By Chris Vetter, ProWrestling.net Contributor (@chrisvetter73)
WWE Evolve (Episode 72)
Taped in Orlando. Florida at the WWE Performance Center
Streamed August 5, 2026, on Tubi in the United States and YouTube.com internationally
Blake Howard and Rob Stone provided commentary; no Peter Rosenberg tonight. Tubi lists this as “Season 2, Episode 23.”
* NOTE: In the past week (since the last Evolve episode) Veronica Haven announced on social media that she has left the WWE ID program. She plans to continue wrestling. Rather than go back to her “Fallyn Grey” name she used before signing her ID deal in February or March, she will now go by “Veronica West.” I heavily criticized Evolve when she appeared in a flowerly “Sunday best” dress a couple weeks ago (for a Nikkita Lyons title celebration), noting that they had completely dropped the ball on her character, and had stripped her of everything that made her unique. (When you sign Danhausen, it isn’t because he’s a world-class in-ring talent. No, you like the gimmick. WWE saw Fallyn Grey’s gimmick, which got her over, and started to strip her of it.)
OKAY, onto the show!
* We heard from the participants in the men’s four-way match later.
* The Mod Squad were in the ring. Max Abrams was making fun of guys who “will never know what it’s like to have a hot boy summer.”
1. “The Mog Squad” Jacari Ball and Santi Rivera vs. Viktor Zanov and Shido Ash. Newcomers Zanov and Ash are bigger. Zanov slammed teammate Ash onto an opponent.[C]. Back from the break, Jacari hit a splash in the corner on Zanov, then an impressive dropkick at 3:00. He hit a gutwrench suplex, then two more! “Viktor is not a small guy!” Robert Stone exclaimed. Ash got a hot tag and hit some Judo Throws. He got an inside cradle on Santi for a nearfall. Viktor hit a German Suplex to pin Santi.
Viktor Zanov and Shido Ash defeated “The Mog Squad” Jacari Ball and Santi Rivera at 4:56.
* Foreman Timothy Thatcher walked out and told the Mog Squad they are banned from ringside during the main event.
* Noam Dar, Marcus Mathers and Romeo Moreno were talking in the locker room. Marcus was telling the newcomers that it felt like the WWE ID class 1.0 program was falling apart. It’s Gal came up and said he’s peaking and just got a big win. Cappuccino Jones also walked up. Gal wound up challenging Cap to a match next week!
2. Skylar Raye vs. Anya Rune. The commentators discussed how Rune believes she has mystical powers. The women quickly tied up on the mat and separated. Skylar dropped her with a shoulder tackle. Rune hit a diving European Uppercut to Raye’s back at 1:30. Skylar hit a bulldog for a nearfall. Rune got a backslide. Stone noted that Rune started training when she was 14 (I believe she just turned 20). Skylar hit an Eat D’Feat at 3:00, and they were both down. Raye tied her in a crossface. Rune escaped and hit a running neckbreaker for a nearfall. Rune went to the top rope, but took too long to get in position! Skylar threw her to the mat. Skylar immediately hit a frog splash for the pin.
Skylar Raye defeated Anya Rune at 4:39.
* Gianna Capri came out of nowhere and attacked Rune and repeatedly stomped on her.
* Outside, in the most dangerous parking lot in America, Elijah Holyfield was waiting for Brooks Jensen to show up. When he does, he’s putting his fist through Jensen’s chin!
* Thatcher was in his office and was announcing some matches. Chazz “Starboy” Hall approached. He wound up inserting himself into the Cap Jones vs. It’s Gal match … next week it will be a Triple Threat!
* Harley Riggins watched the main event from the VIP lounge!
3. Harlem Lewis vs. Aaron Rourke vs. Tristan Angels vs. Max Abrams in a four-way for the WWE Evolve Men’s Title. All four fought at the bell. Tristan and Max are heels, so they worked together to attack Aaron. Harlem hit a double clothesline on the heels. He slammed Max onto Tristan at 1:00. Tristan clotheslined Harlem and himself to the floor. Abrams was alone in the ring and celebrating as the other three were down on the floor. [C]
Back from the break, Aaron hit a back elbow and a superkick on Max. Tristan hit an enzuigiri on Aaron. Harlem hit a double German Suplex. All four brawled. Rourke splashed onto Max. They did a Tower of Doom spot from the corner at 4:30, with Harlem on the bottom of the tower. Rourke nailed the Molly-Go-Round on Max, but Harlem kicked Aaron to the floor! Harlem immediately hit a Jackhammer on Abrams for the pin! Aaron was a second too late to break it up. Harlem and Aaron stared at each other.
Harlem Lewis defeated Tristan Angels, Max Abrams, and Aaron Rourke in a four-way to retain the WWE Evolve Title at 5:19.
* Harlem walked by the VIP lounge, and he jawed with Harley Riggins.
Final Thoughts: An okay show, but a disappointingly short main event. The action was okay, but it was just too short for a match that had that type of build-up.
A really short episode, clocking in at just 44 minutes. I always say it — squeeze in a few more video packages to make this closer to an hour. A quick video package of Nikkita Lyons, for example, would have worked. Show off some of the other female talents we haven’t seen much of lately. Or, a sit-down interview with Marcus Mathers with clips of his tour of Dragongate for seven weeks. That’s what I want to see!
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