By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Evolution
Atlanta, Georgia, at State Farm Arena
Streamed live July 13, 2025, on Peacock (and Netflix internationally)
Joe Tessitore welcomed viewers to Evolution while a shot aired of the exterior of the host venue. There were arrival or backstage shots of Bayley, Lyra Valkyria, Becky Lynch, Tiffany Stratton, Trish Stratus, Iyo Sky, and Rhea Ripley…
An Evolution video package aired to Katy Perry’s “Rise”… Tessitore checked in from the platform on the main floor that is typically reserved for Saturday Night’s Main Event. Tessitore introduced Stephanie McMahon while saying that “nights like this wouldn’t happen without her.”
Stephanie walked out to a nice reaction from the crowd and was introduced by ring announcer Alicia Taylor. Steph joined Tessitore on the platform. Steph said “we” had so much to prove with the first Evolution. She spoke about the improvements over the years and the athleticism of today’s female wrestlers in WWE and NXT.
Tessitore asked Steph to name the match that intrigues her. She picked Jade Cargill vs. Naomi in a No Holds Barred match with Bianca Belair as special referee. Tessitore turned things over to the broadcast team…
Michael Cole and Wade Barrett checked in from the ringside broadcast table… Entrances for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship match took place with Bayley out first, followed by Lyra Valkyria, and then champion Becky Lynch…
1. Becky Lynch vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Bayley in a Triple Threat for the Women’s U.S. Championship. Daphanie LaShaunn was the referee. Bayley hit Valyria, who rolled out of the ring, leaving Bayley and Lynch to have the first exchange. Valkyria returned and struck Bayley from behind once Lynch was out of the ring. Lynch returned and caught both women on the mat and covered them simultaneously.
Valkyria dove from the apron and hit Bayley on the floor with a crossbody block. Lynch performed an exploder suplex that sent Bayley crashing into the barricade. Bayley came up selling her. Back inside the ring, Lynch hit an axe handle from the ropes and then covered Bayley for a two count.
A short time later, Valkyria hit a fisherman’s suplex on Lynch and was going for the pin when Bayley hit her with a top rope elbow drop to break it. The crowd popped and chanted Bayley’s name, and then a “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Valkyria was hung in a tree of woe. Bayley executed a sunset bomb on Lynch, which sent her crashing into Valkyria. Bayley dropped an elbow on Valkyria to free her from the ropes and then covered her for another two count.
Valkyria hit both standing opponents with a leg drop from the top rope. All three women were down for a bit. The fans cheered, and another “this is awesome” chant broke out. Lynch hit a simultaneous DDT and an inverted DDT on both opponents and then covered Valkyria for a near fall.
Lynch hit Valkyria with a Manhandle Slam and had her beat, but Bayley dove and broke up the pin. Lynch and Bayley traded chops. Bayley hoisted up Lynch for a move. It looked like Lynch countered, and Cole was confused as well, but the idea was that Bayley got the better of the move, as she covered Lynch, and then Valkyrie returned to break up the pin. Another “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Valkyria hit her Night Wing finisher on Lynch and had her beat, but Bayley broke up the pin at the last moment. A short time later, Bayley stuffed a Night Wing attempt and then rolled up Valkyria, who countered and got a two count. Bayley hit the Rose Plant and covered Valkyrie, but Lynch grabbed Bayley and used a backslide to get the three count…
Becky Lynch defeated Bayley and Lyra Valkyria in a Triple Threat in 16:30 to retain the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
Powell’s POV: A hot opening match with really good work from all three wrestlers. The fans were fully invested and rightfully so. The build to the match felt disastrous for Bayley and Valkyria, but the match more than delivered.
