← Previous revision Revision as of 05:11, 16 June 2026 Line 22: Line 22: ===Background=== ===Background=== During the May 27, 2026 episode of ''Evolve'', Evolve's [[Professional wrestling authority figures|Foreman]], [[Timothy Thatcher]], announced that a [[television special|special event]] named ''Evolve: Succession: III'' would be held on June 24, and that it would feature contests for the division's two titles: the [[WWE Evolve Men's Championship]] and [[WWE Evolve Women's Championship]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carrier |first1=Steve |title=WWE EVOLVE Succession III Date Officially Revealed |url=https://www.ringsidenews.com/wwe-evolve-succession-iii-date-officially-revealed/ |website=Ringside News |access-date=16 June 2026}}</ref> During the May 27, 2026 episode of ''Evolve'', the show's [[Professional wrestling authority figures|Foreman]], [[Timothy Thatcher]], announced that a [[television special|special event]] named ''Evolve: Succession: III'' would be held on June 24, and that it would feature contests for the division's two titles: the [[WWE Evolve Men's Championship]] and [[WWE Evolve Women's Championship]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carrier |first1=Steve |title=WWE EVOLVE Succession III Date Officially Revealed |url=https://www.ringsidenews.com/wwe-evolve-succession-iii-date-officially-revealed/ |website=Ringside News |access-date=16 June 2026}}</ref> ===Storylines=== ===Storylines=== Line 29: Line 29: On April 15, an eight-woman [[gauntlet match]] was held to award the Women's Championship, which had been vacated when defending champion [[Kendal Grey]] moved to the ''[[WWE NXT|NXT]]'' division. The match came down to [[Nikkita Lyons]] against [[Wendy Choo]], with the latter getting the final pin to win the title.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vetter |first1=Chris |title=WWE Evolve results (4/15): Vetter’s review of a Gauntlet Eliminator Match for the vacant Evolve Women’s Championship, Lince Dorado and Max Abrams vs. Jacari Ball and Santi Rivera |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/04/15/wwe-evolve-results-4-15-vetters-review-of-a-gauntlet-eliminator-match-for-the-vacant-evolve-womens-championship-lince-dorado-and-max-abrams-vs-jacari-ball-and-santi-rivera/ |website=prowrestling.net}}</ref> On April 22, Choo announced Laynie Luck as the first challenger for her Women's Championship. Lyons interrupted to demand a title shot instead, subsequently attacking Choo with the aid of [[Sloane Jacobs]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vetter |first1=Chris |title=WWE Evolve results (4/22): Vetter’s review of Cappuccino Jones vs. Brooks Jensen in a Bull Rope match, Harley Riggins and Kam Hendrix vs. Tate Wilder and Luca Crucafino |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/04/22/wwe-evolve-results-4-22-vetters-review-of-cappuccino-jones-vs-brooks-jensen-in-a-bull-rope-match-harley-riggins-and-kam-hendrix-vs-tate-wilder-and-luca-crucafino/ |website=prowrestling.net |access-date=16 June 2026}}</ref> On May 6, Choo and Luck's title match ended in a no contest when Lyons and Jacobs attacked both wrestlers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vetter |first1=Chris |title=WWE Evolve results (5/6): Vetter’s review of Wendy Choo vs. Laynie Luck for the Evolve Women’s Championship, Cappuccino Jones, Chazz Hall, and Romeo Moreno vs. Max Abrams, Jacari Ball, and Santi Rivera |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/05/06/wwe-evolve-results-5-6-vetters-review-of-wendy-choo-vs-laynie-luck-for-the-evolve-womens-championship-cappuccino-jones-chazz-hall-and-romeo-moreno-vs-max-abrams-jacari-ball-and/ |website=prowrestling.net}}</ref> On May 27, Lyons and Jacobs had a tag team match against Choo and Luck. In the match's climax, Lyons dropped Choo with a roundhouse kick, only for Luck to blindside Lyons and send her out of the ring, with Jacobs rushing over to throw Luck out in turn, then pinning Choo. Lyons reacted with frustration, and it was announced that Jacobs would challenge Choo for the title the following week.