Stating the Obvious: Evolution Needs to be a Perennial Event

We waited seven years for a second Evolution event. We all figured that it would be worth the wait. It ended up being worth so much more than that.

After seven years of bullshit, tiptoeing to avoid the discussion, and immensely lame excuses that would make even Tommy Flanagan (Google it) flinch, we WWE fans--we women's wrestling fans--were finally treated to a second Evolution event. The first one took place on October 28, 2018, and was done as a response to the immense amount of fans who were outraged over WWE's Greatest Royal Rumble event (which took place earlier that year) emanating from Saudi Arabia--a country known for treating women so terribly. As time went by, it became clear to fans that the first Evolution was done just to silence those of us calling out WWE for going to Saudi, which they would do literally days after the first Evolution took place.

We begged WWE to do a second event. We were told that they couldn't do it without Ronda Rousey, who admitted many times that she wasn't needed. We were told that the first show didn't do well and that "women's wrestling doesn't sell." Yeah, you don't need Charlie Cale to tell you that's bullshit. Finally, when 2020 and 2021 rolled around, we were told that the pandemic was why, even though the National Wrestling Alliance hosted the all-female event, NWA EmPowerrr, during the pandemic's worst height.

Finally, the excuses ended up being put to bed, and we received this second Evolution event on the evening of July 13, 2025. The event ended up being the culmination of a very loaded weekend of wrestling, as the day before featured AEW's All In event, NXT's Great American Bash event, and the latest edition of Saturday Night's Main Event. Now, SNME didn't have any women's action, for obvious reasons, but NXT's GAB event featured a pair of women's matches. First off, Sol Ruca's successful defense of the NXT Women's North American Championship against The Culling's Izzi Dame, and the main event, Blake Monroe (the former Mariah May) and Jordynne Grace defeating Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley. In AEW, Athena won the Women's Casino Gauntlet match, and Toni Storm successfully defended the AEW Women's World Championship against Mercedes Moné--handing Mercedes her first singles defeat in AEW.

So let's talk about Evolution, shall we?

It was nice to see Stephanie McMahon at the event. Yes, we say what we want to when it comes to Steph; we have held her complicit for anything that has served as a detriment to women's wrestling in WWE, but for the most part, she definitely did her part to help the division as well. Stephanie first appeared with Joe Tessitore, whose introduction made me believe that Lita would emerge, but it was Stephanie who appeared and talked about Evolution as only she could.

It would not be the last we would see of Stephanie McMahon:

Among the seven matches that took place at the event was the battle royal, which consisted of several women from Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and one Hall of Fame alum in the form of Nikki Bella. The Evolution Battle Royal was, IMO, the best match of the show. I absolutely loved it; I honestly thought it was better than this year's Women's Royal Rumble. It had the best moments; some interesting eliminations included Zelina Vega ousting Giulia, and Nikki Bella eliminating Chelsea Green. I also loved that a lot of my favorites lasted quite a bit in the match; women such as Maxxine Dupri, B-Fab, and Lash Legend lasted a long time. In fact, Lash Legend ended up being the runner up in this match, as she was eliminated by the match's winner, Stephanie Vaquer.

That's when we saw Stephanic McMahon again, as she raised Vaquer's arm in victory and really put her over. So as a result, Stephanie Vaquer will receive a top title match at the Clash in Paris event, which will take place on August 31, 2025. I actually picked Zelina to win (a move that was known as Mistake #1), because I wasn't thinking. Vaquer winning had me thinking about the main event between Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley, and I and everyone else figured Rhea would win because it would get her off the schnide against Iyo, plus we'd get Rhea vs Vaquer--and it had been teased a bit. However, someone with a briefcase had to threaten that dream match.

So, Blake Monroe turned heel at Evolution, just one day after she made her WWE in-ring debut. I was afraid of this. I remember reading that they planned to turn her, but to be honest, I was afraid of this the moment she debuted on NXT. Let's get one thing straight: those who read my stuff know I love a good villainess as much as anybody, but ironically, it's my immense adoration for the bad girls that is the reason why I'm not too thrilled that they rushed to do this. As fun as villainesses are, it's the heroines that make them.

