Tag: evolution 2

Bayley: WWE Evolution 2 was ‘reminiscent of the early NXT days for me’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

To Bayley, WWE Evolution 2 felt like a throwback to the early days of NXT.

Bayley opened the action at Sunday’s PLE, coming up short in a triple threat match for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. The loss did nothing to put a damper on the night for Bayley, though. She reflected on the show in a tweet today and thanked everyone who showed up in person or watched at home.

“I cannot explain the feeling in the arena last night but it was reminiscent of the early NXT days for me,” Bayley wrote. “Some kind of magic and so full of love. Thank you to every person that showed up in support, and thank you all for watching. This picture [of fans showing their support in the parking lot] sums up my night.”

Yesterday’s Evolution PLE took place on the 10-year anniversary of Four Horsewomen Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, and Becky Lynch being called up to the WWE main roster. Bayley stayed in NXT a bit longer than her three peers and was not called up until 2016.

Lynch retained the Women’s Intercontinental title last night by defeating Bayley and Lyra Valkyria. Bayley had the match all but won after hitting a Rose Plant on Valkyria, but Lynch then pinned Bayley to get the victory.

This show was the follow-up to the inaugural Evolution from 2018. At the post-show press conference, Paul “Triple H” Levesque answered “we shall see” when asked if Evolution will become an annual event.

“I don’t want to say it’s yearly, it’s not yearly. I think we see what that demand is for it,” Levesque said. “Because as the demand for the women grows across the board every day, it becomes less about having their own show and more about
the equality, it’s all there. They don’t have to have their show to be in the spotlight. But if it works, we’ll definitely go down that road again. It’s a ‘we shall see.'”

Special guest referee added to WWE Evolution match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Jade Cargill and Naomi’s no holds barred match at WWE Evolution will have a special guest referee.

After a brawl between Cargill and Naomi took place at Saturday Night’s Main Event tonight, it was announced that Bianca Belair will referee their grudge match at Evolution. The three were previously aligned as a trio before Naomi turned heel by attacking Cargill. Belair being the referee for Evolution should reveal whether her loyalties lie with Cargill or Naomi.

Belair is currently sidelined with a finger injury that she suffered in her triple threat match against IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 41, though she did appear on SmackDown in May for an angle with Naomi and Cargill.

Both Cargill and Naomi are currently title contenders in the SmackDown women’s division. As the Queen of the Ring winner, Cargill will challenge either Tiffany Stratton or Trish Stratus for the WWE Women’s Championship at SummerSlam. Naomi holds the women’s Money in the Bank briefcase and could cash it in for a title shot whenever she wants.

State Farm Arena in Atlanta is hosting Evolution on Sunday night. It’s the first time the all-women’s PLE has taken place since its inaugural edition in 2018.

WWE Evolution (Sunday, July 13) —

  • Women’s World Champion IYO SKY defends against Rhea Ripley
  • WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton defends against Trish Stratus
  • NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne defends against Jordynne Grace
  • Triple threat match: Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch defends against Bayley and Lyra Valkyria
  • Four-way match: Women’s Tag Team Champions Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez defend against Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, Asuka & Kairi Sane, and Sol Ruca & Zaria
  • No holds barred match: Jade Cargill vs. Naomi (Bianca Belair will be special guest referee)
  • Battle royal for a women’s title shot at Clash in Paris

Trish Stratus: WWE Evolution ‘came about quite quickly for everyone’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Trish Stratus admits that the build to WWE Evolution has been a bit rushed, but she fully plans on delivering in her match against Tiffany Stratton.

At this Sunday’s all-women’s PLE, Stratus will challenge Stratton for the WWE Women’s Championship. The match was made last week when Stratus returned on SmackDown and was chosen by Stratton as her Evolution opponent. The two successfully teamed together at Elimination Chamber in March, and their history dates back to 2024 when they had a backstage interaction at Money in the Bank.

Stratus told Notsam Wrestling that, given the quick build to Evolution, she is grateful that there is already a built-in story with her and Stratton. She believes it’s a fantasy matchup that fans have wanted to see.

“This entire card has seemed to be a quick turnaround, as it is, unfortunately. And I get it. There’s like 7,000 events a month, it seems like,” Stratus said. “But I think there’s a little bit of a built-in storyline, luckily, for Tiffany and I. You know, I love the fact that we had this connection. And I think people really were digging the Trishy Time [and] Tiffy Time thing. So I think that worked really well.

“But, you know, I think there was — people were seeing the parallels. There’s these two blondes who came into the business and, you know, a preconceived notion of what they can deliver in the ring and having to prove ourselves and knowing that like, you might think this is what you’re going to get from me in the ring, but now I have to work extra hard because I have to prove those people all wrong. So we both had to do that and had great success early on in our career.

“You know, she became champion at 25. I know a certain someone who became champion for the first time at 25 as well. So, you know, there’s a bit of — and luckily, I say — there’s a bit of a built-in storyline because, yeah, the whole Evolution kind of came about quite quickly for everyone. But I think with a little bit of that fantasy booking and seeing Tiff and I in there, I think people wanted it. And I think it’s going to really deliver. I know it’s going to deliver.”

Stratus did not compete in 2024 but will now be wrestling in her third match this year. The WWE Hall of Famer was an entrant in the women’s Royal Rumble in February and later teamed with Stratton to defeat Nia Jax & Candice LeRae at Elimination Chamber.

