A new NXT women’s champion was crowned, a new contender for the Raw women’s championship was established and this year’s Mae Young Classic winner was crowned tonight at WWE Evolution.
In the battle royal, Nia Jax last eliminated Ember Moon to win a future title match. After throwing Zelina Vega to the outside on Tamina, Moon tried to eliminate Jax but to no avail, as Jax tree slammed her then eliminated Moon to win the match. After Ronda Rousey successfully defended the Raw women’s title at the end of the night, Jax was seen backstage watching Rousey celebrate on a nearby monitor.
The NXT women’s championship was the sole title to change hands tonight. The finish had Sane back body drop Baszler into a crowd of NXT women wrestlers, including Shayna Baszler’s friends Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke. Both got involved, with a second cheap shot by Duke allowing Baszler to get the submission win with the kirifuda clutch. With the win, Baszler becomes the first ever two time NXT women’s champion.
In the Mae Young Classic finals, Toni Storm defeated Io Shirai to win this year’s tournament. Shirai kicked out of the Storm zero (tiger bomb). Shirai went for a moonsault, but Storm got the knees up and hit a second Storm zero for the win.
When Evolution was first announced, WWE listed the NXT United Kingdom Women’s Championship as one of the titles that would be defended at the pay-per-view.
The participants weren’t advertised in advance and the match didn’t air live, but the NXT UK Women’s title was defended tonight. Rhea Ripley defeated Dakota Kai to retain the title at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York shortly before the Evolution main card started. ESPN.com noted that it was a fast-paced match that had a lot of energy from the crowd.
Ripley’s title win has yet to air on the WWE Network. She won the championship in an eight-woman tournament at NXT UK’s television tapings in Birmingham, England in August. She defeated Xia Brookside and Kai to get to the finals, then defeated Toni Storm to become the inaugural champion.
Since winning the title, Ripley has also been defending it at NXT’s house shows in Florida.
WWE’s first all-women’s pay-per-view takes place tonight as the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York hosts Evolution.
We’re looking for your thoughts on this historic show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the mddle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
Ronda Rousey will defend her Raw Women’s Championship against Nikki Bella. The SmackDown Women’s title match has a last woman standing stipulation, with Becky Lynch facing Charlotte Flair.
The NXT Women’s Championship will also be on the line as Kairi Sane defends against Shayna Baszler. In the finals of this year’s Mae Young Classic, Toni Storm takes on Io Shirai.
With Alexa Bliss unable to wrestle due to injury, Mickie James & Alicia Fox will team against Trish Stratus & Lita. Bliss will be in James & Fox’s corner.
Sasha Banks, Bayley & Natalya are set to face The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan) in a six-woman tag match, and there will be a battle royal for a future title shot. The announced participants are: Ember Moon, Nia Jax, Tamina, Dana Brooke, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Asuka, Carmella, Naomi, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Lana, Torrie Wilson, Madusa, Ivory, Molly Holly, Michelle McCool, Kelly Kelly, Maria Kanellis, and Zelina Vega.
The pre-show begins at 6 p.m. Eastern time before the main card starts at 7 p.m.
**********
by Dave Meltzer
On the pregame show, they had an interview where they said Biiss would be wrestling. It wasn’t corrected, so either she was cleared or they made a mistake.
Nia Strauss and Lizzy Hale were out with Strauss in the ring playing her guitar and Hale sang an “Evolution” song. Strauss is quite incredible at playing the guitar.
TRISH STRATUS & LITA VS. MICKIE JAMES & ALICIA FOX
Bliss came out to be in their corner. This crowd was super hot. The match was normal, a little sloppy in spots, but overall fun. Stratus used Stratusfaction on James and Fox was supposed to save but she was late so the ref had to hold up the count. Lita used a twist of fate on Fox and then Lita did a moonsault on both at the same time. Stratus then pinned James with the chick kick. At the very beginning the crowd was just on fire. It looks like this is more of an NXT crowd than a WWE crowd, which is really good for the show.
They also turned the house lights off for the match.
The Bellas said they were going to dedicate their match to Ronda’s mom and said they were inviting Ronda’s mom to the Bella Army.
