The women of WWE took center stage – and delivered. For the first time in seven years, Evolution took place as WWE held the event dedicated to its stacked women’s division.
With such a talent roster, seven matches took place rather than the typical five. There was a no-holds-barred match and a battle royal for a title opportunity, but plenty of gold was up for grabs. The top prizes in the division – the WWE Women’s Championship, Women’s World Heavyweight Championship and Women’s NXT Championship – were all on the line, as well as the Intercontinental and Tag Team titles.
The night was full of epic performances and there were shining stars, but nothing topped the crazy ending that completely changes the landscape of the women’s division.
Watch: WWE Evolution post show
Women’s World Championship match: Iyo Sky (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
A fast start got the main event going, and the opponents gave each other props for how quickly they were dealing hits. There was a pause where both said they respected each other before continuing the battle, and Sky had the first real opportunity to get rolling, diving outside of the ring with a moonsault. Sky was feeling the ride she was on before Ripley caught her and threw her onto the edge of the announcer’s table and then the barricade.
Ripley’s power emerged and she was getting frustrated with how Sky was getting back up to everything she was throwing at her, even trying the submission route.
Sky worked her way out of it and soon enough, she was emoting and riding the wave. Sky went to the top turnbuckle but Ripley met her and tried to launch her, but Sky landed on her feet to avoid a catastrophic ending. After a back-and-forth sequence, Sky executed a poisionrana to perfection, but the pin attempt wasn’t enough.
The Over the Moonsault was there for Sky to attempt, and Ripley pushed her to ruin her balance. Then came a Razor’s Edge into a powerbomb from Ripley to the champion. A win looked possible, but Sky kicked out at the last moment. After she couldn’t believe it, Ripley tried to end it for good with a Riptide that Sky got out of. Sky then tried for a kick, but Ripley moved out of the way and the referee got hit. Sky was shocked, and she got hit with a Riptide by Ripley. However, the referee was out and Ripley’s pin attempt wasn’t counted.
A frustrated Ripley hit Sky with a Razor’s Edge again and then took the fight into the crowd, throwing the champion against chairs and railings. Ripley climbed some equipment and attempted a big powerbomb, but Sky realized what was happening. The genius of the Sky went higher and flew high to take out Ripley in the spot of the night.
The action got back into the ring after Sky hit a powerbomb on Ripley. Sky hit her finisher as the referee got back in the ring, but Ripley stunningly kicked out. The champion couldn’t believe it, and dragged Ripley toward the turnbuckle. Ripley bounced her head on the steel. She climbed up and hit a Spanish fly to take both stars out.
Naomi cashes in Money in the Bank briefcase
Caution.
Naomi came out with her Money in the Bank briefcase. She cashed it in and made it a triple threat match. She hit Sky with the briefcase and then threw Ripley out of the ring. She hit her finisher on the champion and pinned Sky to win the championship and steal the spotlight.
Analysis: Proceed with caution in the women’s division.
After a spectacular main event match, the night ends in a stunner as Naomi cashes in and captures the gold. Sky and Ripley put on another thriller that was another five-star caliber match, proving they are without a doubt in an elite class of wrestling. There were too many great spots to highlight, and it was the perfect way to end the night.
But the night belongs to Naomi. She really got bullied in the no holds barred match, and given the result, it felt like the cash-in would happen at the earliest, SummerSlam. But she saw her window and made the most of her opportunity. It’s a reminder of how quickly Money in the Bank can catapult someone, and Naomi did it in the best fashion.
The entire women’s division has been flipped on its head, and with Naomi now the Women’s World Champion, there’s no telling what’s going to happen next. The women struck gold.
Battle royal for championship match at Clash in Paris
To no surprise, Nia Jax wasted no time eliminating people, and she almost had Kelani Jordan, but the former gymnast took a page out of Kofi Kingston’s book and did a handstand to get herself back in the ring.
Slowly the field started to clear, most notably the NXT stars getting out of the match. Women’s United States Champion Giulia was eliminated by Zelina Vega, getting payback for taking her title away. The Secret Hervice was doing all it could to protect Chelsea Green, and Nikki Bella solved some part of the problem by eliminating Alba Fyre, and then eliminating Piper Niven with Stephanie Vaquer.
Green was the recipient of Vaquer’s Devil’s Kiss, and it led to her elimination, making the final four Lash Legend, Jax, Bella and Vaquer. When Bella tried to eliminate Jax, Legend came through with a big kick to take out the WWE Hall of Famer in a stunning move. Legend then picked Jax up in an amazing spot, and got her outside of the rope. Her and Vaquer worked together to eliminate Jax and leave it to the final two.
Vaquer hit a 619 and tried the frog splash, and Legend caught her. She tried to throw her over the rope, but went on the side alongside her. They were tangled and Vaquer was in position for the Devil’s Kiss. She hit her patented move and tossed Legend out of the ring, securing her title opportunity at Clash in Paris.
