On September 10, 2025, at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, Ridge Holland showcased his dominance over Tate Wilder in a fierce WWE Evolve match. This bout was a highlight of the evening’s card, reflecting Holland’s physical prowess and skill inside the ring during the WWE EVOLVE event aired on Tubi.
Opening Highlights and Rising Tensions Among Wrestlers
The evening began with Carlee Bright facing Layla Diggs in a technically sound opening contest. Both women delivered precise moves with Bright eventually securing a win using her Bright Side finisher, a neckbreaker variation, after five minutes of back-and-forth action. The match featured choreographed entrances and energetic exchanges, illustrating the talent depth within WWE EVOLVE.
Following the match, Kendal Grey, who accompanied Bright, openly challenged Wendy Choo, igniting a verbal confrontation with Choo and stirring competitive tension. This backstage friction quickly escalated when Tate Wilder and Ridge Holland brawled on their way to the ring. WWE official Stevie Turner intervened, instructing the rivals to settle their scores in the ring, setting the stage for the next featured match.
Ridge Holland Overwhelms Tate Wilder in Hard-Hitting Contest
The clash between Ridge Holland and Tate Wilder brought intensity from start to finish. Wilder, showing remarkable heart, landed notable dropkicks and executed a dive outside the ring early in the match. However, Holland’s strength soon overwhelmed Wilder, demonstrated by a series of suplexes and a crippling half-crab submission hold. Holland’s dominant offense included a cannonball and a gut wrench powerbomb to secure a definitive victory at 7 minutes and 22 seconds.
The commentators highlighted Wilder’s physical style, likening him to a young Jeff Jarrett during his early wrestling days. Meanwhile, Holland demonstrated that he is in peak physical condition and striving to refine his in-ring identity, although he still seeks the distinctive spark that will elevate his performance further.
Tag Teams and Backstage Dynamics Suggest Future Rivalries
Backstage segments featured Marcus Mathers and Aaron Rourke, who spoke about their contrasting personalities but emphasized their strong chemistry as a tag team aiming to rise through WWE EVOLVE’s ranks. Elsewhere, It’s Gal and Jamar Hampton engaged in a rhythmic promo exchange, setting up the possibility of an exciting tag team confrontation down the line.
Additionally, the backstage tension surrounding Wendy Choo continued, with officials intervening after she locked Kendal Grey in a submission hold called the Dirt Nap. Peter Rosenberg expressed visible frustration at Choo’s aggressive tactics, underscoring the raw emotions driving the ongoing storyline arcs.
Jackson Drake Retains Evolve Championship in a Grueling Triple Threat
The main event was a triple threat match for the Evolve Championship featuring Jackson Drake defending against Brooks Jensen and Keanu Carver. Drake entered the match without his usual allies, making the title defense more challenging. Carver immediately took control by forcefully removing Drake from the ring, while Jensen and Carver engaged in a hard-hitting contest throughout.
The match highlighted Carver’s extraordinary strength as he lifted one opponent while powerslamming the other, showcasing his physical dominance. The contest was fast-paced, with high-impact maneuvers such as dives to the outside, German suplexes, and superplexes from the top rope. A notable moment came when Bryce Donovan interfered, delivering a big boot to Carver in a no-disqualification environment, illustrating the chaotic nature of triple threat matches in WWE EVOLVE.
Ultimately, Jackson Drake retained his championship after a brutal double knee strike to Bryce Donovan’s face, pinning Donovan despite the physical disadvantages he faced. The match lasted over 13 minutes, culminating in the champion escaping against significant opposition.
Aftermath and Future Storylines Taking Shape
The Vanity Project faction returned to celebrate with Jackson Drake, who appeared bloodied but victorious. Behind the scenes, WWE EVOLVE Prime Minister Stevie Turner reviewed plans for the upcoming week and discovered a cryptic note from Wendy Choo hinting at an “I Quit” match, a possible foreshadowing of intense future confrontations.
Though the show featured strong performances, it was noted as solid but lacking major breakthroughs or newsworthy surprises. The continued dominance of the Vanity Project keeps the power balance in WWE EVOLVE tilted, while potential matchups teased for upcoming episodes promise fresh rivalries, particularly the anticipated Wendy Choo versus Kendal Grey bout.
Fans and insiders alike are looking forward to the next WWE EVOLVE event, especially with the momentum built through these clashes and backstage drama, all leading into the larger wrestling landscape including the approaching NXT Homecoming.
“Cowboy jokes aside, Wilder reminds me in ring style and physique of a young Jeff Jarrett when he first started wrestling. Holland is obviously an established star trying to reinvent himself. Physically, he’s in the best shape of his life. He just needs to find his groove, because he’s missing that one special spark.”
—David Miller, PWTorch Contributor
“I guess at least they’re using the Vanity Project as an excuse for Drake not getting his lunch eaten by two men that are both twice his size, but still, I just don’t buy Drake as a believable champion and never have. He’s talented, for sure, but I just can’t see him getting over on guys like Jensen and Carver. Don’t even get me started on the no DQ rule for triple threat matches.”
—David Miller, PWTorch Contributor
