The story could have written itself: longtime indy wrestlers and tag team partners battle each other for an opportunity to perform in a WWE ring. But the quality of such a tale is left up to the performers, and Saturday night’s showdown between Evolve Tag Team Champions Drew Gulak and “Hot Sauce” Tracy Williams at Evolve 61 could have made for a New York Times bestseller.
Both members of the Catch Point stable stood in the center of the ring at La Boom in Queens, New York and shook hands. Gulak’s eyes locked with Williams’, and as the bell rung, all friendship was put aside. The two were ready to fight for a chance to qualify for WWE’s Cruiserweight Classic.
The story told by the indy veterans was a pro wrestling masterpiece. Both men knew each other’s holds and were able to counter.
Locked in a technical wrestling back-and-forth, the match became quite physical with chops, elbows, and everything in-between. Momentum shifted, words were exchanged, and the Evolve crowd was indecisive of whom to root for, later agreeing to a “both these guys” chant.
As both men slipped out of each other’s submission attempts, Gulak was later able to put Williams into a Sleeper hold and forced his partner to tap out.
Earlier in the card, Catch Point members TJP and Fred Yehi put on a clinic of their own. The teammates clashed in a qualifying matchup that included grappling, striking, and all the ingredients for superb storytelling. Again, the crowd couldn’t agree on a favorite and compromised with a roar for both.
After a litany of spots and close calls, TJP was able to score the victory and cash his ticket to the WWE Cruiserweight Classic.
The show concluded with a main event match between Johnny Gargano and Drew Galloway. Prior to the match, Galloway ridiculed Gargano’s involvement with NXT and the made claims that WWE’s involvement with the indies ultimately hurts the product.
The two battled in a physical contest, but a winner was not named as Ethan Carter III debuted and beat down Gargano. Referees came down to stop EC3, but Galloway and EC3 formed an alliance and knocked out the officials and went to work on the likes of Gulak and TJP, who came to Gargano’s aid. Ethan Page later ran to the ring with a folding chair in hand to put an end to the carnage.
EC3 took to the microphone and agreed with Galloway’s stance, bashing WWE during a long promo before Gargano challenged the two to a Tag Team match on June 10, where he’ll team with TJP.
Rest of the show:
Matthew Riddle def. Lio Rush
The Bravado Brothers def. Ethan Page and Chris Dickinson
Marty Scurll def. Zack Sabre Jr.
Mark Whited
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[…] After winning his qualifying match against Catch Point teammate and EVOLVE Tag Team Championship par…, Gulak earned his spot to compete in the upcoming WWE Cruiserweight Classic. […]