On August 27, 2025, WWE Evolve showcased a gripping lineup of matches at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, featuring rising star Kendal Grey in a memorable encounter that thrilled fans. The event, broadcast on Tubi, centered partly on Grey’s compelling WWE Evolve match, highlighting her growing prominence in the wrestling scene through an intense battle against Wendy Choo.
Opening Bout: Kendal Grey and Wendy Choo Deliver a Riveting Performance
The night’s opening contest pitted Kendal Grey against Wendy Choo in a fiercely contested match lasting over eleven minutes. Choo began aggressively with an armdrag and unsettling ring movements, but Grey quickly established control with a precise headlock, demonstrating skills reminiscent of her NXT appearances. The match escalated after the commercial break as Choo showcased her signature moves, including a daring dropkick and a neck twist executed flawlessly, a sequence previously botched by high-profile wrestlers Giulia and Charlotte Flair.
The two exchanged brutal strikes mid-ring before Grey responded with a clothesline and a flying back elbow, asserting her dominance. Grey executed a double stomp for a near-fall, narrowly avoiding Choo’s Dirt Nap submission. On the ring’s top rope, Grey climbed to gain an advantage but was countered by Choo’s superplex followed by a suplex, culminating in another close pin attempt. Ultimately, Grey reversed a submission into a winning pinfall at 11:37.
Despite the loss, Choo maintained her sinister hold briefly afterward, intensifying the physical toll on Grey and leaving her visibly injured. Choo’s satisfaction at the conclusion underscored her vicious persona.
David Miller, PWTorch contributor and event reporter, praised the match as an above-average opener suitable for the performers involved, stating it diverged from typical Evolve match lengths. Miller also emphasized the effective heel characterization of Wendy Choo, appreciating her villainy without resorting to supernatural elements. Regarding Kendal Grey, Miller forecasted significant future success:
“Mark your calendar, August 27th, 2025, I predict that she will one day hold either the WWE or World Women’s title on the main roster. This woman is a star in the making.”
—David Miller, PWTorch Contributor
Mid-Card Matches: Brooks Jensen and Jordan Oasis Wrestle Through Hard-Hitting Contest
The second match featured Brooks Jensen competing against Jordan Oasis in a battle characterized by targeted attack strategies and physical storytelling. Jensen’s focus on Oasis’s shoulder injury shaped much of the contest’s pacing. Oasis took considerable risks, including a headfirst dive outside the ring, yet his offense was hampered by the shoulder damage he sustained.
The match showcased vigorous exchanges, with Jensen applying an armbar and capitalizing on his opponent’s compromised shoulder. Although Oasis landed his blackout cannonball move, the momentum shifted back when Jensen executed a southern lariat, securing the victory at 8:16.
Miller provided analysis on the match dynamics, noting Jensen’s effort to redefine his wrestling character following his departure from The Culling faction on NXT. Conversely, he critiqued Jordan Oasis’s homeless gimmick and physical style as lacking impact and foresaw limited prospects for him in NXT. Comparing Oasis’s look to Jon Moxley, Miller remained skeptical about Oasis’s future advancement within WWE’s ranks.
Post-Match Interviews and Backstage Developments Add Depth to Storylines
Following his win, Brooks Jensen engaged in a ringside interview with WWE interviewer Chuey Martinez, where Jensen expressed his aggressive intentions toward Evolve Champion Jackson Drake, signaling potential future confrontations. Jensen declared a willingness to overcome any obstacles, including The Vanity Project faction, in pursuit of championship glory.
Backstage, the landscape featured The Vanity Project asserting unity and dominance, as well as Stevie Turner contemplating Drake’s next challenger amidst distractions from Zayda Steel and Ricky Smokes. Meanwhile, Kali Armstrong and Chantel Monroe prepared for their championship showdown, and newcomer Masyn Holiday discussed plans to enter the fray by confronting Kylie Rae, hinting at upcoming rivalries.
Fatal Four-Way Women’s Title Match Showcases Heightened Rivalry and Skill
The event’s climax involved a four-way fatal match for the Evolve Women’s Championship, featuring reigning champion Kali Armstrong defending against Nikkita Lyons, Chantel Monroe, and Karmen Petrovic. The competitors displayed teamwork and betrayal, at points uniting in a chain submission hold before devolving into fierce individual battles.
The match progressed with aggressive strikes and high-impact moves, including Lyons executing a tower of doom suplex on all opponents, and each wrestler taking moments to dominate. Outside distractions ensued when Kylie Rae entered the scene, sparking a heated altercation with Monroe that shifted parts of the contest into the backstage area, escalating the tension beyond the ring.
Ultimately, Armstrong retained her title by pinning Lyons following her signature Kali Connection maneuver after about eight and a half minutes. The match was noted for the equal opportunity each woman had to display her abilities without significant downtime or one-sided domination.
Miller described the encounter as an enjoyable and balanced contest, specifically highlighting the effectiveness of keeping all four wrestlers mostly in the ring, contrasting favorably with typical multi-person matches. He observed the crowd’s negative reception toward Kylie Rae’s intrusion, anticipating continued storyline developments. Miller predicted Armstrong’s championship run would persist, aiming to build her momentum at this stage.
Women’s Division Drives Interest as Storylines Develop Toward Future Showdowns
The focus on the women’s division at this WWE Evolve event underscored a shift where female wrestlers became major draws, contrasting with the less impactful male matches of the evening. The intertwining narratives around The Vanity Project-backed Jackson Drake and multiple challengers have also fueled audience anticipation for upcoming clashes, highlighting the faction’s vulnerability as both faces and heels position themselves against the narcissistic champion.
Additionally, backstage segments indicate strategic matchmaking and potential rivalries that will shape future programming. Stevie Turner’s role in selecting challengers and Masyn Holiday’s decision to pursue Kylie Rae exemplify ongoing efforts to expand the storyline complexity and keep fans engaged.
Looking Ahead: What Fans Can Expect from WWE Evolve and Its Rising Talents
WWE Evolve’s August 27th event solidified Kendal Grey’s status as a rising star with her commanding performance, while the women’s division showcased exciting competition and evolving storylines. As The Vanity Project continues to influence championship scenes, challengers like Brooks Jensen and the women vying for title opportunities set the stage for intense rivalries. The combination of powerful in-ring action and backstage intrigue promises continued momentum for Evolve programming.
With Labor Day weekend concluding, the wrestling community eagerly anticipates the forthcoming NXT episodes and how rising talents from Evolve, such as Grey and Armstrong, will transition or impact those shows. The growing prominence of the women’s division and evolving male storylines indicate an engaging roadmap for WWE’s developmental landscape.