When asked if she’ll be sticking around after Evolution, Stratus said she’s viewed the appearances she’s made this year as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of her WWE debut — and she’s leaving the door open for more appearances before 2025 ends.

“This is perfect, the way it’s been written, almost,” Stratus said. “If you were to look at the year of like how it should go. We’re only, what — it’s only July, isn’t it?”

“I literally have said, if you guys want some more Stratusfaction, just let me know. And if you don’t, then let me know too — I don’t care really about what those guys say. But, yeah, if you want more Stratusfaction, let me know.”

Evolution is being held at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Sunday. It’s the first time the PLE has taken place since its inaugural edition in 2018.

Stephanie McMahon unveils opening video for WWE Evolution

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With Evolution’s return now just a couple of days away, WWE has released the opening video for Sunday’s PLE broadcast.

The all-women’s event is taking place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, marking the first time Evolution has been held since the inaugural edition in 2018. The opening video — set to “Rise” by Katy Perry — was unveiled by Stephanie McMahon on social media today. It features a trio of young girls being inspired by watching current WWE wrestlers and legends.

“Finally
this Sunday is the return of @WWE EVOLUTION!,” Stephanie tweeted. “Watch some of the most talented female athletes in the world as they take their place in history once again! Together, we all RISE! #WWEEvolution”

Evolution is one of three WWE events happening in Atlanta this weekend, with NXT Great American Bash and Saturday Night’s Main Event both happening the day prior. Evolution will begin at 7 p.m. Eastern on Sunday. It’s streaming live on Peacock in the United States and Netflix elsewhere.

WWE Evolution 2025 (Sunday, July 13) —

  • Women’s World Champion IYO SKY defends against Rhea Ripley
  • WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton defends against Trish Stratus
  • NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne defends against Jordynne Grace
  • Triple threat match: Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch defends against Bayley and Lyra Valkyria
  • Four-way match: Women’s Tag Team Champions Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez defend against Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, Asuka & Kairi Sane, and Sol Ruca & Zaria
  • No holds barred match: Jade Cargill vs. Naomi
  • Battle royal for a women’s title shot at Clash in Paris

Lilian Garcia set for WWE Evolution ring announcing role

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Like at the inaugural event seven years ago, Lilian Garcia will have a role handling ring announcing duties for Evolution 2.

Garcia made an Instagram post today revealing that she’ll be a ring announcer for WWE Evolution this Sunday night. She’ll also be the ring announcer for Saturday Night’s Main Event this weekend. Both shows are being held at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

“THIS IS IT!!! @WWE EVOLUTION happening this Sunday!!! I was fortunate enough to be the announcer the 1st ever Evolution so now to be able to announce the 2nd one as well and continue to celebrate the progression of where this industry has evolved to along side these incredible women is such an honor!!!,” Garcia wrote alongside a clip of her working out in the gym.

“It all starts with hard work! 
for ALL of us!! We dedicate hours to our craft. It’s not easy but it’s definitely worth it!!”

Garcia no longer has a full-time position on either Raw or SmackDown but is still with WWE as the ring announcer for Saturday Night’s Main Event, along with doing ring announcing for other select events like Worlds Collide and Evolution.

Here is everything that’s been announced for Evolution:

WWE Evolution 2025 (Sunday, July 13) —

  • Women’s World Champion IYO SKY defends against Rhea Ripley
  • WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton defends against Trish Stratus
  • NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne defends against Jordynne Grace
  • Triple threat match: Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch defends against Bayley and Lyra Valkyria
  • Four-way match: Women’s Tag Team Champions Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez defend against Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, Asuka & Kairi Sane, and Sol Ruca & Zaria
  • No holds barred match: Jade Cargill vs. Naomi
  • Battle royal for a women’s title shot at Clash in Paris (Nikki Bella, Stephanie Vaquer, Natalya, Maxxine Dupri, Nia Jax, Ivy Nile confirmed entrants)

Charlotte Flair addresses possibility of WWE Evolution returning

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Charlotte Flair is looking forward to “creating more magic” at WWE Evolution if the return of the event comes to fruition.

Though not officially announced yet, the all-women’s PLE is expected to make its return this summer. The rumored date for the show is Saturday, July 5 from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The inaugural Evolution event took place in 2018 with a Last Woman Standing match between Charlotte and Becky Lynch being one of the top bouts on the card. Charlotte told the Daily Mail that it’s one of her favorite matches of her career.

“One of my favorite matches is from the first Evolution. Becky Lynch, Last Woman Standing. One of my top three favorite matches,” Charlotte said. “There’s always rumors that it’s happening, so until it happens, I can’t say yet because we don’t know. Y’all are the ones with the scoop!”

Charlotte thinks bringing back Evolution is a great idea, but she believes the goal for the women’s division is still having more main events and storylines on all WWE shows.

“No, I mean, I think it’d be great if we have it,” she told the Daily Mail. “But I still think the goal is to have more main events and more storylines and so on. The magic that I created on the first one, if it comes to fruition, I look forward to creating more magic on Evolution 2.”

When Evolution happens, Charlotte could be defending championship gold. She won the 2025 women’s Royal Rumble match and is set to challenge Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 41 later this month.