WWE Evolution 2025 Discussion

[RedTwoster]

EDIT: Double post, darn.

Edited July 14, 2025 by RedTwoster

[RedTwoster]

On 7/11/2025 at 2:28 PM, Chico Torres said:

The line gets blurry. It could be that the character of Tiffany Stratton is a racist who calls black men “boy” and her colleague a “black bitch” but the actress who plays her is not racist at all. The mysteries of kayfabe.

That’s a slightly unfair characterisation. The first thing you’ve said is a bit of a stretch, and while the second example is based on sharing a social media video I can believe her explanation that she didn’t realise what was said. Even a massive racist would be smart enough not to be so public about it. Case in point - Hulk Hogan.

You’re entitled to believe what you want as far as the video is concerned, of course. But at a time when the right attempts to push people away from left through accusations of ‘cancel culture’, I don’t think it’s helpful to place a label on someone based on what was probably an error.

Edited July 14, 2025 by RedTwoster

[TheBurningRed]

Brilliant finish from Becky Lynch in the triple threat. I’ve only seen that match as I heard rave reviews about it. Go out of your way to see it. 

[poetofthedeed]

Triple threat was fantastic, Lyra Valkyria might be the biggest advertisement for the developmental system, devoted her first year on the main roster learning to work WWE TV show matches, and is now getting to show what she can really do. Bayley will never get the credit she deserves, and Becky is such a good character but she absolutely shows up when the bell rings.

NXT title match was fine, Jordynne Grace should be on the main shows, Jacy Jayne needs to be given a shot on the main roster or let go, there might be something there, but she's effectively maxed out in NXT.

Tiff Vs Trish, yeah Trish knows what to do and when, Tiffany has been really laying her stuff in lately, that Swanton didn't look fun to take. Trishsault was a pleasant surprise.

Jade/Naomi had some fun spots, sloppy enough in places and Naomi putting the bin back on was hilarious, but it did it's job. Fuck the slim Jim tables though.

Woman's tag could have been on any show ever, nothing too good, nothing too bad, the crowd reaction to Charlotte was interesting.

Battle royal was a battle royal, lash legend looked good, I'm all for Chelsea/Nikki at summerslam, probably the right winner as well.

I didn't love the start of Rhea/Io, especially saying let's fight and doing an awkward looking run spot, but it picked up a few minutes in and was utterly brilliant from the ref bump onwards, nice enough finish as well, even if I'm more confused about the general direction of the division now,

Probably the easiest watch of this ridiculously wrestling heavy weekend, solid enough.

 

 

 

[thatvinylgeek]

Loved the finish to the triple threat, never seen that before!

[Supremo]

Tapped out during Trish’s entrance. I’ll get back to it, the matches themselves were good, but I cannot convey the magnitude of what a turn off Stephanie McMahon is. Them cutting back to her between every match to further self congratulate herself for inventing women can get right in the bin.

Such a pioneer and campaigner for women that it took you seven years to do a second Evolution, only bringing it back because you needed a gimmick to counter-program with. Anything happen in those past seven years, Steph? What pro-women stuff are your parents up to, you shameless prick?

Edited July 14, 2025 by Supremo

[RedTwoster]

9 minutes ago, Supremo said:

Tapped out during Trish’s entrance. I’ll get back to it, the matches themselves were good, but I cannot convey the magnitude of what a turn off Stephanie McMahon is. Them cutting back to her between every match to further self congratulate herself for inventing women can get right in the bin.

I’ve not watched the show yet, but I totally agree. Maybe she did play an influential role in changing things, but why platform her in that way and not the wrestlers themselves, who made their own value and talent undeniable? Then there’s the role played by fans and the #GiveDivasAChance movement. Maybe they don’t want to draw attention to the fact they were called out for their approach to women’s wrestling - but at least give credit where it’s due. If Becky Lynch, Bayley, Charlotte Flair and others had been terrible, there would have been no demand to see them rise up the card.

