- 7/14/2025
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00:00Now we've watched the pass the championships take wild twists and turns and tonight so many of those
00:06paths come to a fork in the road. Good evening everybody thrilled to be with you Joe Tessitore
00:12here in Atlanta with this great crowd ready to roar as we welcome you to Evolution and tonight
00:20we celebrate a group of elite athletes who have earned this spotlight event. We are far removed
00:28from the women's division just breaking through what we have here tonight at Evolution with this
00:34big crowd is now the industry norm proven true living legends rising stars compelling storylines
00:42because of what they have accomplished. Now let's bring out my co-host for the evening there are few
00:51who have had a bigger impact on the literal evolution of the women's division. Nights like
00:58this just wouldn't have happened without her.
01:05Ladies and gentlemen please welcome Stephanie McMahon!
01:28Oh what a reception! What a night for Stephanie McMahon to come out here for Evolution I can only imagine. What's this PLA especially means to you? You reflect on the women's division Steph? What is your take on where to go?
01:35What is your take on where things are right now with the depth and quality we're seeing?
01:42Well I have to say the very first Evolution you know we all had so much to prove. We had to prove that we belonged. We had to prove that we belonged.
01:49We had to prove that we could have our own PLA that we could have our own show. That you would all show up.
01:56That you would all watch! That you would all watch! That here we are today seven years later where our women are just regulating the show.
02:01That you would all show up! That we all show up! That you would all show up! That you would all show up! That you would all watch!
02:11we belonged we had to prove that we could have our own ple that we could have our own show that
02:16you would all show up that you would all watch and here we are today seven years later where our
02:24women are just regularly main eventing the depth of the roster and at the performance center in
02:31nxt is unbelievable the athleticism that i think we all see on display every week the great american
02:38bash that happened yesterday afternoon i mean i think the main roster has has a lot cut out for
02:44them that they better watch their backs and tonight get ready to be inspired because we get to do it
02:52all over again you and i have been talking all week long as to how excited we are for this loaded card
03:01to be able to host it let's get into tonight just a little bit because obviously we got championship
03:06match-ups we also have one particular rivalry that's been boiling over but i'm curious for
03:11you personally step the match that you're finding yourself drawn to what intrigues you here oh they're
03:17all so intriguing i mean it's really so hard to pick one but if i if you're going to force my hand
03:22i would have to say jade cargill versus naomi and the no holds barred match i mean did you see what
03:30happened at saturday night's main event because that was a fight and we're going to see a fight
03:34tonight and the only person who could keep it under control is bianca belair as a special guest
03:39i can't wait i think this place is going to explode when the est comes out yeah ref uniform
03:46here hey let's get to the folks who are going to be calling all this great action evolution has
03:51arrived the great michael cole and wade barrett thanks a lot joe thanks stephanie 2015 stephanie
03:58mcmahon sat in the middle of that ring and she ushered in what she called then the women's
04:02revolution she brought charlotte flair and becky lynch and also sasha banks to the ring
04:08to well it would move into what would he call then evolution after that night and it was a long time
04:15ago for michael cole but those of us young enough to remember biology class evolution never ends it just
04:21keeps on refining keeps on improving and the women of wwe are going to show the world that
04:27tonight let's get things started with a triple threat match
04:30the following is a triple threat match and it is for the women's
04:53intercontinental championship
04:58introducing the challengers first from san jose california
05:07bayley
05:10you know wait i mentioned three of the four horsewomen a couple of moments ago
05:15bayley is the fourth of that group and she still has a chip on her shoulder to this day
05:20that she was not brought off at the same time as the three women i mentioned just a few minutes ago
05:26bayley has turned that in to an unbelievable career
05:29there she's had an a plus plus career future hall of famer as we always tell you about bayley
05:34and even the wording of your statement just then bayley is the fourth of the four horsewomen
05:40to me that is completely wrong this is a woman who has proved it time and time again
05:45and may well add one more piece of silverware to the cabinet tonight
05:50yeah tremendous resume that will lead her to the hall of fame one day
05:53a four-time world champion an nxt champion two-time tag team champion
05:58miss money in the bank royal rumble winner
06:01bantley's done it all except win the intercontinental championship
06:06thank you
06:15thank you
06:16thank you
06:28The wings are out tonight.
