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00:07Then, now, forever, together.
00:33The WWE Evolve landscape has turned on a dime, and one side now holds all the power.
00:39But the question looming over everyone is simple.
00:41When will they take advantage of their control?
00:44This is our house now, baby.
00:45Let's go.
00:45The PC ghosts are here.
00:47I.G. doesn't belong.
00:49At all, bro.
00:49Them boys done got packed out.
00:51That's right, baby.
00:52And there's only a few more that's lingering that's buzzing around.
00:55The Band-A-D Project.
00:57It was their place.
00:58Now it's our place.
00:59And we're going to beat it in them, especially when I take that Evolve Man title from Jackson Drake.
01:03Yeah, baby.
01:03It's time for lights, camera, action.
01:06Let's go.
01:08Let's go, baby.
01:09Let's go.
01:11In here, same rules, and the boys are still buzzing.
01:15Hundo smokes.
01:16And honestly, it doesn't really matter what Cam Hendricks and the other PC crumbs have to say.
01:19For sure.
01:20I've been Evolve Champion for more than 250 days.
01:23I stack up dubs like it's my job.
01:26Look at this group of throws.
01:27Are y'all hearing this?
01:28Oh, I'm hearing it.
01:29It's very cute, guys.
01:30It's so cute.
01:31It really is.
01:32I don't think y'all realize this or not, but Cam Hendricks, he's a whole defensive linebacker.
01:36You got a defensive linebacker in them.
01:38And don't forget about a little power to control the odds.
01:41What gives you the right to speak to us?
01:43Yeah, you know, facts, Jackson.
01:44Because, look, these three guys in front of you have been running this place since day one.
01:48So there's literally...
01:49Chill, chill, chill, chill.
01:49Chill out with all that.
01:50Because y'all ain't running nothing.
01:51The PC boy is going to take y'all spots real quick.
01:54And judging by how the most dominant group in Evolve has been nowhere to be found in this whole PC
01:59ID thing,
02:00am I tripping?
02:01Or are y'all the ones who are scared?
02:04You're not tripping, bro.
02:06Once they wipe y'all out, ID's going to have nothing.
02:08Hey, you know what?
02:09Ease up.
02:10Ease up, Cap.
02:11Literally no one cares or is listening to you right now.
02:14Irregardless of what they say...
02:15I'm not a reward.
02:16These up, boys.
02:18How about this?
02:19You three bean poles can find out tonight what the VP is capable of.
02:23And maybe after that, you can go cry with the PC guys.
02:26What do you think about that?
02:27I like promise.
02:28That sounds good.
02:29That's so sad, man.
02:31That sounds real good.
02:32Keep walking.
02:32Go ahead.
02:33I'm scared of you.
02:35Ain't I scared your ass?
02:36Yeah, come on.
02:58As the Vanity Project gets pulled deeper into this escalating rivalry, we welcome you to
03:03a stacked episode of WWE Evolve on Tubi, where the Evolve Women's Championship is at
03:08stake in what will be a fiercely contested triple threat match.
03:12It's Wednesday night.
03:13The wait is over.
03:14No, no, no.
03:15Keep it, keep it, no, no.
03:17Here she is.
03:19The resident arm breaker.
03:22The true Kendall Gray with that championship on her shoulder.
03:27She's the boss lady.
03:29She's the ice woman.
03:30Kendall Gray is the real deal.
03:33This girl is going to show that I'm built for big moments.
03:36Kendall Gray, the iron survivor.
03:40Whoever's willing to try to take this championship away from me, you better make sure you're able
03:45to step into the gray area.
03:48It's P.J. Vasa.
03:50She's going right after the champ.
03:53I'm the most dominant girl in Evolve right now.
03:56P.J., you can feel her presence in the ring.
04:00If anybody's going to get a shot against Kendall Gray for the Evolve championship, it's going to be neat.
04:05Is that so?
04:07I'm ready to take back what's mine.
04:09One thing about me is I don't lose.
04:11I either win or I learn.
04:13How about you run back the greatest Evolve championship match in history?
04:19Kelly, did I knock a few screws out your head or something?
04:22I was the one that left your ass laid out on the mat just a few weeks ago.
04:27I don't back down from anyone that's bigger or stronger than me.
04:31Hell, I'll take both of you guys at the same time.
04:33If y'all want to go, let's go.
04:37Kendall Gray will defend a Evolve championship against two top contenders,
04:41the Omega herself, Callie Armstrong, and the powerful P.J. Vasa.
04:49Only one thing left to do.
04:51Let them fight.
05:01P.J. Vasa has been a force to be reckoned with since she showed up here on Evolve.
05:11When she came here, she made an immediate impact.
05:14She took out the Evolve women's champion, Kendall Gray.
05:19She beat the former Evolve women's champion, Callie Armstrong, in a one-on-one match.
05:24There is no doubt about it.
05:26Who you see before you in that ring right now is the real deal
05:30and someone that wants to be the next Evolve women's champion.
05:33What an incredible way to start off the night.
05:40P.J. Vasa, Callie Armstrong, Kendall Gray.
05:44The women's championship is on the line.
05:49Now, what can you say, Stone, about Callie Armstrong's journey since losing the title to Kendall Gray a few months
05:55ago?
05:56Well, listen, let's just remember, before you use the word losing, she was the difference maker, still is, the history
06:02maker.
06:03She is just different.
06:04And the last thing Callie Armstrong is, is anything close to the word loser.
06:09I didn't call her a loser.
06:11I wasn't saying that you did, but even that, it just doesn't matter.
06:14Callie Armstrong is a winner.
06:16She was 139 days Evolve women's champion.
06:19That's right.
06:20Beyond impressive.
06:21And she is here tonight in the main event of Evolve on a Wednesday night to reclaim what she thinks
06:26is rightfully hers.
06:27Well, and what I was trying to get to was the path she's been on back to this opportunity.
06:32She never felt sorry for herself.
06:34She never got down on herself.
06:36In fact, she gave credit to the champion, Kendall Gray, while fighting her way to this opportunity here tonight.
06:44And without any further ado, let's say hello to your Evolve women's champion.
06:54What can you say about the title reign of Kendall Gray?
06:5791 days as champion as she is accompanied to the ring by fellow Wren QCC member, Wren Sinclair.
07:05She is here.
07:06She's the current champion.
07:08But let's be real.
07:09She's been a champion her whole life.
