Tag: Evolve

WWE NXT Gold Rush Preview 11/18/2025

WWE presents NXT Gold Rush, a two week event from The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Title’s from NXT, TNA, AAA and Evolve will be defended.

NXT Gold Rush week 1 live on The CW from The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York;

NXT Women’s Championship: Tatum Paxley (c) vs. Jacy Jayne
NXT Women’s North American Championship: Blake Monroe (c) vs. Sol Ruca
AAA Mixed Tag Team Championship: Chelsea Green and Ethan Page (c) vs. Thea Hail and Joe Hendry
NXT Tag Team Championship: DarkState (c) vs. Leon Slater and Je’Von Evans

WWE’s Ridge Holland Sidelined with Serious Foot Injury After TNA Tapings

Bad news has hit Ridge Holland’s momentum. The NXT/EVOLVE standout, who has been a regular face in the ongoing WWE–TNA partnership, announced that he’s dealing with a significant injury that will put him on the shelf for the foreseeable future.

Holland was in action this past weekend at the TNA iMPACT tapings from the Edmonton Expo Centre in Alberta, Canada. On Friday, he wrestled at the Victory Road 2025 special, suffering a loss to Mike Santana. The next night, he stepped into the ring with Moose for matches taped to build toward TNA’s marquee event, Bound For Glory, scheduled for October 12 in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Unfortunately, things didn’t end well for Holland. On Monday, he took to Twitter to confirm the nature of his injury, writing:

“Lisfranc Injury. Surgery Friday. See ya in a bit.”

The Lisfranc injury — which affects the midfoot — is no small matter, often requiring surgery and months of recovery time. That means Holland will be missing a crucial stretch of TV, including Bound For Glory, at a time when WWE and TNA’s partnership has created some high-profile crossover opportunities.

It’s a tough setback for the powerhouse, who had been gaining traction by mixing it up with some of TNA’s biggest names. While no timetable has been given for his return, fans will no doubt be eager to see him bounce back once he’s cleared.

Ava Takes Charge as Director of WWE EVOLVE

Ava is continuing to rise through the ranks in WWE, as she has now taken on a new leadership role as the director of WWE EVOLVE.

During the premiere episode of the revamped brand on Wednesday night, Shawn Michaels appeared alongside Ava to kick off the show. While Michaels initially took charge of booking the matches for the debut episode, he later informed Ava in a backstage segment that he would be stepping aside, leaving the direction of WWE EVOLVE in her hands.

Ava, who has been serving as the General Manager of NXT since January 2024, expressed her appreciation for the opportunity and teased that she already has plans in motion for the next episode.

This marks another major step in Ava’s growing on-screen authority within WWE. With both NXT and EVOLVE now under her watch, it will be interesting to see how she shapes the future of WWE’s developmental landscape.

https://twitter.com/Cory_Hays407/status/1897465589993529779

WWE Evolve Set to Debut Tonight (3/5/2025): A New Era for WWE’s Developmental System

WWE is expanding its developmental system with the launch of WWE Evolve, a brand-new show set to debut on March 5, 2025. Designed to bridge the gap between the WWE Performance Center and NXT, Evolve will give rising stars a platform to gain valuable TV experience before making the jump to bigger stages.

The name Evolve is a nod to the former independent wrestling promotion of the same name, once run by Gabe Sapolsky—who is now helping shape this new WWE venture. WWE Hall of Famer and Senior VP of Talent Development Creative, Shawn Michaels, emphasized the brand’s mission in a statement:

“This is something that, as we continue to look at the future health of WWE talent, it’s incumbent on us to find the best and the brightest out there, train them at the Performance Center in Orlando, and take WWE into the future.”

With a mix of former college and pro athletes alongside independent wrestling standouts, WWE Evolve is set to introduce fresh faces and create new opportunities for the next generation of superstars.

How to Watch WWE Evolve

  • Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
  • Time: 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT
  • Where to Watch:
    • United States: Exclusively on Tubi
    • International (including the UK): Streaming for free on WWE’s YouTube channel

WWE Evolve: Roster & Commentary Team

While details on matchups remain under wraps, WWE has confirmed several talents set to appear on the premiere episode. The roster includes a mix of former professional athletes and independent wrestling standouts:

Confirmed Roster:

  • Trill London – Former NFL safety (Trill Williams)
  • Tate Wilder – Former Arizona fullback (Case Hatch)
  • Keanu Carver – Former Temple defensive tackle (Kevin Robertson)
  • Drako Knox – Former Mercer tight end (Drako Starks)
  • Harlem Lewis – Former Morehead State linebacker (Vincent Winey)
  • Kylie Rae – Independent wrestling star with experience in AEW, WWE, and Impact Wrestling
  • Zayda Steel – Rising star in WWE’s women’s division

Commentary Team:

  • Robert Stone – NXT Assistant General Manager and former TNA Tag Team Champion (as Robbie E)
  • Peter Rosenberg – WWE panelist and sports personality

A Must-Watch for Wrestling’s Future

With a unique blend of raw athleticism and wrestling pedigree, WWE Evolve looks to be a game-changer in WWE’s developmental pipeline. It will give fans an early look at potential future stars, while offering a fresh, fast-paced presentation that could shake up how WWE builds its talent.