NXT General Manager Ava was shown in the crowd. Mark Henry was shown while Cole credited him with championing women’s wrestling all over the world. Vickie Guerrero did her “Excuse Me” bit. Fortunately, the mic didn’t seem to be working well on the television side. Vickie was booed and then had fun high-fiving nearby fans…
A video package set up the NXT Women’s Championship match…
Jordynne Grace made her entrance. She stopped, and then Blake Monroe came out and accompanied her to the ring. Footage aired from earlier in the day of Grace asking Monroe to be in her corner. Fatal Influence made their entrance…
Powell’s POV: By the way, it doesn’t look like they’ve changed much from Saturday Night’s Main Event the night before. In addition to the platform that Tessitore and Stephanie used, they also have the same entrance and narrow aisles.
2. Jacy Jayne (w/Fallon Henley, Jazmyn Nyx) vs. Jordynne Grace (w/Blake Monroe) for the NXT Women’s Championship. Alicia Taylor delivered in-ring introductions for the championship match. Victoria D’Errico was the referee. Henley and Nyx took early cheap shots at Grace while the referee was distracted.
Grace hit a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall. Grace slammed Jayne and went for a Vader Bomb that Jayne avoided. Jayne superkicked Grace and then caught her with another kick. Jayne followed up with a draping neckbreaker and got a two count.
A short time later, Jayne called for Henley, who slid the NXT Championship belt the ring while the referee was distracted. Monroe dropped Henley with a headbutt. The referee pulled the title belt away from Jayne, and Grae picked up another near fall.
Nyx picked up the title belt, but Monroe put her down with a forearm shot and ended up with the belt. Jayne shot Grace into the ropes. Monroe hit Grace from behind with the title belt from the floor. Jayne hit Grace with a discus punch and then pinned her…
Jacy Jayne defeated Jordynne Grace in 10:30 to retain the NXT Women’s Championship.
Cole questioned whether Monroe hitting Grace was accidental, even though Monroe was scowling. The Fatal Influence trio acted surprised. Monroe entered the ring and handed Jayne the belt and then left alone…
Powell’s POV: A solid match with an interesting finish. I was surprised when Monroe debuted as a babyface because she was so good as the heel Mariah May character in AEW, so no complaints about her turning heel so soon. I’m already looking forward to the Monroe vs. Grace feud.
After some ads, Jazz Ivory, Jacqueline, and Maryse were shown in the crowd. Maryse, who was accompanied by her children, turned around and showed off that “Diva” written on the back of her top…
Tessitore and Steph spoke on their platform… Entrances for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Title match took place. The Kabuki Warriors were out first, then Sol Ruca and Zaria, followed by Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, and finally the champions…
3. Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez vs. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. “The Kabuki Warriors” Asuka and Kairi Sane vs. Sol Ruca and Zaria in a four-way for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. Daphanie LaShaunn was the referee. Two wrestlers were allowed in the ring at once.
Bliss was the most popular wrestler in the match based on the way the crowd reacted to her entrance and when she tagged in for the first time. Zaria tagged in. Bliss grabbed her by the throat. Zaria returend the favor and then pressed Bliss over her head, but Bliss sliped way.
Bliss went for a DDT, but Zaria blocked it and held her up for a suplex while Ruca tagged in. Zaria dumped Bliss on the mat, and then Ruca hit a facebuster for a two count. Bliss fought off Ruca, but Rodriguez tagged in and stopped her from tagging out.
Flair got a nice reaction when she took a hot tag. Flair worked over pretty much all of her opponents. Flair put Perez down with a fallaway slam and then kipped up and clotheslined Rodriguez over the top rope. Perez rolled up Flair for a two count. Flair came right back with a spear for a two count of her own.
Later, Asuka and Sane took turns hitting various strikes that knocked down Zaria. They picked her up and went for a double suplex, but she reversed it and then tagged out. Ruca hit the Sol Snatcher on Flair. Bliss went for Sister Abigail on Ruca, but she avoided it.
Ruca hit Bliss with a Backstabber using her feet. Zaria charged and tried to spear Bliss, who moved, causing Zaria to take out her partner. Zaria flashed a look of concern while Cole said it was obviously accidental. Rodriguez tagged in and clotheslined Flair.
