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00:07Then, now, forever, together.
00:54Off the Heels of Succession, tonight is a whole new era of
00:59Shawn Evolve.
01:00Oh, is that my guy?
01:02Stone is back.
01:04Ladies and gentlemen, this right here around the ring is the future of the WWE.
01:13And look, we all know Evolve has been built on ambition, has been built on want, but it
01:20needs authority.
01:22So myself and Shawn Michaels, we put our minds together and we have come up with the perfect
01:28person to run this place.
01:30So your new Evolve general manager.
01:39Peter, what a shocker.
01:43This is an incredible choice.
01:45The player coach of WWE ID, Timothy Thatcher.
01:49Someone who laid the foundation for Evolve and now he's running the show.
01:54You know what?
01:55I got to give credit where credit is due to Stone, to Shawn Michaels.
01:58This is a great call.
02:00Love Timothy Thatcher.
02:01What a way to kick off the new season here on Wednesday nights.
02:05Thatcher dressed up a little bit.
02:07A little bit.
02:08Oh, those are almost slacks.
02:10Look, Tim, no doubt about it.
02:13You've been a fantastic WWE ID player coach, but I think it's time we expand your role.
02:19All right.
02:19So you're going to be going all around the world to scout independent talent to help enhance
02:26Evolve, enhance the ID program.
02:28And that's why you're going to be the perfect general manager.
02:37First off, thank you, sir.
02:41I really appreciate the trust that you and Mr. Michaels have in me.
02:46Absolutely.
02:47And I appreciate everyone that's around this ring right now.
02:56But I'm no general manager.
03:05Evolve is where the work starts.
03:08Hard work is rewarded here.
03:10So it's more like a work site.
03:14So I'm not the GM.
03:17I'm the foreman of Evolve.
03:27Well, hey, okay.
03:30So Tim, then as the foreman of Evolve, you're going to have to make some difficult decisions.
03:37So your first two tasks, your Evolve champions, Kendall Gray, Jackson Drake.
03:43I understand, sir.
03:44They're now NXT full-time superstars.
03:46Yeah.
03:46I understand, sir.
03:48I understand, sir.
03:50Evolve is about building.
03:52Building new talent, building new opportunities.
03:55One door closes, another one opens.
03:58Right?
03:59So champions shouldn't just disappear.
04:04They got to earn their way out.
04:06So I've asked Kendall and Jackson for one more title defense.
04:12That's going to be their final evolution.
04:18If they win, they get to leave as champion.
04:22The title gets vacated.
04:23If they lose, we got a brand new standard bearer here in Evolve.
04:30It's all right, huh?
04:33Kendall Gray's final evolution will be tonight.
04:36And it will be against the Olympic gold medalist Tyra Mae Steele.
04:41Hello.
04:42Talk about a blockbuster.
04:45Talk about a main event.
04:50Next week, Jackson Drake's final evolution will be...
04:57Think about it.
04:59Now you're cooking.
05:00Come on.
05:01Think about it.
05:04Well, we know who wants it, Peter.
05:05Well, any time a title is mentioned.
05:08Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
05:17Harlem Lewis hears title.
05:19He shows up.
05:19If that clown Jackson Drake is having one last match here at Evolve,
05:24I want it.
05:25Hey!
05:26Hey!
05:27Hey!
05:28None of this.
05:29None of this.
05:30This isn't going off the rails.
05:32Not on my watch.
05:34Hey!
05:34I already know.
05:36Every time the men's title gets mentioned,
05:38here you come storming out here.
05:41I already planned for that.
05:43I got a match for you already.
05:46So, I think we all should clear out of here
05:49because it's time for Harlem to get to work.
05:54All right.
05:55Well, Peter the Foreman already making moves here in Evolve.
05:59Yeah, but who is going to be the final evolution for Jackson Drake?
06:06So crazy.
06:08One last match.
06:09One last title defense.
06:11One last time representing Evolve as champion.
06:15Evolve gave me a place to find myself,
06:17to find confidence inside and outside of the ring.
06:20And I'll never forget the ones that have been supporting me since day one
06:23or chanting my name since the first time I came out.
06:27This will forever be my first home.
06:30But tonight, tonight's business.
06:34Tyra Mae Steele is dangerous.
06:35She's an Olympic gold medalist,
06:37and when it comes to being a technical wrestler,
06:39she's the only one that has me beat.
06:41But that's fine because I don't back down from any challenges.
06:43I thrive under pressure.
06:45I thrive when things get hard.
06:47It took me months and months to get to the top of the mountain,
06:50and I'll be damned if I don't stay on top.
06:52Chantel Monroe, Callie Armstrong, Wendy Chu, Carmen Petrovich.
06:57You name them and I've taken them down.
06:59And Tyra Mae Steele is next on my list.
07:01So when I get my hand raised one last time on Evolve,
07:05I'm gonna walk into NXT full time with momentum on my back.
07:10It's time to strap up.
07:15On Saturday, May 9th, after the biggest weekend in WWE,
07:20what happens at WrestleMania doesn't stay there.
07:24Sweet, sweet revenge.
07:27It follows you.
07:28And in Tampa, it hits back.
07:33All scores are settled.
07:35It's personal.
07:37It's backlash.
07:50Peter, we're back here on Evolve, and what an opening contest we have.
07:54Oh, I'm very, very excited to see this matchup with Harlem Lewis.
08:00Ho, ho, ho.
08:03You talk about a couple of big guys getting together.
08:10And his opponent from Akron, Ohio, weighing in at 285 pounds, Sam Holloway.
08:22Certainly the big boy of the ID program.
08:24And Peter, ever since he came to Evolve, Sam Holloway has certainly made an impact,
08:29whether it's a singles competition.
08:30We saw him as a part of Team ID.
08:33But now he's got a big test in front of him from the man who thinks he is
08:36the number one contender to the Evolve champion.
08:38Well, that's absolutely right, Blake.
