Evolve (professional wrestling)
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| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Professional wrestling |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Key people |
Gabe Sapolsky Sal Hamaoui |
| Parent | World Wrestling Network |
| Website | EvolveWrestling.com |
Evolve Wrestling (stylized as EVOLVE) is an American professional wrestling promotion based in the Northeast founded in 2010 by former Ring of Honor booker and current Dragon Gate USA vice president, Gabe Sapolsky, Full Impact Pro owner Sal Hamaoui, and independent wrestler Davey Richards. The company features a roster of independently-contracted wrestlers from all over the country, as well as several competitors from Japan. The promotion has a close working relationship with Dragon Gate USA.
History
In 2009, Gabe Sapolsky announced a new wrestling promotion via some viral videos featuring one of the company's competitors, Jimmy Jacobs. After this more videos were produced promoting more performers, as well as featuring some blogs written by the wrestlers about their feelings regarding the company. The first show, Evolve 1: Davey Richards vs. Ibushi, was held on January 16, 2010 in Rahway, New Jersey at Rahway Recreational Center.[1]
During interviews with wrestling newsletter Figure 4 Weekly on its radio show, Sapolsky told editor Bryan Alvarez, that Evolve would have stronger emphasis on rules and would not limit anyone based on their own respective style of wrestling in favor of showcasing the talent's individual strengths and covering up their weaknesses.[2] On January 29, 2010, Sapolsky announced that Evolve would no longer be booking Davey Richards as he had signed a new contract with Ring of Honor.[3]
The concept of the promotion is to be the company's emphasis on the wrestlers' win-loss records. They have divided the company into two divisions: a singles wrestlers and tag teams. As per the website, some wrestlers would need to earn their way onto the roster by winning a qualifying match. But that since has been dropped.[4]
On November 25, 2011, Evolve and Dragon Gate USA announced the unification of the two promotions. Evolve and Dragon Gate USA will still promote separate events, but the two share rosters, including stables, and Evolve recognizes Dragon Gate USA's Open the Freedom Gate Championship and Open the United Gate Championship as its top two championships.[5]
In February, 2013, Evolve announced that they would be holding a tournament to crown the first Evolve Champion as they were doing away with the records system at that time. The tournament will be held in Secaucus, New Jersey at WrestleCon. Evolve used the records of the talent to determine the seedings in the tournament. The top two being Chuck Taylor (10-5) and Ricochet (5-2), they were given byes to the second round. AR Fox (7-6) will take on the #4 seed which is too be determined. The winner of that match will take on Ricochet. The winner of Four Way Freestyle match involving Samuray del Sol (2-3), Sami Callihan (3-7), and two others to be determined. The winner of that match will take on Chuck Taylor in the second round. On April 5, AR Fox defeated Sami Callihan in the finals to become the inaugural champion. On September 18, 2013, Vito LoGrasso announced that his new Wrestling School signed an agreement to be the Development Center for Evolve.[6]
Roster
The company's roster is split into several units, with the majority of the wrestlers aligned with one faction or another.[7]
The Gentleman's Club
Team Jimmy
Mad BlankeyThe Scene
Veteran Army |
World-1 InternationalUnaffiliated
|
Notable alumni
- Adam Cole
- Austin Aries
- Bobby Fish
- Brodie Lee
- Bryan Danielson
- Chris Hero
- Claudio Castagnoli
- Dragon Kid
- Drake Younger
- Fit Finlay
- Gamma
- Homicide
- Ikuto Hidaka
- Jimmy Jacobs
- Jon Moxley
- Kenn Doane
- Kota Ibushi
- Kyle O'Reilly
- Lince Dorado
- Mike Quackenbush
- Munenori Sawa
- PAC
- Pinkie Sanchez
- Shiima Xion
- Stalker Ichikawa
- Zack Sabre, Jr.
Other
- Lenny Leonard – Commentator & Ring Announcer
- Mike Kehner - Referee
- Brandon Tolle - Referee
- Frankie Gastenau - Referee
Championships
Current champions
| Championship | Champion(s) | Previous | Date Won | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evolve Championship | AR Fox | First champion | April 5, 2013 | Secaucus, NJ |
| Open the Freedom Gate Championship | Johnny Gargano | Yamato | November 13, 2011 | Manhattan, NY |
| Open the United Gate Championship | The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) |
AR Fox and Cima | April 6, 2013 | Secaucus, NJ |
References
- ↑ "Schedule". Evolve Wrestling. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
- ↑ Alvarez, Bryan (2009-01-14). "Jan. 13 Figure Four Daily: Gabe Sapolsky on DGUSA, new EVOLVE promotion, ROH memories, booking, more". Figure 4 Weekly. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
- ↑ Caldwell, James (2010-01-30). "ROH/DGUSA News: Davey Richards re-signs with ROH, dropped from DGUSA shows including WrestleMania weekend shows". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2010-01-31.
- ↑ "Breaking Kayfabe #2 w/Gabe Sapolsky". 2010-10-19. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
- ↑ "EVOLVE evolves -- now unified with DGUSA". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 2011-11-25. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
- ↑ http://www.pwinsiderxtra.com/ViewArticle.php?id=26221
- ↑ USA, Dragon Gate (2009-07-23). "Dragon Gate USA". dgusa.tv. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ↑ "Core roster". Dragon Gate USA. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
- ↑ "Announcers/Referees". Dragon Gate USA. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
External links
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