Perez followed up with Pop Rox. Rodriguez powerbombed Bliss from the ring onto a pile of wrestlers on the floor. Perez hit Flair with a suicide dive. Rodriguez put Ruca down with a Tejana Bomb and then pinned her.
Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez defeated Sol Ruca and Zaria, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, and “The Kabuki Warriors” Asuka and Kairi Sane in a four-way in 10:50 to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles.
Powell’s POV: It was fun to see Ruca and Zaria mix it up with the main roster wrestlers. Bliss and Flair are really over. Even so, I’m happy they didn’t win the tag team titles this quickly, especially when there’s more to do with the storyline between Rodriguez and Perez.
Torrie Wilson, Melina, and Molly Holly were shown in the crowd…
Cole hyped a post-show with an appearance by Paul Levesque… Tessitore and Steph spoke on their platform…
A video package set up the WWE Women’s Championship match, and then entrances for the match took place. Trish Stratus made her entrance first. Cole said this would be her first singles title match in 18 years. Tiffany Stratton’s entrance followed, and she slapped hands with fans on her way to the ring…
4. Tiffany Stratton vs. Trish Stratus for the WWE Women’s Championship. Alicia Taylor delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Jessika Carr was the referee. Stratton executed an early suplex and then rolled under the ropes with Trish, who blocked the follow-up move attempt. Trish did a handstand and used her legs to pull Stratus off the apron. A “you still got it” chant broke out.
Back in the ring, Trish worked over Stratton and made multiple pin attempts. Both wrestlers traded chops and then kicks. Stratton knocked Trish down and then hit her handspring elbow. Stratton followed up with a suplex onto her knees and then covered Trish for a two count.
Stratton hit a Swanton for a near fall. Trish fought back and stood on the second rope and signaled for a bulldog, but Stratton pushed her off the ropes. Trish used another head-scissors and then dropped Stratton with a kick, which led to a two count.
Stratton avoided Stratusfaction and hit a rolling senton. Stratton went for a moonsault, but Trish put her knees up. Trish hit Stratusfaction for a near fall. A “this is awesome” chant broke out. Trish went for a moonsault of her own, but Stratton put her knees up. Stratton put Trish down with an Alabama Slam and then hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the win.
Tiffany Stratton defeated Trish Stratus in 8:30 to retain the WWE Women’s Championship.
Afterward, the referee rushed Stratton away from ringside, and then Trish had a moment in the ring. A “Thank you, Trish” chant broke out. Trish played to the fans and took a bow while Cole said that whenever Trish wrestles, you have to wonder if it will be the final time…
Powell’s POV: This was fun for what it was. Trish performed her signature spots and did more than I anticipated. The match didn’t overstay its welcome and was well received by the live crowd. Trish can be proud of her latest comeback match.
Footage aired of Rey Mysterio throwing out the first pitch at a San Diego Padres game as part of hype for Survivor Series…
Alundra Blayze and Lelani Kai were shown in the crowd. Cole called Blayze by her Madusa name, and then went with the WWE name that was also used in a graphic…
Cole thanked the artist behind the show’s theme song. Metro Boomin and Lil Yachty were shown separately in the crowd…
A video package set up the No Holds Barred match and then entrances took place. Referee Bianca Belair came out first. Naomi was out next with the Money in the Bank briefcase. Belair avoided making eye contact with Naomi. Jade Cargill made the last entrance…
5. Jade Cargill vs. Naomi with Bianca Belair as special referee. Naomi went to ringside while Jade was making her entrance, and Belair called for the bell to start the match while they were on the floor. Jade ducked Naomi’s attempt to hit her with a kendo stick and then suplexed her on the floor.
Jade pulled a table out from underneath the ring and played to the crowd before setting it up. This actually prompted a “we want tables” chant. Naomi cut off Jade and hit her with the kendo stick. Naomi pulled two chairs and a trash can out from underneath the ring and threw them inside.