20 WOMAN BATTLE ROYAL, WINNER GETS THEIR BRAND TITLE SHOT
Naomi, Michelle McCool, Sonya Deville, Alundra Blayze, Carmella, Zelina Vega, Kelly Kelly, Tamina, Ember,Moon, Lana, Maria Kanellis, (showed Mike and her baby at ringside), Mandy Rose, Molly Holly, Dana Brooke, Nia Jax, Ivory, Asuka, Torrie Wilson, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce. The Iconics got to do a promo. They ripped on Long Island. Peyton Royce said said we see our childhood heroes that paved the way and said they’ll pave the way by throwing them over the top rope back to obscurity.
Nia Jax won by throwing out Ember Moon. Crowd was hot. Most of the retired women were out early but Michelle McCool and Ivory lasted a long time. Ths is very much an NXT crowd as they went crazy for Moon vs, Asuka when they squared off. The Iconics were thrown out immdately. Rose & Deville were throwing people out together until Rose double-crossed Deville. The crowd went crazy when Moon threw out Asuka. Then Moon used the eclipse and threw out Tamina. It looked like Moon and Jax were the last two. But Vega had been hiding and they teased the spot where she snuck up on both of them, but it didn’t work. Jax pressed Vega and threw her over the top to the floor (onto Tamina who was still there to catch her). Moon kept clotheslining Jax, but Jax caught Moon, power bombed her and threw Moon out.
Jax said she didn’t care who won between Rousey or Bella beause whoever wins won’t keep the title long.
IO SHIRAI VS. TONI STORM IN THE MAE YOUNG CLASSIC FINAL
Good match. There were some big moves like Io doing a moonsault off the top rope to the floor and Storm using a German suplex on the floor. The crowd wasn’t as hot as the prior match but they were fine. They kept it short. Storm seemed to get over. The finish saw Shirai go for a moonsault, Storm got her knees up and Storm hit Strong zero for the pin. Earlier Shirai had kicked out of Storm zero.
The rest of tonight’s live coverage is written by Bryan Rose:
BAYLEY & SASHA BANKS & NATALYA VS. THE RIOT SQUAD
This ended up being a fast paced, really good match. Lots of great action near the end and the crowd got into it for the final few moments of the match. Banks picked up the win with a frog splash on Liv Morgan after Bayley hit the Randy Savage elbow and suicide dived into the rest of the Riott Squad.
KAIRI SANE VS. SHAYNA BASZLER FOR THE NXT WOMEN’S TITLE
Things started off slow early. After some back and forth on the outside, Baszler stomped on Sane’s hand and started working over the arm. Sane tried to fight back and was eventually successful, taking down Baszler with a spinning backfist. Sane locked in a modified Boston crab but Baszler managed to escape thanks to the bum arm.
Sane took Baszler down with a spear as she started to gain momentum. She took down Baszler with an Alabama Slam but Baszler met her as she went to the top rope and grabbed her arm, using her strength to dangle her over the ropes. She then let her go as she fell to the floor.
Sane fired back with a DDT and went to the top rope, but Baszler rolled out of the way. Sane leaped forward with a gigantic crossbody from the top rope to the floor in a really cool spot. Sane back body dropped Baszler over the guardrail onto a number of NXT women’s wrestlers. Jessamyn Duke responded by grabbing Sane, but she took out Due with a spinning backfist. She went to enter the ring, but Marina Shafir ran in to interfere. Sane took her out with a backfist as well.
Sane countered the kirifuda clutch with a bridge as Baszler kicked out. After Baszler kicked out of another near fall, Sane went to the ropes. Duke punched her, which allowed Baszler to go for the kirifuda clutch for a second time. With nowhere to go, Sane passed out, giving the win and the title to Baszler. Very good title match, Sane is great and Baszler held her own very well.
BECKY LYNCH VS. CHARLOTTE IN A LAST WOMAN STANDING MATCH FOR THE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S TITLE
They started off exchanging some counts in the ring. Lynch took Charlotte out of the ring as she took out a kendo stick and started wailing on Charlotte. They both introduced steel chairs…a lot of them. Charlotte took out a table but Lynch jumped her as she was setting it up. Charlotte responded with a belly to belly suplex.