07:11She's been a champion at everything she does.
07:14And she welcomes any challenges.
07:15Remember, what kind of person asks for a triple threat now?
07:19She said, I'll take both of you on.
07:21Who does that?
07:22A fighting champion.
07:23She does it.
07:23She's a warrior.
07:24There's no question about it.
07:27Your Evolve women's champion, Kendall Gray.
07:34What an awesome way to start off your Wednesday night.
07:37Let's take a look also at Carmen Petrovich looking on.
07:41She, of course, has stacked a couple of big wins and wants to be in that title picture herself.
07:45Let's send it to Blake Howard with our announcements.
07:49The following contest scheduled for one fall is a triple threat match and is for the WWE Evolve Women's Championship.
08:05Introducing first, the challengers.
08:09First, from Seattle, Washington, P.J. Vossa.
08:19Next, from Inglewood, California, Callie Armstrong.
08:31And their opponent, accompanied by Ren Sinclair from Las Vegas, Nevada.
08:38She is the WWE Evolve Women's Champion, Kendall Gray.
08:54Kendall Gray, as you just alluded to, Stone, has really chosen to put herself in a tough situation.
09:02It was her idea to have a triple threat match against P.J. Vossa and Callie Armstrong, two of the
09:09most dangerous competitors in all of Evolve.
09:12What is your strategy if you're Kendall Gray?
09:14Well, triple threat match.
09:16I hope they did their homework.
09:17I hope they know what they signed up for.
09:19I hope they know what they're getting themselves into because there's no DQs.
09:23The first fall wins.
09:24And, you know, Kendall could lose the title without even being pinned.
09:28So, there is no champ's advantage at all in this.
09:32That, of course, the biggest danger.
09:34But then, on top of that, not only can you lose the title without being involved in the pin.
09:39Oh, watch out.
09:40But there's that.
09:41There's just dealing with the strength and power of these two competitors she's dealing with.
09:46Well, things you've got to keep in mind also, ring awareness.
09:49All right?
09:49Endurance and timing in a match like this.
09:52You've got to have eyes in the back of your head, let's be real.
09:54I mean, one mistake can cost you.
09:55And you see the speed and athleticism of Kendall Gray.
09:58Is it enough, though, to deal with someone like P.J. Vassa?
10:02I like her trying to take out the base, though, Stone.
10:03What do you think of that strategy?
10:05She's got her rocking and rolling, and now Callie's helping this situation.
10:09Of course, Callie.
10:10Oh, watch the double drop kick to Vassa.
10:12He's going to send her out.
10:12Wow, P.J.'s out of town.
10:14Oh, she went down hard, too.
10:16She went down hard right in front of us.
10:18And now you see Callie Armstrong and Kendall Gray right in the middle of the ring.
10:21We haven't seen them toe-to-to-toe in a minute like this.
10:24There's respect between them, but no love lost, and here they go.
10:29Oh, watch out.
10:30Here's the pin.
10:32And another for Kendall.
10:33And last week, of course, we saw that incredible title defense from Jackson Drake.
10:37We talked about his great rivalry with Shawn Legacy.
10:39The Kendall Gray, Callie Armstrong, quite a rivalry as well.
10:42Absolutely.
10:43Oh, man.
10:44None of these superstars came to back down or be second best.
10:48They all want to be Evolve Women's Champion.
10:52And Callie Armstrong tossed by Kendall Gray.
10:57What a way to start the new year for Kendall.
11:00She's on fire right now.
11:02And she sends P.J. Vassa back to the floor.
11:06Uh-oh.
11:07Remember, no disqualifications and a triple threat match.
11:10Oh, my God.
11:13Watch out, Callie.
11:14The spear from Vassa taking out Gray and Armstrong.
11:21This is an unbelievable start to the night.
11:23More of this triple threat championship match next.
11:29Oh, my God.
12:02As you see, Callie Armstrong tossed into the corner.
12:08Look at this.
12:09It's been all P.J. Vassa through the break.
12:11And she claims she's the most dominant woman in Evolve now.
12:14And she is truly showcasing that in this match.
12:17Look at this.
12:17She's just manhandling human beings.
12:22Look at this.
12:23Two up at once, Peter.
12:25P.J. Vassa, the strength.
12:27Oh, come on.
12:30Impressive.
12:36And there's a pinfall from Vassa.
12:39But Callie kicks out.
12:41Remember, P.J. Vassa was raised by a single father.
12:44And she's got two older brothers.
12:46She grew up being tough.
12:47She's got thick skin.
12:48She's been ready for situations like this.
12:52The kick from Kendall Gray.
12:55Slaps to the face of Vassa.
12:59Well, we know Kendall Gray won't back down from anybody.
13:03She wants to use those gray grabs.
13:05No way!
13:06No way!
13:06No way!
13:08Dude!
13:10She's in the gray area right now.
13:12You know the gray storm's rising.
13:14Uh-oh!
13:15Kendall Gray risking it here and going for the leg of P.J. Vassa.
13:18We know how dangerous a Kendall Gray submission can be.
13:21Are we looking at a tap out?
13:24Oh!
13:25And Callie Armstrong with a splash off the top.
13:27And this is where having those extra eyes on your head would help.
13:30Because I just don't know if she saw Callie come in with her side peripheral vision.
13:34I just don't know.
13:35Callie came out of nowhere.
13:38All three women trying to find their way to their feet.
13:41Ren Sinclair trying to bring some air to her fellow Ren QCC member, Kendall Gray, the
13:48Evolved Women's Champion.
13:50Callie and P.J. to their feet first.
13:53Okay, Callie's feeling it.
13:57Kendall missing with the right hand.
14:00Spine buster from Callie Armstrong.
14:02It is any woman's game right now.
14:08As you see, Callie sending Vassa in the power slam.
14:13You know what usually comes after the power slam, Peter.
14:16Could it be?
14:17Oh, she's revving up for it.
14:22It's dead.
14:23Oh, my God.
14:24Kendall Gray comes flying in.
14:26Is that enough to retain?
14:28It is.
14:30There is your winner.
14:32But still, WWE Evolved Women's Champion, Kendall Gray.
14:42Kendall Gray finds a way.
14:45Just when it seemed Callie Armstrong might win with that pounce.
14:48Kendall steals it.
14:49And still, your Evolved Women's Champion is Ren Sinclair.
14:53Comes in to celebrate.