Jade speared Naomi and then rolled her back inside the ring. Jade grabbed a toolbox from under the ring and set it in a corner of the ring as she returned. Naomi dumped Jade face-first onto a chair and then covered her for a two count.
Naomi tried to choke Jade with a small chain, but Jade ended up with it. Jade wrapped the chain around her fist and struck Naomi with it. Jade grabbed a television camera from a crew member at ringside, hit Naomi with it, and then tossed it to the floor.
Jade put the trash can over Naomi’s head and then kicked it. Naomi ended up at ringside. Jade picked up the toolbox and tried to drop it on Naomi, but she moved. Naomi kicked Jade into a television monitor that was set up on the front of the broadcast table for some weird reason.
Belair checked on Jade, who told her that she was okay before returning to the ring. Naomi hit Jade with an enzuigiri. Jade tried to jab Jade’s eye on a table leg of a table that was turned upside down. Naomi laughed.
Naomi grabbed a chair and used it to shove Jade off the apron and through the stupid sponsored table on the floor. Naomi brought Jade back inside the ring and hit a facebuster onto a chair, which led to a two count.
Jade caught Naomi climbing the ropes and struck her from behind with a chair. Jade joined Naomi on the ropes and then hit Jaded through another stupid sponsored table in the ring, and then covered her while Belair made the three count.
Jade Cargill defeated Naomi in 11:10 in a No Holds Barred match.
After the match, Belair raised Jade’s hand and then struggled to maintain eye contact with her…
Powell’s POV: A pretty good brawl. Those sponsored tables really take me out of the moment and take away the grittiness of this type of match. Putting that aside, I am curious to see what happens with these three once Belair is medically cleared.
CM Punk vs. Jey Uso vs. LA Knight vs. Penta vs. Bron Breakker in a gauntlet match to determine which wrestler will challenge Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam was announced for Monday’s Raw…
Nikki Bella made her entrance and did her stripper-like dance before heading to the ring. They cut to shots of several fans holding up Nikki signs. Chelsea Green, Piper Niven, and Alba Fyre made their entrance together.
The entrances continued for ad-free subscribers. Natalya, Maxxine Dupri, Jade Parker, Lash Legend, Lola Vice, Zelina Vega, Kelani Jordan, Tatum Paxley, Izzi Dame, B-Fab, Michin, and Ivy Nile were introduced during the ad break.
Candice LeRae, Nia Jax, Stephanie Vaquer, Women’s U.S. Champion Giulia made their entrances coming out of the break…
6. A 20-woman battle royal for a title shot at Clash in Paris. Jax eliminated Paxley and Dame during the opening minute. Jax knocked Jordan off the apron and into the arms of the eliminated wrestlers before she landed on the broadcast table. Jordan walked on her hands to the apron and returned to the ring.
Vaquer used her legs to pull Nile nearly over the top rope. Giulia walked over and casually shoved Nile to the floor to eliminate her. Giulia and Vaquer met in the middle of the ring. They shook hands and then traded blows, including a series of headbutts. Vaquer suplexed Giulia before they split up.
Vaquer set up Nikki for the Devil’s Kiss, but Green kicked Vaquer to break it up. Green slapped Nikki, who tackled her. Niven and Fyre pulled Nikki off of Green. Dupri and Natalya helped Nikki. Dupri did her work move, and then Natalya did a really slow version of it.
Natalya tried to eliminate Jordan, but she avoided it. Parker eliminated Natalya. Dupri acted upset over Natalya being eliminated and fought with Parker, but LeRae knocked Dupri off the apron to eliminate her. LeRae was eliminated moments later. Cole once again called her Candice Michelle before Barrett comedically corrected him.
Michin and B-Fab eliminated Parker, which drew boos. Jax clotheslined Jordan over the top rope. Jordan landed on the apron and waved her finger in the face of Jax. LeRae pulled Jordan off the apron from the floor to eliminate her. Giulia and Vega fought on the apron. Vega shoved Giulia into the ring post casing and then kicked her off the apron to eliminate her.