06:58Next, from Dublin, Ireland, Lyra Valkyria!
07:07Lyra Valkyria, who says she feels alive when she flies, channeling the Irish god of war Morrigan,
07:15who decides who lives and who dies on the battlefield.
07:18And for tonight, for Lyra Valkyria, the Ann Arbor Intercontinental Champion,
07:22it is about belonging.
07:24She's heard a lot over the past few weeks that she doesn't deserve to be on the same stage as Becky Lynch and Bayley,
07:31but damn it, she's here tonight!
07:33Yeah, well, bell to bell, in ring, Lyra Valkyria is as good as anyone,
07:38and she has been for the past couple of years, to be fair,
07:41but it's really the personality shift over the past several months.
07:45It's back, growth from really a girl in this industry to a woman,
07:50and it was the stabbing in the back by the Intercontinental Champion, Becky Lynch,
07:55that really peeled a new layer off of Lyra Valkyria.
08:00She means business now, and she has taken a backseat to nobody, not Bayley, and certainly not Becky Lynch.
08:06She understands it's hard to trust anyone in WWE.
08:11She is the Women's Intercontinental Champion!
08:26And come on, honey, from Dublin Ireland!
08:31She is the Women's Intercontinental Champion!
08:38The man, Becky Lynch!
08:46And we'd be remiss if we didn't mention our great ring announcer here tonight at Evolution,
08:51none other than another trailblazer, Alicia Taylor.
08:54But turning back to Becky Lynch in the first Evolution back in 2018, Wade,
08:58she had a last woman standing match where she beat Charlotte.
09:00It has been called one of the greatest matches of all time in WWE,
09:04and many believe that was really the turning point in this entire Evolution.
09:09Yeah, undoubtedly, Becky Lynch, absolutely unparalleled when it comes to star appeal,
09:16and in this whole women's revolution,
09:19perhaps she was the first woman of them all in the locker room
09:23to get her name, her star value, on a par with the very top men of this industry.
09:29That's why she is the man, that's why she is the champ,
09:33and that's why she is box office wherever she goes.
09:37Big time back!
09:39A box office response from the thousands of WWE fans here tonight
09:43for the seventh-time world champion.
09:46Win an NXT title of Tag Team Championship on a couple of occasions for Royal Rumble as well,
09:52and that's what it's all about.
09:53The Intercontinental Championship that Lyra Valkyria won back earlier this year
09:58to become the inaugural champion.
10:00Becky Lynch would go on to attack Bayley, cost her Bayley a match at WrestleMania.
10:06Then with Turner back and Lyra Valkyria.
10:08And for Becky Lynch, it's about defending the title tonight.
10:11The Intercontinental Championship defended a triple threat match for the first time ever.
10:15They're on their feet in Atlanta!
10:28And again, triple threat rules.
10:33First woman to gain pinfall or submission becomes the Intercontinental Champion.
10:37And just like that, Bayley makes sure it starts off one-on-one with Becky Lynch.
10:43An experience there from Lyra Valkyria costing her right off the bat.
10:47Do not take your eyes off either of your opponents in a triple threat,
10:51despite the fact that perhaps you hate Becky more than you do Bayley.
10:55Becky Lynch owns a 6-3 record against Bayley in their career.
11:00Becky has a losing record, however, when it comes to Lyra Valkyria.
11:03Oh, and a nice back suplex by Bayley, who's taken over early in this matchup.
11:08Let's talk about what Bayley needs to do.
11:10Oh, and Lyra from behind.
11:12What does she need to do to win the title?
11:13I guess the...remember there's another person in the match.
11:16Yeah, absolutely. I forget the question.
11:17I was so taken by Lyra Valkyria.
11:19You're asking me, but what does Bayley have to do?
11:21Yes, indeed.
11:22Bayley has to solely focus her talents on eliminating one of these women out of the way,
11:27so she can focus exclusively on perhaps Lyra Valkyria. Here we go.
11:33And a near fall kick out at one by Valkyria.