14:55With the Evolved Women's Championship on the line, three dominant women all had their moments in this incredible matchup.
15:02But P.J. Vassa showed just why she might be a future champion here at Evolved.
15:07But Callie Armstrong displayed her power.
15:10But in the end, Kendall Gray was able to retain her championship.
15:20Big time win for our champion, Kendall Gray.
15:22She must feel great about her victory.
15:24But right now, our guy, Drew Martinez, is heading over to VIP.
15:29Carmen, Carmen, Carmen.
15:30What's the problem?
15:31What's the problem, buddy?
15:32I mean, Callie keeps talking about she's the difference maker and she put a valve on her back.
15:36But all I see is failure after failure.
15:39I mean, how many opportunities is she going to get?
15:43Callie, you had your moment.
15:44And now your moment is done.
15:46No, I need help.
15:47No, no, no.
15:48I'm doing it.
15:49No.
15:50Our referees out here holding Callie Armstrong back.
15:53Callie isn't having any of it.
15:56He talking real big with these securities in front of me.
15:59Where's that sewer?
16:00So I can shove it up?
16:01Yo.
16:02Callie, Callie, Callie, Callie, Callie, Callie.
16:03We get it.
16:04We get it.
16:04We get it.
16:08Absolute madness here.
16:10We have devolved into chaos.
16:13It's time to get Trill.
16:14Let's learn more about Trill London.
16:21I chase adrenaline.
16:23I get out to fulfillment.
16:24But to accomplish those feelings, I use many avenues.
16:33Playing football at the highest level in the NFL.
16:36See, there's nothing like flying through the air, deflecting the past and quieting down a crowd full of 70,000
16:41people.
16:42Or even when I walk in trim from head to toe, I always had them leaving wondering, man, who is
16:49that?
16:54Music, man.
16:56Something about it feels like an extension of my heart.
16:59And now I'm trying to cook up the same art of performance and creativity in that wrestling ring.
17:09And best believe I'm going to get that on Evolve, because there's no holding you down when you truly authentic.
17:13And that's not me keeping it real with you.
17:15That's just me keeping it true with you.
17:21We are all certainly more excited to get more Trill London on Wednesday nights.
17:27The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
17:30Introducing first, from Sacramento, California, wing in at 222 pounds, Timothy Fincher.
17:40All right, Stone.
17:41You want to see good old-fashioned hard-nosed wrestling.
17:46That's what we're going to get with this matchup.
17:49Former OG Evolve champ, Timothy Thatcher.
17:52He has been awoken.
17:53He is here.
17:55And he is ready.
17:59And his opponent, from Blackpool, England, wing in at 208 pounds, representing new quarter catch crew, Charlie Depsey.
18:12Charlie Dempsey has wanted action with Timothy Thatcher for some time.
18:19And listen, Timothy Thatcher said, hey, that's not who I am anymore.
18:23I'm trying to be here to help talent and be a coach.
18:27But guess what?
18:29Charlie Dempsey is going to get what he's been asking for.
18:34When Charlie Dempsey was in NOAA, he's always wanted to wrestle there.
18:38And he went there to make a name for himself.
18:40And everybody in the locker room, all they were talking about was Timothy Thatcher.
18:43Taking away everything about Charlie Dempsey.
18:45So Charlie said, you know what?
18:47I don't want you to be talking about Thatcher.
18:49I want you to be talking about me.
18:51So he wanted to go to this guy who everyone's saying is the best and challenge him so he could
18:55really prove that he's better than him.
18:57All right?
18:58But the problem is Thatcher wanted no part of it.
19:00And now he may have awoken a monster.
19:03So you're saying this goes all the way to Japan, this rivalry?
19:05It goes to NOAA in Japan.
19:07Timothy Thatcher, huge star there.
19:09Was a former NOAA tag team champion.
19:12Lived there.
19:13Lived at the dojo.
19:14And then when Charlie went there, it was Timothy Thatcher.
19:16This Timothy Thatcher.
19:17That, and that's not, that wasn't going to progress Charlie any further.
19:21All right?
19:22They wanted everyone to be talking about him.
19:23It sounds like jealousy.
19:25It sounds like you're describing jealousy.
19:26It's not jealousy.
19:27He wants to be the best.
19:29He wants to be the best, Peter.
19:31You and NOAA for some time as well?
19:33I was.
19:34And I look back on those days and those guys hit hard.
19:37When you think about what these two went through over there, the buildings are colder.
19:41The mats are harder.
19:42The ropes are tighter.
19:43And these two enjoy that kind of wrestling.
19:48Absolutely.
19:49Two of the toughest guys you will see in a wrestling ring.
19:52And expect to see a lot of this.
19:54A lot of ground and pound from both of these.
19:57Oh, man.
19:58Look at that knee to the back.
20:07Right now he's going to fold them up like a pretzel.
20:09Look at that mug.
20:11A face only a mother could love.
20:14Yeah, well, Thatcher's a naturally grumpy guy.
20:16I mean, he's like a caveman.
20:18He still uses a flip phone.
20:20He has no TV in his apartment.
20:22I mean, come on.
20:23What world does he live in?
20:25He also claims he taught his cat how to do an arm bar.
20:28Have you heard that?
20:29Yeah, he also has seven broken teeth that he won't fix because he says the teeth were weak for breaking.
20:35I mean, that is, that's not normal.
20:38It's not normal, but it's very entertaining.
20:40Timothy Thatcher, truly old school in every way.
20:44I'll tell you what he does have.
20:45Actually, both of these guys have, Timothy and Charlie, a ring IQ of a thousand.
20:49They are both wizards in the wrestling ring.
20:53Absolutely.
20:54And you're seeing Timothy Thatcher with the advantage early on.
21:01And taking it all in, you see Drake Moreau and Carly Bright there in the VIP,
21:07potentially looking to absorb all of the knowledge they can from two highly skilled map mechanics.
21:13A pinfall?
21:14No.
21:14Charlie Dempsey rolling out there.
21:16This is very old school catch wrestling style.
21:20You can see the limb control.
21:22The bone bending that Timothy Thatcher is going to try and incorporate.
21:26European uppercut there from Thatcher and one back from Dempsey.
21:30And let me tell you something.
21:31If you pay close attention to the European uppercuts that Charlie Dempsey was just throwing as he gets his foot
21:37on the ropes,
21:38a lot of guys throw them, but they don't know how to throw them properly.