08:39Harlem Lewis believes he is the future of Evolve.
08:43And if that is true, you have to make your way by beating competition
08:48like hard way Sam Holloway.
08:51I got to tell you, every time we're here to call a Holloway match, I'm nervous.
08:55He's going to crack through the table and kill me.
08:58This guy is an incredible athlete, and he's absolutely massive.
09:01We've seen some of those dives over the top.
09:03Certainly brings it at 285 pounds.
09:06Bell sounds along the way, and Harlem Lewis.
09:08Peter, he's laser focused on a championship opportunity.
09:11Absolutely, and he's trying to go right to work at Sam Holloway,
09:13which is probably the way you want to approach someone with this kind of strength,
09:16but it could turn out the wrong way.
09:18As Holloway certainly wants to make his presence felt,
09:20he's looking at a title shot of his own as it's wide open next week.
09:24Who's taking on Jackson Drake in his final evolution?
09:27If you've been with us since the beginning, you've gotten to see some of the best talent
09:30in all of WWE emerge.
09:32And now, with the vacancy that will be created with Jackson Drake,
09:36and the Vanity Project leaves us,
09:39there is an opportunity for other people to step into those roles.
09:43And we'll certainly see if Tyra Mae Steele can take advantage of her opportunity tonight
09:45against Kendall Gray as Harlem Lewis looking to seize the moment right here.
09:50And Peter, ever since Harlem Lewis returned to Evolve just a couple of months ago,
09:53it seems like Harlem only has one goal, and that's championship game.
09:57Oh!
09:57My goodness!
10:02That is not the way you want to start things off against Sam Holloway,
10:05but you've got to give Harlem Lewis credit.
10:07He is writhing on the outside right now.
10:10That hurt to just watch.
10:12But you've got to give credit where credit is due.
10:14He is always bringing it 100% when he's around.
10:18He only has one speed.
10:19Sam Holloway been in the ID program for about a year and a half now,
10:23and Peter, since the time we've seen him,
10:24how is Holloway impressed as an ID prospect?
10:27Oh, I think Sam Holloway absolutely jumps off the page.
10:31The first thing you see is the size, right?
10:33Oh!
10:33Look at that!
10:34But then it's that, Blake Howard.
10:35It's stuff like that, that springboard elbow drop.
10:38That athleticism into the cover only gets two right there.
10:41Of course, we saw him in that recent Haas fight with Drake Moreau here on Evolve,
10:45and Sam Holloway really started to impress, proving he might be the big man in the ID program.
10:50Absolutely.
10:50He could absolutely be the most impressive big man,
10:53at least now, that Keanu Carver is in the ranks of NXT.
10:57And of course, right now, Sam Holloway looking to get the brand new foreman of Evolve.
11:01Timothy Thatcher looking to get his attention right now,
11:03as Harlem Lewis looking to do the same here.
11:05Harlem Lewis gets flattened with the big boot as Holloway starting to cook here, Peter.
11:09And you see the ups from Holloway.
11:11That leapfrog, you don't usually see it from someone of his size.
11:13By the way, Blake, what do you think of the term foreman instead of GM?
11:16You like it?
11:17It's certainly an interesting twist, but if anyone's a little bit out of the box,
11:20it's Timothy Thatcher.
11:21Absolutely.
11:21He is the perfect person to guide the young talent of Evolve.
11:25Always love seeing that guy.
11:27As you see Sam Holloway going to work, using those long legs to punish Harlem Lewis.
11:33That big extension there by Sam Holloway.
11:37As right now, Harlem Lewis pounding away.
11:40Of course, Harlem Lewis coming off a big win at Succession over Brooks Jensen.
11:43Trying to build that momentum and a shotgun drop kick out of the corner by Holloway.
11:47Peter, can he capitalize?
11:48Well, Harlem Lewis, I'll tell you what.
11:50Here we go.
11:50Into the cover.
11:51Stacks him up.
11:52Only gets two.
11:53Imagine if Harlem Lewis could stack wins against Brooks Jensen and also Sam Holloway.
12:00It would certainly be very tough for Foreman Thatcher not to make Harlem Lewis the final evolution of Jackson Drake
12:05next week.
12:06That's exactly what everyone is competing for.
12:08Jackson Drake's final match in Evolve.
12:12Say what you want about the Vanity Project.
12:14Drake has been a great and fighting champion.
12:17Who gets to be that final evolution?
12:19What an opportunity.
12:20And, of course, we talk about off succession, of course, this past weekend.
12:23Vengeance Day for NXT.
12:24A lot bubbling right now on the road to WrestleMania.
12:28Absolutely right.
12:29You know all these guys are seeing what's happening for the Vanity Project in NXT.
12:34What's happening for Kendall Gray in NXT, for Keanu Carver.
12:38Indeed.
12:38Great motivation for all of our young talent here in Evolve.
12:41You can see they take that step to the next level as Sam Holloway looking to take his game to
12:45the next level.
12:45Harlem Lewis fighting him off right here.
12:47Creates a bit of separation.
12:49And drives that elbow right in the back of the neck.
12:51But Peter can Harlem capitalize.
12:52Well, you know, I've been talking a lot, Blake, about the athleticism of Sam Holloway.
12:55I do not want to shortchange Harlem Lewis.
12:57A great athlete who is jacked up in his own right.
13:00I don't know if you can suplex Sam Holloway, though.
13:02A former linebacker in the Italian Football League.
13:04And a gourd buster there by Holloway.
13:07Has Holloway looking to zero in right now.
13:09Man, I really enjoy the work of Sam Holloway.
13:12Of course, Harlem Lewis came out to start off the show.
13:15Trying to make his presence felt.
13:16Timothy Patrick put him right in this position.
13:18There's the Uranagi.
13:20Center of the ring.
13:20Hooks the outside leg.
13:22And Harlem somehow able to hang on.
13:27And for Sam Holloway, we talk about what a win like this would mean for Harlem Lewis.
