Tonight’s “historic” announcement from Stephanie McMahon, that also saw both Vince McMahon and Triple H joining her in the ring, was the announcement of the first ever all-women’s PPV, WWE Evolution, which will air live on Sunday, Oct. 28, from NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New York.
“Because of all of you, men and women using your voices for change, we are able to provide the platform to show the world that women can do anything and be anything they want to be,” Stephanie said tonight. “Because of all of you, we are able to stand here and make another first-ever announcement. On October 28, over 50 women, then, now and forever, will participate in an event called Evolution, and that event — I am privileged to announce — will be the first-ever all-women’s pay-per-view.”
With the announcement, here are all the details that have been determined, via the WWE press release, comments from announcers on Raw, and updates from ESPN tonight.
IT WILL UTILIZE EVERY WWE WOMEN’S DIVISION
It was announced that Evolution will feature over 50 WWE Superstars, spanning every Women’s Division in the WWE. Not only the women’s divisions from Raw and Smackdown Live, but the women from both NXT and NXT UK. It was also announced that along the WWE slogan of “Then, Now, Forever”, that Evolution would also feature Hall of Famers and Legends, announcing two significant names in former Women’s Champions Trish Stratus and Lita. With such a huge number of participants, one can expect most likely a battle royale, and several multi-woman tag matches.
THE WINNER OF THE MAE YOUNG CLASSIC II WILL BE CROWNED
Michael Cole also mentioned that the final for this year’s Mae Young Classic will take place at Evolution. Last year, while the bulk of the tournament was pre-taped over, the final aired live on the WWE Network on September 27, 2017, following an episode of Smackdown Live.
BETH PHOENIX WILL BE A PART OF THE PPV…BUT IN WHAT CAPACITY?
It was also mentioned during the broadcast that Beth Phoenix will be a part of the event. While Phoenix made a one-night return for the Women’s Royal Rumble match this January, it was her first match since her retirement in 2012. But Beth Phoenix also worked commentary for this year’s Mixed Match Challenge on Facebook, mostly to positive feedback. It will be interesting to see if Phoenix finds herself in a match – possible a reunion with her Divas of Doom partner Natalya – or if she’ll be a part of the announce team, which will most likely be an all women’s booth.
WOMEN’S TAG TEAM TEAM TITLES?
One of the other rumours for what Stephanie McMahon’s announcement could have been was the announcement or unveiling of new WWE Women’s Tag Team titles. They have been rumoured to be debuted soon for months now, and Twitter user BeltFanDan, who has broken new WWE titles in the past, such as the NXT North American, WWE Cruiserweight, and others, began to report the belts were pretty much a done deal last week.
The new WWE Women's Tag Team Championship belts are done. White straps. Part of Stephanie's announcement on Raw.
— Dan Beltzer (@BeltFanDan) July 20, 2018
Women's Tag Belts: White leather. Similar to the men's tags but with some slight female themed changes. Not confirmed but rumored to be defended among all 4 brands (Raw, SD, NXT and eventually NXT:UK). The new NXT UK belts are not done yet.
— Dan Beltzer (@BeltFanDan) July 20, 2018
While a photo from one of BeltFanDan’s Tweets inevitably made the rounds as actually being the finished design, the original tweet clearly states that these were custom ones made in the WWE video game, but were a “close representation”.
I don't have good pics yet but this custom made in the wwe video game is a close representation pic.twitter.com/NwOKMW0EXO
— Dan Beltzer (@BeltFanDan) July 21, 2018
Man, people read my posts and make up their own story. The pic posted is NOT the belt. Just something close
That pic is from 2k17 in March. The real belt has a larger wwe logo and feminine gladiator helmets instead of faces. Pic was to give a rough idea of look.— Dan Beltzer (@BeltFanDan) July 21, 2018
With all of this being said, so far there has been no announcement of the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles yet by the WWE themselves, although early speculation is that they’ll be announced in the coming weeks, with a possible tournament across all four divisions – Raw, Smackdown Live, NXT and NXT UK – that may also see the new champs ultimately crowned at Evolution.
While some people are claiming that WWE is merely stealing the idea of women’s tag titles from Impact Wrestling’s short lived Knockouts Tag Team titles (that ran from 2009 to 2013), it should be noted that WWE had their own Women’s Tag Team titles from 1983 through 1989. In 1983, the WWF signed NWA Women’s Tag Team Champions Velvet McIntyre and Princess Victoria, declaring them the inaugural WWF Women’s Tag Team Champions. The titles were abandoned in 1989 during the reign of the Glamour Girls (Leilani Kai & Judy Martin) following a great feud against Japan’s Jumping Bomb Angels (Noriyo Tateno & Itzuki Yamazaki)
Meanwhile, the WWE Universe and peers around the world chimed in their congrats on the big move by the WWE.
https://twitter.com/RealPaigeWWE/status/1021579433126363136
I’m so incredibly proud to be apart of the @WWE women’s division & everything it stands for. Get ready because #Evolution is going to be #IIconic ❤️🙏💪
— Jessica McKay (@JessicaMcKay) July 24, 2018
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the announcement. But I won’t forget what it took to get us here. And I’ll never stop working until this feeling is the reality for every woman. #Evolution
— Lina Fanene (@LinaFanene) July 24, 2018
This! Wow!! Congrats ladies!! 👏🏼 https://t.co/GScu6F9NlQ
— Madison Rayne (@MadisonRayne) July 24, 2018
It has been such an honor to be a part of this women’s division for the last few months. These women have all taught me so much and I couldn’t be prouder to call myself a @WWE Superstar. I’m ready for #Evolution.
