's the champion, and everyone else follows his schedule. As he left, Johnny Gargano checked on Tozawa.
Gargano asked for a mic, saying that he appreciated the Johnny Wrestling chants, but felt Tozawa deserved praise following his efforts. He looked back to the first Evolve show back in 2009, talking about how far, not only Evolve, but wrestling as a whole has come in the past ten years. He thanked the fans for making 2019 one of the greatest years for pro wrestling.
Before signing off, Gargano asked the fans to support the Evolve roster as much as they supported the old guard in the past.
