• Current Champion Is Going on a Break
AEW will be without one of its top stars for a short stretch, as current Trios Champion Samoa Joe is slated to step away from the ring temporarily. At All In: Texas, The Opps successfully defended their Trios Titles against The Death Riders. Following the bout, Joe took a vicious steel chair beatdown that ended with him being stretchered out, a moment that, it turns out, wasn’t just for show.
Fightful Select reports that AEW planned the segment to write Joe off television for a little while because Joe has a packed schedule ahead promoting the upcoming season of Twisted Metal.
While there’s no confirmed length for his absence, it’s expected to last at least a couple of weeks, allowing him to focus on the media tour for the action-comedy series. The second season of Twisted Metal is set to drop on Peacock on July 31, and Joe, who stars in the show, will be hitting the circuit to build anticipation.
• “Rhea Ripley is the $ex!est woman alive” – Hall of Famer
TNA Hall of Famer Gail Kim enjoyed the Evolution 2 main event between IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley, where Naomi cashed-in her Money in the Bank contract and walked out as the Women’s World Champion. Here’s what she tweeted about the match:
“Main event was KILLER and I loved how WWE Evolution ended. I was always sad when Trinity left [TNA] but of course wanted the best for her. I’m THRILLED for her now!!! She deserves all of this. Now that’s what you call, getting the crowd!”
Gail also praised Rhea’s looks: “I swear Rhea Ripley is like the $exiest woman alive.” When a fan brought up IYO’s looks, Gail replied: “She’s the cutest one!”
• Gail Kim Reacts To Fans Criticizing Female WWE Legends’ Looks
Several female WWE legends and veterans were shown in attendance during the Evolution 2 PLE. 8-Time TNA & WWE Women’s Champion Gail Kim tweeted the following after the show:
“I’m noticing a lot of comments regarding the legends that were on Evolution last night. It seems like a huge amount of comments are in regards to their aging and looks. That’s where all our dysmorphia comes from which I still go through today. Think before you comment.
Pre PPV, people were just excited about who they could possibly see show up. Then when they see them, critiques on their looks. Please don’t do this. We are all human beings. Remember and celebrate what they gave to the business.”
• WWE Management’s Reaction To Evolution 2
WWE’s Evolution event has left an overwhelmingly positive impression within the company, with both talent and executives buzzing about the show’s success. Several individuals from WWE’s locker room and management circles shared their reactions, describing a sense of genuine excitement and satisfaction after the all-women’s event. A particular highlight was Naomi capturing the Women’s World Championship, a moment that seems to have resonated deeply with those behind the scenes.
PWInsider reports that Naomi’s victory was met with widespread celebration backstage, as she’s widely admired and respected among her peers and the company’s leadership. Her rise to the top of the division has reportedly been viewed as well-deserved and inspiring.
Beyond the individual triumphs, there’s growing chatter internally about what comes next. While no firm plans are in place yet, people within WWE feel strongly that hosting another Evolution is almost inevitable, given how well the recent event was received. WWE officials feel “they have to” do another Evolution PLE after last night’s success.
During the Evolution post show, WWE’s Chief Content Officer Triple H said the following about doing another all-women’s PLE: “I don’t wanna say, it’s yearly, it’s not yearly. I think we see what that demand is for it, because as the demand for the women grows everyday, it becomes less about having their own show, and more about, like that’s the equality, it’s all there, and they don’t have to have their show to be in the spotlight. But if it works, we’ll definitely go down that road. So I think it’s a ‘we shall see.’”
• Naomi Breaks Natalya’s Record With Women’s World Title Win
Naomi has officially set a new record – surpassing Natalya – for the longest gap between women’s world title reigns in WWE. With her Women’s World Championship win, it has now been 7 years, 10 months, and 23 days since Naomi last held a world title in WWE. Her previous reign ended in August 2017, making this return to the top a historic one. The record was previously held by Natalya, whose gap between world title reigns stood at 6 years, 6 months, and 36 days.
This milestone not only shows Naomi’s longevity and perseverance in the company but also marks one of the longest comeback arcs in modern WWE history for a women’s champion. When a fan pointed this out to Naomi, she replied: “You ain’t gotta put my business out in the streets like that lol damn.”
Natalya tweeted the following about Naomi’s title win: “I love @TheTrinity_Fatu. I’m so proud of her. She’s proof that it’s not too late to get everything you deserve.”
• Naomi Jokes The Rock Helped Her Win Women’s World Title
During a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Drew McIntyre said the following about giving advice to young wrestlers in WWE: “It’s lucky I’m as good as I am or I might get lost in the shuffle, because I suggest to a lot of the talent backstage when they’re asking for advice, maybe change your last name to Fatu or something. You may get more opportunities.”
After Naomi’s Women’s World Championship victory at Evolution, a fan tweeted the following: “Damn… They did IYO dirty, to give another damn Fatu a title… This sucks.”
Naomi saw this tweet and replied: “And all it took was for me to make one call to The Rock hahahhahahhahahah”
Even Charlotte Flair dropped a laughing emoji under Naomi’s reply!