11:36Smartest thing you can do, get one opponent to the floor, drop them.
11:39That's why.
11:40Make this a one-on-one matchup, and right now with big-time bets.
11:43Oh, temporarily down. That was the opportunity, and it's gone.
11:46And Becky looking to pin both of these women.
11:48Remember, we ended up in this cripple-set situation,
11:50or the double pin a number of weeks ago between Lyra and Bayley.
11:52Roll up now on Becky and a kick out by the champ.
11:55And now Lyra Valkyria, perhaps looking for Nightwing,
12:00and she hit that on both these women this past Monday.
12:04Becky Lynch taking a knee to the temple,
12:06then being used as a weapon by Lyra Valkyria.
12:09And Valkyria off the ropes and swung into Bayley.
12:12So difficult to get any form of momentum this early in a match, Bart.
12:16Cross body lateral press and a kick out at two by the man.
12:20Valkyria, perhaps, finally getting a foothold.
12:24A month of frustration, rage, and anger outpouring out of the young Dubliner.
12:30The official in this matchup, Daphne LaShawn down for the count.
12:34Shoulders down and a kick out at two.
12:36A member of Lyra Valkyria beat Becky Lynch for the NXT Women's title.
12:41Ancient history, Michael Cole.
12:44That was back when no one really knew about Valkyria.
12:47Now word is out and nobody is taking Valkyria lightly
12:51and moves like this are part of the reason why.
12:54Lyra Valkyria torturing Becky Lynch, making Becky pay,
12:57and Bayley gonna break things up with a Bigfoot.
13:00A little too carried away with a nice submission hold there.
13:04Take your eye off Bayley.
13:06Leave yourself defenseless.
13:08And now one-on-one again.
13:10Up over the top goes Lyra.
13:12She'll roll through.
13:13A nice full kick into the corner goes Bayley.
13:16That was an ugly landing for Bayley.
13:18Head and neck snapping back off that bottom turnbuckle.
13:22One thing I've noticed, the maturation of Lyra Valkyria.
13:25The growth she's shown in the last number of months to support from the WWE fans.
13:30And now Valkyria, uh-oh, caught by Bayley and Becky who work together momentarily.
13:35And now Lyra Valkyria toss face first into our announce table.
13:38And it looks like it might be another night like last night out here at ringside.
13:42Once again, a little rush of blood to the head of Lyra Valkyria.
13:46Perhaps got a little overexcited, overestimated her abilities against two of the best
13:52who are now throwing down right in front of us.
13:55And remember, no countouts, no disqualifications under triple threat rules.
13:59It's only pinfall or submission to win this thing.
14:01No champion's advantage for Becky.
14:03It's one of the things she was upset about, having to defend in a triple threat.
14:07Make too many enemies.
14:09It behooves the GM to set up a matchup like this.
14:13You've got to be incredibly careful when you hold gold in WWE.
14:17Baseball slide, drops Bayley to the floor.
14:19Always stack the deck in your favor and the man simply hasn't been able to do that tonight.
14:23And Becky, since her return to WWE, eaten up with ego.
14:29And something changed when she was out.
14:31Come on, when you have unmatched finesse like Becky Lynch, you can have all the ego in the world.
14:37Even more so when you're mistreated by youngsters like Lyra Valkyria.
14:42Mistreated, wait a minute, she beat up Bayley, cost her a spot in WrestleMania,
14:45and then she turned on Lyra Valkyria to beat the hell out of her as well.
14:49Valkyria crossbody.
14:51Becky Lynch helped Lyra Valkyria win gold at WrestleMania.
14:55And where was the thanks, where was the gratitude?
14:57Valkyria went for a tornado, DDT off the announce table, and she's driven into the steps by Becky.
15:03Becky Lynch, as resilient as they come.
15:07So much accomplished in her career here in WWE.
15:12Talk about a woman who never paid attention to barriers in her career.
15:16A barrier came in quite handy right there for Becky Lynch.
15:20Now torturing the body of Bayley, the former friend.
15:24Now the big sploder into the barricade.
15:27And Bayley, her right knee, may have tweaked as she came down.