Lynch took Charlotte out with a chair as she began assembling chairs in the middle of the ring. Lynch went for an exploder, but Charlotte countered and planted her onto the chairs with a back suplex. Lynch recovered and suplexed Charlotte into the chairs. She set up the table, but Charlotte countered and wound up putting her on the table. Charlotte went for a moonsault and connected, though the table did not break. It eventually did break after Charlotte landed a swanton bomb.
Both women got up before 10 as Charlotte introduced a ladder. Lynch cut her off and slammed her on top of the ladder. Charlotte countered by grabbing Lynch and applying the figure out with Lynch’s legs wrapped around the ladder. Lynch grabbed a nearby ladder and smashed it into Charlotte’s shin, freeing her.
They went to the outside as Lynch shoved Charlotte into the steel steps, then threw her hard into the post when she got back up. Lynch grabbed the title and started to walk away through the crowd. Charlotte jumped her as she was trying to leave, brawling inside the crowd. They go back to ringside as Lynch cut off Charlotte and put her through an announce table with a legdrop on the ladder. She then buried her in a mountain of office chairs that the announcers were sitting on.
Charlotte beat the ten count, attacking a stunned Lynch with a kendo stick. She took out another table on the outside and put Lynch on top of it as she went for a moonsault…but Lynch caught her on the apron and powerbombed her through the table. Charlotte tried valiantly to get up by 10, but couldn’t, allowing Lynch to retain the title. This was also very good, both worked hard and got a ton of time. I don’t know if it’s an all time classic like they announcers were trying to sell it as, though.
They are running down the Crown Jewel card. That got some boos.
RONDA ROUSEY VS. NIKKI BELLA FOR THE RAW WOMEN’S TITLE
Ronda toyed with Nikki early, taking her down and grabbing the arm, but didn’t apply the armbar. As they went to the outside, Ronda was shoved into the post after Brie distracted her. As Nikki was distracting the ref back in the ring, Brie posted her a second time.
Nikki remained on offense, throwing Ronda into the barricade. Brie continued to interfere as well, striking her as she tried to recover. Nikki posted her a third time as she was laying in the corner. Nikki went for a superplex but Ronda took her down. She went for a crossbody, but Nikki dodged as she crashed to the floor.
Ronda finds and opening as catches Nikki’s leg and goes for a samoan drop. Brie tries to get involved, but finds herself on Ronda’s shoulders as well as both Bella Twins are dropped to the floor. Ronda strikes with punches, then arm drags her twice. An overhead suplex sends Nikki out of the ring.
Ronda threw Nikki in as Brie attempted to interfere again. Ronda threw her over the announcer’s table, but as she got back into the ring Nikki connected with an Alabama Slam, posted her a second time and hit the rack attack 2.0. Ronda kicked out, which stunned Nikki. Ronda cut her off the top rope with a small package powerbomb, then applied the armbar for the submission. Thought this was fine; I’m not a fan of Ronda selling constantly but they found a good way to make that believable and the comeback was strong. Very well worked.
Ronda posed with the title as Nia Jax looked on backstage. The rest of the women’s locker room came out to celebrate with Ronda as they closed out the show. The final image was both women’s champions clinking their titles together.
Alexa Bliss is out of WWE Evolution, at least in an in-ring capacity.
WWE has updated their preview on their website listing the new match of Trish Stratus and Lita vs. Mickie James and Alicia Fox. They also confirmed the news on Twitter after they updated their website. The preview goes on to say that Alexa Bliss will not compete in the match due to injury, which Dave Meltzer mentioned in Monday’s daily update. She will instead be replaced by Alicia Fox and will be in her and James’ corner. An angle was shot this past week on Raw where Fox and James attacked Lita and Stratus backstage.
Bliss had largely been inactive since Hell in a Cell back on September 16 due to a previous injury. She returned back on the road for last weekend’s house show loop and worked a few matches but didn’t appear as advertised in Boston on 10/21. She also didn’t appear on this week’s edition of Raw.
WWE and Twitter are partnering for a simulcast of the first half hour of Sunday’s Evolution pay-per-view.
It was announced today that the first 30 minutes of Evolution will air on the WWE Network and Twitter (via the @WWE, @TwitterLive, and @TwitterSports handles) at 7 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday. Twitter also has custom emojis for the #WWEEvolution, #RondaRousey, and #NikkiBella hashtags.
