Evolve 10th Anniversary: Live Results/Reactions for WWE Network special

Adam Cole vs Akira Tozawa – NXT Championship

Two Evolve originals duking it out. Mat-based wrestling to start. “Adam Cole!” and “Tozawa!” dueling chants as well.

Octopus by Tozawa by Cole gets to the ropes. Tozawa heads to the top, but gets pulled off by Cole. All Cole now, favoring keeping Tozawa on the ground with a chin lock. Chin Lock City, baby.

Tozawa gets out of it, but catches an elbow from Cole. Jaw jacking from Cole until Akira slaps him. Series of forearms until Akira catches a knee. Cole on his shoulders, throws him off face first before Cole catches a knee, then a suicida. then a running senton outside. Missile dropkick back in the ring for a nearfall.

Cole recovers with a lungblower (aka Back Stabber) for a near fall. Then, a bicycle kick into an Ushigoroshi for a near all.

Back and forth kicks. Superkicks the mouthpiece out of Tozawa’s mouth. Both men down. Yowie Wowie.

Tozawa off the top rope, eats a superkick, then a Knee Brainbuster. Cole gets another two count.

Frustrated, Cole grabs his NXT Championship to hit Tozawa, but a wild Johnny Gargano appears to intervene. Tozawa capitalizes with some kicks, then a Diving Senton attempt, but Cole gets his knees up. Hits his Canadian Destroyer, then a Last Shot for the retain.

Winner: Cole

Grade: C-

Had no expectations for this one, but this somehow still felt underwhelming. Some fun spots here and there, but this felt like a very WWE-lite match – which makes sense given these are WWE Superstars, but since the last few matches felt so EVOLVE-centric and different – even from Gulak vs Riddle – this one felt too WWE-lite. Having it main event also felt like it overshadowed Evolve’s actual celebration.

This didn’t feel like a match celebrating Evolve’s history. It was about progressing a WWE NXT feud. Maybe I wouldn’t be as disappointed if it wasn’t the main event (would’ve preferred Theory vs Drake) but it did main event, and it just bummed me out more than it thrilled me.

After a staredown with Cole, Gargano – the former face of Evolve – cuts a promo championing Evolve’s anniversary and the future of pro wrestling, and thanks the crowd for showing up and enjoying the show.

Full Show Grade: B+

Main event aside, this was a really fun, enjoyable show that encapsulated everything that made Evolve special. As a long time fan of Evolve, I’m satisfied with what I saw and I feel like this works as a strong introduction for WWE fans not familiar with Evolve’s style or programming. Feel like every match (yes, even the main event) had something great to offer.

If you’re not a fan of Evolve, then you’ll be in for a surprise. If you are a fan, then this is like one big thank you for watching their programming for so long. Everybody wins.