Analysis: ‘La Primera’ is truly living to her nickname, as the rising star will get the chance for main roster gold in Paris. It was an easy choice to put Vaquer in the role, as her popularity is skyrocketing as much as her talent is. Any other person winning would have caused mass outrage. The only possible option was Bella, but her loss puts her an intriguing spot to see whether she’ll continue in WWE, and what avenue she can go through.
The battle royal MVP was easily Legend, who showed so much promise in the bout and could suddenly find herself in the main roster soon.
No-holds-barred match: Jade Cargill vs. Naomi (with Bianca Belair as special guest referee)
No time was wasted between heated rivals, getting the fight going before Cargill could get in the ring. Cargill threw Naomi against the barricade, and soon afterward, Naomi recovered by delivering shots with a kendo stick. Anything that could be brought into the ring was used, from a chain, garbage can and even a camera. Cargill was leaning against the announcer’s table and Naomi dropkicked her and broke a monitor.
Naomi unleashed a brutal assault on Cargill, sending her through a table and taunting her by wiping blood with her opponents hair. Ms. Money in the Bank was cooking and set Cargill up on a table. But as she got to the top turnbuckle, Cargill got up and hit her with a chair. She then climbed up and executed a flying Jaded from the top rope in a crazy spot. It sent Naomi through the table, and Belair counted the pin as Cargill got another victory over her rival.
Analysis: What a match that was building toward becoming an instant classic, and instead, it comes to an abrupt end. This easily was one of the most brutal women’s no holds barred matches, with any possible weapon used. It was refreshing to see it actually be used since it hasn’t happened much recently.
While it was going great, and the finish was a major spot, it came rather quickly and so sudden, and it’s likely a fault of creative not giving much time. This had the potential to be a much more menacing battle but the finish felt extremely rushed. It’s a disappointment because Naomi and Cargill did so well. But give credit to the competitors for putting up a high-quality match in such little time.
Cargill is now 2-0 against her arch rival, and she continues building toward her title opportunity at SummerSlam. She’s riding all the momentum, but it feels like it’s only a matter of time before Naomi ruins it all, and gets the last laugh.
WWE Women’s Championship match: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Trish Stratus
The veteran and youngster tried to feel each other out in the early stages, taking the safe approach to the match. Stratus showed she still has plenty in the tank with a spectacular hurricanrana out of the ring, and used that to get to her signature skillset. When Stratus attempted her chop, Stratton dodged it and gave her a taste of her own medicine.
Being a sensational athlete, Stratton executed a swanton beautifully, just slightly different than the Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Later, Stratton tried it, but this time Stratus got her knees up to block it. Stratton then countered it with a Stratisfaction. But the pin attempt didn’t work to stun the champion.
Stratus tried a Lita-esque moonsault, but Stratton returned the favor and got her knees up. She got up, picked Stratus up and catapulted her on the mat. Then Stratton attempted her finisher, and this time it landed. She pinned Stratus to retain the title.
After the match, Stratus got a standing ovation from the crowd as she stood in the ring by herself, hinting that possibly could be the final ride for the WWE Hall of Famer.
Analysis: Stratus indeed, still has it. The decorated star hung around with Stratton and delivered plenty of nostalgia, and she could be a full-time wrestler if she wanted to. While it’s enough to be a champion, there wasn’t a chance she’d take down Stratton. The current champion has taken on any and all challengers, and has put up a stellar performance each time. In a moment that could have been seen as a passing of the torch, Stratton gracefully takes it.
If this is it for Stratus, she went out with a bang.
Fatal four-way tag team match for WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Sol Ruca and Zaria vs. The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane)
The Kabuki Warriors were feeding off the crowd to start and it got them an early advantage, but Rodriguez came into the fold and completely overpowered anyone that got in her way, showcasing how challenging it would be to dethrone the champions. Then Zaria got the chance to show her stuff to a bigger audience, and the NXT stars teed off on Alexa Bliss.
It was only a matter of time before Flair got in the ring, and Bliss tagged her in and the crowd went crazy. The decorated star cleared the field, and that’s when the chaos unfolded.
There were finishers being done everywhere, from Flair’s spear to Sol Ruca’s Sol Snatcher. Thanks to an accidental spear from Zaria to Sol Ruca, it paved the way for the champions. Rodriguez and Perez cleared the field, and all that was left was Sol Ruca in the ring. Rodriguez picked her up and threw her down on the mat and got the pin to retain the gold.
Analysis: Multiple-tag team matches always turn into a massive frenzy, and that’s what we got in a wild one. There were several fun spots, and the moves that needed to happen were executed to a tee. Every team had a good reason to win, but the champions needed to retain to strengthen what’s going with The Judgment Day.
