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Monday, October 29, 2018

Final Evolution hype, Hardy special replaying, Crown Jewel length, NXT invades EVOLVE, NXT UK Women's Championship dark match, what the men were doing during Evolution, and Questions on FOX pre-empting SDL, Neidhart's funeral on Total Divas, Meiko's WWE future, the WWE language barrier, Vince changing live events, and comparing MLW to ROH

In final Evolution hype:
- Charlotte Flair spoke to Sky Sports.

- Alexa Bliss, Becky Lynch, Mickie James, and Alicia Fox did a "Guess That Match Challenge."

- Becky Lynch talked to New York Daily News.

- The IIconics spoke to Sky Sports.

- Female stars reacted to the possibility of women's tag titles. Maybe they could do a big tournament to declare the first champions at WrestleMania?

The House Hardy Halloween special will replay after Raw.

WWE Crown Jewel is scheduled to go four hours. I hope DX and the Brothers of Destruction don't have to fill half an hour after the slow-motion match in Australia.

NXT notes from EVOLVE 114:
- Fabian Aichner became EVOLVE Champion after answering an open challenge from Shane Strickland.
- Jessie Elaban lost to Priscilla Kelly
- Adrian Jaoude defeated Joe Gacy. Cezar Bonini was in Adrian's corner.
- The Street Profits became EVOLVE Tag Team Champions
- Dan Matha interrupted Dante Marquis Carter vs. Mikey Spandex, leading to Matha entering a four-way match with Liam Gray, Adrian Alanis, and Shawn Dean. Alanis won.

JD Drake is the new WWN Champion, winning a six-way ladder match over Anthony Henry, AR Fox, Austin Theory, Harlem Bravado, and Darby Allin.

Rhea Ripley defeated Dakota Kai to retain the NXT UK Women's Championship before Evolution. The match had previously been advertised as part of the main show, and Isla Dawn was announced as challenging Ripley. Hopefully that match will air at some point.

WWE ran a Raw and Smackdown Live "SuperShow" in NC on October 28, since the women of both brands were working Evolution.

For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. That seems likely. One of the biggest drawbacks of the FOX move is potentially being shuffled around due to major sporting events. The more we learn about the FOX-WWE relationship, the more worried I am for what it will mean for WWE.

2. I can definitely see how it would be uncomfortable to watch. I can also see how fans would want to see Neidhart honored on the show. I really hope the situation was discussed and approved by the family.

3. She absolutely delivered in the MYC. I really hope we see her more now, although of course there's the concern of how she'd be used on Raw or Smackdown Live. Realistically there's only so much she can do in NXT.

4. It can definitely limit how far someone makes it on Raw or Smackdown Live. I expect that will be continue to be the case as long as Vince McMahon calls the shots.

5.a. Considering the TV shows are the only big financial successes for WWE right now and Vince is steering the ship on those, I'd like to see him step up and change other aspects of the company, too. The company is spending tens of millions of dollars (at least) on niche styles at the expense of the sports entertainment brand Vince has built for decades, and we're continuing to see the results of this change.

5.b. ROH is owned by a pretty prominent company and has strong ties with two successful international wrestling companies. MLW is just twelve months into its new incarnation. It's had a promising start, but it's too early to put them in the same conversation with ROH.

More wrestling tomorrow.

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