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vetter |first1=Chris |title=WWE Evolve results (5/27): Vetter’s review of Aaron Rourke vs. Tristan Angels for the Evolve Championship, Wendy Choo and Laynie Luck vs. Sloane Jacobs vs. Nikkita Lyons, Harlem Lewis vs. Braxton Cole |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/05/27/wwe-evolve-results-5-27-vetters-review-of-aaron-rourke-vs-tristan-angels-for-the-evolve-championship-wendy-choo-and-laynie-luck-vs-sloane-jacobs-vs-nikkita-lyons-harlem-lewis-vs-braxton-col/ |website=prowrestling.net}}</ref> On June 3, Timothy Thatcher announced that Lyons would get to challenge for the title at Succession III. Later that night, Choo defeated Jacobs by submission to retain the title. After the match, Lyons refused to help Jacobs to her feet.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vetter |first1=Chris |title=WWE Evolve results (6/3): Vetter’s review of Wendy Choo vs. Sloane Jacobs for the Evolve Women’s Championship, Elijah Holyfield’s debut, the return of PJ Vasa |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/06/03/wwe-evolve-results-6-3-vetters-review-of-wendy-choo-vs-sloane-jacobs-for-the-evolve-womens-championship-elijah-holyfields-debut-the-return-of-pj-vasa/ |website=prowrestling.net}}</ref> On April 15, an eight-woman [[gauntlet match]] was held to award the Women's Championship, which had been vacated when defending champion [[Kendal Grey]] moved to the ''[[WWE NXT|NXT]]'' division. The match came down to [[Nikkita Lyons]] against [[Wendy Choo]], with the latter getting the final pin to win the title.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vetter |first1=Chris |title=WWE Evolve results (4/15): Vetter’s review of a Gauntlet Eliminator Match for the vacant Evolve Women’s Championship, Lince Dorado and Max Abrams vs. Jacari Ball and Santi Rivera |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/04/15/wwe-evolve-results-4-15-vetters-review-of-a-gauntlet-eliminator-match-for-the-vacant-evolve-womens-championship-lince-dorado-and-max-abrams-vs-jacari-ball-and-santi-rivera/ |website=prowrestling.net}}</ref> On April 22, Choo announced Laynie Luck as the first challenger for her Women's Championship. Lyons interrupted to demand a title shot instead, subsequently attacking Choo with the aid of [[Sloane Jacobs]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vetter |first1=Chris |title=WWE Evolve results (4/22): Vetter’s review of Cappuccino Jones vs. Brooks Jensen in a Bull Rope match, Harley Riggins and Kam Hendrix vs. Tate Wilder and Luca Crucafino |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/04/22/wwe-evolve-results-4-22-vetters-review-of-cappuccino-jones-vs-brooks-jensen-in-a-bull-rope-match-harley-riggins-and-kam-hendrix-vs-tate-wilder-and-luca-crucafino/ |website=prowrestling.net |access-date=16 June 2026}}</ref> On May 6, Choo and Luck's title match ended in a no contest when Lyons and Jacobs attacked both wrestlers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vetter |first1=Chris |title=WWE Evolve results (5/6): Vetter’s review of Wendy Choo vs. Laynie Luck for the Evolve Women’s Championship, Cappuccino Jones, Chazz Hall, and Romeo Moreno vs. Max Abrams, Jacari Ball, and Santi Rivera |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/05/06/wwe-evolve-results-5-6-vetters-review-of-wendy-choo-vs-laynie-luck-for-the-evolve-womens-championship-cappuccino-jones-chazz-hall-and-romeo-moreno-vs-max-abrams-jacari-ball-and/ |website=prowrestling.net}}</ref> On May 27, Lyons and Jacobs had a tag team match against Choo and Luck. In the match's climax, Lyons dropped Choo with a roundhouse kick, only for Luck to blindside Lyons and send her out of the ring, with Jacobs rushing over to throw Luck out in turn, then pinning Choo. Lyons reacted with frustration, and it was announced that Jacobs would challenge Choo for the title the following week.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vetter |first1=Chris |title=WWE Evolve results (5/27): Vetter’s review of Aaron Rourke vs. Tristan Angels for the Evolve Championship, Wendy Choo and Laynie Luck vs. Sloane Jacobs vs. Nikkita Lyons, Harlem Lewis vs. Braxton Cole |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/05/27/wwe-evolve-results-5-27-vetters-review-of-aaron-rourke-vs-tristan-angels-for-the-evolve-championship-wendy-choo-and-laynie-luck-vs-sloane-jacobs-vs-nikkita-lyons-harlem-lewis-vs-braxton-col/ |website=prowrestling.net}}</ref> On June 3, Timothy Thatcher announced that Lyons would get to challenge for the title at Succession III. Later that night, Choo defeated Jacobs by submission to retain the title. After the match, Lyons refused to help Jacobs to her feet.