WWE’s first-ever all-women pay-per-view Evolution took place at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, NY.
Kickoff Show results:
– Renee Young welcomes us to the kickoff show panel with Paige and Beth Phoenix. Michael Cole joins them and talks about how honored he is to be here tonight and how he’s honored to be calling tonight’s action.
– Charlie Caruso is backstage to interview Trish Stratus on a red carpet at the arena. They talk about Trish’s debut in the company, and what tonight means to her.
– Carmella joins the Kickoff Show panel and talks about how excited she is about tonight. Back to the red carpet, Natalya talks about what tonight means to her and how far the women in WWE have come.
– Back at the Kickoff Show panel, R-Truth interrupts and says he has a breaking news announcement to make. He says it will be an honor for him to compete tonight in the first ever all-women Battle Royal, and then he’ll go on to beat Carmella for the Title. Carmella tells Truth he can’t be in the battle royal tonight, but she is, and she also isn’t the Champion anymore. Carmella says Truth can still watch and have a dance break, and then the music hits.
– We see a pre-taped segment with Nikki Bella and actor/writer Tyler Perry to promote Perry’s new movie.
– Renee introduces a video package looking at the competitors in the Mae Young Classic, and also Mae’s career.
– Back at the Kickoff Show panel, Paige and Beth talk about their excitement for tonight’s show, and their memories of the Mae Young classic.
– To the red carpet, Maria Menounos does an interview about her thoughts on tonight’s pay-per-view, and how big of a deal it is and she never imagined it in her wildest dreams.
– We see R-Truth on the red carpet, and then we go to an interview with Stephanie McMahon. She says she woke up with tears in her eyes and goosebumps, and tonight is like WrestleMania. Stephanie says this is history in the making, and they’re making it together tonight. They talk about the men who have been supportive of the movement, namely Triple H.
– Eve Torres joins the Kickoff Show panel for her thoughts and predictions.
– Nia Jax is on the red carpet for an interview, and her aunt is by her side. Her aunt comments that she’s excited to be here tonight to watch Nia and Tamina.
– Ronda Rousey is on the red carpet for an interview next. Ronda says she’s excited about tonight’s show and she can feel it in her heart. She is asked about gender equality, and she says she wants her daughters to have to deal with less BS than she did. Ronda says she’s going to make sure Nikki leaves the ring tonight looking different than she walked in. We then go to a video package about Ronda and Nikki.
– Michael Cole is back at the Kickoff Show table to give his analysis of the Ronda vs. Nikki feud. Paige, Renee and Beth all give their predictions too. They all pick Ronda, and then they run down the card for the show one last time as the pay-per-view starts next.
WWE Evolution:
– The intro video starts up with the sound of Stephanie McMahon’s voice talking about the Divas division becoming the Women’s division, and how inspirational they are. It shows interviews and childhood pictures of the women competing on tonight’s show.
– We go to the arena, and Michael Cole welcomes us, but he seems to be having audio issues. We hear someone tell Cole his mic is out, and then we go to a live performance from a band to kick off the show.
– Michael Cole welcomes us to the show from ringside now, and he’s joined by Renee Young and Beth Phoenix. They talk about what tonight’s show means to them, and how it’s been a long time coming. Lillian Garcia is in the ring for the introductions.
– Trish Stratus & Lita vs. Mickie James & Alicia Fox: Before the match, Alexa Bliss comes out to introduce the “true pioneers of the women’s division,” Alixia Fox and Mickie James. The opening bell sounds and Lita starts off with right hands on Mickie. Lita hits a headscissor takedown and then pummels on Mickie. Fox tags in and Lita yanks her in by the hair. Lita throws Fox into the corner and hits a running clothesline. Trish tags in and they hit a version of the Poetry In Motion on Fox and James in the corner. Trish throws Fox down to the mat and tells her to tag in Mickie. Mickie gets the tag and goes at it with Trish now. Trish and Mickie trade punches until Trish tackles her down and pummels on her. They stand up and Mickie fires back with a kick to the face. They fight up to the turnbuckle and Trish hits a frankensteiner for a two count. Lita tags in, and Mickie and Alicia roll outside to regroup. Back in the ring, a miscommunication leads to Fox booting Mickie in the face. Lita goes up top, but Alexa knocks her down while the ref isn’t looking. Fox and Mickie briefly double team Lita, before Fox starts hitting kicks to the body. Mickie tags in for another double team, and then Mickie hits a cheap shot on Trish on the apron. Alicia is back in and she puts the boots to Lita. Lita ducks a shot and hits a reverse DDT, and both women are down. Trish and Mickie tag in and Trish cleans house. Trish hits a spinebuster for a two count. Mickie fights back with kicks, but Trish grabs her and connects with her patented springboard bulldog. Fox runs in to break up the pin, then Lita runs in to take out Fox. Lita goes up top and hits the Lita Sault on both Fox and Mickie. Trish kicks Mickie in the head and covers for the three count.