Niven eliminated B-Fab. Michin was also eliminated. She tried to pull Green out of the ring, but Fyre hit her with a suicide dive. Legend pressed Vega over her head and tossed her onto Michin and B-Fab, who fell down, so Vega was eliminated.
Green, Niven, and Fyre stood on the ropes and saluted. Nikki shoved Fyre over the top rope to eliminate her. Green and Niven went after Nikki. Green mocked Nikki’s dance. Vice helped Nikki, who speared Green. Nikki and Vice did Nikki’s dance together.
Niven headbutted Vice off the apron to eliminate her, and then Niven was eliminated moments later. Vaquer performed the Devil’s Kiss on Green for a big pop. Nikki hit Green with her finisher and then eliminated her.
Jax hit Nikki from behind and mocked her dance. Awesome. Nikki took Jax down with a huracanrana. Jax came right back and put Nikki on the apron. Legend threw a big boot that knocked Nikki off the apron. Legend mocked Nikki’s dance.
The final three were Vaquer, Jax, and Legend. Legend powered up Jax for a slam, but merely put her on the apron. Jax fought back. Vaquer and Legend teamed up to knock Jax off the apron.
Vaquer and Legend squared off. Legend blasted Vaquer with a big boot. Legend ate a superkick. Moments later, both women went over the top rope, and Vaquer performed the Devil’s Kiss on the apron, and then used her leg to knock Legend down to get the win. Barrett called it the greatest battle royal he’s ever seen (he’s a big fan of the Devil’s Kiss).
Stephanie Vaquer won a 20-woman battle royal in 15:30 to earn a title shot at Clash in Paris.
Stephanie McMahon entered the ring and threw Vaquer over the top rope to steal the win! Okay, she just interviewed Vaquer and even asked a question in Spanish. Vaquer responded in Spanish. Vaquer then said English isn’t her first language, but wrestling is. Vaquer thanked Stephanie and every woman who came before her. Vaquer said this was an amazing experience. She promised to keep working hard and said fans will remember her name forever. McMahon raised Vaquer’s hand…
Powell’s POV: Steph and Steph Spanish. This was more fun than a lot of battle royals. Granted, there was the usual punching and kicking, but they clearly put some thought into the eliminations. I like that Legend lasted as long as she did. Vaquer was a great choice to win, but hopefully, this is the start of something for Legend, who has come a long way since the NXT 2.0 days.
Comedian Tony Marco and rapper Quavo were shown in the crowd… A video package set up the main event… Entrances for the main event took place with challenger Rhea Ripley coming out first. Iyo Sky’s entrance followed. A graphic noted that it would be her third title defense and that she’d never lost to Ripley in a singles match…
7. Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship. Alicia Taylor delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Jessika Carr was the referee. A few minutes in, Sky hit an Asai moonsault. Sky rolled Ripley inside the ring and went up top. Sky used double knees to take Ripley down.
Ripley threw a clothesline, but Sky took her down in a crossface. Barrett said Ripley was being outwrestled, outmaneuvered, and outthought. He said Ripley looked like a ragdoll being thrown around at will by Sky.
Sky and Ripley traded forearms on the apron. Ripley drilled Sky with a knee strike and then tossed her face-first into the broadcast table. Ripley picked up Sky and ran her into the barricade and then slammed her head on the ring steps. Ripley threw Sky back inside the ring.
Ripley put Sky down with a backbreaker and then picked her up in suplex position and dropped her on the top rope, causing Sky to bounce back into the ring. Ripley covered Sky for a two count.
A short time later, Sky came back with a DDT. Sky held her arms up while sitting on the mat and then fell back onto it. A “this is awesome” chant broke out. Sky and Ripley traded elbow strikes on the apron, and then Sky hit a series of rapid-fire shots once they were on their feet.