21:41The way these two throw them, they can be knockout blows, as you can see right there.
21:45He just took Charlie out of the ring.
21:47Impressive stuff from Thatcher.
21:49This hard-hitting action will continue next, right here on Evolve.
21:55This January, from CAFT in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, two epic nights.
22:05WWE fans are ready for Friday night SmackDown.
22:10One historic road to WrestleMania.
22:13For the first time in Riyadh, the Royal Rumble.
22:18The weekend that changes everything.
22:21Tickets on sale now.
22:38Welcome back to WWE Evolve.
22:44Timothy Thatcher.
22:47The suplex right there to Charlie Dempsey, who kicks out at two.
22:52And you look at the experience of these two.
22:54Timothy Thatcher has been doing this for over 20 years.
22:5920-plus years, Peter.
23:01Charlie Dempsey, although he is very ahead of where he should be, only seven.
23:05The 13-year difference.
23:06Timothy Thatcher has way more experiences and situations he's been presented in front of himself with.
23:13He knows how to get out of those words.
23:15He's been places that Charlie hasn't been.
23:18But Charlie wants to be the best.
23:19Charlie wants to be better than Thatcher.
23:21And that's why he wanted this match.
23:24Very well said.
23:25And really an impressive attitude when you think about it.
23:29Now, Dempsey, I don't necessarily love the way he got there.
23:31But I respect the fact that he wanted to go at someone with the reputation of the player coach, Timothy
23:36Thatcher.
23:38Charlie right now in control.
23:40Look at that.
23:41Athleticism, too.
23:42So many tap-out techniques.
23:44Amazing ground game.
23:46Floor control.
23:47Okay.
23:48Limb isolation, as you can see right now.
23:51Oh, man.
23:53Timothy Thatcher fighting back any way he can.
23:57You see Drake Moreau and Carly Bright looking on.
24:00Of course, both trying to glean some lessons from these two in the ring.
24:08They might be scared right now.
24:10I'm a little scared.
24:12Look at that mug.
24:13Yeah, but listen.
24:14What I'm talking about with the knee pad situation.
24:16You notice neither one of them have knee pads.
24:18You want to know why?
24:19Yes.
24:19Because their knees are their weapons.
24:21They said, why would they put pillows on their knees?
24:23That's what they call knee pads.
24:24Both of these guys.
24:26Man, think about that.
24:28Well, I mean, sacrificing the support you'd get just so they could be a bit more dangerous with their knees.
24:34If you're Charlie Dempsey, what is your approach to trying to beat a Timothy Thatcher, someone you know has that
24:39much in-ring experience and savvy?
24:42Well, he's bringing that brutal British style inspired by World of Sport.
24:47That is what Charlie studies.
24:48So that's what he's going to try to do in this match.
24:50And look, he's authentic.
24:52He's sturdy.
24:53He's a well-put-together guy.
24:54He went into this with a game plan.
24:56And now it seems to be working.
24:58These are two guys who it seems like if we're not in the ring here on EVOL, we'll be finding
25:02a way to fight somewhere.
25:05Remember, Charlie Dempsey was a guy who enjoyed staying in the dojo.
25:09He'd live there forever if he could, the dojo in Tokyo Japan for me.
25:12I wouldn't be able to survive a night there.
25:15I mean, how are you waking up and doing 500 squats a day when you're doing that?
25:19He enjoys that.
25:19And I've seen Charlie Dempsey around at NXT, around at the Performance Center doing the same thing.
25:24I don't know how many squats the dude does a day, but it is in the hundreds.
25:28Do you think when he heard all the stories about Thatcher at the dojo, he heard any stories about you
25:31at NOAA?
25:32Nah, I'm going to be honest.
25:33I don't think anyone's really talking about me right there.
25:36But that's for a different conversation.
25:38Oh, man.
25:39This is raw power right now.
25:41Look at that.
25:41The strength of Dempsey and the gut-wrench suplex.
25:44When you think of flashes, catch legends from the past, Billy Robbins and Carl Gotch.
25:50That's who these guys look up to.
25:51That's who these guys have studied.
25:53I asked Timothy Thatcher if he'd watched any PLEs recently, and he said only if they're on VHS.
25:58And he can watch it on his 13-inch black-and-white TV.
26:01That's the kind of guy he is.
26:03There's those European uppercuts I was talking about earlier.
26:07Took Thatcher right off his feet, and now he's got them locked in.
26:09A leg hold again.
26:11And Dempsey, yeah, back down to the mat now.
26:13Thatcher grabbing him right by the throat.
26:14Well, Thatcher was going after Dempsey's arm.
26:17Dempsey was going after Thatcher's leg.
26:19They are trying to take body parts from one another.
26:23It's like watching a chess game with a big slap in the middle.
26:29As you see right there, Dempsey going to work on the right leg of Thatcher, but Thatcher gets to his
26:36base.
26:37It is painful just to watch.
26:39I could feel the pain through this screen just to watch the way these guys are throwing each other, tying
26:44each other up.
26:44Oh, I know what this is.
26:46Oh!
26:48Could that be enough?
26:49As you see now, Thatcher favoring that left knee.
26:52Maybe he'd do better off wearing the knee brace right now or knee pad.
26:55Well, Dempsey in a lot of pain, but he's been here before in high-pressure matches.
26:58He's been a Heritage Cup champion two times.
27:02He's a part of RenQCC.
27:04No pity, no mercy, no remorse.
27:07He's helped better guys like Miles Bourne, Tavion Heights, Ren Sinclair.
27:13And that's what you love about Evolve.
27:16You never know who you get to see.
27:18Whether they're from the Indies, from NXT, from TNA, from AAA, anyone can show up on any given night.
27:25And that's how we landed here with Timothy Thatcher and Charlie Dempsey.
27:30That's a pin.
27:31That's a pin, though.
27:33And Thatcher kicks out.
27:34He has methodically been picking apart that leg of Timothy Thatcher.
27:39He's relentless.
27:40He will not let go of it.
27:43This is the type of technical wrestling I just enjoy watching.
27:46As Dempsey uses strength to almost rip Thatcher's ankle from his leg.
27:50Carly and Drake can't believe it either.
27:53But here comes Timothy Thatcher, who's withstanding enormous punishment.
27:58But you've got to be careful.
27:59I know Charlie Dempsey knows some secret stuff that other people don't.