Winners: Lita & Trish Stratus
– Lita and Trish celebrate in the ring as we go to replays.
– We go to the back for an interview with The Bella Twins. They say they didn’t do anything wrong by making personal comments towards Ronda. They say tonight is about celebrating the women’s evolution, and tonight they’re dedicating their match to Ronda Rousey’s mother.
– 20-Woman Battle Royal: The winner of this one earns a shot at the Women’s Championship. R-Truth is shown sitting at ringside, and elsewhere we see Miz and Maryse sitting in the crowd. Naomi comes out first. The next entries are Michelle McCool, Sonya Deville, Alunda Blayze, Carmella, Zelina Vega, Kelly Kelly, Tamina, Ember Moon, Lana, Maria, Mandy Rose, Molly Holly, Dana Brooke, Nia Jax, Ivory, Asuka, Torrie Wilson, and The Iiconics. The Iiconics cut a promo before they get in, and when they do get in and the bell rings, The Iiconics are the first eliminated. Molly Holly is the next one eliminated. Mandy eliminates Sonya and Sonya is shocked on the floor. Nia eliminates Alundra Blayze, and then she eliminates Maria. Everyone seems to be trying to gang up on Nia now, but she fights them off. This leads to a big multi-woman pyramid suplex. Carella is the first one standing and she goes into a dance break. Ivory gets up and joins her. The distraction leads to Carmella eliminating Mandy Rose. Ember eliminates Dana Brooke next, and then Carmella. After some more eliminations, we’re down to five women: Ivory, Asuka, Nia Jax, Zelina Vega and Tamina. Ivory comes off the top turnbuckle with a cross body on Nia. Asuka gets back up and fights with IVory on the apron, and then she bumps Ivory down to the floor for the elimination. Asuka and Ember trade strikes now, and Ember eliminates Asuka. Ember and Tamina go at it in the corner now. Ember hits the Eclipse on Tamina and then throws her out for the elimination. It’s down to Ember and Nia. Ember tries to power Nia over the top rope to the outside, but Zelina Vega runs in out of nowhere and hits them. Zelina was apparently hiding under the apron. Zelina tries to put a sleeper on Nia, but Nia picks her up and gorilla press slams her down on to Tamina at ringside for the elimination. Ember Moon runs over now and dropkicks Nia. Ember tries to clothesline Nia over the top rope but Nia holds on. Nia comes back with a spinebuster on Ember, then she picks up Ember and throws her to the outside.
Winner: Nia Jax
– Nia gets emotional in the ring, and we see a shot of her mom at ringside labelled as “The Rock’s mother.” Nia does a brief interview in the ring and hugs her aunt at ringside.
– We go to a video package looking at the Mae Young Classic.
– Toni Storm vs. Io Shirai: There’s a new female referee for this one Jessica Carr. Toni starts off with a side headlock, and Io reverses with one of her own. Toni comes back with a dropkick and Io is down. Shirai comes back and applies a side shoulder lock. She dumps Toni outside and hits a moonsault off the top on her. Storm fights out and slams Io down, then she goes up top, but Io gets up and dropkicks Toni off the turnbuckle down to the ringside floor. They both fight up to the ring apron, and Toni headbutts Io and then suplexes her down. Back in the ring, they trade forearm shots, and this leads to Io hitting a springboard sunset flip. Toni kicks out at two, but Io drops her in the corner and hits the running double knee strike. Io goes up top and goes for a moonsault, but Toni gets her knees up for the block. Toni follows up with a powerbomb for the three count.
Winner: Toni Storm
– Toni celebrates after the match as Io looks frustrated. Toni is declared the winner of the Mae Young Classic, and Triple H and Stephanie are in the ring to present her with flowers and a trophy.
– We go to a video package with Alundra Blayze and Eve Torres talking about how far women in wrestling have come.