15:32And Becky now realizing she may have an opportunity.
15:35Yeah, that's really interesting.
15:36You hit that barricade, you think it's a back impact.
15:39Inside, leg hook gonna kick out at two.
15:41But Bayley is in trouble, her arm, her knee as well.
15:45Let's take another look back at what we just saw here.
15:48As Lyra Valkyria going high risk, flattening Bayley on the outside.
15:53But this was the moment the knee of Bayley got tweaked against that barrier.
15:59And Bayley really hasn't looked the same since.
16:01Bayley, who was a part of the first evolution in 2018, a 6-1 tag team match.
16:06Bayley, we're gonna win a championship here, the second evolution.
16:10Bayley now delivers the forearms to Becky,
16:12and a kick right back to the midsection by Lynch.
16:14She's pretty much been dominating so far.
16:17Really pick apart Bayley.
16:18Bayley's movement has been hampered by that knee issue.
16:21And oh! Oh, and hanging Becky up on the second rope.
16:24There's the caliber of Bayley.
16:26That durability, fighting through a pain barrier.
16:29Managing to get back on top.
16:31But always thinking, always with a plant up her sleeve, is Becky Lynch.
16:36And Becky now with the axe handle off the top rope.
16:38And Becky quickly into the cover, looking to retain her championship.
16:41Bayley kicks at two.
16:42So much disdain between Becky Lynch and Bayley.
16:45A lot of that has to do with the competitiveness.
16:47They both came up at the same time in the Performance Center as part of NXT.
16:51Bolton's, you know, fighting to get to the top, the top level at NXT.
16:55And then Becky, of course, coming to WWE a bit sooner than Bayley.
16:59It's been a competitive ever since.
17:01The dog-eat-dog world at the very top.
17:05There simply are no friendships.
17:08Oh! It's all transactional.
17:10And the sooner you realize that, the better it is for your career.
17:14And perhaps for her generation, big-time Bex recognized it before anybody else.
17:20Again, Becky has been controlling Bayley and what is coming to a one-on-one matchup after Lyra was driven spine first to the steps.
17:29Teddi! Teddi! Teddi! Teddi! Teddi! Teddi! Teddi! Teddi! Teddi! Teddi! Teddi! Teddi! Teddi!
17:39Gonna drag Bayley up to her feet.
17:41Bayley fighting back, however.
17:42A couple of well-placed elbows.
17:44Gonna attempt to really pick up the pace when it's one-on-one in a triple threat matchup.
17:49One opponent down.
17:50Get the pinfall if you can.
17:53Get the submission if you can.
17:55But this is a scramble in the ring now. Ooh!
17:57Went for Rose Plant.
17:59Becky looking for Disarmer.
18:01Roll up by Bayley. Kick out.
18:03And working in the background, Lyra Valkyria managing to pick herself up.
18:06Keep an eye on that one.
18:07Went for the manhandle slam.
18:09Lyra with a double-crossed body off the top rope.
18:11And Lyra is so fun to watch.
18:14But two or three minutes to shake it off.
18:17Get back in there.
18:18And looks like a brand new woman.
18:20And Lyra unloading with that unorthodox offensive style.
18:25But Becky using Lyra as a weapon.
18:28And now went for the manhandle slam.
18:30Nice roll-through by Lyra Valkyria.
18:32Cover for the win.
18:33And a kick out at two.
18:34Fast-paced matchup.
18:35Triple threat action.
18:36The reflexes of Lyra Valkyria may be the best in the industry right now.
18:40That was superb.
18:42Great suplex.
18:43Roll through though.
18:44Becky.
18:45Caught.
18:46And then for a Fisherman's Buster there.
18:49And shoulders are down.
18:51Is it enough?
18:52Bayley with an elbow off the top rope.
18:54From a bridging Lyra Valkyria.
18:56That is one way to snap your neck Lyra.
18:59Take another look at this.
19:02Completely prone as Valkyria executing that pin.
19:05And that is a horrible amount of abuse for any spine to absorb.
19:10But Bayley ain't gonna care about that.
19:13This crowd is red hot tonight at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
19:17Well they are getting a show from these three women.