13:31But for Holloway as well, he's been impressive.
13:33He's gotten a lot of attention.
13:34But he needs signature wins.
13:37And that's what this would be right now against Harlem Lewis to start our night off on Tubi.
13:41As Holloway and Lewis back and forth here.
13:43Another big night.
13:44Another big Wednesday on Tubi indeed.
13:46As these two jockeying for position right now.
13:49And Harlem Lewis looking to take full advantage.
13:52Look at the power here, Peter.
13:53Yeah, there's the strength of Harlem Lewis.
13:54But Sam Holloway savvy.
13:56Oh!
13:57Double underhook suplex right into the corner.
14:01This is a hell of a way to start things off, Blake.
14:04Here we go.
14:05Hooks that inside leg.
14:07And look at the resourcefulness there of Harlem Lewis putting his foot on the rope.
14:10Peter, that just saved him.
14:12Absolutely.
14:12No, Harlem Lewis knows what he's doing, man.
14:14Listen, I know some people get frustrated because Harlem Lewis is so aggressive.
14:18Whenever the title's mentioned, he shows up.
14:21He's demanding.
14:21But I'll tell you what.
14:23Opportunities sometimes are taken, not given.
14:26And Harlem Lewis understands that.
14:27And Holloway looking to seize the moment right here.
14:30Center of the ring with the big guzzle.
14:32Oh!
14:32Oh!
14:33And Lewis.
14:33What a counter there, Peter.
14:35Wow.
14:36How is Holloway still standing?
14:38He's not.
14:39And a vicious Larry to the back of the neck.
14:41Harlem Lewis looking to take things to the next level.
14:44We know about his power and strength as Harlem.
14:49He's zeroed in on that Evolve championship.
14:51He wants that opportunity next week against Jackson Drake.
14:55There it is!
14:56Up and down with the boob slay.
14:58And Harlem Lewis picks up the win.
15:01Here is your winner, Harlem Lewis!
15:07Wow!
15:08I didn't know if Harlem Lewis could get the boob slay done against a man the size of Sam Holloway.
15:15And you see Blake Howard, Harlem Lewis, saying, I want that championship opportunity.
15:21All right, let's take a look back here.
15:23It was fast, hard-hitting action throughout.
15:26Sam Holloway jumping out early on, showing domination.
15:30That massive presence being felt.
15:32But as things go on, time passes, Harlem Lewis cannot be stopped.
15:37And there it is, the boob slay and the dub for Harlem Lewis.
15:40You have to be wondering, Peter, are we looking at the next Evolve champion?
15:45And now let's take a look at the latest evolution of this superstar.
15:57Evolve, do you feel that?
15:59Do you feel that bass in your chest?
16:01That spark that's in the air?
16:02We'll get ready because Luca Crucifino is arriving.
16:06And when that beat drops, I'm tripping through the lights.
16:12I'm rolling with the rhythm and I'm cruising right to the peak here at WWE Evolve.
16:19And just because I'm vibing, just because I'm smiling, just because I move the way that I do,
16:26does not mean that I'm not dangerous.
16:31I've been through the silence.
16:33I found my inner self.
16:36And I figured it out.
16:38That when Luca Crucifino is vibing on the frequency of love, fluidity and fun is when he is his most
16:46effective.
16:48On this mode, nothing can fracture my inner peace or kill my vibe.
16:53My opponents start seeing colors that they didn't even know existed.
16:57I live for the drop and I thrive off the energy of the big moments.
17:03I relish in the euphoria of the crowds.
17:06And when Cruz begins to rise, all my opponent's heads begin to spin.
17:11And I'm ready to make evolve, revolve around Luca Crucifino.
17:23This April, live from Las Vegas, the best in the world, CM Punk.
17:30I'm the champ and I call the shots.
17:33Versus the original tribal team, Roman Reigns.
17:36Two of the biggest stars for the World Heavyweight Championship.
17:40Greatness demands an answer.
17:43You will acknowledge me.
17:48WrestleMania.
17:57Yes, finally, I have been waiting for this moment.
18:01And now I finally get my first ever championship match here in WWE.
18:09Kendall, you walked into this locker room as an undefeated amateur wrestling champion.
18:16Heck, you've defeated every single person that stepped up to you here in Evolve.
18:22But you've never gone against an Olympic gold medalist.
18:27And we both know that the mat and ring are two separate things.
18:32But when that bell rings, it doesn't matter.
18:35What matters is whoever gets that one, two, three.
18:42Now, I know that you're moving on, Kendall.
18:45And this is going to be your final evolution.
18:48Win or lose.
18:50But me, I, I can't afford to lose.
18:57And I won't be satisfied until my name is etched in the history books as the Women's Evolve Champion.
19:17The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
19:22Introducing first, from Sardin, Ohio, weighing 232 pounds, Harley Riggins.
19:32Well, Peter, as we just heard, we're certainly in for a major collision course for the Evolve Women's Championship in
19:37our main event.
19:38But we're looking at two guys right now who haven't made too many other friends around the Performance Center in
19:43recent weeks.
19:44They made clear when they brutally attacked Tate Wilder last week in the B.C. parking lot.
19:48And now, with Tate Wilder clearly hunting Cam and Harley, we just got word from our new Evolve Foreman
19:54that Tate has been escorted out of the building because he's not medically cleared to appear.
19:59And that's why Cam and Harley believe they're the two biggest badasses in Evolve, and they're out to prove it
20:05right now.
20:05And we know Presley's sideline due to a weightlifting injury.
20:07Now, Harley Riggins in here is a singles competitor, but he's got his boy with him in Cam Hendricks,
20:12and we'll see if he can be up for this competition.
20:16Oh, man.
20:19And his opponent from Yonkers, New York, weighing in at 211 pounds, Trill London!
20:28The electric enigma back here on Evolve, and Peter, he certainly pushed Dante Chen to the limit the last time
20:34out,
20:34as Trill London looks to continue to improve and up his stock on Wednesday nights.
