EVOLVE 3: Rise or Fall

An exploration of the wrestling world's underground. Traveling from First Nations communities in rural Manitoba to Mexico's Lucha Libre scene in Juarez, the series sees Damian Abraham exploring the personalities involved in the sport of pro wrestling.

American Dragon vs Low Ki vs Christopher Daniels / Super Crazy vs Eddy Guerrero / Michael Shane and Oz vs Spanky and Ikaika Loa / Joel Maximo vs Josh Maximo vs Amazing Red vs Quiet Storm vs Chris Divine vs Brian XL / The Boogie Knights vs The Natural Born Sinners / Xavier vs Scoot Andrews / Jay Briscoe vs Amazing Red / Da Hit Squad vs The Christopher Street Connection

A new generation of WWE prospects begin their in-ring journey with the goal of becoming the next great Superstar.

Crowning a Champion was a wrestling show held by Ring of Honor. It took place on July 27, 2002 at the Murphy Recreational Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The shows main event featured Christopher Daniels, Doug Williams, Low Ki and Spanky competing in a one-hour Iron Man match to become the first ROH Champion. The four earned the right to compete for the title by winning their respects brackets in the Road to the Title tournament. The rules for the match was that for every pin and submission a wrestler scored, they would gain two points, but if they were defeated or submitted, they would lose one point.

Round Robin Challenge was a wrestling show held by Ring of Honor. It took place on March 30, 2002 at the Murphy Recreational Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The show featured a round robin tournament between Low Ki, ”American Dragon” Bryan Danielson and Christopher Daniels.

Jimmy Jacobs vs. Shiima Xion Silas Young vs. Tony Nese Johnny Gargano vs. Jon Davis Frightmare & Jigsaw vs. Facade & Jason Gory Sami Callihan vs. Zack Sabre Jr. AR Fox vs. Rich Swann Chuck Taylor vs. Akira Tozawa Johnny Gargano vs. Chuck Taylor Austin Aries vs. Jon Moxley

The WWE has historically integrated competing wrestling organizations into its global machine. It’s not a longshot to assume that TNA Impact will eventually fall under the WWE umbrella. And in the spirit of the Guest Booker series, we ask “what if?”, as we have Kevin Sullivan and Gabe Sapolsky take the hypothetical spot in booking the newly acquired TNA, for Vince and the WWE. Sullivan brings to the table a pedigree of booking knowledge that extends back to his mentors Vince J. McMahon and Eddie Graham. Gabe Sapolsky learned under Paul Heyman, who was a student of Kevin’s. Now, they must sit down together and use the tools of their generation to make a TNA Impact takeover work well for wrestling’s biggest federation. Can two different schools of thought retain mutual respect and produce a product that is consistent and interesting? We will find out as Gabe and Kevin open up their heads and sort through the rosters, angles, and champions in Guest Booker!

Road to the Title was a wrestling show held by Ring of Honor. It took place on June 22, 2002 at the Murphy Recreational Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The show featured a sixteen-man tournament, split into four brackets. The winner of each bracket would compete in a one-hour Iron Man match on July 27, with the winner becoming the first ROH Championship. Ring of Honor brought in several new talent to compete in the tournament, such as Jerry Lynn and British wrestlers Jody Fleisch, Jonny Storm and Doug Williams.

Brodie Lee vs. Jon Moxley Four Way Match: Drake Younger vs. Chris Dickinson vs. Rich Swann vs. Ricochet WSU World Title: Mercedes Martinez (c) vs. Tina San Antonio Johnny Gargano vs. Adam Cole Hallowicked & Jigsaw vs. Aero Form Sami Callihan vs. Arik Cannon Up In Smoke vs. The Osirian Portal Jimmy Jacobs vs. Chuck Taylor Bryan Danielson vs. Bobby Fish

Ring of Honor closes out their first year with Final Battle on December 28, 2002 at the Murphy Recreational Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Brad Allen vs. Chris Dickinson Gran Akuma vs. Brodie Lee Up In Smoke vs. Aero Form Ken Doane vs. Caleb Konley Kyle O'Reilly (w/ Tony Kozina) vs. Hallowicked Chuck Taylor vs. Ricochet (10:53 am) Claudio Castagnoli (w/ Chris Hero) vs. Bobby Fish WSU World Title Mercedes Martinez (c) vs. Sumie Sakai Jimmy Jacobs vs. Johnny Gargano Four Way Tag Team Elimination Match Jigsaw & Mike Quackenbush vs. The Osirian Portal vs. Incoherence vs. The Colony Chris Hero (w/ Claudio Castagnoli) vs. Ikuto Hidaka (w / Brad Allen)

Drake Younger vs. Silas Young Four Way Match: AR Fox vs. Rich Swann vs. Scott Reed vs. Tony Nese Kyle O'Reilly vs. Bobby Fish Up In Smoke vs. The Super Smash Brothers Relaxed Rules Match: Jon Moxley vs. Homicide Ricochet vs. Adam Cole Johnny Gargano vs. Jimmy Jacobs Austin Aries vs. Chuck Taylor

Night of Appreciation was a wrestling shows held by Ring of Honor. It took place on April 27, 2002 at the Murphy Recreational Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The show was held in honor of Eddy Guerrero, who was making his second and final appearance before returning to World Wrestling Entertainment.

Bobby Beverly vs. Eric Ryan The Super Smash Brothers vs. Facade & Jason Gory Silas Young vs. Sugar Dunkerton Pinkie Sanchez vs. Lince Dorado The Scene vs. Up In Smoke Three Way Unsanctioned Street Fight: Jon Davis vs. Bobby Fish vs. Kevin Steen John Silver vs. Tony Nese Fit Finlay vs. Sami Callihan Chuck Taylor vs. Johnny Gargano

Singles Match Bobby Fish vs. Kyle O'Reilly (w/Tony Kozina) Official Singles Division Qualifying Match Cheech vs. Chuck Taylor Singles Match Arik Cannon vs. Ricochet Tag Team Match Aeroform (Flip Kendrick & Louis Lyndon) vs. The Dark City Fight Club (Jon Davis & Kory Chavis) Singles Match Mercedes Martinez vs. Niya Singles Match Brad Allen vs. Silas Young Singles Match Jimmy Jacobs vs. Ken Doane Singles Match Chris Dickinson vs. Johnny Gargano Singles Match Munenori Sawa vs. TJP Six Man Tag Team Match Akuma's Army (Brodie Lee, Gran Akuma & Icarus) vs. CHIKARA Sekigun (Frightmare, Hallowicked & Mike Quackenbush) Singles Match Davey Richards (w/ Kyle O'Reilly & Tony Kozina) vs. Kota Ibushi (w/Michael Nakazawa)

Mike Quackenbush vs. Chuck Taylor Up In Smoke vs. Aero Form Jimmy Jacobs vs. Adam Cole Sami Callihan vs. Drake Younger Six Way Match: Johnny Gargano vs. Brad Allen vs. Frightmare vs. Gran Akuma vs. Jon Moxley vs. Rich Swann WSU World Title: Mercedes Martinez (c) vs. Amazing Kong Ricochet vs. Kyle O'Reilly Bryan Danielson vs. Munenori Sawa