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) July 24, 2018
I’ve stood in that ring @StephMcMahon talked about. I felt the bond @TripleH spoke about. I’m ready to make history with the strongest women I know.
Let’s do this, ladies. #Evolution— Charlotte Flair (@MsCharlotteWWE) July 24, 2018
It breaks my heart that I’m not standing on that stage with the other superstars….but @StephMcMahon’s announcement is truly incredible. I’m so proud to be apart of this division as it makes history again and again! #Evolution
— Ruby Soho (@realrubysoho) July 24, 2018
CONGRATS to the Women of WWE on the announcement of their first all Womans PPV #EVOLUTION
Tear it down ladies. 👍
And credit where credit is due to the Woman of the Knockouts Division in TNA for doing it approx 5yrs ago.@BustedOpenRadio #RAW
— Bully Ray (@bullyray5150) July 24, 2018
Finally. #Evolution @WWE
— THE GLAMAZON (@TheBethPhoenix) July 24, 2018
I called myself ‘The Boss’ because no one believed I would be. If they didn’t want me in their club, I’d just make my own. We did it. #Evolution
— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) July 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/TeganNoxWWE_/status/1021548497999421441
Absolutely amazing! And about time! #evolution https://t.co/LpXZYHWEGJ
— Session Moth Martina🍻 マーティナセッション (@mothfromdaflats) July 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/VickieGuerrero/status/1021550902363254784
It’s not just ALL of us that make this happen, it’s the women who paved the way before, & grinding away to get here! THIS PROVES WOMEN CAN DO EVERYTHING! #evolution @wwe @StephMcMahon @VinceMcMahon pic.twitter.com/amtVXgiDqT
— Ash By Elegance (@Ashamae_Sebera) July 24, 2018
So excited for the ALL WOMENS PPV!!!!! Historical and guaranteed we will make it magical! So proud of how far we have come! 💕🙌🤼♀️ @wwe #EVOLUTION pic.twitter.com/sd2UBJjXdb
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) July 24, 2018
Congrats to all the @WWE Women! You have always been superstars, now the world will be watching! #Evolution pic.twitter.com/Ge4Cae4ti7
— Booker T. Huffman (@BookerT5x) July 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/OfficialTAZ/status/1021549141359509504
Just like Brie said, truly an incredible time to be a woman at @WWE! Thank you @VinceMcMahon @StephMcMahon & @TripleH for the amazing opportunity! And thank you to all the @WWE Female Superstars that continue to help us break barriers! Truly women empowering women! N #EVOLUTION
— Nikki & Brie (@NikkiAndBrie) July 24, 2018
First ever @wwe all women’s ppv Evolution!!! Fantastic news! And they will feature the @MaeYoungClassic final.. even more motivation to cross off more names .. #BlasianBaddie pic.twitter.com/UXx9DGnHhm
— Michin 미친 (@MiaYim) July 24, 2018
A first ever ALL women’s PPV…this is incredible! A groundbreaking moment for current, past, & future female @WWE Superstars. 👏🏼👏🏼 #Evolution
— Summer Rae (@DanielleMoinet) July 24, 2018
Congratulations to each and every woman on the @wwe roster. You’ve fought hard and made it possible for you and so many others. Very excited about this #EVOLUTION #womensdivision #WomensWrestling 2 thumbs of from this fan!! 👍👍
— Dustin Rhodes (@dustinrhodes) July 24, 2018
What a special moment on #RAW. Beyond well deserved for all the ladies of WWE, past and present. 10/28 can't come soon enough. #Evolution
— KEN SHAMROCK (@ShamrockKen) July 24, 2018
I remember what they all said.
“You’ll never make it.”
“Just stay to the side.”
“You’re just the girl.”
Well this girl is the #SDLive Women’s Champion and will be at THE FIRST EVER ALL WOMENS PPV! #Evolution— Mella Is Money 🤑 (@CarmellaWWE) July 24, 2018
For nearly 2 years, I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of and represent the Women’s divisions of #Raw and #SDLive. #Evolution is not just a victory for us. It’s a victory for women in EVERY sport. ❤️
— Lexi (Kaufman) Cabrera (@AlexaBliss_WWE) July 24, 2018
It’s that feeling where you can’t stop smiling. Incredibly honored and ready to represent the hearts of all little girls worldwide who’ve always wanted to follow their dreams. #Evolution
— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) July 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/BeckyLynchWWE/status/1021567662210646017
