Tonight's episode of WWE EVOLVE (June 4, 2025) was recorded in advance at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida at some point in February. WWE EVOLVE airs every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on Tubi, and tonight's episode was a big one, as it determined the inaugural WWE EVOLVE men's Champion.
How did this go down tonight, what led to this, and what could be on the horizon? Let's break it all down!
How We Got Here:
In the original announcement of the men's and women's EVOLVE Championships, when it was stated that they would be crowned in Fatal 4-Way matches, the men's match was largely an open field. While three of the women were announced in advance, only "Super" Sean Legacy was given a spot out of nowhere. The rest had to earn it. Eventually, Keanu Carver beat Harlem Lewis, Jackson Drake beat Jordan Oasis and Lince Dorado, and Edris Enofe defeated Oro Mensah.
Full WWE EVOLVE Results - June 4, 2025:
- Kali Armstrong opened the show with an in-ring promo, wondering who will be the first woman to challenge her for the WWE EVOLVE Women's Championship will be. Zayda Steel came out to put herself over as the first WWE ID prospect to steal some of the spotlight. Nikkita Lyons then came out, deciding to "pounce first" in regards to the championship, which then kicked off a brawl with Lyons and Steel ganging up on Armstrong until the champion was helped out by Natalya Neidhart.
- WWE LFG's Leigh Laurel, now renamed Jin Tala, defeated Carlee Bright by submission.
- Backstage, Chuey Martinez talked to Kylie Rae about her rivalry with Wendy Choo. Rae thought that it was over after she pinned her in last week's Fatal 4-Way match, but Choo attacked her after, so now, she's looking for some payback. In the background were Chantel Monroe, Layla Diggs, and Masyn Holiday. Monroe decided to go up to Rae and tell her to call it quits, as she gets on her nerves no matter if she's smiley or not. Holiday and Diggs then apologized on Monroe's behalf.
- Cappuccino Jones and Jack Cartwheel interrupted a promo Wes Lee was cutting alongside Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont (The High Ryze) to set up a match between Lee and Jones for next week.
- In the parking lot of the WWE Performance Center, Je'Von Evans bumped into Jordan Oasis and gave him a quick pep talk about how he's a fan of his work.
- A vignette hyped up Marcus Mathers going through the WWE ID program to get ready for EVOLVE.
- WWE EVOLVE Championship Fatal 4-Way Elimination Match: Edris Enofe was eliminated by Keanu Carver. Keanu Carver was eliminated by Jackson Drake and "Super" Sean Legacy stacking themselves both up on him (Legacy getting the pin). Sean Legacy was then eliminated by Jackson Drake. Jackson Drake won the title! Je'Von Evans and Stevie Turner presented Drake with the belt. Evans and Drake hugged as they've known each other for a long time, and The Vanity Project celebrated in the ring.
Personal Reactions & What Happens Next?:
Frankly, I'm surprised Drake was their choice. That's not to badmouth him, but more so just because Legacy and Carver in particular were given so much more focus as of late. This win puts Drake in the history books and establishes him as the leader of The Vanity Project, which was a position that was equally shared among them (though Bryce Donovan was clearly the heavy and the strong silent type). If anyone, I would have said Zayda Steel or Brad Baylor were the leaders beforehand, but that's just my assessment, and I was clearly wrong.
As a heel champion, you'd have to start looking at the top babyfaces for potential next in line options. Legacy immediately jumps to the top of the field, but with enough build, someone like Oasis or Troy Yearwood could end up taking the belt first.
As far as next week's lineup, other than the Wes Lee vs. Cappuccino Jones match, it was also announced that Lince Dorado will have a match (but his opponent wasn't revealed) and that It's Gal will go up against Troy Yearwood.
Tell us what you think about this title change by leaving a comment below! Who do you think will be the next in line to challenge for the title, or possibly even win the belt next? Keep the discussion going!