Will Evolve become a key stepping stone to NXT and the main roster? Time will tell, but one thing is for sure—this is where WWE’s next breakout stars will begin their journey.

Stay tuned for updates as WWE Evolve makes its highly anticipated debut!

Triple H on WWE EVOLVE: A New Era for Developmental Wrestling

During the post-Royal Rumble 2025 press conference, Triple H shared his excitement for the upcoming launch of WWE EVOLVE, a new developmental brand that he says reminds him of the early days of NXT.

“That will be a show that I’m excited about,” Triple H said. “In many ways, for me, it seems like going back to the very beginning of NXT, where nobody knew who anybody was, and it was just a bunch of young kids trying to find their way to get in the business. And that’s what we’re going to go back to with that show.”

EVOLVE will serve as a training ground for WWE’s next generation, with a strong focus on talent from the WWE ID program and the Performance Center. With 100-120 talents training at the PC at any given time, EVOLVE will give young wrestlers a platform to work in front of live crowds, gain experience in front of cameras, and develop into future WWE Superstars.

While NXT has evolved into a more polished, mainstream product, EVOLVE looks to recapture that raw, underdog energy of its early days. Fans of old-school NXT—or those who love watching wrestlers grow from unknown prospects into top stars—may want to keep a close eye on this new brand.

In 2015, Evolve formed a relationship with WWE, allowing WWE to scout Evolve talent and potentially sign them. On July 2, 2020, WWE officially purchased Evolve. WWE is set to relaunch Evolve as a new series titled WWE Evolve in March 2025 on Tubi.

WWE Purchases EVOLVE Wrestling

WWE has officially purchased EVOLVE Wrestling, PWInsider reports.

The deal was recently finalized after several months of negotiations. WWE now has the complete right to use the EVOLVE brand name and produce EVOLVE events.

WWE has also acquired the EVOLVE video library.

EVOLVE had been going through some financial issues and the COVID-19 pandemic made it worse. The cancellation of WrestleMania 36 Week in Tampa was catastrophic for the promotion.

EVOLVE was founded in 2010 by Gabe Sapolsky. Since 2015, the promotion has had a working relationship with WWE. When they signed that deal, EVOLVE created a new LLC, which is the company WWE has acquired. WWE has not purchased WWNLive, which will still reportedly go on.

As for talent, PWInsider reports that the existing EVOLVE/WWN talent contracts are not part of the sale. Though there is an expectation of at least four talents that will be signed and go to WWE NXT.

Apollo Crews, Austin Theory, Drew Gulak, Keith Lee, Johnny Gargano, Matt Riddle, Ricochet, and Oney Lorcan are just a few who used the promotion as a stepping stone to get to WWE.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Matt Sydal Abruptly Leaves Match After Suffering Injury At Evolve 139

Matt Sydal reportedly left during his match against Leon Ruff tonight at Evolve 139 because of an undisclosed injury.

According to Evolve founder Gabe Sapolsky, Sydal was receiving treatment after he left his match minutes in.

Sapolsky tweeted, “Matt Sydal is receiving treatment in back. He will be ok.”

One user tweeted that Leon Ruff hit Sydal the wrong way with a move. Sydal then got up, rolled out of the ring, and went in the back. The referee followed him and deemed that he couldn’t continue.

The user’s full tweet, “Leon Ruff seemingly hit him the wrong way with a move. He got up, rolled out of the ring and walked to the back. Ref went after him..and said he couldn’t continue and that was it.”

Matt Sydal wrestled in WWE as Evan Bourne from 2008 to 2014. He also wrestled in ROH and Impact Wrestling.

https://twitter.com/BookItGabe/status/1193325571750682626

https://twitter.com/mclevy76/status/1193324551511384064

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Kenny Omega Strongly Criticizes WWE For Streaming Evolve Show Opposite AEW Fight For The Fallen

WWE announced yesterday that the WWE Network will stream EVOLVE’s 10th Anniversary Celebration. It will air as the EVOLVE 131 event, on Saturday, July 13 from the former ECW Arena, the 2300 Arena, in Philadelphia, PA. . The special will feature WWE NXT Champion Adam Cole vs. Akira Tozawa with the title on the line, Matt Riddle vs. WWE Cruiserweight Champion Drew Gulak in a non-title match. The event will also feature NXT’s Arturo Ruas (Adrian Jaoude) and Babatunde, plus EVOLVE Champion Austin Theory and EVOLVE Tag Team Champions Eddie Kingston & Joe Gacy. A full line-up of matches will be announced soon.

“Evolve was the birthplace for many current WWE and NXT Superstars so it is only fitting that their 10th Anniversary Celebration will be showcased live on WWE Network,” Triple H said.

WWE began their working relationship and talent exchange with WWN Live’s EVOLVE promotion back in 2015. Booker Gabe Sapolsky now works behind-the-scenes for NXT and the WWE Performance Center.

Many fans have pointed to how the WWE Network EVOLVE stream is airing on the same night as AEW’s Fight for the Fallen event from Jacksonville, FL. This event will have a portion of the proceeds donated to victims of gun violence.