20:39You just used the word, the electric enigma. Electric is the word.
20:43He, to me, is one of the most exciting, jump-off-the-page superstars we have in all of WWE
20:49in terms of young, young talent developing. He truly impresses me.
20:53However, he has not caught a ton of breaks in terms of the competition he's had to face,
20:58and that continues with Harley Riggins tonight.
21:00It's certainly been an uphill battle for Trill London, but just like we saw when he was an NFL cornerback
21:05taking on the top wide receivers around the world, he's taking on the top competition inside the ring here.
21:10Harley Riggins, whether you like his attitude or not, has certainly proven to be a different
21:13difference maker since coming to Evolve.
21:15Is Harley Riggins the number one bully in all of Evolve?
21:19That's a fantastic question. I think the combination of his attitude, size, and ability
21:23makes him, yeah, the number one bully. As you see, a little response to that number one bully
21:29with some arm drags coming from Trill London.
21:30And you can really see the improvements in the ring inside Trill London.
21:33Of course, we go back to that Dante Chen match a few weeks ago, but even his early training,
21:36Trill certainly made a lot of strides from the beginning of Evolve to right now quite the evolution, if you
21:41will.
21:41Very well said. Again, I really think that given the right opportunities and the ability to just continue to work,
21:49Trill London is someone that you could see one day rocking the WWE Universe,
21:53similar to what we're seeing from Javon Evans right now.
21:57Absolutely. We will always say how Evolve meets this talent at the ground level is, oh,
22:01Harley with a fistful of Trill's hair right there. I hate to see it, but I can't say I'm surprised.
22:06Peter, you have to wonder, the new man in charge saw that one.
22:08As we found out at the top of the show, we have a new foreman here, not a general manager,
22:12a foreman here on Evolve.
22:14His name is the ID player coach, Timothy Thatcher.
22:17You're going to have to bring your lunch pail to work here on Evolve on Wednesday nights.
22:20As you see that electric enigma right here, Trill London.
22:24Big connection with the dropkick, sending Harley Riggins down to the outside.
22:27But with that, with Timothy Thatcher being here, that means tonight everybody has an opportunity.
22:31Watch out.
22:33And Harley meets Cam right there, and Trill takes a look on the outside.
22:37Peter.
22:38See, here we go.
22:39Trill.
22:39Where are we going, Trill?
22:40Into position. He likes to risk it all. Trill's going to fly!
22:43Whoa!
22:44Whisper in the wind to the outside, Trill London.
22:47Looking to pick up some momentum right here.
22:49And of course, if you take a look back just a couple of weeks ago here, Trill not on Team
22:54PC.
22:54Certainly might have a different mindset, different values as Harley Riggins.
22:57I think that's absolutely safe to assume.
23:00And Harley released German suplex.
23:03Looking to capitalize here.
23:04Riggins not even going for the cover, Peter, just continuing to punish.
23:07Although, listen, I can't blame him for that.
23:08That is a smart thing.
23:09You want to try to get your opponent down, then attack, and get them in the most prone position to
23:13secure a W.
23:15And now Riggins off the rope.
23:17Bam!
23:18Big connection right there.
23:19Let's see if this could end Trill London.
23:22I think the only thing these guys can relate on is the desire and need.
23:27to impress the foreman Timothy Thatcher tonight.
23:30They both know what a win would mean.
23:31Peter, we talk about opportunity tonight, next week, really for the immediate future here on Evolve.
23:36How big of a chance is this for Harley Riggins to break out as a single star?
23:39Well, it just seems to me, you know, when you're in a tag team like Riggins and Presley,
23:43obviously there are benefits to that, but the downside is sometimes you can get lost as a talent.
23:47So when your partner goes down, it's unfortunate, but it does provide an opportunity to be seen in a different
23:53light.
23:53And I absolutely believe Harley Riggins understands that.
23:56And we talk about difference makers, you see Cam Hendricks on the outside.
23:59Cam Hendricks coming to Evolve, putting his stamp right in the mix in day one.
24:03He gets an Evolve championship opportunity.
24:05He's already rising right up the ranks.
24:06And of course they're getting under the skin of other superstars here, like Tate Wilder.
24:10The Tate Wilder still not cleared as a result of those actions.
24:13I think charges should be pressed against Cam Hendricks.
24:15I think that goes beyond anything that happens in the performance center.
24:18That was an attack. That was a crime to me.
24:22Trill London's starting to pick up the pace a bit here, Peter.
24:24Here we go.
24:24In the cover center of the ring.
24:26Man, imagine a win over Harley Riggins for Trill London.
24:29You talk about throwing yourself right in the mix of the division.
24:34That is what a win would mean tonight for Trill London.
24:36We know Timothy Thatcher certainly has a huge decision to make for next week.
24:40Who will Jackson Drake take on in his final evolution?
24:42But Cam Hendricks is up!
24:44And look at Harley Riggins take full advantage.
24:45Absolutely. That's a smart move though.
24:48And Trill London cannot get caught off guard like that.
24:50And here we go!
24:52Into the TKO!
24:54And Harley Riggins finds his way to victory.
24:58Here is your winner, Harley Riggins!
25:04That's a very, very tough way to lose.
25:07If you're Trill London, competitive throughout the match.
25:11The distraction from Cam Hendricks.
25:13And now you're Trill London, it's another opportunity that sort of slips through your grasp.
25:17Harley Riggins always done with the numbers game.
25:20Cam Hendricks picking up the pieces right now as these two continue their reign here over Evolve.
25:26And listen, Trill London, he was good at multiple times throughout the match.
25:30But again, the attitude, the pressure, the ring awareness.
25:34Harley Riggins getting a win.
25:35Now let's head ringside to our guy, Chewy Martinez.
25:38Standing by with the winner.
25:42Harley, that was pretty impressive, brother.
25:44Your first singles win here at Evolve. Congratulations.