WWE didn’t announce what will be airing during the first half hour of Evolution. There will be an hour-long pre-show for the event starting at 6 p.m. Eastern.
To promote Evolution, WWE is also airing a seven-hour live stream of past content on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube on Saturday. It will begin at 3 p.m. Eastern and will feature “full-length championship matches, episodes of Ride Along and WWE 24, and much more from WWE Network.”
Here’s the card for Sunday’s PPV:
Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defending against Nikki Bella
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defending against Charlotte Flair in a last woman standing match
Alexa Bliss & Mickie James vs. Trish Stratus & Lita
NXT Women’s Champion Kairi Sane defending against Shayna Baszler
Battle royal for a future title shot (Ember Moon, Nia Jax, Tamina, Dana Brooke, Alicia Fox, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Asuka, Carmella, Naomi, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Lana, Torrie Wilson, Alundra Blayze, Ivory, Molly Holly, Michelle McCool, Kelly Kelly, Maria Kanellis, and Zelina Vega announced)
Sasha Banks, Bayley & Natalya vs. The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan)
Toni Storm vs. Io Shirai in the finals of the Mae Young Classic
The broadcast team for Sunday’s Evolution pay-per-view is set.
WWE has confirmed that Michael Cole, Renee Young, and Beth Phoenix will be on commentary for Evolution. That’s the same commentary team that has called this year’s Mae Young Classic.
Before the main card begins, there will be an hour-long pre-show on the WWE Network starting at 6 p.m. Eastern time. It will feature Young, Phoenix, and Paige. Lilian Garcia, JoJo, and Kayla Braxton will be the ring announcers, Braxton and Charly Caruso will be on the red carpet, and interviews will be done by Dasha Fuentes, Cathy Kelley, and Sarah Schreiber.
The Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York is hosting Evolution on Sunday. Here’s what’s been announced for the show:
Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defending against Nikki Bella
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defending against Charlotte Flair in a last woman standing match
Alexa Bliss & Mickie James vs. Trish Stratus & Lita
NXT Women’s Champion Kairi Sane defending against Shayna Baszler
Ahead of tonight’s go-home edition of Raw, WWE has confirmed what a few more wrestlers will be doing at Evolution.
It was announced this afternoon that Sasha Banks, Bayley & Natalya will face The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan) in a six-woman tag match at the October 28 pay-per-view in Long Island, New York.
After being pulled from Mixed Match Challenge due to injury, Banks was back on Raw last week and returned to the ring at this weekend’s house shows. Natalya faced Riott on Raw last Monday, with The Riott Squad causing a disqualification when Natalya had Riott in the Sharpshooter and the faces fighting them off after the match.
Here’s the updated card for Evolution:
Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defending against Nikki Bella
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defending against Charlotte Flair in a last woman standing match
Alexa Bliss & Mickie James vs. Trish Stratus & Lita
NXT Women’s Champion Kairi Sane defending against Shayna Baszler
Battle royal for a future title shot (Ember Moon, Nia Jax, Tamina, Dana Brooke, Alicia Fox, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Asuka, Carmella, Naomi, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Lana, Torrie Wilson, Alundra Blayze, Ivory, Molly Holly, Michelle McCool, Kelly Kelly, and Maria Kanellis announced thus far)
Sasha Banks, Bayley & Natalya vs. The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan)
More returns are set for the battle royal that will be taking place at WWE Evolution.
WWE announced today that Alundra Blayze (Madusa), Ivory, Molly Holly, Michelle McCool, and Kelly Kelly will be returning for the battle royal. Maria Kanellis, who joined 205 Live this month as Mike Kanellis’ manager, will also be returning to action in the battle royal.
Ember Moon, Nia Jax, Tamina, Dana Brooke, Alicia Fox, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Asuka, Carmella, Naomi, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Lana, and Torrie Wilson were the first group of wrestlers announced for the battle royal. The winner of it will receive a future title shot.
The Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York will host Evolution on October 28. Here’s the updated card:
Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defending against Nikki Bella
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defending against Charlotte Flair in a last woman standing match
Alexa Bliss & Mickie James vs. Trish Stratus & Lita
NXT Women’s Champion Kairi Sane defending against Shayna Baszler
Battle royal for a future title shot (Ember Moon, Nia Jax, Tamina, Dana Brooke, Alicia Fox, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Asuka, Carmella, Naomi, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Lana, Torrie Wilson, Alundra Blayze, Ivory, Molly Holly, Michelle McCool, Kelly Kelly, and Maria Kanellis announced thus far)
WWE describes Road to Evolution as: “The special will look back on the groundbreaking Women’s Evolution in WWE, featuring Superstars of the past, present and future coming together to celebrate a new chapter in WWE history.”
The special will premiere on the USA Network after Monday’s Raw, which is the go-home show for Evolution. Road to Evolution will also air on the E! network at 10 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday (October 24), which is right after Total Divas.
Evolution is taking place at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York on October 28. Here’s what’s been announced for the PPV:
Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defending against Nikki Bella
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defending against Charlotte Flair in a last woman standing match
Alexa Bliss & Mickie James vs. Trish Stratus & Lita
NXT Women’s Champion Kairi Sane defending against Shayna Baszler
Battle royal for a future title shot (Ember Moon, Nia Jax, Tamina, Dana Brooke, Alicia Fox, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Asuka, Carmella, Naomi, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Lana, and Torrie Wilson announced thus far)
A video package looking back at the history of SmackDown started the show.
R-Truth and Carmella were already in the ring for a special edition of Truth TV. Truth said there have been a lot of special Truth TV episodes but this is the most special. Carmella pointed out they only had one episode and they were cancelled.
Truth and Carmella then had a brief dance break. The fans chanted “one more time” but Truth said he had to get to work. He went to introduce the next guest but they had another dance break instead. Truth went to announce his guest when Stephanie McMahon’s music hit.
Stephanie pointed out that she was the first SmackDown General Manager. She asked Truth to ask his first question when Shane McMahon’s music interrupted. The crowd popped huge for Shane. He thanked the fans and Stephanie acted disgusted.
Shane welcomed her to the A show but she pointed out that Raw’s the longest running show. She said Raw wouldn’t start off with something like Truth TV. The crowd broke into a loud “Truth TV” chant. Shane and Stephanie continued to argue until Vince McMahon’s music hit.
The crowd erupted for Vince. He said nobody wants to see Shane and Stephanie argue. He said they want to be entertained. The crowed started a “What?” chant. Stephanie pointed out that Vince has a hearing aid and can hear them. Vince said the fans want a dance break. Vince, Truth, Carmella, Shane and Stephanie all started dancing to end the segment.
The Usos defeated WWE Champion AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan
Styles was halfway down the ramp when Daniel Bryan’s music interrupted. Styles seemed a bit annoyed.
Jimmy rocked Bryan with chops in the corner. Bryan fought back and used a dragon screw whip. Styles continued to target the leg. The Usos gained the advantage with a double kick in the corner. Styles caught Jimmy with the Calf Crusher and Bryan applied the Yes Lock on Jey. Jimmy was able to make it to the ropes.
After the commercial break, both Styles and Jey were down. Bryan got the hot tag and ran wild. He hit a suicide dive and missile dropkick. Bryan used the Yes Kicks for a near fall.
Bryan tried to hit Jey but he moved and punched Styles instead. Jey then went to superkick Bryan but he moved and hit Styles as well. The Usos then hit a double superkick on Bryan for the win. Styles was clearly unhappy with Bryan.
General Manager Paige was in her office. Vicki Guerrero, Teddy Long and John Laurinaitis all showed up.
Randy Orton, Ric Flair, HHH and Batista came down to the ring. Tom Philips pointed out this is the first time Evolution’s been together on SmackDown. The crowd broke into a “Batista” chant. HHH and Flair spoke positively about each other and the fans.
Orton noted that HHH has been running things, Flair lives vicariously through his daughter and Batista spends most of his time in a make up chair. Orton’s been in the WWE dominating.
Batista said he’s nervous and going to ignore Orton’s comment. He pointed out that they’re in his hometown. He thanked the fans and said he loves them. He never cared when they called him “Bootista”. All he wanted to do was entrain the fans. One of the reasons he came back was to reunite with Evolution.