19:20Three of the absolute best.
19:21And Bayley now looking to close in on victory.
19:24Bayley with a blow to the back.
19:28It's interesting to see how the deterioration of the relationship between these two has gone.
19:33Going into a brutal slugfest.
19:36I love it.
19:37We've got high flies.
19:38We've got top missions in there.
19:39Becky now from behind.
19:40Look at a steal one on Bayley.
19:42Bayley rolls through.
19:43Catches it with a knee in the nose.
19:45In the nose.
19:46Might have been the temple either way.
19:47It has wobbled the man.
19:48Becky Lynch.
19:49Up over the top.
19:50Sunset slip bomb.
19:51Becky into Lyra Valkyria.
19:54Bayley to win the Intercontinental Championship.
19:56And a kick out at two.
19:58That right there was the sweet spot in a triple threat match like this.
20:03A double whammy.
20:04Two for the price of one.
20:05Take out both your opponents in low foul swoop.
20:08That springboard elbow to Lyra Valkyria.
20:11Bayley trying to win again.
20:12Hooks the leg.
20:13Shoulders down.
20:14Lyra manages to power at two.
20:15And at what point Wade.
20:17Does Bayley start to get a bit frustrated.
20:19Well it's right now.
20:20Apparently looking at the face of Bayley.
20:22She knows full well.
20:23She has some real steam.
20:25Real momentum.
20:26And this was the moment she thought she'd score victory.
20:29And this late kick out from Valkyria.
20:32What else do you have in store here?
20:34Bayley.
20:35Gotta move fast.
20:36And the problem is Becky Lynch.
20:37The champions outside the ring.
20:38She does not have to be involved in the decision to lose the title.
20:41Bayley has turned this into a one on one matchup.
20:43Momentarily with Valkyria.
20:47This is exactly why champions avoid this predicament at all costs.
20:51If they've got any sense.
20:53Becky Lynch backed into a corner here.
20:55And that championship may be slipping away.
20:57Becky back up to the apron though.
20:59And catches Bayley there before she can deliver any more offense.
21:02I've done a lot of this from Becky Lynch.
21:06Not a woman who had an easy ride to the top.
21:08And she's not going to give up her spot at the top of the intercontinental ranks to anybody easily.
21:14Well again.
21:15Not neither of these.
21:16Any of these women have had an easy ride to the top.
21:20I'll work the butts off to get here.
21:22Becky now.
21:23Superplex to Bayley.
21:24Quickly into the cover.
21:25Bayley gets the shoulder up.
21:27Now looking for the disarmer.
21:29This is the arm.
21:31An arm bar though.
21:32And that's extended out the elbow.
21:34Bayley unable to block it.
21:36But nice reversal.
21:37Turns it into a counter and a kick out by Becky.
21:40Becky with an arm bar.
21:41Now going for the disarmer.
21:43That's her finishing move.
21:44And that was blocked well by Bayley.
21:46Who knows full well the danger.
21:47Might be trying to rose blunt here.
21:48Oh!
21:49Oh my god.
21:50The Perry Patea.
21:51Off the top rope.
21:53And Lyra Valkyria is an opportunity.
21:55To win the intercontinental title.
21:57Kick out by Bayley at two.
21:59Another near fall.
22:01Well this woman Lyra Valkyria made a huge name for herself in NXT UK.
22:07And there was this move.
22:08The Perry Patea.
22:09That scored her gold after gold over there.
22:12Wasn't quite enough.
22:14Despite hitting it so cleanly.
22:16On two opponents here at Evolution.
22:18All three women down in the ring.
22:20Triple threat match for the Intercontinental Championship.
22:23To kick us off tonight.
22:24On Evolution from the State Farm Arena.
22:26In Atlanta.
22:28Bang, you are getting in.
22:33I've been singing the praises to Lyra Valkyria
22:36for many months now.
22:38The future of WWE.
22:39There's no doubt.
22:40Becky Lynch though.
22:41Wants to continue to hold on to the gold.
22:43The reason Lyra Valkyria has done so well in this game.
22:47Is really because she's used the career of Becky Lynch.
22:50As the blueprint.