Sky put Ripley down and did a standing double stomp on her abdomen. Sky sent Ripley to the floor and hit her with a suicide dive. Back in the ring, Sky hit a missile dropkick. Sky kipped up and pumped her arms to play to the receptive crowd. “Here’s your Kryptonite, Rhea Ripley,” Barrett said. Sky covered Ripley for a two count.
Ripley came back briefly, but Sky hit a Poison Rana for a near fall. Ripley cut off Sky on the ropes and then put her down with a Razor’s Edge. Ripley followed up with a sit-out powerbomb for a good near fall. Another round of “this is awesome” chants broke out.
Ripley went for the Riptide, but Sky countered with a sleeper. Ripley backed into the corner to break the hold. Ripley joined Sky on the ropes and went for a superplex, but Sky skipped down to the apron and kicked Ripley’s leg to knock her off the ropes.
Sky went up top and threw a missile dropkick that Ripley avoided and took out the referee. REF BUMP!!! Ripley hit a Riptide and got a visual pinfall. Ripley got upset and kicked the bottom turnbuckle pad a few times.
Ripley grabbed Sky and put her down with another Razor’s Edge that sent Sky to the floor. Ripley followed and sent her over the barricade with a big boot. Ripley hopped the barricade and threw punches a Sky until they were behind the fans on the main floor.
Sky got Ripley onto the stairs leading off the main floor and double stomped her. Sky tossed Ripley over the barricade to ringside. Sky charged Ripley, who moved, causing Sky to crash into the side of the broadcast table. Ripley tossed Sky back inside the ring.
Ripley struggled and eventually got back to the apron. Sky dove at her and performed a sunset bomb on the floor. Sky rolled Ripley back inside the ring. Sky went up top as the referee was shown returning to the ring. Sky hit the Over The Moonsault, and the referee was there to make the count, but Ripley kicked out. Sky expressed surprise and concern.
Sky went up top again, but Ripley rolled to the apron. Sky grabbed her and punched her from the ropes. Ripley slammed Sky’s head on top of the ring post casing. Ripley smiled and then joined Sky on the ropes. Sky hit a Spanish Fly.
Naomi’s entrance music played and she ran out with her MITB briefcase and a referee. Alicia Taylor announced that Naomi was cashing in, making it a Triple Threat match going forward.
Naomi hit Sky with the briefcase from the floor. Naomi entered the ring and ran Ripley through the ropes and into the ring post. Naomi hit a split-legged moonsault on Sky and then got the three count.
Naomi defeated Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley in a Triple Threat in 26:20 to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
Cole said the entire world thought Naomi was focused on Tiffany Stratton, but she shocked the world by cashing in on Sky. Cole narrated highlights from the final moments of the match. Naomi celebrated in the entrance aisle and then pyro shot off over the stage behind her. Cole said the landscape has changed for Raw and WWE. Naomi celebrated on the stage as the executive producer credits were shown to close the show…
They picked up the feed for the post-show. Naomi, who still had a bandage over her bloody nose from earlier in the show, wrapped up her celebration and went backstage. Sky and Ripley were down in the ring. They nodded at each other. Ripley got up and pulled Sky to her feet, and then they hugged and spoke to one another.
Sky fell to the mat. Ripley sat down, and then they both rolled onto the apron and put their arms around one another as they dropped down and walked to the back together. Once they made it to the stage, they hugged again, and Ripley kissed Sky on the cheek. Ripley held up her arm, and then Sky bowed and held up her arm before they headed to the back…
Powell’s POV: A hell of a main event and a good surprise cash-in by Naomi. I also enjoyed the post-show footage of Sky and Naomi leaving together, which made for a really nice conclusion. They can definitely go back to Sky vs. Ripley at some point, especially since Ripley still needs that elusive first singles win over her rival. By the way, Big E was rightfully gushing over the match as the post-show continued.
Overall, this was a fun show that was capped off by the awesome main event and the big surprise cash-in. Jake Barnett and I will team up for a same-night audio review of Evolution for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let us know what you thought of the show by voting for the best match and grading the overall show below.
