Update On Rumoured Plans For WWE NXT Evolve

WWE NXT could soon have its own sub-brand, with reports in recent days revealing that WWE NXT EVOLVE could be set to debut in the coming months as a series to showcase talents not regularly featured on NXT TV.

In an update on the show, Mike Johnson of PWInsider has reported that there have been rumours amongst independent wrestling talents for the past month that WWE are planning to bring back EVOLVE. The belief is the show would be taped from the WWE Performance Center and WWE ID talents would be booked on the series. Some talents on the indies believe the tapings could begin as soon as late January or early February.

WWE ID talents were shown on last week's edition of NXT, with sources noting to PWInsider this was done "for a reason."

Gabe Sapolsky, the booker and founder of EVOLVE, has been back with WWE since 2022 and he signed a new deal with the company in late 2024. Sapolsky will be in charge of creative for WWE NXT Evolve.

After being founded in late 2009, EVOLVE held its first shows in 2010 as an offshoot of Dragon Gate USA. The promotion ran 146 shows until it was purchased by WWE in 2020 amid financial trouble due to the COVID-19 pandemic. WWE and EVOLVE had been working together since 2015.

WWE NXT Level Up was previously utilised to showcase talents not appearing on NXT TV. The show was cancelled at the end of 2024 and the reported plan is for Level Up to be replaced by WWE LFG.

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