WWE's Evolution.... Did They Even Try?

Image from Triple H

Now before I get any shit from wrestling fans, I am not judging any of the performers or doing any fantasy booking. This is my opinion on how the company has handled this PLE leading up to it. And keep in mind that this will have be written (and hopefully posted) before the event even takes place. So let's get into dissecting this company.

For starters and those who may not be aware, the first ever Evolution PPV ( pay-per-view) took place in October of 2018. And yes, they were still called Pay-Per-Views in 2018. Announced in July of that year and revealed by chief brand officer, Stephanie Mcmahon, wrestling fans were thrilled to hear that the company was hosting an all women's PPV. Not one man in sight, we got to appreciate every woman on that card, praising each competitor for all their strengths and contributions to the sport.

Almost every match had a purpose and well established rivalries. Some were based on nostalgia, others based on pure animosity. Then you had the battle royal, which only ensures that everyone gets to be apart of the festivities. Regardless, the matches didn't feel thrown together in a "here, damn" manner. Creative even involved some of the NXT talent they had to offer at that time, and the finale in the Mae Young Classic tournament. Evolution felt as important as the other PPV's that took place that year. I'm not going to discuss every single match on the card because I don't wanna rant too much. Plus I don't want to rob anyone of the opportunity to watch and experience it for the first time.

Fast forward 7 YEARS LATER (which is a problem in and of itself), Evolution is back. Except this time... I don't feel not even a bit of passion put into it this time around. In my opinion... the marketing was dog water. They didn't remind people the PLE was happening not even half as much as they should of. And to be honest... since there seems to be a trend of WWE utilizing celebrities to elevate the product and increase viewership, they should've had Cardi B host Evolution. Just think about it for a second. Cardi B successfully achieved something that hadn't been achieved since 1999; win the Grammy for best rap album of the year. She thrived in a genre of music that was arguably dominated by men up until that point. It would be kind of symbolic for someone like her to host Evolution, since wrestling is also considered male dominated. But stop relying on celebrities so much as a whole though.

On top of the marketing not being up to snuff, the booking didn't feel fleshed out. Sure, Liv Morgan's injury may have caused a rift in the PLE's booking. But there is no way it completely derailed everything. The battle royal and the IC title matches aside, it seems like the other matches were just thrown together. I mean just announcing the opponents for the world champions a week before? Talk about laaazzzyy. No animosity, no beef, no sneak attacks or jealousy. It just feels extremely rushed.

I get it. In character, some champions want to defend their title for the "love of the game". But it just feels like creative couldn't be bothered to build proper feuds or utilize some of the other talent on their card. Instead they just had the champions choose their opponents for funsies.

Then there's the inconsistency of that four-way tag team title match. Why is it that Alexa and Charlotte are the only team that had to qualify? They just announced every other team. On top of that, all the contestants were thrown in there a week before the event. Let us not forget the last minute rematch for Jade Cargill vs Naomi. Sure, there was some hatred there. But they haven't been consistent rivals since Wrestlemania! The unfortunate trend here is that damn near all these matches were announced a measly week before the show.

You think I'm kidding? Rhea vs Iyo was announced June 30th, Tiffany vs Trish Stratus was announced on July 4th alongside the no holds barred match, and vice versa. One can't help but think creative and the powers that be prioritized other things over the PLE we've been waiting for for 7 GODDAMN YEARS.

One last thing, CAN WE INVOLVE MORE LEGENDS?! Unfortunately for us, they are too quick to call Trish anytime they're craving nostalgia. Don't get me wrong, I love Trish. But I also love Mickie James, Beth Phoenix, Gail Kim, Michelle McCool. Countless legends that are dying to make a return and be treated as valuable wrestlers, the same way the treat Goldberg. A Paige return would be fantastic too, but that's just a want.

I honestly believe they need to do better. The women are just as talented and deserving of the complex, and long lasting storylines that the male superstars do. Concise, well thought out feuds that are memorable and entertaining. These women are not afterthoughts. They inspire generations, empower women, and make profit for the company too. Let's stop acting like they don't outshine the men too, and start treating them the way they deserve to be treated. They worked just as hard for it.