He said Evolution is a special group. He said when he first saw Orton in OVW he knew he was special. He said Orton has more talent in his pinky then anyone else that stepped in the ring. He said there’s nothing he can say about Flair that you don’t already know. Then he noted there are a few stories he can’t share. Batista said to Flair “Keep it in your pants”.
Battista started talking about HHH. He noted he’s the greatest and there’s nothing he can’t do…except beat him. The crowed erupted. Batista and HHH went face-to-face and the situaion got tense. Flair calmed them down. They hugged and smiled. However, their smiles slowly faded away.
The Miz defeated Rusev in a World Cup qualifying match
Raw General Manager Kurt Angle joined in on commentary. This was a short match. Rusev was on fire but Aiden English ran out and distracted Rusev. Miz then rolled Rusev up to qualify for the World Cup.
After the match, Lana gave English a low blow. Rusev beat English all around ringside and threw him over the announce table.
Backstage, Edge met with his former Edge head Curt Hawkins
Edge came down to the ring to host a special edition of Cutting Edge. He said he felt he had to be here for SmackDown 1000 because he feels it’s his show. He talked about facing The Undertaker, Eddie Guerrero and marrying & divorcing Vickie Guerrero.
He noted he’s been watching the show the last few weeks. He feels he needs to be the moral campus. He introduced SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch. The fans broke into a “Becky” chant. They booed when Edge mentioned Charlotte Flair.
Edge sees a lot of himself in Lynch. She thanked him for having the champ on his show. Edge said he wasn’t meant to be in the main event. He had to fight for everything he got just like Lynch.
Edge noted that Lynch chose the championship over friendship but it was a mistake. He said that he stills see a good person in Lynch. He said it ends with Lynch at home looking at her championships and reminiscing all alone.
Lynch said he’s right and she doesn’t like herself. She loves herself. The fans popped big. She told Edge to get out of her ring and not to break his neck on his way out. Awesome line. This got a huge reaction.
Flair came out and was disgusted with Lynch. The fans chanted “Becky”. Flair and Lynch brawled. Several referees tried to break them up. This was a really good segment. The fans love Becky Lynch.
Backstage, Rey Mysterio ran into Jeff Hardy.
The Bar defeated The New Day (w/Kofi Kingston) to win the SmackDown Tag Team Championship
The New Day gave up their special orange announce table to Jerry “The King “ Lawler and Booker T. Throughout the match they cut away to King and Booker. King and Booker never seemed ready to speak.
The Bar had the early advantage and isolated Xavier Woods. Big E got the hot tag and ran wild. Big E dropped Cesaro on the top of his head for a near fall. This looked scary.
Sheamus missed a brogue kick and Big E hit the spear to the floor. Woods hit a Shining Wizard for a near fall. Big E hit the Big Ending on Sheamus but he had made a blind tag. Cesaro scored a close near fall.
Sheamus and Cesaro gave Big E a powerbomb/uppercut combo for a near fall. Cesaro hit Kingston from behind. Woods tried to hit a dive but The Bar caught him and tossed him in the barricade. The Bar cleared the orange announce table but Big Show’s music hit.
Big Show came down to ringside and The Bar left. He helped Kingston up. Show suddenly gave Kingston a choke slam through the table. Big E was distracted and Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick to win the SmackDown tag team championship.
John Cena sent in a special video. He noted that without SmackDown there would be no John Cena. He mentioned his debut against Kurt Angle. He thanked the fans.
Rey Mysterio defeated Shinsuke Nakamura to qualify for the World Cup
Nakamura started off with stiff kicks and knees. Mysterio fought back with his own strikes. Nakamura applied a front face lock and slowed the pace down. Mysterio attempted the 619 but Nakamura avoided the move. Mysterio hit a sliding dive underneath the bottom rope into a splash on the floor.
Mysterio gave Nakamura a hurricanrana off the top for a near fall. He went for springboard splash but Nakamura caught him with a knee. He followed up with a second knee for a two count. Nakamura attempted the Kinshasa but Mysterio reversed into a pin fall attempt.
Nakamura attempted a second Kinshasa but Mysterio ducked. Finish came when Mysterio hit the 619 and a springboard frog splash to win the match and qualify for the World Cup.
The lights went out and The Undertaker came down to the ring. He mentioned Crown Jewel and the fans booed. Undertaker said he has three words for DX, “Rest In Peace.”