25:46But Cam's here.
25:47Is this the new tag team? What's up?
25:49Hey man, I know you're a fan. I know you're a fan.
25:51But around here, we do whatever we want, Chewy.
25:55I like what you did to Tate Wilder in the parking lot.
25:57Yeah, why is he crying about it?
25:58He's coming back. You know that, right?
25:59No one's concerned.
26:00Kick his ass again.
26:01Hey, we're in the ass-kicking business.
26:03And business is booming.
26:06Peter, the gatekeeper's here.
26:08Hey, who's picked last at recess?
26:11Who's picked last at recess?
26:13Hey, Dante, Dante, Dante, what are you mad we didn't pick you for TPC?
26:16D-Dubs!
26:19I never would have joined you guys.
26:21I welcome the ID talent.
26:23You guys don't represent the PC.
26:26You are a disgrace.
26:28What?
26:29What'd you say?
26:30I can't stand by and see what you did to Tate and stay silent.
26:34Dante, you coming out here pretty bold stepping up to us.
26:37But you wanna test that toughness once you fight me next week.
26:40See what happens when you step in the ring with Showtime.
26:43Hey, let me end right now.
26:44Let me end right now.
26:45You're on.
26:46Hey!
26:48I think Timothy Thatcher will sign off on that, y'all.
26:51Dante Chen versus Cam Hendricks next week.
26:54But you know what?
26:54We have some history being made when we come back.
26:56Kendall Bray will defend her title.
26:58One last time, y'all.
27:00Woo!
27:05Everyone's gotta tell.
27:12WrestleMania Vegas.
27:14It's anyone's game.
27:40It's anyone's game.
27:43Hello, Mr. Thatcher, or should I call you Mr. Foreman now, very spiffy.
27:50Mr. Foreman, please.
27:51Alright, Mr. Foreman.
27:53It's okay.
27:53It's okay?
27:54Alright, Timothy.
27:55Let me not waste time, let me just get it all out, okay?
27:58Yes, sir.
28:00I truly believe in this life opportunities are earned, not because we think we deserve them.
28:06And next week, Jackson Drake, he gets to have his final evolution.
28:12See what I did there?
28:13His curtain call, his final time in the spotlight of Evolve, and he gets to have his last chance to
28:19walk out there as champion.
28:21And Jackson has earned that.
28:25But you know what he doesn't deserve?
28:27To leave here as champion.
28:29He doesn't deserve to walk out there one last time, hold up the belt, and then vacate it like he's
28:35built this place.
28:37I mean, the Vanity Project has been doing the same song and dance since day one of WWE ID.
28:45Cheap shots, shortcuts, inflated egos, and my personal worst?
28:51Horrendous outfit choices.
28:53Horrendous.
28:54Speakerないes.
28:54I mean, they even have the nerve to say that they've built this and run this place.
29:01My final straw was that ten-man tag.
29:04They just poof, gone up and left, left us for a 3-on-5 against a pack of wolves.
29:10Hey Mike, you rose to the occasion.
29:12I mean, I'll never not take a compliment.
29:16But we survived that match, but that's what Evolve does.
29:19We survive, we grow and we earn.
29:24I prawdopodobnie,
29:27I feel like I represent Evolve.
29:30Opportunity,
29:31development, improvement.
29:33You've seen it first hand.
29:35For the last year, I've been giving my all
29:37to show that I'm the diamond in the rough
29:39here in the ID program.
29:41And I'm damn proud to represent
29:43WWE ID.
29:45I mean, you've improved your game in every aspect.
29:48Thank you.
29:50It's time
29:51I step up to be the leader.
29:53It's time the dime piece
29:55stands in the spotlight.
29:58I'm just,
30:00I'm just looking
30:01for an opportunity.
30:03I'm the man that
30:05stops Jackson from rewriting history.
30:09I'm the man
30:11to make sure his evolution ends,
30:13but mine begins.
30:15I'm the man to make sure
30:17that championship stays here,
30:19right where it belongs.
30:24Respectfully,
30:25I'm asking you
30:27to give me this match.
30:29Please.
30:32I mean,
30:34Harlem Lewis did make a compelling argument.
30:36It's true.
30:38But I think he'll get his time.
30:40It's your time next week.
30:43Really?
30:44Yeah.
30:45Thank you, Timothy.
30:46Thank you, Mr. Foreman.
30:48Thank you.
30:49Thank you.
30:50Of course, sir.
30:51Good luck.
31:00Well, Peter, major breaking news there.
31:02The opportunity of a lifetime for Aaron Roark next Wednesday.
31:06Now, listen, there is no one more deserving in the locker room than Aaron Roark from day one.
31:13He's done it as a tag competitor.
31:14He's done it as a singles competitor.
31:16I am so excited for Aaron Roark.
31:19He's certainly been building some momentum in recent weeks.
31:22Maybe not the favorite coming in to get the opportunity against Jackson Drake, but he certainly has secured that for
31:27next week.
31:28But you want to talk about some momentum, Peter.
31:30How about the challenger in our first ever final evolution right here for Kendall Gray?
31:34Tyra Mae Steele from the Olympic gold medal right here to evolve.
31:38And she's ready, Peter, to add some more gold.
31:42We've talked about this.
31:43Tyra Mae Steele has been on a roll week after week after week.
31:48The momentum has been building for Tyra Mae Steele.
31:51And now she gets the shot of a lifetime.
31:56It'd be very interesting to see how this one plays out.
31:59She's had her target on Kendall Gray ever since coming to Tubi.
32:05The challenger is in.
32:08Peter, here comes the champion.
32:09And you know, the proverbial locker room sellout right here.
32:12Glued to the monitors.
32:13VIP section is full.
32:15The final match in Evolve for Kendall Gray.
32:17Yeah, I'd be lying to you, Blake, if I said I didn't feel a little bit emotional.
32:21Knowing this will be the last time we see Kendall Gray walk through that curtain
32:26as our Evolve champion.