28:03He learned those hooks, as they call them.
28:05The illegal crippling holds from British legend Dave Taylor, who he's very close with.
28:11Oh my, did you just see that?
28:13Unbelievable.
28:14Thatcher's not enough.
28:15No.
28:16Thatcher just smacked him across his face right on the ear.
28:18That could have knocked him out.
28:19And not only that, it could mess with your eardrum.
28:22That could be ringing now for the rest of the match.
28:24But you see, yeah, there's no base now for Thatcher.
28:28Oh, but no power in that leg.
28:29It's probably hard for him to stay on his feet.
28:31Fluria slaps now right from Dempsey, and he twists that leg right up.
28:35Did you see the way it bent?
28:37Oh, come on.
28:38Your leg's not supposed to bend that way.
28:40It is not.
28:41I'll tell you right now.
28:42If you were in the NBA or the NFL and your leg twisted like that, you're on the IR.
28:46You're gone for three weeks, four weeks.
28:48But Timothy Thatcher is a different kind of breed, a different kind of animal.
28:52Look, and now he's got him hooked back to that arm.
28:55Oh, my God.
28:55He reversed it.
28:56Hooked that arm behind.
28:57But look at the innovator.
28:57Charlie Dempsey finds a way out and goes right back to work.
29:01That leg again.
29:02Hold for hold.
29:03Movement for movement.
29:05Back and forth we go.
29:07Oh, man.
29:09This is fascinating to watch.
29:11Into an arm bar for Thatcher.
29:13And they just know where to direct their opponent to pull them right back to the middle
29:17to not give them a chance to reach for the ropes.
29:20They know exactly where they are at all times.
29:23These two are the best at what they do.
29:25They're the best at this style of wrestling.
29:27And I'll tell you, Stone, this is why I love this job so much.
29:29Because we get to see this on Evolve.
29:31You don't get to see this every place.
29:34This is awesome stuff.
29:35Timothy Thatcher, a pin?
29:38No, not quite.
29:39That shoulder's up.
29:40I don't know if the shoulders are down, but Thatcher has them locked in.
29:44Dempsey broke three.
29:46Knockout blow to the face.
29:47Dempsey's off his feet.
29:48Could that be enough?
29:50But can he move with the hurt leg?
29:52That's the thing.
29:52I don't think he has any base.
29:55Here we go.
29:56The European uppercuts are coming.
29:59Just like you said, they're doing them like no one else can right now.
30:02Another one from Thatcher.
30:05These guys got to hold on to each other just to stay up.
30:11Who is going to hit harder?
30:13Oh, both of them are out the ring.
30:15And both men fall to the outside in the heat.
30:18Have you ever seen anything like this, Peter Rosenberg?
30:22The people here in the Evolve Arena are just appreciating what's going on in front of them right now.
30:31European uppercut.
30:32And another one back.
30:33They are not stopping.
30:35Blow for blow.
30:37Thatcher connecting again as these two guys find their way around the outside of the ring.
30:42Better watch out before there's a count-out.
30:44Another uppercut.
30:46Oh, man.
30:47They better be listening to the referee.
30:50Thatcher cares.
30:51He just laid in another three or four.
30:53They're on six.
30:54Thatcher's got to get him in the ring if he wants to win this.
30:57Dempsey now takes out the leg of Thatcher.
31:00And we know Thatcher's struggling.
31:03And Thatcher finds his way in at nine.
31:07And eats a right hand from Dempsey.
31:09Could that be enough?
31:10That might have been the knockout blow that he needed.
31:13What is he going to do right now?
31:17Double underhooks throw.
31:18He's got him hooked.
31:18Is that it?
31:19Into the pin.
31:21And Thatcher kicks out at two.
31:24You can see it in Thatcher's eyes.
31:27He is fighting with everything he's got left to stay in this thing.
31:31Thatcher missing with the slap.
31:34Hold on.
31:34Could this be enough?
31:36Thatcher kicks out again.
31:38Oh, but a Charlie hold on and he's got him hooked.
31:40But that's it.
31:42Here is your winner, by submission, Charlie Dempsey.
31:49Stone, how painful must that have been for Thatcher to tap instantaneously like that?
31:56He had already gone through so much.
31:58But the second Dempsey locked it in, Thatcher taps.
32:03This match was years in the making and it did not disappoint.
32:07Two of the toughest competitors around displaying their old school style featuring tons of grit
32:12and aggression, including Charlie Dempsey with his classic limb isolation here.
32:17Thatcher at his moments as well, working multiple body parts.
32:21But in the end, Charlie Dempsey's youth and determination may have been the key difference
32:26leading him to a rugged victory here tonight.
32:30It was not pretty, but it's a win.
32:35Charlie Dempsey takes out the Evolve player coach, Timothy Thatcher.
32:42As we go from a technical masterpiece to a potential high-flying main event tonight,
32:48the party is officially here.
32:50The Vanity Project taking on three ambitious WWE ID prospects
32:56in Eli Knight, Cappuccino Jones, and Aaron Rourke.
32:59It's a six-man ID showcase when we return with Evolve.
33:07Every Royal Rumble begins the same way,
33:11with someone stepping through the unknown.
33:14For decades, these moments have opened doors to glory,
33:20to heartbreak,
33:22to immortality.
33:25On January 31st,
33:27all those paths lead here,
33:31to Riyadh.
33:33Are you ready?
33:35Are you ready?
33:51The worst fear
33:53of every man
33:55in that Evolve welcome
33:56has come true.
33:59Harlem Lewis.
34:04Harlem Lewis is back
34:06to the Evolve.
34:07He's a brawler,
34:08he's a scrapper,
34:09he's a street fighter.
34:10And if you thought I didn't give a damn before,
34:12then just wait until you see the pain
34:13I inflict on my opponents now.
34:16Harlem fights
34:17because it is blood.
34:19I just spent two months in Japan
34:21where I learned from the toughest
34:22on the planet.
34:25And I brought back some things
34:27from those Japanese dojos
34:28that are going to lead me
34:29directly to the Evolve
34:31Men's Championship.
34:35I'm back for one reason.
34:41Unfinishing reasons.
34:45The massive and brutal Harlem Lewis
34:47has proven to be a force
34:48to be reckoned with.
34:50All right, go for it.
34:51I know you want to do it.
34:52The party's here.
34:53The main event is here.
