For almost three years, NXT Level Up was the place where WWE Performance Center recruits and NXT wrestlers honed their craft in front of a live audience. Many wrestlers graduated from the brand, moving up to NXT full-time. But in December 2024, the show was canceled, leaving PC trainees without a place to wrestle on TV. However, it was announced last month that WWE was reviving the Evolve promotion.
It had been on hiatus since WWE purchased the company in 2020. This time, it is a replacement for Level Up featuring both PC and WWE ID wrestlers. The show premiered on March 5, streaming exclusively on Tubi.
Though only two episodes have aired so far, there’s a lot of things people should be excited about. WWE Evolve is shaping up to be a show with great entertainment and wrestlers that definitely have a future with the company.
WWE Evolve Gives People an In Depth Look at Prospects
One of the drawbacks of Level Up was that it was basically just matches to showcase the PC trainees. We got some backstage interviews, but only a select few developed characters and followings. With WWE Evolve, the potential NXT wrestlers are getting a chance to show who they really are as people.
Before every match, we got vignettes of the wrestlers showcasing who they are and why they want to be in NXT. Developing characters is essential to succeed in WWE, with these introductions already getting people to form their own opinions. Even the WWE ID prospects are getting over with the commentary team’s help.
Peter Rosenberg and Robert Stone provided great analysis of the match and the people in them, getting people to care about everything going on. WWE Evolve has let the wrestlers speak for themselves, allowing people to get to know them in a rapid fashion.
Lesser Used NXT Wrestlers Get a Chance to Shine
Throughout the first two episodes, several NXT wrestlers have made their presence known to everyone. Some wrestled PC talent, while some developed their own storylines. By doing this, we get to see more of the people who have been on the sidelines for a while.
Javier Bernal, who was largely featured on Level Up, is coming back from a leg injury. Gallus hasn’t been seen in months, along with Oro Mensah and Wendy Choo. Riley Osborne’s future was in doubt since Chase U closed its doors.
All of them could’ve been on the chopping block since they hadn’t appeared in a while. With WWE Evolve, they get a second chance to show people what they’re capable of.
With a large roster, multiple people don’t wrestle on TV for weeks or months at a time. Having another brand to accommodate them is a great way to extend their NXT careers.
WWE Has Made Another Great Decision
In the two episodes that have aired, it is clear that WWE Evolve has something for everyone. Independent wrestlers are appearing on WWE programming. PC trainees get the necessary reps to get better and potentially move up to NXT.
Lesser used wrestlers have a way of getting more matches in and developing their characters with storylines. There are a lot of reasons why people are tuning in and staying fans of the brand. Just like WWE LFG, we are getting introduced to the next wave of NXT talent.
Instead of random matches like Level Up, fans are provided with complex vignettes and storylines that get them invested in certain wrestlers. The after-match promos and VIP section are also home run decisions, as they give off that live sports feel. WWE Evolve has been a major hit, with exciting wrestling and storylines that make the program worth watching for everyone.
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