Evolve 131: Card preview & predictions for WWE Network special
The Unwanted (c) vs AR Fox and Leon Ruff – Evolve Tag Team Championship
The Unwanted is a heel stable comprised of a colorful, deranged cast of characters who feel rejected by Evolve and the wrestling scene as a whole, either due to their controversial viewpoints or because they’re a bunch of stark raving lunatics.
This group consists of The Unwanted Savage Sean Maluta, The Unwanted Son Colby Corino, The Unwanted Maniac Joe Gacy, and The Unwanted King Eddie Kingston. The latter two serve as the Evolve Tag Team Champions after defeating WWE’s Street Profits for the titles back in March at Evolve 123.
Previously at Evolve 130, AR Fox and Leon Ruff pinned The Unwanted in an Elimination Tag Match, guaranteeing them a future shot at the gold. AR Fox is a tenured vet for a sport he’s dedicated 12 years of his time to. Fox has competed for Evolve and Dragon Gate over the years, while Lucha Underground fans may recognize him as Dante Fox. Ruff is a young upstart who Fox has taken under his wing.
The teacher and student very well could walk home with the gold on Saturday. At just barely 120 days, I’ve enjoyed The Unwanted’s reign thus far and feel like that run’s too young to end, but at the same time, I think Fox and Ruff winning the titles could provide a feel good moment worthy of a 10th anniversary special.
Prediction: Fox and Ruff
Colby Corino vs. Babatunde
Gacy and Kingston won’t be the only members of The Unwanted in action on Saturday. Colby Corino will also be in the ring. If that last name sounds familiar, it should. He’s the son of former ECW Champion and current NXT coach, Steve Corino. Tonight, he takes on Babatunde, another NXT Superstar.
It feels like Evolve and WWE have been quietly building Babatunde into a big deal as a stacked 6’9 355 pounder. Babatunde has never been pinned or submitted in Evolve so far. His last match at Evolve 130 was a WWN Championship match that went to a No Contest after The Unwanted hit the ring to attack. Which tells me Babatunde is well protected right now.
The smart decision would be to go with Babatunde demolishing the Cruiserweight in record time, but my prediction for The Unwanted to lose their titles gives me second thoughts. I don’t think the stable should lose two matches in one night, but I also don’t see Corino pulling an upset. If anything, I think this might go to a DQ finish with The Unwanted attacking Babatunde, perhaps to progress that feud, right before their Tag Title match takes place.
Prediction: Babatunde (by DQ)