– The Riott Squad vs. Natalya, Sasha Banks and Bayley: Finn Balor is shown at ringside holding a ‘hugger section’ sign. Liv Morgan and Natalya start this one off, and Liv slaps her across the face. Natalya drops her and Sasha tags in for the Hart Attack double team. Sarah tags in now and drops Banks. Bayley comes in now and drops Logan to the outside. Bayley gets distracted by Ruby Riott at ringside, which leads to Logan dropping Bayley in the ring. Logan takes Bayley into the Riott Squad corner and they take turns double teaming her. Logan looks for a shot in the corner but misses. Bayley fights her off and knocks the Riott Squad off the apron. Ruby trips Bayley from the floor, then she tags in and beats on Bayley on the mat. Bayley fights back with a clothesline and both women are down. The Riott Squad tries to double team Bayley, but Bayley fights them off. Bayley finally tags in Sasha and Sasha cleans house. Logan and Banks go at it now and Banks hits a flying double knee strike. Sasha looks for a suicide dive to the outside, but she gets caught up in the ropes and the Riott Squad throws her into the fan barricade. Back in the ring, Logan and Morgan hit a version of the Doomsday Device on Banks. Natalya breaks up the pin. Logan dumps Natalya outside, and then Morgan tags in for a double team on Banks. Ruby tags in now and looks for a splash off the top. Bayley lays on top of Banks to absorb the blow, and Ruby crashes on to both of them. Morgan and Logan throw out Bayley, and Ruby pins Sasha for the two count. Ruby and Logan look for a double team on Sasha but miss, and Natalya gets the hot tag. Natalya hits a discus clothesline on Logan and then a German suplex. Ruby tags in and Natalya drops her, then Morgan tags in blind. Natalya puts Logan and Riott in a double Sharpshooter, then Morgan runs in and hits a Fameasser on Natalya for a two count. Morgan misses a shot in the corner, and Natalya powerbombs her down. Bayley tags in and hits a splash on Morgan, then Banks tags in and hits a frogsplash on Morgan. Bayley hits a suicide dive on the rest of the Riott Squad at ringside. Banks covers Morgan for the three count.
Winners: Natalya, Bayley & Sasha Banks
– The three winners hug after the match as we go to replays.
– We go to a video package of Stephanie McMahon, Nia Jax, Molly Holly, Alicia Fox and others getting emotional talking about tonight’s pay-per-view. Back at the broadcast table, Michael Cole reminds us how honored and privileged he is to be here tonight.
– We go to a video package looking at the feud between Shayna Baszler and Kairi Sane.
– NXT Women’s Title: Shayna Baszler vs. Kairi Sane: The opening bell sound sand Kairi starts off strong with some kicks. Shayna looks for a sleeper hold, but Kairi fights back and hits a jawbreaker. Kairi hits a double foot stomp on the apron and then takes the fight down to ringside. Kairi hits a shot to the face at ringside, but Shayna turns it around back inside the ring. Shayna applies several holds and tries to yank Kairi’s shoulder backwards. Kairi finally fights up and nails Shayna in the face. They fight into the corner and Shayna again yanks up Kairi by the shoulder. The ref calls for the break because they’ve over the ropes, so Shayna drops Kairi down to the floor. Back in the ring, Kairi comes back with a DDT. The fight spills out to ringside and they brawl into the front row. Kairi pulls Shayna back over the barricade and drops her on the floor. Someone attacks Kairi from the front row but the referee doesn’t see it, and we’re told she’s Shayna’s training partner. The women gets on the apron now but Kairi kicks her down. Shayna and Kairi grapple back and forth on the mat now, until Shayna’s friend hits a cheap shot on Kairi from ringside when the ref can’t see. Shayna immediately puts Kairi in the sleeper and Kairi appears to be fading. Kairi goes limp and the ref calls it.
Winner & new NXT Women’s Champion: Shayna Baszler
– Shayna celebrates with her Title belt on the ropes as Kairi recovers on the mat.
