It has been a while since I have done a review for Evolve but this seemed like a perfect chance to get back on it. It is the most important show of their existence, after all, being the first indie show on the WWE Network.
Following a video package, we join Lenny Leonard in the ring with a bunch of wrestlers. We quickly get into the action though.
Josh Briggs vs Anthony Greene
The first thing you need to know is that Josh Briggs looks like an absolute star. I would not be surprised to see him get picked up by NXT in the near future. This was a fun way to start the show, with both men taking advantage of the increased eyes on them. They both got the chance to get their shit in before Briggs won with whatever he calls that awesome chokeslam powerbomb. ***1/2
Sean Maluta vs Curt Stallion vs Stephen Wolf vs Harlem Bravado
This was first fall wins, so it was a fast-paced showcase for everyone involved. It was the type of match that you can watch without having to really pay attention to. Wolf won with a shooting star press on Bravado. Fun for what it was. ***
Arturo Ruas vs Anthony Henry
This was a fucking fight. They beat the piss out of each other here. Henry got a broken nose early on and the kick that Ruas gave him at the end looked like it had straight up murdered him. If you like your wrestling strike based, with a healthy slice of submission work, then this is for you. It was stiff as fuck too. Good work lads. ***3/4
No DQ - Brandi Lauren vs Shotzi Blackheart
Another nose bites the dust. This time it belongs to Shotzi Blackheart. This match could well divide opinion somewhat, as it was a bit rough around the edges and featured a couple of miscommunications. The effort they put in can't be denied though, and that helped a lot. The suicide dive through a bunch of set up chairs that Shotzi took looked absolutely brutal. Lauren won with about 10 kendo stick shots. ***
Babatunde vs Colby Corino
A murder occurred. Babatunde just ate his souvenirs. NR
Somebody gave Eddie Fucking Kingston a live mic on the Network. He called Babatunde a big goofy bastard. Damn it, I love Kingston.
Evolve Tag Titles - The Unwanted vs AR Fox & Leon Ruff
This match basically took place under tornado rules, which helped the flow of the match as well as the styles of Fox and Ruff. There wasn't a great deal of substance to this match but that didn't stop it from being a fun little diversion. The Skulk won the titles when Fox pinned Joe Gacy. ***
Drew Gulak vs Matt Riddle
These two had a great match on NXT TV quite recently, so the expectation was that they would have another match of that quality. They didn't. They had a better one. This was a superb match. I could watch these two wrestle for days. Gulak is so fucking smooth, it almost defies belief, and Riddle is his usual, brilliant self. If you have the Network, then you need to watch this match, it is top level wrestling. ****1/2
Before the unification match, Paul Heyman makes his first appearance at the ECW Arena in quite some time. He says that he is honoured to be home. He says that Evolve is the future of wrestling and hangs around to do some ring announcing.
Evolve & WWN Live Titles - JD Drake vs Austin Theory
Drake is a guy that I really like but Theory had yet to fully win me over. This match will certainly go a long way towards that. The wrestling in the match was really good but it was the story that helped it get to a higher level. It was the classic story of the young, cocky upstart going against the world weary veteran but it worked better than usual here. This was a great match for Evolve heading forward and the right one to showcase its title on their biggest stage. ****1/4
NXT Title - Adam Cole vs Akira Tozawa
This was a really good match, but it had the lingering issue that there was absolutely no chance that Tozawa would win. This was especially true after they announced that Cole would defend his title on the NXT episode following this show, and as it has already been taped that would create a situation that would be quite awkward. Anyway, it was an enjoyable match, albeit one that was a touch more methodical than I know they can do. ***3/4
Overall Grade - B
For a show that had this much riding on it, I think they delivered as well as can be reasonably expected. Two of the matches are must see and two more are well worth your time. Check this show out.
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