[Onyx2]

I didn't expect this show to be the one I enjoyed most all weekend, but two matches at least completely make the show. If you're on the fence, watch the triple threat opener (Bayley v Lyra v Becky), and the last match (Iyo v Rhea). Skip over all the back-patting and there's some really good stuff.

[RedTwoster]

After watching the show, I’d say it’s the best WWE PPV of the year by quite some distance. I think I enjoyed All In more, as I was more invested in the storylines (that’s always a big thing for me), but this was a great show; illustrating just how much depth the WWE women’s roster has.

They could - if they wanted to - have a 50/50 gender split on shows at this point, or even have an overall face of the company who is female. Perhaps they should even do that - when you look at their male options going forward and their female options, it’s clear where the promise lies.

[DavidB6937]

Really strong show that just proved they deserved a better build. Thankfully the crowd were decent and into everything. With all the talent they've got in NXT they really do have a bright future.

[air_raid]

7 hours ago, DavidB6937 said:

Really strong show that just proved they deserved a better build.

I’ve never seen one before, no-one has, but I’m guessing it’s a White Hole.

[Supremo]

Stephanie aside, this was a great show. Probably WWE pay per view of the year. A real statement from the talent involved. Imagine if you actually built this up properly once a year and didn’t just use it every seven years as a cynical attempt to (badly) counter-program or save face for working with Saudi.

That was my biggest takeaway of the weekend. By counter programming so hard, all WWE did was encourage deeper comparisons between each company in 2025, none of which was positive for WWE. It feels like we’re right back to the Wednesday Night Wars. They’re left looking like the harsh, cynical, patronising, desperate company, trying to bully the competition and coming up ridiculously short. Are we the baddies?

There are no two greater ends of a spectrum than Hangman Adam Page and Stephanie McMahon cutting a promo in Spanish. Fuck off, Steph. Soulless ghoul.

Edited July 15, 2025 by Supremo

[The King of Old School]

Give the Women a proper platfom like this show and they really are excellent.

Not watched every match yet but the main ones are all superb.

Makes it all that more frustrating that on the weekly TV shows they are all booked like squabbling mean girl teenagers in any segments that aren't matches.

[air_raid]

I’m watching this instead of working.

”She’s never beaten Io Sky” - that’s interesting, wonder how long they can keep that up. Nice hype video, surprised at the prominence of Chyna. Commentator waffle about “compelling storylines” - eww!!! Pretend it’s a real sport, you fuckwits. Steph talking about what “we” proved - come on. But I’m nitpicking.

Quite like Lyra’s music although Cole mentioning Morrigan made me think of someone other than a god of war. Not sure what makes announcer Alicia a “trailblazer” either. Wade acknowledging Lynch as the first woman to get to the highest level, I appreciated and was surprised by, I was sure they still think Charlotte is the bigger deal. Great “dickhead” presence by Big Time Bex, I don’t care about the “Becky Hogan” bollocks, she’s earned her spot and carries herself like the star she is. I zoned out a little because I hate triple threat matches but the hot crowd made up for it. “To win the Intercontinental Championship!” - fuck off Cole. Wade mentioning Becky not having an easy ride to the top reminded me of that clean job she had to do to Natalya that time right before a SummerSlam, ugggh. Cole correctly calling a jacknife pin reminded me of that shitehawk Mauro always getting it wrong.. moments before Lynch grabbed a gorgeous flash pin that Bret would have been proud of. Not sure it really is the “coolest” pin Wade has “ever” seen, that covers a lot of ground. Perfectly pitched opener, I give it five months before they have to turn Becky back. … Why is it just “Nightwing” instead of “The Nightwing”?

”First female GM in the history of NXT” - reaching there a bit. For a moment I was getting ready to ask “are Fatal Influence still a thing” before I realised I was confusing them with Toxic Attraction. Jacy carries herself like a smug cunt rather well. Love the theme too, stands out among many similar sounding ones. Fallons rather pretty, isn’t she? Watch was fairly good even if I think Jordynne gave Jacy too much in the brawling. Wade saying “the Jayne plan” made me laugh because I immediately thought about dieting. Cole blundered big time not catching that Mariah Monroe hit Grace on purpose. Makes no sense to me for her to attack Influence but then cost Grace and act like a heel if she wants to take the title from Jacy herself. Two matches in after 55min, show seems fairly well paced.