Now the relationship between Rodriguez and Perez strengthens, and it will make for a quality story with the gold in the mix.
NXT Women’s Championship match: Jacy Jane (c) vs. Jordynne Grace
The challenger flexed her muscles out of the gate, and it looked like it could be quick work for Grace to take the title. But Jayne didn’t back down and held her own in delivering a solid attack. It didn’t last long before Grace’s power was overwhelming. The only way Jayne was able to avoid falling into a deep hole was just moving out of any big shots Grace tried.
Jayne was yelling at Grace any time she tried any move, and it seemed to only fuel Grace to countering what would happen next. Grace went to the top turnbuckle, but Jayne met her to take her down and followed it with a running knee. The pin attempt didn’t work.
Fallon Henley brought the NXT title in the ring to help Jayne, and Blake Monroe stopped it from being used as a weapon. The championship made it in, but Jayne couldn’t use it. The referee got distracted and Monroe had the title in her hands, but when Grace bounced off the turnbuckle, the stunner happened. Monroe hit Grace in the back, and Jayne capitalized with a massive hit to the face. She got the pin, and Monroe delivered the championship to Jayne before walking away.
Analysis: What transitional champion? It felt like Jayne would be giving up the title now that Grace was in the title scene, but instead we have the makings of a potential massive feud. Jayne keeps the title, and her reign still gets a chance to develop her character.
But the bigger story is the development between Grace and Monroe. It felt like we’d get a softer version of Monroe in WWE with her charm being all we’ve seen. Instead, Monroe is going heel, something she’s incredibly great at delivering. It will make for even better television, and Grace will have to face a massive obstacle if she wants WWE gold.
Triple threat match for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria
After getting the crowd hyped, Bayley knocked Valkyria and went toe-to-toe with Lynch. Valkyria came back and there was quick action from everyone in the ring. Anytime it looked like someone would establish control, someone would come in and halt any momentum.
The action went outside of the ring, and Lynch finally got in control by throwing Bayley against the barricade. With Valkyria down, Lynch went to work on Bayley and tried to get a quick victory. Bayley withstood the attack, and when Valkyria came back into the match, it allowed the ‘Role Model’ to get to work. She landed shots to both opponents that got the crowd rocking.
Lynch and Bayley met at the top turnbuckle, and Lynch tried the Disarm-Her. Bayley got out of it, and when she did, there was Valkyria launched off the ring to take both stars out. She came close to getting the pin. Lynch then came close with a double DDT and then a Manhandle Slam nearly got her a win, but Bayley broke up the pin attempt. Bayley landed her finisher on the champion, and Valkyria broke up the pin. Valkyria then hit Nightwing on Lynch and that pin didn’t work.
Valkyria and Bayley went back and forth and felt close, but the champion saw the window. Bayley hit the Rose Plant on Valkyria and got the pin attempt, only for Lynch to sneak in and roll Bayley up. The surprise worked to retain the title.
Analysis: What an excellent match to start what should be an incredible night. A blend of seasoned veterans meeting with a rising star made an excellent recipe for a title fight. In triple threat matches, the challenge is for every star the chance to shine. Not only did everyone get chance to strut their stuff, but they went off doing so.
The rivalry has been great and a case could have been made for this match to be the main event. The heat has felt authentic, and Lynch getting the roll up victory should help each challenger build a case for a rematch. It’s hard to pick either Bayley or Valkyria to get the nod, which is why another triple threat match could, and should, happen.
Stephanie McMahon kicks off show
McMahon appears and speaks with Joe Tessitore. She said the women’s division has grown tremendously since the first Evolution.
‘Get ready to be inspired. Because we get to do it all over again,’ McMahon said.
When is Evolution 2025?
WWE Evolution is on Sunday, July 13.
Evolution 2025 start time
Evolution will start at 7 p.m. ET. The preshow begins at 5 p.m. ET.
Where is Evolution 2025?
The event takes place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
How to watch Evolution 2025
Evolution 2025 will be streamed on Peacock, but you must have their premium or premium-plus subscription to watch. Internationally, it will be available on Netflix in most markets.
How to watch Evolution 2025 preshow
The Evolution preshow will be available to watch on Peacock, and on WWE’s social channels, including YouTube.
Stream WWE Evolution on Peacock
Evolution 2025 match card
Matches not in order
- Battle royal for championship match at Clash in Paris
- No holds barred match: Jade Cargill vs. Naomi (with Bianca Belair as special guest referee)
- Fatal four-way tag team match for WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Sol Ruca and Zaria vs. The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane)
- Triple threat match for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria
- NXT Women’s Championship match: Jacy Jane (c) vs. Jordynne Grace
- WWE Women’s Championship match: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Trish Stratus
- Women’s World Championship match: Iyo Sky (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
Intercontinental Championship match to kick off show
Who is in Evolution battle royal?