34:55Swipe right
34:56and the Evolve champion
34:58are here.
35:00Vanity Project, baby.
35:01Come on.
35:02It is fun to see these guys
35:04back together
35:05in six-man tag action.
35:06And there's that idiot,
35:08Ricky Smokes.
35:08Boost the power.
35:10The champ, Jackson Drake.
35:13Brad Baylor,
35:14Ricky Smokes.
35:15And listen,
35:15I like to give these guys
35:16a hard time
35:17because they're obnoxious
35:17and they deserve it.
35:18But I will say it.
35:19They are the most cohesive,
35:21well-put-together tag team
35:22in all of Evolve
35:23and maybe in the entire
35:25ID program
35:26and the indie world
35:27in general.
35:27You got to give it up
35:28to swipe right
35:29and, of course,
35:30the champ,
35:31Jackson Drake,
35:32the face of Evolve.
35:33Look at Smokes Troll.
35:34The boys.
35:36How many main events
35:37have these guys been?
35:38Are they ever not
35:39in a main event?
35:40Can I say something?
35:42Yeah.
35:42Hundo's.
35:44Okay.
35:45Oh, no, I'll say it.
35:46Hundo's.
35:46I like the new year.
35:48New year, new Peter.
35:49It's been a few weeks,
35:50but you're coming around.
35:51I give credit
35:52where credit is due,
35:53but they're going to have
35:54their hands full tonight.
35:58Ricky Smokes
35:59looking ready for action.
36:00There's his famous dance.
36:02What an idiot.
36:03I've been waiting for that
36:04in the new year,
36:05but now when you're talking
36:07about some of the preeminent talent
36:08we have here on Evolve,
36:09you must certainly
36:10got to include Aaron Rourke,
36:12Cappuccino Jones,
36:13and Eli Knight.
36:14The future of the industry
36:16is forming right before
36:17our very eyes,
36:18and Aaron Rourke
36:19clearly isn't here
36:20to blend in.
36:21As you can see,
36:22he's here to stand out.
36:23Oh, yeah.
36:23Sip it down, baby.
36:25A triple shot
36:26here on Evolve.
36:27Really?
36:28You're just acting like this
36:29because you're upset
36:30that Vanity Project
36:31are my guys,
36:32so now you want
36:33to have guys.
36:35This is the main event
36:36of Evolve
36:37on this Wednesday, Peter,
36:38where you just focus
36:39and take this serious.
36:41You have such a way
36:42with words, Robert Stone.
36:47We are ready.
36:48Six-man tag action
36:50for our main event.
36:54I am so excited
36:56for this one.
36:57Hey, and it's
36:58WWE ID prospect
37:00Lady Luck there
37:01in VIP
37:02supporting her ID cohorts
37:04for sure tonight.
37:05You're damn right
37:06she is having a good time.
37:07Look, she's getting turnt.
37:08That's how she does.
37:09The following contest
37:10is a six-man tag team match
37:13scheduled for one fall.
37:16Introducing first,
37:18Brad Baylor,
37:19Ricky Smokes,
37:21and the WWE Evolve champion,
37:24Shucks and Drake,
37:26The
37:26Vanity Project.
37:33And their opponents,
37:34the team of
37:36Aaron Rourke,
37:39Eli Knight,
37:41and Cappuccino
37:44Jones.
37:51Love the mix of styles
37:53that we are going to get
37:55in this matchup.
37:56Welcome to your main event.
37:58Happy Wednesday.
38:00Great job, Blake Howard.
38:03It is time.
38:05Let's get to it.
38:06Aaron Rourke looks like
38:07he's going to start
38:07things off.
38:08And Ricky Smokes.
38:11Now, why do you have
38:12such a problem with
38:13Ricky Smokes?
38:13Every time the guy
38:14walks to the ring,
38:15you've got something
38:15to say about him.
38:16The way he sticks
38:17his tongue out.
38:18Yes.
38:18However he wants
38:19to express himself
38:21when he's walking
38:22to the ring,
38:23he has the right
38:23to do that.
38:24I find the tongue
38:25wagging annoying.
38:26Come on.
38:27I find the dance,
38:28the fake Tony Ayo
38:30ripoff dance annoying.
38:32Pretending to drink
38:33invisible cups of coffee
38:34isn't annoying?
38:35No, I think it's
38:36actually kind of cool.
38:37Oh, come on.
38:38Look, when you look
38:39at this match from afar,
38:40what do you see?
38:41You see three guys
38:42who aren't necessarily,
38:44just because they're
38:44all in the ID program
38:45together,
38:45they're not always
38:46teaming together.
38:47Okay?
38:48But then you look
38:48at the Vanity Project
38:49and they're a well-oiled
38:50machine.
38:51How is this six-man
38:52tag match going to work out?
38:54On paper,
38:55who are you betting
38:55your money on?
38:56It's a fair point,
38:57so let me answer
38:58your question with
38:59a question.
38:59If you are these
39:00three guys,
39:01Eli Knight,
39:02Aaron Walker,
39:03Cappuccino Jones,
39:04how do you find
39:05some level of
39:06cohesiveness to deal
39:07with a team like this?
39:08You know,
39:09I'm not on the team.
39:11Don't ask me.
39:12Those guys got to
39:12figure that out.
39:13I don't think
39:14there is a way.
39:14Brad Baylor.
39:15There are three
39:16egomaniacs.
39:16There's the tag.
39:17Baylor going right
39:18to the lower back
39:19of Cappuccino Jones,
39:20two of the best
39:21young superstars
39:22in Evolve.
39:25And they are
39:26getting after it
39:26early on.
39:27The drop kick
39:28from Cappuccino Jones
39:29taking Baylor down.
39:30Pinfall one.
39:31Kick out.
39:31Well,
39:32you knew it was
39:32going to be fast
39:33paced from the second
39:34the bell rang,
39:35and why wouldn't it be
39:37six awesome
39:38WWE ID prospects?
39:41This is a showcase
39:42right now,
39:43showing what they
39:43could do.
39:44Double back elbows
39:45there from Eli Knight,
39:46Cappuccino Jones.
39:48Could it be a pin
39:49for Eli Knight?
39:50Kick out at two
39:51for Baylor.
39:52That disrespectfully
39:54athleticism
39:55by Eli Knight
39:56doing what he does.
39:58He's had great
39:58performances,
39:59but he needs wins.
