8 Best Non-WWE Events To Attend Over WrestleMania 33 Weekend
4. EVOLVE 81 (Friday 31st March)
EVOLVE started regularly staging their shows over two consecutive days last year, and it has worked to the company’s benefit. While both events are usually well worth a watch, the first typically serves as the set-up, and the second the payoff. Thus, the second night typically outdoes the first in terms of all-round action. EVOLVE 81 definitely has that potential.
The show’s main event will see TBD EVOLVE Champion wrestle NJPW star Michael Elgin in a non-title bout. Indie wunderkind Matt Riddle will also face Tag Team Champion Fred Yehi in singles action, Donovan Dijak vs. Keith Lee should be a great brawl between two of wrestling’s most athletic big men, while Drew Galloway vs. Lio Rush and ACH vs. Timothy Thatcher look like highly intriguing styles clash.
WWE have raided EVOLVE’s roster over the past 12 months, but they’ve made a hot start to 2017, and their last show (EVOLVE 79) was among the best they’ve ever produced. Their rebuild is well underway, and if they continue along their current trajectory, there’s no way any self-respecting independent wrestling fan can afford to miss their contributions this week.
Watch: FloSlam (Friday, 4pm EDT/9pm EST)