– Becky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte: This one is a Last Woman Standing match, and Becky’s Women’s Title is on the line. The opening bell sounds and they lock up and have a test of strength. Becky gets in Charlotte’s face, and Charlotte shoves her down. Becky comes back and hits an elbow drop, then mocks Flair. They fight up to the turnbuckle, and Becky throws Charlotte from the top rope down to the mat. Becky slams Charlotte down and then throws her out of the ring to the floor. Becky grabs a kendo stick and tees off on Charlotte with shots. Becky looks under the ring for weapons as the crowd chants for tables. Charlotte goes to the other side of the ring for weapons, and they both pick steel chairs and throw them in the ring. They keep throwing chairs in the ring until there’s a pile in thering, and then Charlotte grabs a table. Becky runs around the ring and clotheslines Charlotte down while she has the table in her hands. Becky beats Charlotte down and then throws her back in the ring across the steel chairs. Charlotte fights back and hits a back suplex on Becky on to the pile of chairs in the ring. Charlotte grabs a table at ringside, but when she gets back on the apron Becky kicks her down to the floor. Becky sets up the table in the ring now. Charlotte comes back in and Becky hits a suplex on Charlotte on the chairs. Becky lays Charlotte on the table, but Charlotte gets up and drops Becky and then puts her on the table. Charlotte goes up top and hits a moonsault on Becky on the table, but the table doesn’t break. Charlotte sets Becky back on the table and goes up top again, and Charlotte hits a swanton bomb on Becky through the table. Charlotte goes out to ringside and gets a ladder and throws it in the ring. As Charlotte gets to her feet, Becky grabs her and suplexes Charlotte on to the ladder. Charlotte comes back and takes out Becky’s knee. They fight over to the ladder and Charlotte applies the Figure Four on Becky through the rungs of the ladder. Becky taps, but it doesn’t matter as it’s Last Woman Standing rules. Becky grabs a steel chair off the mat and smashes it over Charlotte’s knee until she releases the hold. Both women are hurt, and Becky rolls out of the ring, grabs her Title belt and starts walking through the crowd. Charlotte gets to her feet and chases Becky into the crowd, and they start brawling in the stands. They fight back to ringside and Charlotte slams Becky’s head into the announce table. Charlotte sets up a ladder on the floor, then Becky slams Charlotte on the announce table and starts climbing the ladder. Becky goes flying off the ladder with an elbow drop on Charlotte through the announce table. The ref starts counting and Becky is up to her feet first. Charlotte gets up at 9, but Becky kicks her right back down and pummels on her. Becky starts piling objects on top of Charlotte on the floor, including chairs and table pieces. The ref starts counting, and Charlotte gets up at the ref’s 9 count again. Becky looks shocked and Charlotte grabs a kendo stick and starts teeing off on Becky. Charlotte hits a spear on the floor and both women are down. Charlotte grabs a table from under the ring and sets it up at ringside. Charlotte and Becky fight up to the apron, and Becky ends up powerbombing Charlotte off the apron through the table on the floor, and Charlotte lands hard. Charlotte tries to get up, but can’t get to her feet before the ref’s 10 count, and the ref calls the match.
Winner & still Women’s Champion: Becky Lynch
– Becky celebrates with her Title belt after the match as we go to replays.
– We go to a promo for the Crown Jewel pay-per-view coming up.
– Michael Cole introduces a video package looking at the feud between The Bella Twins and Ronda Rousey.
– Ronda Rousey vs. Nikki Bella: Ronda’s RAW Women’s Title is on the line in this one. Brie is at ringside in Nikki’s corner. The opening bell sounds and Ronda starts off with a big judo throw, and Nikki looks rattled. Ronda toys with Nikki now and throws her down again. Ronda teases going for an armbar, but she toys with Nikki some more. The fight spills out to ringside and Brie causes a distraction that leads to Nikki dropping Ronda. She throws Ronda into the ring post and then takes her back in the ring. Nikki applies a side headlock on the mat now and tries to keep Ronda grounded. Brie interferes again with another cheap shot, and they slam Ronda into the ring post. Nikki continues the offense and they fight up to the top turnbuckle. Ronda fights Nikki down and looks for a flying cross body, but Nikki dodges it. Nikki goes over to Ronda, but Ronda catches her and goes for a judo throw. Brie tries to get involved but Ronda grabs her two and she hits a double Samoan Drop on both Bellas. Ronda gets distracted at ringside throwing Brie into the announce table. Back in the ring, Nikki tries to fight back, but Ronda catches her and applies the arm bar. Nikki taps out and Ronda retains the RAW Women’s Title.
Winner & still RAW Women’s Champion: Ronda Rousey
– Ronda celebrates with her Title belt at ringside as we see Nia Jax watching on a monitor backstage.