After months of negativity surrounding WWE, Evolution provided a much-needed respite for the company.
With a short build, the women’s-only PLE felt like a side project for WWE, and it certainly provided excellent in-ring action.
The women of NXT, Raw, and SmackDown brought a throwback energy more akin to the ‘Black and Gold era of Triple H’s developmental brand.
Here are five things we learned from WWE Evolution.
Stephanie Vaquer wins Evolution Battle Royal
The Evolution Battle Royal surprisingly didn’t feature any major returns or cameos as the sole legend in the match was Nikki Bella.
Several women from NXT shined as the likes of Kelani Jordan and Lash Legend proved they’re ready for the step up to the main roster.
Unsurprisingly, the match was won by Stephanie Vaquer, who will go on to a World Championship match at Clash in Paris in August.
This match was unspectacular, but nobody can deny that the Chilean was the perfect winner for this.
Becky Lynch retains against Bayley and Lyra Valkyria
Undoubtedly the match of the night, Bayley, Becky Lynch, and Lyra Valkyria opened the show in their Intercontinental Championship bout.
The three stars dovetailed incredibly well as they delivered a frantic opener that felt like it could genuinely go either way.
Valkyria, in particular, deserves credit for hanging with two of the most successful women’s stars in the company’s history – and never once looking out of place.
Lynch stole the victory with an inventive pin on Bayley to retain her title, but this should not be the end for these three.
A variation of this match has to take place at SummerSlam on the big stage.
Trish Stratus teases WWE farewell
Trish Stratus lost her Women’s Championship match to Tiffany Stratton, but the WWE Hall of Famer was still impressive in the ring.
Which made it more surprising that Stratus appeared to tease a farewell from the company after coming up short.
Stratus received the ‘standing tall’ spot in the middle of the ring over the match and milked the crowd’s adulation.
Whether the 49-year-old has finished her in-ring career or not, there’s no denying just how influential the Canadian has been.
Blake Monroe screws Jordynne Grace out of NXT Championship
In arguably one of the most sign-posted heel turns for a long time, Blake Monroe turned on Jordynne Grace at Evolution.
Monroe hit the former TNA Knockouts Champion with the NXT Championship to cost her the title against Jacy Jayne.
The predictability of the turn was made even more hilarious by Michael Cole completely botching the call on commentary.
The WWE broadcaster appeared confused about Monroe’s intentions and didn’t condemn the British star’s actions.
Naomi cashes in Money in the Bank against Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky impressed in their main event as they continued to tell the story of the Japanese star having the Aussie’s number.
The top two stars of the women’s division on Raw offered a hard-hitting affair before being overshadowed by the biggest shock of the night.
As both women lay motionless in the ring, Naomi’s music hit and she cashed in her Money in the Bank contract to make it a three-way.
The star threw Ripley out of the ring before pinning Sky to become the brand-new Women’s World Champion.