On July 13, 2025, WWE Evolution took place at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, streaming live on Peacock in the United States and Netflix internationally. Opening the event was a fierce Lyra Valkyria triple threat match featuring Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch defending her title against Lyra Valkyria and Bayley. The match set the tone for the night, spotlighting the increasing athleticism and competitiveness in the women’s division.
The match was intensely anticipated, being the opening bout, with Joe Tessitore and Stephanie McMahon hosting commentary. Bayley entered the match aiming for her third shot at the championship, while Valkyria sought to claim her place at the top. Fans erupted as the bell rang, signaling an aggressive and dynamic contest from the outset.
Details of the Women’s Intercontinental Championship Encounter
The triple threat match saw all three competitors relentlessly exchange attacks. Valkyria was quickly sent outside the ring, allowing Lynch and Bayley to clash initially. Bayley’s back suplex and Lynch’s aggressive baseball slide intensified the atmosphere, accompanied by calls from the audience chanting “Bayley.” The champion, Lynch, demonstrated resilience by countering Bayley’s offense and managing to fend off Valkyria outside the ring.
The pace remained relentless as Bayley hung Lynch between the ropes and delivered a stunner, followed by Lynch’s ax-handle from the top rope. Each wrestler had several near falls, with Valkyria delivering key moves such as the Rocker Dropper to both opponents, only for the official Daphne Lashaunn to halt pinfalls repeatedly.
As the battle escalated in intensity, Lynch executed a superplex on Bayley for a near-fall and later hit DDTs on both Bayley and Valkyria. The competitors traded palm strikes, finishing sequences that left the crowd deeply engaged. Despite Bayley’s powerful moves, including the Rose Plant on Valkyria, Becky Lynch secured the win by pinning Bayley with a flash roll-up after a hard-fought 16-minute and 21-second contest.
Supporting Matches Showcase Diverse Talents and Storylines
The event featured several other compelling matches that added layers to the evolving storylines and showcased the depth of WWE’s women’s roster.
Jacy Jayne Retains NXT Women’s Title Amidst Blake Monroe’s Heel Turn
Jacy Jayne successfully defended her NXT Women’s Championship in a highly physical bout against Jordynne Grace, with Blake Monroe accompanying Grace. The match combined power moves with submission attempts, culminating in Monroe’s shocking heel turn when she struck Grace with a belt, effectively enabling Jayne to keep her title. This twist deepened ongoing rivalries and heightened audience interest in future confrontations.
Judgment Day Holds Onto Women’s Tag Team Championship After Turbulent Match
In a chaotic fatal four-way match for the Women’s Tag Team Championship, The Judgment Day team of Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez managed to retain against The Kabuki Warriors, Sol Ruca & Zaria, and Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair. The match was marked by frequent interference, tandem maneuvers, and high-energy segments, including a notable Sol Snatcher finisher by Ruca. Despite setbacks and accidental collisions, the champions held firm amid a highly physical and fast-paced contest.
Tiffany Stratton Defends Women’s Title in a Strong Performance Against Trish Stratus
Tiffany Stratton retained the WWE Women’s Championship by defeating Trish Stratus in a match praised for its intensity and skill. Stratton secured victory by executing her signature move, the World’s Prettiest Moonsault, within 8 minutes and 36 seconds, demonstrating her growing status as a formidable champion.
Jade Cargill Wins No Holds Barred Match Over Naomi
The brutal No Holds Barred match between Jade Cargill and Naomi, refereed by Bianca Belair, revealed raw aggression with the competitors trading weapon strikes and table spots. Despite Naomi’s resilient defense and aggressive offense, including a chair-assisted table break, Cargill ultimately triumphed with a decisive move through the table. The match’s narrative hinted at the culmination of a heated rivalry.
Stephanie Vaquer Triumphs in Twenty-Woman Battle Royal
Stephanie Vaquer emerged victorious in a physically demanding twenty-woman battle royal intended to determine the next challenger for a world championship match at Clash in Paris. This contest featured notable names such as Nikki Bella, Nia Jax, and Zelina Vega. Vaquer’s win was marked by impressive endurance and strategic eliminations, capped by a heartfelt promotional moment with Stephanie McMahon, underscoring her rising star power and bilingual appeal.
Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley Deliver an Epic Women’s World Championship Bout
The Women’s World Championship match between Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley was a showcase of technical prowess and storytelling. Covering a wide range of moves like spike DDTs, German suplexes, and cross-body attacks, the bout was physically demanding and emotionally charged. Despite Ripley’s powerful offense and near victories with moves such as Razor’s Edge and Riptide, Sky persevered, hitting her signature Over the Moonsault.
During the climax, a surprise intervention occurred when Naomi cashed in her briefcase, transforming the match into a triple threat. She seized the opportunity by using the briefcase to strike both participants and pinned Sky to claim the championship, dealing a major setback to both original challengers.
Significance and What Lies Ahead After WWE Evolution 2025
Becky Lynch’s hard-fought defense in the Lyra Valkyria triple threat match established her continued dominance, while Valkyria proved herself as a serious contender showing impressive agility and power. The event reinforced the evolving prominence of women in WWE, highlighted by Stephanie McMahon’s presence and support for rising stars like Stephanie Vaquer. With multiple title defenses and shocking developments, such as Blake Monroe’s heel turn and Naomi’s opportunistic championship win, WWE has set the stage for compelling stories leading into Clash in Paris and SummerSlam.
The performances underscored the growing competitiveness within the women’s division, with competitors like Jacy Jayne, Jade Cargill, and Tiffany Stratton maintaining strong positions. Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley’s legendary match raised the bar for in-ring storytelling, despite the disruptive cash-in by Naomi, which is likely to fuel a heated rivalry moving forward.
Fans can look forward to new dynamics, including Stephanie Vaquer’s ascent on the global stage, the fallout from Monroe’s betrayal, and the anticipation surrounding Gunther’s upcoming SummerSlam opponent, determined by the gauntlet match featuring CM Punk, Jey Uso, LA Knight, Penta, and Bron Breakker.
Overall, WWE Evolution 2025 delivered an electrifying showcase of women’s wrestling talent, blending intense athleticism, dramatic narratives, and memorable moments that will likely influence WWE’s women’s division for months to come.