32:27She has been one of the true stories since the very beginning of WWE Evolve.
32:32She had the first match in Evolve history.
32:34She was in a match to the crown.
32:35The first ever women's champion.
32:37Five television title defenses.
32:40Won the title at succession.
32:41She's been the MVP for the last year.
32:43But can she finish out with the gold?
32:45If you've been with us since the beginning, you've been watching Evolve,
32:49you know the star that Kendall Gray is.
32:52And it's been very satisfying to see Evolve's very own boss lady
32:56become that same star on the NXT stage.
32:59Very proud of Kendall Gray.
33:00So we're set to go.
33:01Let's head to our ring announcer, Mike Rohn,
33:03to set the table for the final Evolution.
33:08The following contest scheduled for one fall is for the Evolve Women's Championship.
33:21Introducing the challenger from Houston, Texas, Olympic gold medalist Tyra Mae Steele.
33:37And her opponent from Las Vegas, Nevada, she is the Evolve Women's Champion, Kendall Gray.
33:53Tyra Mae Steele, the Olympic gold medalist back in the 2020 Olympics, winning the gold in the freestyle.
34:00And then, of course, Kendall Gray undefeated as an amateur in wrestling in the collegiate ranks.
34:05And now, Peter, we're looking at a situation.
34:07Who has the amateur advantage, the champion or the Olympic champion?
34:12Listen, the fact is, on paper, the challenger actually has the advantage in this matchup.
34:19I mean, to say someone is an Olympic gold medalist, I can't even properly emphasize what that says about the
34:26skills of Tyra Mae Steele.
34:28And you see it early on.
34:29But, of course, in this environment, Peter, there's no points.
34:31The takedowns don't necessarily mean the same.
34:33They could certainly give an advantage.
34:34You see Wendy Chu and Laney Luck looking on.
34:36Again, a lot at stake right here.
34:39Kendall Gray has been the cornerstone of the women's division.
34:41Tyra Mae Steele is rising up.
34:42Something has to give tonight on Tubi.
34:44Well, either way, in one scenario, Kendall Gray leaves with the title as Evolve Women's Champion.
34:51That's incredible to picture.
34:53On the flip side, can you imagine what it would mean if Tyra Mae Steele becomes the third ever WWE
34:59Evolve Women's Champion?
35:00Either result is incredibly exciting to picture.
35:03You see a series of reversals right here, as this is certainly world-class mat wrestling right here on display
35:09in our main event.
35:10And that's certainly one of the reasons Foreman Thatcher made this matchup, put Tyra Mae Steele in this position.
35:15Nice go behind by Tyra Mae to the roll-up.
35:18And look at this incredible mat wrestling early on.
35:21Just so representative of a wonderful and deep women's division on Evolve that we've been able to watch for the
35:28last year.
35:29Fireman's Carry takedown by Tyra Mae Steele.
35:31And Peter, if you've been watching Evolve ever since the beginning, that's been the bread and butter of Kendall Gray.
35:35That has to be getting into her head right here.
35:37Yeah, 100%.
35:38But Kendall Gray, the other bread and butter, she absolutely knows.
35:42As a match goes on and gets more intense, she gets better and better.
35:47Tyra Mae puts on the brakes right here as Kendall Gray tries to go for the hip-lock takeover.
35:51Gray trying to find any advantage she can.
35:53Hey, that is the Kendall Gray we've come to know and love over the last year.
35:58And we've speculated for quite some time with Kendall Gray her schedule.
36:01Whether it's Tuesday nights, Wednesday nights, weekends all around the country.
36:04Has she been stretched too thin, Peter?
36:06Is her schedule going to hold her back in this match?
36:08Well, you know, you bring that up. Robert Stone used to bring that up.
36:11But the proof is in the pudding.
36:12Here we go, into the cover. Hooks the outside leg.
36:14The proof is in the pudding, Blake.
36:15Has she been stretched too thin? Has it affected her? No!
36:18She continues to maintain. She continues to wear that championship proudly.
36:22And compete here, compete on Tuesday nights, and on the weekends, and all over the world as well.
36:26Tyra May trying to reverse her right there. Kendall Gray holding her ground.
36:29Look at the mat wrestling exchanges right here. Counter for counter.
36:33And of course, Tyra May, she feels this is her moment, Peter.
36:36Her first ever WWE Championship opportunity.
36:38Well, listen, these opportunities grow on trees.
36:42The Beal out of the corner.
36:43Ask our former champion, Callie Armstrong, who's been desperate to get a rematch,
36:48a singles rematch against Kendall Gray. You're never guaranteed another shot.
36:52So Tyra May Steele needs to take advantage.
36:55We talk about those five TV title defenses for Kendall Gray.
36:58One of them coming in Madison Square Garden.
37:00If you go back earlier in the year in 2025, Tyra May Steele winning LFG Season 1 in Madison Square
37:06Garden.
37:07Both of these superstars have competed at that high level, and they want to take it up a notch here.
37:12I just, if you're sitting here watching this, I just hope you're taking in this moment.
37:16Two talents like Kendall Gray and Tyra May Steele.
37:19One day you will be watching them at WrestleMania.
37:22And you get to see them right now in this Evolve Women's Championship match.
37:26It is truly a moment in history.
37:28We've certainly seen the evolution of Kendall Gray's young career here.
37:31Right in and dunk down!
37:35With that belly to belly right there.
37:37Tyra May Steele starting to cook a bit here, Peter.
37:39She's got a ton of momentum coming into this matchup.
37:42We said that, and it's so true.
37:43Tyra May Steele has been getting better every week, ever since she got to Evolve.
37:48Listen, she had had opportunities at NXT.
37:50She gets down to Evolve, and she's been better and better.
37:54Tyra May Steele trying to get the Evolve Women's Championship.
37:56This match continues on Tubi.
38:06In Vegas, everything's a game.
