| Evolve 131 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Promotional poster featuring variousEvolve andWWE wrestlers | |||
| Promotion | Evolve | ||
| Date | July 13, 2019 | ||
| City | Philadelphia,Pennsylvania | ||
| Venue | 2300 Arena | ||
| Evolve chronology | |||
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Evolve 131, also known asEvolve's 10th Anniversary Celebration, was aprofessional wrestlinglivestreamingevent produced by the American promotionEvolve in partnership withWWE. The event aired on theWWE Network, making it the first Evolve show and the firstindependent wrestling show to broadcast live on the platform. It took place on July 13, 2019, at the2300 Arena inPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania. The show featured current Evolve wrestlers and alumni, as well as wrestlers from WWE'sNXT and205 Livebrand divisions.
In October 2008,Gabe Sapolsky, long-timebooker ofRing of Honor, was released from thepromotion.[1] In 2009, Sapolsky foundedDragon Gate USA, with the group holdingits inaugural event on July 25 of that year.[2] The following year, Sapolsky founded Dragon Gate USA's sister group, Evolve.
In 2015, WWE entered into a partnership with Evolve, with the smaller promotion being used as a scouting group for WWE'sdevelopmental brands.[3] In 2017, WWE began exploring deals that would see content fromindependent wrestling promotions (such asProgress andICW) air on theirWWE Network streaming service.[4]
Over two years later, WWE announced that Evolve's 10th Anniversary Celebration, an event celebrating the 10th anniversary of Dragon Gate USA's founding, would air live on the WWE Network on July 13, 2019, broadcasting from the2300 Arena inPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania. This marked the first Evolve event and the first independent wrestling event to air on the WWE Network.[5]
The card included matches resulting from scripted storylines. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on theNXT and205 Live brands,[6] while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television programs,NXT and205 Live, and on Evolve events.[7][8]
On June 26, it was announced thatAdam Cole would defend theNXT Championship againstAkira Tozawa, a wrestler dubbed the "Dragon Gate USA MVP" byWWNLive.com.[9] It was also announced on June 26 thatWWE Cruiserweight ChampionDrew Gulak would face formerEvolve Champion and current NXT wrestlerMatt Riddle in a non-title match. The two wrestlers had previously been a part of the Catch Pointstable during their tenures in Evolve.[10]
On July 2, it was announced that JD Drake would faceAustin Theory in aWinner Takes All match for both theWWN andEvolve Championships.[11] Additionally it was announced thatEddie Kingston andJoe Gacy would defend theEvolve Tag Team Championship againstA. R. Fox andLeon Ruff.[11]
| No. | Results | Stipulations | Times[14] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Briggs defeatedAnthony Greene (withBrandi Lauren) | Singles match The Future Is Now Showcase match[12] | 11:49 | ||
| 2 | Stephen Wolf defeatedCurt Stallion,Sean Maluta, andHarlem Bravado | Fatal four-way match[11] | 9:19 | ||
| 3 | Arturo Ruas defeatedAnthony Henry | Grudge match[11] | 9:45 | ||
| 4 | Brandi Lauren defeatedShotzi Blackheart | No Disqualification match[13] | 9:49 | ||
| 5 | Babatunde defeatedColby Corino | Singles match Special Challenge match[11] | 3:09 | ||
| 6 | A. R. Fox andLeon Ruff (with Ayla and The Skulk) defeated The UnWanted (Eddie Kingston andJoe Gacy) (c) | Tag team match for theEvolve Tag Team Championship[11] | 5:25 | ||
| 7 | Matt Riddle (with Curt Stallion) defeatedDrew Gulak | Singles match Catch Point Reunion match[12] | 13:37 | ||
| 8 | Austin Theory (c – Evolve) defeated JD Drake (c – WWN) | Winner Takes All match for both theWWN Championship andEvolve Championship[11] | 16:22 | ||
| 9 | Adam Cole (c) defeatedAkira Tozawa | Singles match for theNXT Championship[5] | 13:15 | ||
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