40:00He needs momentum.
40:01You need more
40:02than a great performance.
40:03Maybe tonight's his
40:04night.
40:05Have you asked
40:05Jackson Drake yet
40:06what Dr. Thirst
40:07means?
40:08Who cares?
40:09He knows style.
40:10We don't.
40:10Well,
40:11I did hear you
40:11trying to explain
40:13what 6-7 was.
40:15I know what 6-7,
40:16I know what 6-7,
40:186,
40:19yes,
40:19yeah,
40:19I get it.
40:20You're six months
40:20late,
40:20but you got it.
40:21Look at you.
40:23Big takedown there
40:24from Jackson Drake.
40:25How great is it
40:26right now that
40:27Jackson's even
40:27in this match?
40:28He doesn't need
40:29to be wrestling.
40:29He just defended
40:30his Evolve championship
40:32last week,
40:34getting up high.
40:36Tag,
40:37here comes Ricky Smokes.
40:39Oh my gosh,
40:40man.
40:40Admit it,
40:41Stone,
40:41are you impressed
40:41with the athleticism
40:42of Eli Knight?
40:43Of course,
40:44and I never take
40:44that away from
40:45anyone,
40:46personality,
40:46dislike or not.
40:47Look at the
40:48ups,
40:48now Ricky Smokes
40:49to the outside.
40:50All three members
40:52of Vanity Project
40:53on the outside.
40:54What's Eli Knight?
40:55Well,
40:55Eli Knight was
40:56an interesting way
40:57of getting motivated
40:57by Aaron Ward.
40:58I didn't know
40:59if that was a tag
41:00or a...
41:00Watch out,
41:01Eli Knight's flying!
41:03Man!
41:04Oh yeah!
41:05Did you see
41:05the height on that?
41:07Stone,
41:07I thought he was
41:08going to land
41:08on our announce desk.
41:10As Jackson Drake,
41:12Dr. First,
41:14is on his stomach
41:15right now in pain.
41:16But Ricky Smokes
41:17and Brad Baylor
41:18connecting with that knee.
41:20It's Baylor
41:21lands the knee
41:21to Eli Knight.
41:23This is an incredible
41:24six-man tag match.
41:25Our main event
41:26continues next.
41:36You can tell,
41:37can't you?
41:40The way they breathe,
41:42the way they bluff.
41:45Every one of them
41:47thinks they're holding
41:48destiny in their hands.
41:51Hey, man.
41:55That pause,
41:57that's not confidence.
41:58Oh, no, no, no, no, no.
42:00That pause tells you
42:02this is still
42:03anyone's game.
42:15Welcome back
42:16to your main event
42:18on Evolve.
42:19You got Brad Bale
42:20or Ricky Smokes.
42:20That's Swipe Right.
42:21They're teamed up
42:21with the champ,
42:22Jackson Drake,
42:23and the Vanity Project
42:25taking on
42:25a very impressive team
42:28together tonight.
42:29Eli Knight,
42:29Cappuccino Jones
42:30and Aaron Roark
42:31and Ricky Smokes
42:32in a pin, Eli Knight
42:33and Knight's going
42:34to kick out at two.
42:35Look, they're doing
42:36what they do best.
42:37Look at him.
42:38Look at the way
42:38he just positioned himself
42:39to make sure Eli Knight
42:41couldn't cross that
42:42middle part of the ring
42:43to get close
42:43to his tag partners.
42:45That's what Swipe Right do.
42:46That's what VP does.
42:47They know how to control
42:48the ring in a match
42:50like this.
42:51You think Ricky Smokes
42:52is underrated at all
42:53being next to Baylor
42:54and Jackson Drake
42:55all the time
42:55because he's very
42:56impressive in that ring.
42:57I don't think
42:57he's underrated at all.
42:58I think everyone
42:59except for you
42:59knows how great
43:00these three guys are.
43:01He's just trying
43:01to give the guy
43:02a compliment.
43:02Just because he acts
43:03like an idiot
43:03doesn't mean he's not
43:04very impressive in the ring
43:05as you see the champ
43:06rake in the back.
43:08Give him a compliment.
43:09Peter, you said
43:09he's underrated.
43:10Well, sometimes
43:11that's a compliment.
43:12A pinfall.
43:13And Eli Knight kicks out.
43:14I'm just saying
43:15the Vanity Project's
43:16a very stacked group
43:17and so people might
43:18sometimes go to sleep
43:20on the third member
43:21and I'll tell you what,
43:22Ricky Smokes
43:23has a lot.
43:23Brings a ton to the table
43:24for this team.
43:26Well, all eyes
43:27are on Jackson Drake.
43:28There's a target
43:29on his back.
43:30We know after seeing
43:31Harlem Lewis
43:32that he wants it.
43:33Wait, wait, wait.
43:34Pinfall on Knight
43:34and he kicks out it too.
43:36That he has his eyes
43:37on the Evolve Championship
43:39that Jackson Drake
43:40is holding.
43:40We can't forget
43:41that Cam Hendricks
43:42whenever he wants
43:43could get a match
43:45scheduled
43:46against
43:47the champion
43:48to get a shot.
43:49He could get a match
43:50scheduled against
43:51Jackson Drake
43:51whenever he wants.
43:52It's absolutely right.
43:53That is still
43:54on the table.
43:56Quick tags now.
43:58Smokes in.
43:59Now here comes
43:59Jackson Drake.
44:00I'll tell you what, man.
44:02Swipe Wright's the tag team.
44:04Vanity Project's
44:04the whole crew.
44:05But man, when...
44:06Oh, Jackson Drake
44:07with a pin.
44:07But I'll tell you what.
44:08Don't you agree, Stone?
44:09The second Jackson Drake
44:10gets with Swipe Wright,
44:11it's like he's a member
44:12of the tag team.
44:12I want him.
44:13I want him.
44:14So cohesive.
44:16That's what friendship is.
44:18They're a tag team
44:19outside of the room.
44:21Why is that surprising to you?
44:23I'm just...
44:24These guys work well together.
44:25I'm very impressed.
44:26That's all.
44:28By the way,
44:29have they let you hang out
44:30in their room yet?
44:31Their little hangout stuff?
44:32The dorm?
44:33Yeah.
44:34That's between me and them, dude.
44:35What happens in there
44:36stays in there, Peter.
44:37This is the main event right now,
44:39Wednesday night on E-Piles.