They sure like “knocked off” as an alternative for “beat” these days don’t they? Ruca’s bootleg Misirlou tune is catchy. Name dropping Paige? That’s a choice. Alexa is still my favourite character, I think her and Liv should team up in the future. Seeing Raqqy & Roxi reminded me those belts are cursed, with Morgan giving up her half injured for the second time - and a litany of other vacancies/stripping incidents. I’ve seen some people surprised at the positive reaction to Charlotte - really??? It’s Ric’s kid in Atlanta, anything BUT a positive reaction would not be fair to Flair. Match was fun - Zaria has presence, that Sol Snatcher was smooth as anything. Raquel seeming to chew gum as she hit her finish, won and celebrated is exactly the kind of energy I’m here for, Chico. Wade sensibly moving “Big Mami Cool” onto Rodriguez makes sense too.

Cole saying “her first singles match in 18 years” of Trish - are you smoking crack, Maggle? She wrestled Charlotte at SummerSlam 19. Tiffy should be a heel and this match should have been a straight goodie vs baddie match off the back of their interaction at the MITB in Toronto. Good match, moonsault was obviously a highlight… they should probably let Trish win one more title before she hangs them up, based on how good she still is.

”Naomi not thinking about the contract tonight” - nice try, Cole. “For the win” - fuck off, Cole. Match was very enjoyable, probably the most I’ve enjoyed Jade since Mania 40. Finish was great, far better than the Ripley/Rodriguez/ref from Saudi. Cut away too soon for some Cargill/Belair tension.

….Why does Netflix cut straight to “Candice LeRae!” now and half the battle royal entrances? What did I miss? Oh wait, it’s Vaquer out next, I no longer care. Bloody love her, I do. Shit Kofi spot by Kelani. zzzz. Why Maxxine and Nattie saved Nikki from abuse by the Hervice is beyond me. Giulia should have been permitted to oust Vega after that backslide and knee on the apron, it looked great. Probably worth it so Vega could be fodder for Legend, mind. Cole saying “Candice Michelle” by mistake… caught you, pervert. On that note, “Lola Vice” sounds like a pornstar so fitting she wrestles with her arse half out. He writes, just as Wade says “bouncy bouncy” of Vaquer doing that Booker T move. Christ. Still don’t understand anyone who wanted a Bella back, the right woman won. Steph meeting Steph? She’s lucky she’s not called Garrison Vaquer, I guess. Can we have Vaquer vs Io and Ripley vs Belair at Mania please? 40 minutes left for the main, cards been perfectly paced and flown by.

Not having some of the bollocks I’ve read on here over the last few months about Io being bad, hopefully this match woke a few up. I love Ripley but sometimes when she faces other faces the confidence reads as arrogance - maybe that’s by design? Didn’t care for the talky bit, obviously, but the actual fight was superb. “Women’s Wrestling!” - oh fuck off, you mutants, pick a side. Not much I can except cracking back and forth, I was marginally disappointed they had Ripley have a visible pin on the champ with Carr out of it, but the fight into the crowd made up for it. Nearfall off the moonsault was great. The crowd losing their own chants between “Rhea” and “Io” was a great antidote to the earlier twaddle. Shiranui Kai always pops me, timing was perfectly logical for a cash in, Cole’s “Oh. My. god” was not necessary. Great stuff all round on balance and great way to move Naomi onto new enemies and still leave “can Rhea beat Io” hanging. Biased though I am, I wish WWE could make their audience care enough about Kairi in singles to allow for an Io vs Kairi match given this much time, I think it would be killer.

Great show.

 

[Kamran]

3 hours ago, air_raid said:

Cole saying “her first singles match in 18 years” of Trish - are you smoking crack, Maggle? She wrestled Charlotte at SummerSlam 19. 

 

I think they said it was her first title match rather than singles match.

It was a good show, the crowd were really into it and as others have said, the first and last match were the highlights.