38:10Some nights, it's played without cards or dice.
38:16Just tension.
38:19Every move measured, every look, a strategy sharpened.
38:26Always watching your back.
38:34Prepared for anything.
38:40Never knowing who the real threat is.
38:51Or who might show up at the table.
39:03WrestleMania Vegas.
39:08It's anyone's game.
39:17Back in action here on Evolve on Tubi.
39:20Big fight feel here.
39:21Blake Howard, Peter Rosenberg.
39:22Tyra May Steele pushing Kendall Gray to the limit.
39:26I mean, it's beyond big fight feel.
39:28This is just a big fight.
39:29The Evolve Women's Champion Kendall Gray was such a rare opportunity to head to NXT without ever being defeated for
39:36her championship.
39:38Only minutes remaining in Kendall Gray's Evolve career right here.
39:42Will she go to NXT?
39:43Still champion and having to vacate?
39:45Or will Tyra May win the title?
39:48And you see Tyra May with that smile on her face, Peter.
39:50She thinks she's in the driver's seat right here.
39:52It's just, it's so impressive because Tyra May Steele, you meet her outside the ring.
39:56She's all smiles, thumbs up, and dancing.
39:58And then once the bell rings, she becomes this person.
40:02This level of competitor.
40:03The kind of person who goes on to win a gold medal at the Olympics.
40:06And you see the richest prize, the Evolve Women's Division right there.
40:09Tyra May Steele, Kendall Gray battling it out right now.
40:12Center of the ring.
40:13As Tyra with the submission hold, Peter.
40:16Not many places for Kendall to go.
40:17This is starting to wear on Kendall Gray.
40:20You see that arm cinched in under the chin of the champion.
40:24Referee Joey Gonzalez checking in right now.
40:26Tyra May.
40:27She cinched it even tighter.
40:29As you said, Peter.
40:31Locking it in right underneath the chin of Kendall Gray.
40:33Gray back to her feet right now.
40:35The champion trying to fight off the challenger.
40:38Man.
40:39Oh, Kendall Gray using those elbows to escape the grasp of Tyra May Steele.
40:44Then a big right hand to follow.
40:45And Gray, oh.
40:47Almost get dumped again.
40:48Nice counter.
40:49Kendall with the cover.
40:50Only gets two.
40:52Oh, man.
40:52Kendall bouncing back after that choke hold that she had on her for 90 seconds.
40:58Kendall Gray has found her wind again.
41:00Here she is.
41:01Oof.
41:01Well, that wasn't a move I'd expect to see in the Olympics.
41:03But it certainly was effective.
41:05As Tyra May with her eyes on the prize here.
41:09Tyra May Steele with a championship on her mind.
41:12And for us, we also just have to appreciate the closing moments of Kendall Gray's evolved
41:17career.
41:18Can it end as champion?
41:19Look at the raw power.
41:21And ragdolling Kendall Gray.
41:23That gut wrench suplex up and over.
41:25Tyra May's locked in, Peter.
41:27It's 20-20 all over again.
41:29And just off the back end of the Olympics.
41:31Tyra May feeling as motivated as ever.
41:33Look at her just picking Kendall Gray up off the ground.
41:36Gut wrench tossing her.
41:39And Gray barely able to get to her feet right here.
41:42She's a bit stunned.
41:44Oof.
41:45Another gut wrench toss.
41:47Will we get to see one last time Kendall Gray take those straps down and enter the gray area?
41:52And you have to be wondering here.
41:54Tyra May might be looking for that German suplex if she can connect on that Wings of Glory.
41:58We're looking at a brand new evolved women's champion.
42:00Well, it's a great point, Blake.
42:02And she does seem to have Kendall Gray prone right now.
42:04There's a cover.
42:05Set her the ring.
42:07Again, only two.
42:08You're going to need to do more.
42:09You're going to have to do more to finish Kendall Gray.
42:11And that's what it looks like she's doing.
42:12Going back to work.
42:14Foreman Thatcher laying down a huge main event.
42:16His first week on the job.
42:18And we'll see if Tyra May Steele could take full advantage right here.
42:22The Evolved Universe starting to rally a bit.
42:24And Kendall Gray in a bad spot.
42:26She's being bent in half by Tyra May Steele.
42:28And of course Kendall said she wanted to come out here alone, Peter.
42:30No Ren Sinclair.
42:31She's getting it done all on Kendall Gray's time.
42:35Oh man, Kendall's being bent backwards.
42:38Certainly going to be tough to go to the gray area in this predicament.
42:40And look at Tyra May wrenching back.
42:42Peter, she wants the gold.
42:43Absolutely.
42:43I am so impressed with the gear Tyra May Steele is hitting right now.
42:47And we shouldn't be surprised.
42:48She's an Olympic gold medalist for a reason.
42:50You see that confidence growing here in Tyra May Steele.
42:53We saw her a little bit last year.
42:54And her evolution now into the number one contender to the Evolved Women's Championship.
42:58These two going back and forth once again.
43:01And Tyra May looking to take full advantage now.
43:04Going for that gun wrench one more time.
43:06Oh, Gray spins right out.
43:08Oh, but misses with the right hand.
43:10These two build some momentum right now.
43:11Oh!
43:12They collide in the center of the ring, Peter.
43:14Champion is down.
43:15Challenger is down.
43:16The Evolved Women's Championship hanging the balance in our main event here on Tubi.
43:20Do you remember where you were when Kendall Gray defended her championship against a young Tyra May Steele?
43:28Here we are, the Evolved Universe looking on in Kendall Gray's last Evolved match.
43:34Kendall Gray can't quite think about Tuesday nights yet.
43:37She's got to worry about Tyra May Steele right in front of her.
43:40And the Olympic gold medalist!
43:41See, there's the savvy.
43:43There's the ring awareness of our champion.
43:45As Kendall creates that separation one more time, she might be looking to take Tyra to that gray area.
43:50But you can see she's still favoring her midsection.