44:45Ricky Smokes
44:46and Eli Knight.
44:48Now, Eli's been in there
44:48for a long time.
44:49He's got to be thinking
44:50about a tag, Stone.
44:51He desperately needs
44:52to find a way
44:53to get a tag.
44:55You have tag team experience.
44:56When you're in a spotlight,
44:57the pin fall down for Smokes.
44:59Then that kicks out at two.
45:00When you're in this moment,
45:01are you able to consciously think,
45:03I need to make my way
45:04to the corner?
45:05Or are you just trying to survive?
45:06It's just about finding
45:07that right opening
45:08and capitalizing.
45:10And that's what you have to do.
45:11You have to take advantage
45:12of every single opening
45:13that you get.
45:16Ricky Smokes
45:17into the corner
45:17and Eli Knight
45:19kicking Smokes
45:19and then taking down
45:21Jackson Drake
45:22and Brad Baylor.
45:23Remember,
45:24his corner
45:25is a long way away.
45:26But this could be
45:27that moment
45:27you were just talking about.
45:29Oh, man.
45:30He's looking to make
45:31his way to Cappuccino Jones.
45:33He's close,
45:33but here's Jackson.
45:35And not so fast.
45:38But wait a second.
45:40He's free.
45:41He may be able
45:42to make it now.
45:43And he does.
45:45Cappuccino,
45:45the freshman,
45:46finally in the ring.
45:47Aaron Rourke
45:48not available,
45:49so right now
45:49it's just Knight and Jones,
45:50but Cappuccino
45:52wrecking shop.
45:53He's explosive.
45:54He's impactful.
45:56Body drop
45:56to the champion.
46:00Did you see his jump?
46:02Did you see the height?
46:03Back springboard.
46:05Elbow taken down
46:06Brad Baylor.
46:07And Cappuccino Jones
46:09is feeling it.
46:10Could that be enough?
46:11The pin on Baylor.
46:12And here comes Smokes.
46:18Aaron Rourke
46:19finally back in.
46:21I don't think
46:21he's the legal man.
46:23Eat the feet.
46:23Gives the boot
46:25to Smokes.
46:26Here comes Jackson Drake
46:27after Rourke.
46:29And the Carolina Reaper.
46:32Watch out!
46:33This thing has been
46:34fast and furious
46:35and flying.
46:36This match is getting wild
46:37and you knew it would.
46:38There's the athleticism
46:40from Eli Knight
46:41taking down the champion.
46:42Who's the legal man, Stone?
46:43I'm trying to figure that out.
46:45I hope referee
46:46Joey Gonzalez knows
46:48and he has control over it.
46:49Cappuccino with the boot
46:51to Baylor.
46:52Taking down Smokes.
46:56Could this be it?
46:57Half and half, baby!
47:00Cappuccino still feeling it.
47:01Here comes the champ,
47:02Jackson Drake.
47:03Oh, man.
47:05Decaffeinator.
47:07Cappuccino connects
47:08with the decaffeinator.
47:09Oh, you know
47:10when he goes up top
47:11what he's going for.
47:12Could it be?
47:13Is it time to get...
47:15No.
47:16Smokes there
47:17just in time.
47:19And again,
47:20there is that ring awareness
47:21from Ricky Smokes
47:22and now Baylor
47:23in a great situation
47:24thanks to his partner
47:25Ricky Smokes.
47:30Move after move
47:32and now Jackson Drake.
47:34But look at the quick tags
47:35one after another.
47:36Auto-living!
47:38That's got to be it.
47:40One,
47:41two,
47:42three.
47:43Vanity Project wins.
47:45Here are your winners.
47:47The
47:47Vanity Project.
47:51Unbelievable performance
47:53from the Vanity Project.
47:55But you've got to give it up
47:56for Cappuccino Jones.
47:57He took all three members
47:59of the VP,
48:00Ricky Smokes,
48:01Baylor,
48:02and the champ,
48:02Jackson Drake,
48:03all exchanging moves
48:05to take down Cappuccino Jones.
48:08But you've got to give it up.
48:10Vanity Project on top.
48:11Robert Stone,
48:12take us through
48:13this incredible main event.
48:15Will you go back
48:16and look and see
48:17the WWE ID prospects
48:19doing their thing?
48:20Eli Knight flying
48:21through the sky.
48:22Aaron Rourke
48:23with a high kick
48:23and of course Cappuccino Jones
48:25showing why he is the man.
48:27But you can't count out.
48:29Swipe right,
48:30the party is always here.
48:32They showed why
48:32they're one of the best
48:33tag teams in Evolve.
48:35And Jackson Drake
48:36showed why he is
48:37the Evolve champion.
48:38And the Vanity Project
48:40at the end of the night,
48:41Reign Supreme, baby.
48:45It's almost a broken record
48:48at this point.
48:49The champ,
48:50Jackson Drake,
48:51and Vanity Project
48:52standing tall
48:54again on Evolve.
49:00Hold on a second.
49:03Cam Hendricks.
49:09Riggins and Presley.
49:11Carver.
49:12Braxton Cole.
49:15Yo, yo.
49:16Party's over, clowns.
49:18I'm sick of y'all
49:19acting like you're,
49:19well, us.
49:24What, you guys think?
49:25You're cool or something?
49:26You sorry-ass clowns?
49:27You're just like the rest
49:28of those clowns in the back.
49:31Get out ready.
49:33Hey, bro, you want to tell them
49:35you want me too.
49:36I got this.
49:37I got this.
49:38Since we won the Gauntlet match,
49:40I get a title match against you,
49:43Jackson Drake.
49:46That's light work, baby.
49:49Yo, you mean when we run the show
49:51in two weeks?
49:52I got something better.
49:53I got something better.
49:54In two weeks when we book the show,
49:56I don't want my title match that night.
49:58What?
49:58Let's go.
49:59Let's go.
50:17Let's go.
50:29And whatever scraps are left,
50:44we'll have to defend the title against me
50:46the following week.
50:50Are you kidding me?
50:54Cam Hendricks, I have to say,
50:56it's sort of brilliant
50:57when these guys control evolve
50:59in a couple of weeks.
51:00He's not even going to take
51:01his title match that night.
51:03It's pretty brilliant.
51:12Man, it feels more and more
51:14like I'm walking this road alone.
51:18We are winning, we are winning.
51:19Come on.
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