It should be noted that the EVOLVE 131 date was first announced back in mid-May. We don’t know when WWE began negotiating for the livestream. AEW first announced the details on Fight for the Fallen during the first week of March.

AEW Executive Vice President Kenny Omega has fans talking on social media today after a tweet he made on the EVOLVE – WWE special. He apparently called out WWE for working with Saudi Arabia.

“If lining your pockets with blood money is okay, then what’s wrong with trying to undermine a charity show for victims of gun violence? I hear that healthy competition is supposed to be a good thing and yet I can’t help but feel like I’m gonna be sick,” Omega wrote.

Omega has deleted his original tweet that apparently knocked WWE for their working relationship with the Saudis. His new tweet, also seen below, reads like this: “I’ve said my piece and it opened the door to a very toxic environment. It wasn’t a message to fans, or the boys, just the decision makers. I wish everyone wrestling on any show that day all the best. That is all.”

You can see Omega’s full tweets below:

If lining your pockets with blood money is okay, then what’s wrong with trying to undermine a charity show for victims of gun violence? I hear that healthy competition is supposed to be a good thing and yet I can’t help but feel like I’m gonna be sick.

— Kenny Omega (@KennyOmegamanX) June 26, 2019

https://twitter.com/KennyOmegamanX/status/1143980930203312133

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1143954386592423937

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Announces EVOLVE 123 & 124 Cards

EVOLVE has announced that WWE NXT North American Champion The Velveteen Dream will face Orange Cassidy in a non-title match at EVOLVE 123 on March 15 in Melrose, MA. NXT’s The Street Profits will also be in action that night, defending their EVOLVE Tag Team Titles against The Unwanted.

It was also announced that Dream and The Street Profits will team to face Joe Gacy, Shane Strickland and Eddie Kingston the next night at EVOLVE 124 in Queens. Ricochet will be doing meet & greets at both events.

Below is WWE’s announcement on EVOLVE 123 and EVOLVE 124:

EVOLVE 123 and 124 lineups revealedThe North American Dream will soon descend on EVOLVE Wrestling.

In the wake of his epic victory over Johnny Gargano for the NXT North American Title last month, Velveteen Dream will shroud his enduring purple reign over EVOLVE 123 and 124. Joining Dream for the action-packed events will be fellow NXT Superstars The Street Profits and Ricochet.

Dream’s EVOLVE experience kicks off Friday, March 15, when he takes on Orange Cassidy at EVOLVE 123 at the Melrose Memorial Hall in Melrose, Mass., while Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are set to take on two members of The Unwanted (Eddie Kingston, Joe Gacy, Colby Corino & Shane Strickland). From there, the action carries into Saturday, March 16, at La Boom in Queens for EVOLVE 124, which will see Dream and Street Profits assemble to take on The Unwanted’s Strickland, Kingston & Gacy in a Six-Man Tag Team Match. In addition, Ricochet will be on tap for meet-and-greets at both shows. (You must have a ticket to the events to take part in the meet-and-greets.)

The lineups for both events are listed below. Tickets for EVOLVE 123 and EVOLVE 124 are available now at WWNLive.com.

EVOLVE 123 – Friday, March 15 at Melrose Memorial Hall in Melrose, Mass.

Non-Title Match
NXT North American Champion Velveteen Dream vs. Orange Cassidy

Grudge Match – Stipulation to be Determined
EVOLVE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits vs. Two members of The Unwanted (Eddie Kingston, Joe Gacy, Colby Corino & Shane Strickland)

EVOLVE Championship Match
Austin Theory (c) vs. John Silver

EVOLVE 114 Rematch
Josh Briggs vs. Darby Allin

Tag Team Attraction 
AR Fox & Leon Ruff with Ayla & The Skulk vs. WWN Champion JD Drake & Anthony Henry

Plus Mae Young Classic 2018 competitor Priscilla Kelly, Curt Stallion, Harlem Bravado, Rory Gulak and others!

EVOLVE 124 – Saturday, March 16, at La Boom in Queens, N.Y.

Six-Man Tag Team Match
NXT North American Champion Velveteen Dream & EVOLVE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits vs. Shane Strickland, Eddie Kingston & Joe Gacy

Champion vs. Champion Non-Title Match
EVOLVE Champion Austin Theory vs. WWN Champion JD Drake

Grudge Match
Darby Allin vs. Anthony Henry

Special Challenge Match
AR Fox with Ayla & The Skulk vs. Josh Briggs

Curt Stallion vs. Leon Ruff

Harlem Bravado vs. John Silver

Plus more, with Priscilla Kelly and others.

With these shows being the final EVOLVE events before The WWNLive Experience, which takes place at La Boom in Queens on April 4-6, you can expect plenty of newsworthy happenings at EVOLVE 123 and 124. Visit WWNLive.com now for more details.

ACH Signs With EVOLVE

Image result for ACH roh

Gabe Sapolksy announced on his Twitter account that ACH has signed with Evolve. ACH had parted ways with Ring of Honor in 2016 and has been advertised for multiple Evolve shows, as you can see below.

Source: WrestlingINC