43:52She's still a bit hurt.
43:53And Gray.
43:55Irish whip reverse now.
43:57Tyra May charges in.
43:58Oh, and Kendall.
43:59Takes one out of Tyra's playbook!
44:02A suplex of her own for Kendall Gray.
44:05Here we go!
44:06It's time to enter the gray area.
44:09The straps are down!
44:10And Kendall's ready to roll the drop down!
44:13T-Bone!
44:14This is when Kendall Gray gets to that next level.
44:18Taking a look at her eyes there, Peter.
44:19She's locked in.
44:20Kendall Gray.
44:21Looking to seize the moment.
44:23We've seen this so many times from our champion.
44:25Can she do it one more time?
44:27Looking to risk it all.
44:29Oh!
44:29DDT out of the corner!
44:30Oh, goodness!
44:31Dig it deeper into the playbook!
44:32There's the cover!
44:34And Tyra May hangs on!
44:36Oh man, I thought that DDT might have put Tyra May Steele to sleep.
44:39As you see Lainey Luck and Wendy Chu looking on.
44:42Wendy Chu, a veteran of Evolve.
44:44Lainey Luck, of course, waving the flag in the ID program.
44:48Both locked in here.
44:49And what we understand, Peter, in the back.
44:51Everyone's eyes glued on the Maunders for this huge main event.
44:54Wendy Chu with her own history, of course, with Kendall Gray.
44:57She knows what our champion's capable of.
44:59And she heads to the top rope.
45:00What's she looking for here, Blake?
45:02Oh, watch out!
45:03As Tyra May, all the way up top.
45:05Compromising position.
45:06Might be looking for an overhead belly-to-belly.
45:08And Kendall, looking to fight off!
45:11And now Kendall rarefied air here, Peter.
45:14Yeah, she does not spend a lot of time up here, but she got the separation.
45:17And Kendall off the top.
45:19And Tyra May looks to take advantage!
45:22Olympic slam!
45:23Here we go!
45:23Center of the ring!
45:24There's a cover!
45:25Hooks the outside leg!
45:26Shoulders are down!
45:27Oh my goodness!
45:28I thought that mistake was really gonna cost Kendall Gray her championship!
45:33And if you look at Tyra May's face, Peter, she certainly thought that was her opportunity
45:37to become a VOLV women's champion.
45:40Yeah, Kendall really, really made a rare mistake.
45:43She does not do that often.
45:45And to Tyra May's steel's credit, she took advantage of the moment and almost won the championship.
45:50These two set the pace for the final evolution.
45:53Kendall Gray almost goes for the crucifix there in a wheelbarer position.
45:56Gray.
45:58Oh!
45:58Cutter!
46:01Wings of glory!
46:03What a gifted arsenal from such a young athlete.
46:08And, oh!
46:09Kendall with a counter!
46:10Into the roll up!
46:11Shoulders are down!
46:13Oh!
46:13Back the other way!
46:14Tyra's got her!
46:14No!
46:15These two exchanging pinfalls right in the center of the ring!
46:18Kendall catches her!
46:20With shades of gray!
46:21There's the cover!
46:22And Kendall finishes as champion!
46:26Here is your winner, and still the VOLV women's champion, Kendall Gray!
46:35What do you say about that matchup, Blake?
46:39Absolute back and forth action from bell to bell.
46:42And Kendall Gray standing tall as our champion still.
46:47Unbelievable stuff in the final evolution of Kendall Gray here on Evolve.
46:53And again, like I said, back and forth.
46:55The Evolve arena on fire.
46:57The Olympic gold medalist Tyra Maysteel using all of the weapons in her arsenal.
47:02Suplex after suplex.
47:03So close!
47:04But, in the final evolution of Kendall Gray, it leads to what may be the biggest win of her career.
47:11Shades of Gray.
47:12And she'll now vacate the championship and march into NXT, ready to make a statement.
47:21I'm speechless.
47:24You know, I just want to say thank you to each and every one of you for coming out here
47:28and supporting me since day one.
47:34Evolve gave me a place to find myself, to find confidence inside and outside of the ring.
47:40And I wouldn't be able to do it without any of you guys.
47:42So thank you.
47:45And just like I've been taking over Evolve, I'm gonna be taking over NXT every Tuesday.
47:53Thank you guys.
47:54Truthfully, thank you.
48:00Well, Peter, that was certainly a true instant classic.
48:03And from an undefeated amateur, to the NIL program, to the first match in Evolve history.
48:08The Women's Championship victory at Succession.
48:11Now Kendall brings the gray area to NXT.
48:15Thank you Kendall!
48:17Thank you Kendall!
48:21Thank you Kendall!
48:28One of the hottest stars in all of professional wrestling.
48:32She's the boss lady for a reason.
48:35She's got the damn good.
48:37When people look in the history books, 20 years from now, they're gonna see the name.
48:40Kendall Gray, the Evolve Women's Champion.
48:44This girl is gonna show that I'm built for big moments.
48:52Whoever's willing to try to take this championship away from me, you better make sure you're able to step into
48:59the gray area.
49:00The clouds roll in those skies will turn the gray.
49:05My thunder allows me on the world with one thing left to say.
49:09I'll be confident.
49:12I'll be strong enough.
49:14So stand up tall, break down the wall.
49:17We'll both be all around.
49:20I am rainfall.
49:22Look at me go.
49:24I'm a seed in hoops.
49:27So give me room and my truth.
49:29I'm unbreakable.
49:31It's unmistakable.
49:33I've been doubting my whole life.
49:35I was the only female on my high school men's wrestling team.
49:38Now you're looking at a three-time, undefeated national champion with a 61-0, perfect record.
49:44The world is starting to take notice.
49:47The gray grabs are coming and now she's gonna do what she does best.
49:50If you've been with us since the beginning, you've been watching Evolve.
49:54You know the star that Kendall Gray is.
49:57I'm here to make history.
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