WWE, NXT, local tie-ins at EVOLVE 134 in Chicago
By Mike Pankow
August 20, 2019
It’s already been a big month in the Chicago area for professional wrestling and as August rolls on, things keep getting hotter and hotter.
This weekend’s lineup is headlined by EVOLVE making its return to Chicago with a blockbuster show at Logan Square Auditorium on Sunday night (August 25). EVOLVE 134 features the hungry athletes of EVOLVE, plus members of WWE and NXT. Bell time is 8 p.m.
NXT Superstar Matt Riddle will team with Curt Stallion to challenge EVOLVE Tag Team Champions AR Fox and Leon Ruff at Sunday night’s EVOLVE 134 show at Logan Square Auditorium. (Photo by Mike Pankow)
Drew Gulak, a staple of 205 Live since its inception on WWE Network nearly three years ago, will defend the WWE Cruiserweight Championship against emerging NXT Superstar Kushida. Gulak worked with EVOLVE before he was signed by WWE.
NXT Superstars Tommaso Ciampa, Matt Riddle and Arturo Ruas will also be appearing. Riddle joined NXT about a year ago after a run in EVOLVE and on the independents. Ruas was recently rechristened from Adrian Jaoude on NXT TV. Ciampa, the former NXT Champion, is recovering from neck surgery and only will be involved in a meet and greet at the show.
Some of the other announced matches include a three-way match with Austin Theory defending the EVOLVE Championship against JD Drake and Josh Briggs. AR Fox and Leon Ruff defend the EVOLVE Tag Team Championship against Riddle and Curt Stallion. Ruas faces Anthony Henry in a no-holds barred match and Shotzi Blackheart, who has wrestled in the area for Black Label Pro, Kaiju Attack Wrestling, RISE, SHIMMER and Zelo Pro, takes on Brandi Lauren in a match where kendo sticks are legal.
In addition, local competitors GPA and Craig Mitchell, who just finished a grueling five-match series in Freelance Wrestling and Freelance Underground, are advertised for the event, though it hasn’t been announced who each will face.
EVOLVE was last in the Chicago area when it performed at the Oak Lawn Pavilion last November. They also had a matinee show during doubleheader with PROGRESS Wrestling last August at Cicero Stadium in addition to running shows in Summit.
For more information and tickets, go to: https://bit.ly/31XHqNz.
Black Label Pro, McWrestling, Saturday (August 24) RDS Gym, Crown Point, Ind.: Black Label Pro presents McWrestling on Saturday afternoon with Kobe Durst defending the BLP Championship against Warhorse. Bell time is 4:30 p.m.
Craig Mitchell will wrestle for Black Label Pro on Saturday and EVOLVE on Sunday. (Photo by Mike Pankow)
AJ Gray defends his BLP Midwest Championship against Craig Mitchell in another featured bout. Blood Diamond will defend the BLP Tag Team Championships against the Stunt Doubles.
Also announced for the card are Black Taurus vs. Rey Horus, Aero Boy vs. Project M.O.N.I.X., Gary Jay vs. Alex Zayne, Dan Maff vs. Larry D., Jody Threat vs. Harlow O’Hara.
Black Label Pro won’t be done this month either as it teams up with Game Changer Wrestling for a show during All Out weekend on August 30 in Hoffman Estates with “2 Cups Stuffed.”
For tickets, go to: https://bit.ly/2NkgvHr.
Galli Lucha Libre, Sunday (August 25), Arena Galli, Villa Park, Ill.: Chicago’s biggest Lucha Libre company presents another strong lineup Sunday evening with Black Taurus making his debut for the company. The show also features Rey Horus, Mecha Wolf, Bestia 666, Aero Boy, Bandolero, plus local favorites Gringo Loco, Project M.O.N.I.X. and Joe Alonzo. Bell time is 6 p.m.
For tickets, go to: https://bit.ly/2Pg8RAm.