There are at least 14 confirmed participants for the battle royal. It has not been announced how many total contestants there will be.
- Nikki Bella
- Stephanie Vaquer
- Ivy Nile
- Nia Jax
- Natalya
- Maxxine Dupri
- Zelina Vega
- Giulia
- Kelani Jordan
- Jaida Parker
- Lola Vice
- Lash Legend
- Izzi Dame
- Tatum Paxley
WWE Evolution predictions
USA TODAY Sports give their predictions for Evolution. See the full predictions for how it will unfold here:
Battle royal for championship match at Clash in Paris
- Jordan Mendoza: Stephanie Vaquer
- Richard Morin: Stephanie Vaquer
No holds barred match: Jade Cargill vs. Naomi (with Bianca Belair as special guest referee)
- Jordan Mendoza: Jade Cargill
- Richard Morin: Jade Cargill
Fatal four-way tag team match for WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Sol Ruca and Zaria vs. The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane)
- Jordan Mendoza: Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss
- Richard Morin: Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez
Triple threat match for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria
- Jordan Mendoza: Becky Lynch
- Richard Morin: Becky Lynch
NXT Women’s Championship match: Jacy Jane (c) vs. Jordynne Grace
- Jordan Mendoza: Jordynne Grace
- Richard Morin: Jordynne Grace
WWE Women’s Championship match: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Trish Stratus
- Jordan Mendoza: Tiffany Stratton
- Richard Morin: Tiffany Stratton
Women’s World Championship match: Iyo Sky (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
- Jordan Mendoza: Iyo Sky
- Richard Morin: Rhea Ripley
Charlotte Flair is having fun in new role
For the first time in her career, Charlotte Flair is having fun.
That’s not to say there weren’t fun moments. After all, she is a 14-time WWE Women’s Champion – 16-time if you count the two NXT Women’s Championships – a former Women’s Tag Team Champion, and the only woman to win the Royal Rumble twice. Plus, she’s one of five women to ever main event WrestleMania.
But all those accolades came with immense pressure. How can it not with the Flair last name?
Now, Flair’s shoulders seem lighter. The pressure that has followed every step of her career has come off. For the first time, we’re seeing a different side of Flair in WWE. One that’s more authentic, vulnerable and far from the jet-flying, limousine-riding, high-profile character that’s been in the main event scene for the past decade.
And she’s loving every part of it.
– Read more about Charlotte Flair here.
WWE brings back Evolution
It’s been desired for years, and WWE finally will hold the second iteration of Evolution. The first one happened in 2018 and was the company’s first all-women event. The historic night hadnine matches take place, and it was headlined by Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey vs. Nikki Bella.
Evolution also caps off what is a busy weekend in Atlanta for WWE. On Saturday, July 12, it held NXT The Great American Bash and Saturday Night’s Main Event later in the night. The weekend is capped off with Evolution.
NXT Great American Bash results
It’s been a big weekend for WWE in Atlanta as Evolution will be the third show in three days from the city. The weekend kicked off with NXT The Great American Bash on Saturday, July 12 afternoon. Here are the results from NXT’s show:
- Je’Von Evens def. Jasper Troy
- NXT Women’s North American Championship match: Sol Ruca (c) def. Izzi Dame
- NXT North American Championship match: Ethan Page (c) def. Ricky Saints
- Trick Williams, Joe Hendry and Mike Santana sign contract for TNA Wrestling World Championship match
- NXT Championship match: Oba Femi (c) def. Yoshiki Inamura
- Jordynne Grace and Blake Monroe def. Jacy Jane and Fallon Henley
Saturday Night’s Main Event results
Another edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event took place less than 24 hours before Evolution. The night was highlighted by Goldberg’s final match. Here are the results:
- Randy Orton def. Drew McIntyre
- United States Championship match: Solo Sikoa (c) def. Jimmy Uso
- LA Knight def. Seth Rollins
- World Heavyweight Championship match: Gunther (c) def. Goldberg
Seth Rollins injury update
It won’t affect anything at Evolution, but the talk of the WWE world is the potential devastating injury Seth Rollins suffered at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
The injury occurred against LA Knight. Rollins attempted a moonsault in the ring when his knee buckled. He immediately went down and grabbed at his right knee as he backed into the corner of the ring and talked to the referee and Paul Heyman. LA Knight tried to attack Rollins but the referee stopped anything from happening.
Once Rollins got back on his feet, LA Knight hit him with the BFT and got the pin for a quick win. After the match, people inside State Farm Arena took photos of medical personnel checking on Rollins. A video of Rollins circulating on social media showed his clear frustration, the wrestler barking expletives and requiring help to leave the ring.
– Read more about Rollins’ injury here.
The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports’ newsletter.