The 1st Match for Evolution 2 Has Been Announced

We are just over a month away from the long overdue second Evolution event, which will take place on July 13 in Atlanta. And with that much time left, we already have our first match announcement for the big event. The NXT Women's Championship will be defended at Evolution 2. At the first Evolution in 2018, the NXT Women's Championship changed hands when Shayna Baszler won the title for the second time. In this go-around, it will be Jacy Jayne defending her recently won title.

But against who? That will be determined in the next two NXTs.

After Jacy (who defeated Stephanie Vaquer two weeks prior to win the title) successfully defended against Lainey Reid, NXT General Manager Ava appeared and informed Jacy that she'll defend the title at Evolution, and her challenger will be determined in the following two editions of NXT.

On June 17, we will see four singles matches in the women's division, and they are as follows: Lash Legend vs Kelani Jordan, Thea Hail vs Jaida Parker, Zaria vs Izzi Dame, and Lola Vice vs Jordynne Grace. The four winners will all face each other in a four-way match on June 24, and the winner will receive the title shot at Evolution.

So it's a tournament, of sorts, to determine Jacy Jayne's challenger, and as for who should win these matches, here are my preferences:

The powers that be seem to like Lash Legend, I do as well. I also love Kelani Jordan, I'm elated that she's the one that earned the nod of becoming WWE's first-ever NXT Women's North American Champion. I do like what they're doing with Kelani's character, and I especially like that it's not a heel turn. It's Kelani being more serious while still being heroic. Lash, on the other hand, is given a golden opportunity to stand on her on following the amicable (and emotional) dissolution of Meta-Four, and the release of partner Jakara Jackson. I do sense Lash winning this and advancing, and I still see Kelani being in the Women's NA Title picture.

Zaria and Izzi Dame, two more stars I'm enjoying. Izzi has been all over the place, starting off with being the heavy for Kiana James, and was thrust to being on her own after Kiana was promoted. We saw her hanging around the D'Angelo Family before betraying them to become part of The Culling, Shawn Spears' cult-like faction. I do think that this is Izzi's best role, because it's a complete 180 despite the fact that she's been a heel for her entire tenure. With Kiana, she was all about the flash and the glamour. As a member of The Culling, Izzi is dark and twisted. As for Zaria, I really love this partnership she has with Sol Ruca. Seriously, they really need to bring back the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship. Zaria has really showed out, and honestly, I can see Zaria advancing; as over as Izzi is, Zaria has the edge.

My reasons for pulling for Thea Hail in this match are simple. One, her opponent's a transphobe. Two, they kinda owe Thea. Thea's been in NXT fo a good bit. I absolutely loved her manic energy as part of Chase U. I'm hella happy that the whole "grown ass woman" thing wasn't a heel turn; a personality like Thea's has to be heroic. It's about time for Thea to get this shot, and it would be fitting. Remember: Thea and Jacy have history. It was Jacy and Jazmyn Nyx who manipulated Thea into slowly abandoning the Chase U way, and it almost happened. So it would be fateful if Thea not only advanced to the four-way match, she would win it, too.

WWE always does this. When it's a tournament style format for top contendership, they always--always--put my top two preferences in the same match. I've said to fellow fans on social media that they owe Lola Vice big time. At the same time, I've also hoped for Jordynne Grace to get that big nod. Of course they put Lola and Jordynne against each other. Of course they fucking do. Shockingly, this decision isn't hard. If Jordynne had only one chance, it would difficult. She's had a lot of chances for that title. Lola only had one shot. They owe Lola big time. Lola should win this match, and hopefully, Jordynne coming up short again will lead to a long overdue heel turn.

For the first time in seven years, we are officially on the road to Evolution. The first match has been made, and more are coming. I am very excited to see what develops in the next month before the all-women's extravaganza takes place!