THE STATE OF THE EVOLVE ROSTER, MORE
- 12/09/2016 (9:53:19 am)
- Bob Mulrenin
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We are ready for the EVOLVE doubleshot weekend! We take a look back at 2016 and what each wrestler needs to do this weekend to set up a bigger 2017. Plus, we have a great new WWN Weekly Freebie and more. Let's get to it....
December 9th: Tickets are still available for this Saturday's EVOLVE 74 in Queens, NY and Sunday's EVOLVE 75 in Melrose, MA at TicketFly.com. You have the option to print the tickets at home with TicketFly.
December 9th: ATTN: WRESTLERS- We are accepting applications today for the Dick Togo WWN Seminar in Queens, NY tonight at 8pm. Please note the new location is the FTW Training Academy #2 on 563 Woodword Ave. in Ridgewood, NY. Go here to fill out an application. If you have taken part in a past WWN Seminar, you can already reserve your spot in the DGUSA.tv Store. This will be an invaluable learning experience for wrestlers of all training levels. We have some veterans and rookies participating. This is the one-time-only chance to learn about Japanese wrestling and techniques from Dick Togo.
December 9th: If you can't be there in person, you can watch Saturday's EVOLVE event and Sunday's Beyond Wrestling and EVOLVE doubleheader at www.FloSlam.tv for only $20! You can also signed for the whole year for $150, which breaks down to only $12.50 a month and only $4 per live event this weekend!
December 9th: SHINE returns to Ybor City, FL one week from tonight! This will also be included in the FloSlam deal. We'll have the lineup next week.
December 9th: We look forward to an epic main event this Sunday in Melrose, MA when Drew Gulak returns from the WWE Cruiserweight Division to take on his protege Tracy Williams. This issue is very deep. Watch the EVOLVE Mini-Doc for the full story. Then watch their first match earlier this year at EVOLVE 61 in a WWE Cruiserweight Classic Qualifier. As you know, this is the bout that propelled Gulak to the success he is having in WWE. Imagine what would have happened if Williams won?
December 9th: 2016 started with EVOLVE crowning its first Tag Team Champions in a memorable three day tournament and Triple H coming to an event. It saw the most cards ever held in a calendar year for EVOLVE. Dallas, TX was home to the largest crowds in EVOLVE history. EVOLVE added Joppa, MD and Melrose, MA to our homebases of New York City and Florida. We entered the FloSlam era. It is all because of your support and the hard work of the wrestlers in the ring. Right now, we'll take a moment and look at the wrestlers on this weekend's events, what they accomplished in 2016 and how this weekend can set up their 2017:
In random order:
Chris Hero: We can safely call him the 2016 MVP of the independents and a leading candidate for Most Outstanding Wrestler. 2017 will hold anything Hero wants.
Dick Togo: He is one of the most accomplished veterans anywhere in wrestling. He came out of retirement this year and will make his EVOLVE debut this weekend. Could this weekend lead to an EVOLVE Title shot in 2017?
Cody: He had his first match outside of WWE at EVOLVE 66. He has created buzz and sold tickets everywhere he has gone. Now Ethan Page looks to end Cody's "independent wrestling fantasy" this Saturday in Queens. Will Page stop Cody's momentum going into 2017?
Ethan Page: What can you say about Ethan Page in 2016? He spent the year trying to earn Johnny Gargano's trust. However, it was all a plan so he could make his name at Gargano's expense. He wants chaos, but faces perhaps his toughest in ring weekend yet. He'll have first-time-ever matches against Cody and Dick Togo. This is Page's weekend to showcase himself against two of the biggest names to enter an EVOLVE ring in 2016. If he is successful, he might be unstoppable in 2017.
Ricochet: He built EVOLVE and has gone on to become one of the elite wrestlers in the world. He gave us classics against Will Ospreay and Zack Sabre Jr. in EVOLVE this year. He could enter 2017 as an EVOLVE Tag Team Champion when he forms a "Dragon Gate Generations Superteam" with Peter Kaasa to challenge Tracy Williams & Fred Yehi this Saturday. Then on Sunday, Ricochet will give EVOLVE fans a dream match when he wrestles Matt Riddle.
Drew Gulak: 2016 was a breakthrough year for Gulak who won the EVOLVE Tag Team Titles with Tracy Williams, went to the WWE CWC and then joined the WWE Cruiserweight Division. He now splits his time between WWE and EVOLVE. However, Gulak said his Catch Point philosophy was a "failure." He looks to end 2016 in a big way by proving his superiority against Williams this Sunday in Melrose, MA.
EVOVE Tag Team Champion Tracy Williams: "Hot Sauce" went to the finals of Style Battle and won the EVOLVE Tag Team Titles twice. He has become a driving force in EVOLVE, but he remains in his mentor Drew Gulak's shadow. Can Williams breakthrough to the next level in 2017?
EVOLVE Tag Team Champion Fred Yehi: He is a double champion in The WWN Family as he holds the EVOLVE Tag Team Titles and FIP World Heavyweight Title. However, some say Yehi still hasn't lived up to his potential. A successful tag title defense at EVOLVE 74 and victory over Jeff Cobb at EVOLVE 75 could skyrocket his stock going into 2017.
Chris Dickinson & Jaka: They are bonded in entering a weekend that can set them up for great success in 2017. Dickinson has been in-and-out of EVOLVE over the years. Jaka just made his EVOLVE debut because Dickinson brought him to ringside. They want WWN contracts, insuring they have full-time jobs. They'll get a chance to earn them on Sunday against Darby Allin & Peter Kaasa. That match will change their careers one way or another.
DUSTIN: He was an EVOLVE Tag Team Champion until he caught a Chris Hero elbow. Now he'll wrestle Hero this Sunday. A victory will give DUSTIN momentum into 2017. However, Chris Dickinson is looking to make his name at DUSTIN's expense on Saturday. Will 2017 be DUSTIN's year?
Jeff Cobb: This powerhouse has been on the EVOLVE radar since 2014. He is already committed to additional EVOLVE dates in 2017. He will wrestle Matt Riddle and Fred Yehi this weekend. Two victories will send Cobb into 2017 as one of EVOLVE's top contenders.
Darby Allin: He came to a WWN Seminar/Tryout as a total unknown last March. The skateboard pro only has about 50 matches under his belt. He earned a match against Ethan Page. He did good enough to get another match, and another. Then he upset Tony Nese at EVOLVE 69 to earn a WWN contract. Allin has gained a following for his unique, reckless style. However, he's also annoyed Page who is bringing Brian Cage to Queens, NY to "squash Darby like a fly." Will Darby make it to 2017?
Brian Cage: He's back in EVOLVE this Saturday only for one reason- to take out Darby Allin.
Peter Kaasa: He spent several months of 2016 in Japan touring for Dragon Gate, where he wrestled all the top stars. Kaasa is a freak athletically, who has impressive strength and amazing agility. He returns from Japan to team with Ricochet, a former multi-champion in Dragon Gate, to go for the EVOLVE Tag Team Titles. Can Kaasa enter 2017 with his first major championship?
Matt Riddle: 2016 was the emergence of EVOLVE Is Bro. 2017 could be the Year Of The Bro.
December 9th: What were you favorite matches and events from EVOLVE in 2016? Tweet using hashtag #WWNLive and let us know! Thank you for giving us such a great year. We look forward to closing it out for EVOLVE with a big weekend. Join us in person or on FloSlam. Thank you!
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