Here’s a look at the full match card for this Sunday’s WWE Evolution pay-per-view.
WWE Evolution full match card
Io Shirai vs. Toni Storm (Mae Young Classic finals)
These two women obviously aren’t household names but both have extremely bright futures ahead in NXT and WWE. The 2nd annual Mae Young Classic was another successful event in this women’s evolution and this should be a very good match in the finals.
Prediction: I see Toni Storm taking this one. See the next match on why I think so.
NXT UK Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley vs. Jinny
For those unaware, Rhea Ripley is the first and only NXT UK Women’s Champion and became so by defeating Toni Storm in the finals of an eight-woman tournament back in August. If Storm weren’t already on the card for her match in the Mae Young Classic finals, she’d likely be the challenger here in the rematch. Jinny gets that spot instead and will be on the biggest stage of her career, which is the case for all of these women in the first couple of matches I’m discussing.
Prediction: Rhea Ripley retains here, setting up the rematch with Toni Storm down the line.
NXT Women’s Champion Kairi Sane vs. Shayna Baszler
Kairi Sane and Shayna Baszler have been connected since their epic finale in the Mae Young Classic a year ago and they’ll once again do battle at WWE Evolution as the NXT Women’s Championship gets some play on the big stage. Sane was victorious in that first matchup, but Baszler got some revenge back in February before the Pirate Princess was able to go back up in the series, 2-1, by defeating the former MMA star for the championship at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV in a thrilling battle. This should be yet another instant classic for the NXT women’s division.
Prediction: I think Baszler wins this one to even up the score at two each, which would then give another match between the two next month at WarGames.
Sasha Banks, Bayley and Natalya vs. The Riott Squad
As soon as Sasha Banks returned to action, it was easy to see that this match was going to be on the card. Don’t get me wrong, I like the fact that a few of these women weren’t just thrown into the battle royal but I still think something bigger could have been done with Sasha and Bayley given what they’ve meant to this evolution.
Prediction: Perhaps this is finally where we see the real split between The Boss and The Hugger. As I said, the history between these two is too big to ignore on a monumental show like this, and they need to have their mark somewhere on it. In a straight-up affair between these two teams, I honestly just don’t care that much.
Women’s Battle Royal (Winner gets a future Women’s Championship opportunity)
This is obviously an easy way to get more women on the card and I’m good with that. The nostalgia factor will come into play once again, as it did with the Women’s Royal Rumble, as the likes of Torrie Wilson, Michelle McCool, Ivory and Alundra Blayze (that’s pretty awesome) will join current superstars like Rumble winner Asuka, WrestleMania Battle Royal winner Naomi, Nia Jax and Ember Moon for the right to challenge for a women’s championship in the future. Should be fun enough.
Prediction: I really like Ember Moon here. She’s got so much talent and is so much fun to watch. Getting her into the title picture in the near future would be good for business. And her getting the most attention with her entrance on RAW and picking up the win for her team didn’t hurt.
Trish Stratus & Lita vs. Alexa Bliss & Mickie James
Note: There’s a chance that Alexa Bliss may not be able to participate in this match. She was pulled from a live event over the weekend after possibly suffering a concussion and did not appear on RAW this past Monday. She’s still being advertised for Evolution but we’ll just have to wait and see. But I’ll go ahead and discuss the match as if she’s still in it, which I certainly hope she will be as she’s one of the strongest parts of the women’s division right now.
Since we’re talking nostalgia, how about Trish Stratus and Lita teaming up for the first time in more than a decade to take on Alexa Bliss and Mickie James? I will say that I was a little disappointed when the Trish/Alexa and Lita/Mickie singles matches were taken away but this is fine. The story works out nicely. Lita and Trish obviously have the history they have together and having Mickie in there works out as well. Alexa Bliss growing up idolizing Trish Stratus is fun and as per usual, she’s been perfect in this build.
Prediction: While I’d love to see Alexa Bliss get a win here, the duo of two WWE Hall of Famers is just too much to not let them win here. Mickie can take the pin and Alexa isn’t hurt in the loss. Obviously, if Alexa can’t go, there’s no doubt at all that Trish and Lita get the win.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair (Last Woman Standing Match)
After spending months going at it, I think this is finally the last we see of Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte as they battle for the SmackDown Women’s Championship in the first-ever Last Woman Standing Match. The last two matches haven’t had clean endings, which is why this stipulation was thrown in.
Prediction: I don’t know why but I think that a third party gets involved here to cost Charlotte the match. There’s still that rumor going around that it’ll be Charlotte and Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania, possibly closing the show, so another clean loss wouldn’t look good. Becky Lynch does deserve to continue to hold this title and I think she will. I’m just not sure who I’d throw in there.
RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey vs. Nikki Bella
This may end up being the worst title match on the card but we all know this is closing the show. Brie being at ringside will be the only way Nikki gets any offense in. Otherwise, it’ll be Ronda throwing her around the ring with ease. I’m not holding out much hope for this one.
Prediction: Yeah, Ronda Rousey’s first loss in WWE isn’t coming to freaking Nikki Bella. Cue up the Vince music here … you know … no chance in hell.
Which match are you most looking forward to at WWE Evolution? Will the event be a success? Feel free to join in the conversation in the comments section below.