A battle royal has been added to the lineup for WWE’s Evolution pay-per-view.
During tonight’s Raw, it was announced that a battle royal for a future title shot will take place at the October 28 pay-per-view in Long Island, New York. Ember Moon, Nia Jax, Tamina, Dana Brooke, Alicia Fox, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Asuka, Carmella, Naomi, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Lana, and Torrie Wilson are the first confirmed entrants for the battle royal. WWE didn’t reveal how many wrestlers will be in the match.
Wilson also returned for the women’s Royal Rumble in January.
Tamina was back on Raw tonight after undergoing surgery for a right shoulder supraspinatus tear on January 31.
Here’s the updated card for Evolution:
Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defending against Nikki Bella
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defending against Charlotte Flair in a last woman standing match
Alexa Bliss & Mickie James vs. Trish Stratus & Lita
NXT Women’s Champion Kairi Sane defending against Shayna Baszler
The SmackDown Women’s Championship will be on the line in a last woman standing match at Evolution.
After Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair ended in a double countout on tonight’s SmackDown, it was announced that Lynch would defend her title against Charlotte at Evolution in what’s being promoted as WWE’s first-ever last woman standing match. The pay-per-view is taking place at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York on October 28.
With Lynch intentionally getting disqualified at Super Show-Down, tonight’s Lynch vs. Charlotte rematch had a stipulation where the title would have changed hands if Charlotte won by DQ. After the double countout finish, there was an angle where Charlotte speared Lynch through the LED wall at the top of the entrance ramp.
Here’s the updated card for Evolution:
Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defending against Nikki Bella
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defending against Charlotte Flair in a last woman standing match
Alexa Bliss & Mickie James vs. Trish Stratus & Lita
NXT Women’s Champion Kairi Sane defending against Shayna Baszler
With The Bellas turning against Ronda Rousey tonight, the Raw Women’s Championship match for Evolution is now official.
Ronda Rousey will defend her title against Nikki Bella at the October 28 pay-per-view in Long Island, New York. Dave Meltzer first reported that the match was planned for Evolution on the August 19 edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.
On Raw tonight, Rousey teamed with The Bellas against The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan) in a rematch from Super Show-Down. Rousey submitted Riott with an armbar, and Nikki and Brie Bella both attacked Rousey in a post-match angle. Rousey tried to fight back but was laid out by being thrown into the post, steel steps, and barricade,
WWE then uploaded a video where Brie said Rousey was taking their spotlight. Nikki said they’re here to remind everyone that this is a “Bellalution.”
As the build to Evolution picked up on Raw, it was also revealed that Alexa Bliss would be teaming with Mickie James against Trish Stratus & Lita at the PPV. Bliss vs. Stratus and James vs. Lita were originally announced as singles matches.
When WWE returns to Saudi Arabia on November 2, they’ll be doing so just five days after their Evolution pay-per-view.
People are always going to link WWE’s 10-year deal with Saudi Arabia with how it contradicts the company’s “women’s evolution” messaging, but Evolution and Crown Jewel taking place on the same week makes them feel even more connected. On the Monday after Evolution, WWE will be hyping the achievement of the women’s division at the same time as they’re holding the go-home show for an event that women can’t participate in.
Cynically, it’s easy to view Evolution as a consolation — or at least a countermeasure — for the women’s division not being able to wrestle at Crown Jewel. WWE’s decision to choose money over what’s morally right is one that can’t be defended or hidden.
One of the title matches for WWE’s Evolution pay-per-view has been confirmed.
At tonight’s NXT television tapings, it was announced that Kairi Sane will defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Shayna Baszler at Evolution. This will be Baszler’s rematch for the title after dropping it to Sane at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV in August.
Sane vs. Baszler was set up for Evolution after Sane defeated Vanessa Borne at tonight’s tapings. Baszler came down after the match and got on the microphone. She said she’ll be invoking her rematch clause and said she’ll win the title back. Sane responded to her, saying that their match will be taking place at Evolution.
Evolution will be held at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York on October 28. Alexa Bliss vs. Trish Stratus, Mickie James vs. Lita, and the finals of the Mae Young Classic have also been made official for the PPV.