I was elated when Blake was starting out as a babyface, because I had never seen that side of her; she was always evil. I was hoping we'd get a few months of babyface Blake, then she turns. It's always better that way. So yeah, she teamed with Jordynne Grace at GAB, Jordynne asked Blake to be in her corner for the NXT Women's Championship contest, and it was her undoing. Blake took down Jazmyn Nyx and Fallon Henley, only to take the title and strike Jordynne. So yeah, the "Woman From Hell" is truly back. The execution and mannerisms were great. They should have been more patient with it, but it is what it is.

Can we please, please stop granting Trish Stratus these matches just because she's Trish Stratus? Hall of Famer, legend, icon, yeah. Trish should not have had a title match at Evolution. She didn't need it. That spot could have went to a regular competitor. Michin, Chelsea, B-Fab, for example. The only thing worse than Trish getting this title shot is fans actually begging for it. I've seen so many fans saying, "Trish should get a title shot," "Trish should be in Money in the Bank," "Trish should be in the Elimination Chamber." She doesn't need all of that. Never did. Even worse, the revisionist history when it comes to Trish is getting worse. It was said on commentary that this was Trish's first singles match in 18 years. Really? So the match against Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam didn't happen? Or the two bouts against Becky Lynch two years ago? Dear God.

Of course, Tiffany Stratton retained, because of course she should. Trish received a standing ovation, and Michael Cole actually had the nerve to say, "You have to wonder every time Trish competes, that this will be the final time." Cole, I love you, but that was the dumbest thing you ever said (well, until you called Candice LeRae, "Candice Michelle," three times during the battle royal). Trish has had more "final time" moments than Tom Brady has had Super Bowl rings, and guess what, folks? She'll get at least one more. Count on it. And count on fans begging for it because she's Trish.

As I said before, fans ask for too much when comes to Trish. Here's what I ask for when it comes to my all-time fave:

We were treated to a montage of these women who paved their way the current stars in women's wrestling, and Melina was mentioned. Honestly, that's all I ever ask for when it comes to Melina: acknowledgment. I got that when she was mentioned. I would have been happy with just that. Not a title match, not a situation where she's in a spot that could have went to a regular, just acknowledgment. I got more. Melina was there! They showed a bunch of alums at Evolution; Jazz, Jacqueline, Ivory, Torrie Wilson. After Torrie was shown, the familiar music hit, and there she was! I was literally in tears for about two minutes! I wanted to see Melina at Evolution so badly, and there she was in attendance. I was so happy, I still am; that made my whole night--and that's all I ask when it comes to Melina.

We were treated to so much. A thrilling Triple Threat for the Women's Intercontinental Championship, with Becky Lynch retaining against Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, and an amazing tag title four-way bout, among many other things. Now let's get to the subject here. Evolution should be yearly. This event showed that Evolution can be a yearly event; the fan reaction was loud and immense. WWE's powers that be can't deny the facts anymore. They can't make excuses. We better get Evolution 3 next year, with the following caveats:

1. All women's championships should be defended
2. TNA needs to be involved, including their titles as well
3. More surprise entrants (alums, indy talent, you name it) in the Evolution Battle Royal
4. Women on commentary. A thought I had at the start: "I miss Beth Phoenix on commentary." Beth was actually on the call for 2018's event
5. A Women's Championship Scramble needs to happen. The Scramble, overall, hasn't happened since 2009, and the women have never had one. We need one. Badly

Evolution is here to stay, and WWE better get used to that and get cracking on the next event. I'm a patient man. I waited 21 years for a Stanley Cup. However, I should not have to wait another seven years for this wondrous event. Women's wrestling puts keisters on seats. Now it's time for some people to get their heads out of their own keisters and get with the program.