By Chris Vetter, ProWrestling.net Contributor (@chrisvetter73)
WWE Evolve (Episode 84)
Taped in Orlando. Florida at the WWE Performance Center
Streamed October 28, 2026, on Tubi in the United States and YouTube.com internationally
Tubi lists this as “Season 2, Episode 35.” Blake Howard and Robert Stone provided commentary.
1. Milosh Jovic vs. Harley Riggins. We saw the bald, white, muscular Jovic once before. He hit some deep armdrags. Harley hit a running Claymore Kick and a decapitating clothesline for a nearfall at 2:00. Milosh hit a back-body drop. Riggins hit a spear, then a pop-up knee strike to the nose for the pin. Basic but passable. Riggins kicked him a few more times after the bell and threw him into the ring steps.
Harley Riggins defeated Milosh Jovic at 3:18.
* Marcus Mathers was backstage, and he spoke directly into the camera. He said he would be representing “the fighting city of Philadelphia tonight.”
* Back to the venue, Jasper Troy came to the ring, and he jawed at the crowd. He’s not sharing the spotlight with anyone! He issued an open challenge! Who would be crazy enough to accept that?
2. Jasper Troy vs. Jax Presley. Jax had been injured for a while; this was his first match back since spring or late winter! Rob Stone said he’s recovered from a shoulder injury. Troy hit a delayed vertical suplex for a nearfall. Presley hit a crossbody block. Troy grabbed him and applied a bear hug, then he stomped on Jax. Troy hit two splashes to the mat for a nearfall at 2:30, then a swinging uranage for a nearfall.
Jasper hit some knee lifts to Jax’s ribs, then applied an abdominal stretch, and the crowd rallied for Jax. However, Jasper scooped him up and hit a Bulldog Powerslam, but he missed a Vader Bomb at 4:30. Jax hit some jab punches and a running back elbow in the corner. Jax hit a bodyslam and a clothesline for the pin! I’ll call that an upset.
Jax Presley defeated Jasper Troy at 5:28.
* A fun video aired for the Mog Squad. Max Abrams‘ face was covered in bandages. However, his nose has been surgically fixed. A bit cartoonish, but I actually liked this.
* Sloane Jacobs was in the ring, and she’s holding a “nationwide admiration ceremony” for her hero, Nikkita Lyons! Sloane listed off four opponents that Lyons has vanquished, and she belittled them. Lyons then came to the ring. Both were wearing gowns; neither was dressed to wrestle. Lyons thanked everyone who had stood beside her on this journey. She was interrupted by Anya Rune! She believes she should be considered the next challenger. Jacobs and Lyons burst out in laughter. “No, but seriously, who do you think you are?” Sloane asked her. “This is not a wish factory.”
Evolve Foreman Timothy Thatcher came out of the back. He said Rune needs one more victory to prove she’s ready, so he booked Rune vs. Jacobs! If Rune wins, she’ll get a title shot. Thatcher also booked a four-way for next week… Lyons vs. Laynie Luck vs. Wendy Choo vs. Thea Hail. Meanwhile, (with the aid of some editing!) Rune was in her ring gear, and she chased off the heels.
* Shido Ash stood backstage, stared into the camera, and talked about how much he loves pro wrestling. His partner, Viktor Zanov, is training overseas, so he’ll be going solo for now.
* Backstage, Laynie Luck and Aaron Rourke spoke. Rourke said he needs her to take out Alix Brooks because Alix has interfered in Aaron’s matches with Kale Dixon. Laynie said she will gladly get a match booked against Alix (who we haven’t seen wrestle yet!)
3. Elijah Holyfield vs. Marcus Mathers vs. Braxton Cole in a Triple Threat. Holyfield immediately hit some shoulder thrusts to Cole’s ribs in the corner, so Braxton rolled to the floor. Holyfield and Mathers traded some quick reversals. Marcus hit some chops on Braxton. Holyfield pulled Cole to the floor at 2:00 and hit some punches. Mathers hit a flip dive to the floor onto both of them! [C]
Back from the break, Mathers hit a dropkick in the ring on Cole and got a one-count. Holyfield got back into the ring and hit some punches on Cole. Cole kicked the ropes to crotch Holyfield. He threw Elijah into the corner and hit some kicks. Mathers got back up onto the apron, but Cole knocked him back down to the floor, then he went back to stomping and kicking Holyfield. Cole rolled to the floor and dropped Mathers face-first on the apron at 4:30.
In the ring, Holyfield hit a flying shoulder tackle on Cole, then a spinebuster for a nearfall, but Mathers made the save. Marcus got in and superkicked Holyfield, then hit his corner fadeaway stunner for a nearfall. We saw It’s Gal in the VIP lounge and cheering on Marcus. Cole suplexed Mathers for a nearfall at 6:00. Braxton poked Holyfield in the eye, then dropped him with a European Uppercut. Cole got a chair from a fan and brought it into the ring, but Mathers confiscated it. Cole turned around and was knocked out by a Holyfield punch to the jaw! Holyfield covered the prone Braxton for the pin.
Elijah Holyfield defeated Braxton Cole and Marcus Mathers in a Triple Threat at 7:06.
Final Thoughts: A decent main event; Mathers always shines and held this together. I can’t say I care too much for Presley or Riggins, but WWE is determined to give these big guys a chance to catch on.
Same comment as always… It’s hard to see so many talented wrestlers here who are no longer part of the WWE system, but they have apparently several more weeks of episodes to come with them. The crowd is amused by what they have been doing with Anya Rune’s character. The episode clocks in at 45 minutes.