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vetter |first1=Chris |title=WWE Evolve results (6/3): Vetter’s review of Wendy Choo vs. Sloane Jacobs for the Evolve Women’s Championship, Elijah Holyfield’s debut, the return of PJ Vasa |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/06/03/wwe-evolve-results-6-3-vetters-review-of-wendy-choo-vs-sloane-jacobs-for-the-evolve-womens-championship-elijah-holyfields-debut-the-return-of-pj-vasa/ |website=prowrestling.net}}</ref> On May 13, [[Tristan Angels]] won a [[fatal four-way]] match to become the number one contender for the Evolve Men's Championship held by [[Aaron Rourke]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vetter |first1=Chris |title=WWE Evolve results (5/13): Vetter’s review of Brooks Jensen vs. Tristan Angels vs. Dorian Van Dux vs. Tate Wilder in a four-way to become No. 1 contender to the Evolve Championship |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/05/13/wwe-evolve-results-5-13-vetters-review-of-brooks-jensen-vs-tristan-angels-vs-dorian-van-dux-vs-tate-wilder-in-a-four-way-to-become-no-1-contender-to-the-evolve-championship/ |website=prowrestling.net}}</ref> On May 27, Rourke defeated Angels by pinfall to retain the title. Following the match, the Mog Squad came out, with their leader Max Abrams declaring his goal to win the title. The Mog Squad swarmed the ring and beat down Rourke until he was saved by the intervention of [[Cappuccino Jones]], Marcus Mathers and Sam Holloway. On June 3, Angels vowed to continue pursuing the Men's Championship. On June 10, Rourke, Holloway and Mathers faced off against the Mog Squad's Abrams, Santi Rivera and Jacari Ball in a six-man tag team match. Abrams pinned Mathers with the aid of interference from the Mog Squad's last member, CJ Valor. Following the match, it was announced that Abrams would face Rourke for the title at Succession III.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vetter |first1=Chris |title=WWE Evolve results (6/10): Vetter’s review of The Mog Squad vs. Marcus Mathers, Sam Holloway, and a partner, PJ Vasa vs. Karmen Petrovic, It’s Gal’s open challenge |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/06/10/wwe-evolve-results-6-10-vetters-review-of-the-mog-squad-vs-marcus-mathers-sam-holloway-and-a-partner-pj-vasa-vs-karmen-petrovic-its-gals-open-challenge/ |website=prowrestling.net}}</ref> On May 13, [[Tristan Angels]] won a [[fatal four-way]] match to become the number one contender for the Men's Championship held by [[Aaron Rourke]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vetter |first1=Chris |title=WWE Evolve results (5/13): Vetter’s review of Brooks Jensen vs. Tristan Angels vs. Dorian Van Dux vs. Tate Wilder in a four-way to become No. 1 contender to the Evolve Championship |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/05/13/wwe-evolve-results-5-13-vetters-review-of-brooks-jensen-vs-tristan-angels-vs-dorian-van-dux-vs-tate-wilder-in-a-four-way-to-become-no-1-contender-to-the-evolve-championship/ |website=prowrestling.net}}</ref> On May 27, Rourke defeated Angels by pinfall to retain the title. After the match, the Mog Squad came out, with their leader Max Abrams declaring his goal to gain the title. The Mog Squad swarmed the ring and beat down Rourke until he was saved by the intervention of [[Cappuccino Jones]], Marcus Mathers and Sam Holloway. On June 3, Abrams defeated Jones in a singles match with the aid of interference from his Mog Squad teammate CJ Valor. Also on that episode, Angels vowed to continue pursuing the Men's Championship, while denouncing the Mog Squad and the rest of the Evolve roster. On June 10, Rourke, Holloway and Mathers faced the Mog Squad's Abrams, Santi Rivera and Jacari Ball in a six-man tag team match. Abrams pinned Mathers with the aid of interference from Valor. Afterwards, it was announced that Abrams would face Rourke for the title at Succession III.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vetter |first1=Chris |title=WWE Evolve results (6/10): Vetter’s review of The Mog Squad vs. Marcus Mathers, Sam Holloway, and a partner, PJ Vasa vs. Karmen Petrovic, It’s Gal’s open challenge |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/06/10/wwe-evolve-results-6-10-vetters-review-of-the-mog-squad-vs-marcus-mathers-sam-holloway-and-a-partner-pj-vasa-vs-karmen-petrovic-its-gals-open-challenge/ |website=prowrestling.net}}</ref> Also on June 3, Timothy Thatcher announced that new talent recruited through the [[WWE ID]] program would be unveiled at Succession III. Also on June 3, Timothy Thatcher announced that new talent recruited through the [[WWE ID]] program would be unveiled at Succession III.