22:51To get to the top.
22:53Becky with the DDT.
22:55And an inverted DDT.
22:56Gonna cover Lyra here.
22:58Has barely rolled out of the ring.
22:59And Lyra able to stay in it.
23:01Another one of those double whammy.
23:03Two for the price of one.
23:04Moves from the veteran Becky Lynch.
23:08Think quick.
23:09I don't agree with you on the point.
23:10Lyra Valkyria hasn't gone on anybody's coattails
23:14to get to where she is today.
23:16Oh, just used her career as the blueprint.
23:18That's her idol.
23:19That's the woman she followed in the footsteps of.
23:21Two young women from Dublin.
23:23One made it to the top.
23:24The other one.
23:25Valkyria said if she can do it.
23:26So can I.
23:27No big time backs.
23:28No Lyra Valkyria.
23:29Becky down begging Lyra to make it back to her feet.
23:31Looking for the manhandle slam.
23:33Lyra able to turn it around into a pinning combination here.
23:35Another near fall.
23:36Becky turns into a pin over.
23:37Oh.
23:38Lyra Valkyria out at two.
23:40Oh, Lyra face first.
23:43And Becky Lynch now.
23:45Manhandle slam with authority.
23:47Here's the cover.
23:48Bailey saves the matchup.
23:50Perfect timing from Bailey.
23:53This one ain't slipping away from me.
23:55Not tonight.
23:56There is fire in the eyes of the role model now.
24:01Two women down.
24:02Pick your poison, Bailey.
24:08And Becky and Bailey now.
24:10Complete disdain for one another.
24:12And it shows.
24:15And Becky better there.
24:20Droves off technique out the window.
24:23Who can hit hardest?
24:24Who can take the harder hit?
24:26And who's gonna drop first?
24:28Oh, Bailey felt it coming.
24:31Caught her with a back elbow.
24:33And now Bailey with the Becky up on her shoulders.
24:35And Becky takes down.
24:38and becky takes down oh bailey with a oh becky counters but bailey actually got the better one
24:45into it bailey to belly pummel roma valkyria breaks things up now oh man all three women have
24:53now had multiple opportunities to put this one away but have been denied by the fact
24:59that the third competitor in the match is simply two on the ball this evening that's
25:04triple threat rules for you first woman again pinfall of submission wins the title
25:11now valkyria was in control of bailey
25:16bailey with a slap and that just fired lyra off with it in security dropping down
25:23well the worst thing bailey could have done there is simply reawake
25:30and bailey's got to break it up again lyra hit her finishing move but bailey
25:34saving the match up oh man that could not have been any later from bailey that's almost a photo
25:42finish but this referee completely sharp pulling that hand away a millimeter from the mat and a
25:48millimeter away from a three count
25:50bailey begging for more lyra as well
26:01bailey now up for the rose plant lyra jackknife covered shoulders down isn't enough kick out by bailey
26:07now looking for a nightwing on bailey bailey fighting out of it roll up again may have her
26:13over here lyra able to capture bailey into a penny combination of her own all three of these women
26:19been so fast thinking so fast moving so resourceful rose plant finally bailey stacks up lyra becky from behind
26:29a backslide here is your winner and still the women's intercontinental champion the man
26:46bailey what an incredible way to kick off emolution as becky retains her
26:55undercontinental championship much of the sobrana both bailey and lyra balkyria oh man it was like
27:02buying a lotto ticket that could have gone anywhere several times in this matchup all three women brought
27:08that absolute a game tonight and there was nothing in it a manhandle slam there from big time backs
27:16and bailey just was not allowing it to go down like that this was the bailey to bailey and bailey's big
27:22moment to capture the goal but lyra valkyria was there with the denial yeah and then lyra valkyria
27:29looking to put becky lynch away with what she calls nightwing lyra had an opportunity bailey had
27:35other things in mind could not have been any closer but this when the rose plant finally hit i'll tell you
27:42right now this is the coolest pig i have ever seen in my entire time watching wrestling i did it tonight
27:49from becky lynch who successfully retains the women's intercontinental championship in a
27:56classic and what a battle becky lynch is still the champion
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