In October 2018 WWE’s female wrestlers took center stage as part of WWE Evolution. For the first time ever, the company held a pay-per-view that exclusively featured women on its card.
Due to Ronda Rousey being signed and Becky Lynch being at the height of her popularity, WWE felt the confidence to put on this show.
To the sounds of Little Mix’ ‘Salute’, 38 women arrived on the main card to show that they belong and are able to steal the spotlight, just like their male counterparts.
Today, over two years after the special event, we take a look at how these women who keep revolutionizing the business in 2020, in the order of their matches on the card.
Trish Stratus
Evolution Match: Trish Stratus & Lita vs. Mickie James & Alicia Fox
Trish Stratus entered this show as a veteran, a former multi-time Women’s Champion and WWE Hall of Famer.
Stratus returned to PPV once more for another farewell match, this time against Charlotte Flair, at SummerSlam 2019 in her hometown of Toronto. To date, it stands as the final match of her career.
These days Stratus mostly takes care of her two children, as well as appearing in minor acting roles and running a yoga studio.
Lita
Evolution Match: Trish Stratus & Lita vs. Mickie James & Alicia Fox
Much like her frenemy, Lita was there to be a blast from the past. Lita and Stratus followed up their win at the pay per view with another match the next night on Raw where they won again in a ten-woman tag match.
In 2020 Lita announced the ‘KAYfABE’ project alongside former WWE employees like Christy Hemme and Gail Kim. The project was set to be a new type of wrestling show that made scripted drama blend into pro wrestling.
The operations were put on hold due to the global pandemic.
Mickie James
Evolution Match: Trish Stratus & Lita vs. Mickie James & Alicia Fox
Mickie James, who was defeated by Trish Stratus and Lita in the match, remained a part of the WWE roster.
However, James suffered an ACL injury in 2019. Since then James, although being fit to wrestle, she is rarely used on television, apart from sporadic appearances to do commentary on WWE’s Main Event between September 2019 and April 2020 and a few matches on RAW in September 2020.
She suffered a broken nose late in 2020 and has been off television since although she is expected to return soon.
Alicia Fox
Evolution Match: Trish Stratus & Lita vs. Mickie James & Alicia Fox
Alicia Fox came in as a replacement to this match, was Alexa Bliss, who was originally planned to face off against Trish Stratus and Lita alongside Mickie James, but suffered a concussion prior to the event.
In February 2019 Fox showed up intoxicated backstage, at a WWE live event. This resulted in WWE producer Arn Anderson to be released from the company, who allowed her to compete that night, amongst other reasons.
In fall 2019 her profile was moved to the alumni section of WWE’s website.
She has claimed to be sober and that she wants others to help to overcome the addiction with seminars. Additionally, on an episode of The Bellas Podcast, it was announced that Fox was in school
Nia Jax
Evolution Match: Women’s Battle Royal For A Women’s Title Opportunity
It was Nia Jax who went on to win the Women’s title shot, she used it against Ronda Rousey at the 2018 TLC PPV and lost.
Since the event, Nia Jax has continued to work as a heel on television. Shortly after Evolution, Jax injured Becky Lynch during a Raw angle by throwing an errant punch. She has been booed vociferously since.
Her only championship success since then has come in a tag team. Jax and Shayna Baszler won the Women’s Tag Team Championship at Payback 2020 and held them until TLC three months later.
This battle royal featured a lot of women from past and present like Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Molly Holly, Kelly Kelly, Torrie Wilson, Sonya Deville, Alundra Blayze, Maria Kanellis, Lana, Mandy Rose, Dana Brooke, Michelle McCool, Naomi, Carmella, Ivory, Asuka, Tamina, Zelina Vega and Ember Moon, who Jax eliminated to win the match.
