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Evolution

Sunday October 28, 2018: The first ever ALL female WWE pay per view took place. Here are my thoughts on this historic night.

By Amanda RaifmanPublished 5 years ago 3 min read
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On Sunday, October 28, 2018, we witnessed history. WWE held its first ever all women pay per view.

I'm not going to lie, leading up to the event I felt the WWE dropped the ball a bit. They had such a big opportunity to make this huge and deliver some fantastic matches, but they chose to go with things like Ronda Rousey vs Nikki Bella or a 20-woman battle royale.

The night of "Evolution," I was watching the network and the backstage interviews, the promo packages surrounding "Evolution," and it hit me. It hit me as to just how important this was. Not just for the fans, not just for the wrestlers, and not just for women. It was important because what we were all watching was change, and very successful change.

Even for me as a fan, this was something that I never really thought would happen. Growing up watching wrestling, women were never given the chances they deserved. Instead, they were degraded to bra and panty matches and used as sex symbols.

To be able to watch these women who paved the way for the superstars today, to see what they went through and how they all fought so hard for those two minute TV slots. To watch some of them come back and get to be apart of an all women's PPV was special.

"I’ve never felt the way that I felt in that ring tonight. I’ll never ever forget it. Thank you. #Evolution" - Liv Morgan
"I never dreamt of an all women's PPV because I never imagined that it could be possible. Thank you to all the fans who have been calling for it, to all the women who have been working for it, and to all the little girls who will be inspired by it. This is for you. #WWEEvolution" - Sasha Banks
"Thank you @WWEUniverse, especially the HOT, sold out crowd at @NYCBLive, all the people in the office and the crew behind the scenes, and of course, the @WWE Superstars who TORE THE HOUSE DOWN last night! You are the change we want to see in the world! #WWEEvolution"- Stephanie McMahon
"Congratulations to ALL THE @WWE Women Superstars who just Tore the House Down at #WWEEvolution in the first ever All WOMENS Pay Per View!! The Past was Honored, The Present Was on Display and The FUTURE IS LIMITLESS!!! Thank You 🙏🏿 For All those looking for Inspiration...ITS HERE" - Titus O'Neil

I definitely had my doubts and my expectations weren't too high going into this event. But it sure surpassed everything. It surpassed the way I would feel about each match, specifically the battle royale. At first I thought this was a cheap way to get a bunch of the roster on the PPV. As I was watching it I realized just how amazing it is, to see superstars of the past, present, and future together. To imagine how surreal it must have been for women like Carmella or Nia Jax who grew up watching Ivory and Alundra Blaze, finally share a ring with them. And not just any ring, a ring that each and everyone of them helped create. A ring where women are viewed just as highly as the men.

I would have put Charlotte vs Becky's last woman standing match as the finale. That match was pure magic. They literally left everything they had on the line, and I honestly think this is one of those matches that people will talk about for years to come.

The other two matches that were outstanding, was the finals for the Mae Young Classic and the NXT Women's Championship match between Shayna Baszler & Kairi Sane.

The Mae Young Classic was a fantastic match, however, I felt they were rushed and could have gone on for a lot longer, with no complaints. Toni Storm was crowned the winner, after a grueling battle with Io Shiari. Some of those spots were insane, like the German suplex onto the apron still hurts my back. Storm had been talked about for the past year, since making it to last years semi finals in the classic, but now has solidified that she is one fast rising star in the WWE.

The other stand out match was for the NXT Women's Championship between Shayna Baszler and Kairi Sane. I had picked Kairi to retain the title, but Baszler (with the help of some horse women) proved to be the better woman. Also making her the first ever 2X NXT Women's Champ.

As much as I had little expectations for this show, I am so happy it surpassed everything I hoped for. It truly was something special to watch. Being a lifelong fan, and a female one, I was proud. I was proud to be a fan and to watch these women live out their dreams. After every match I would get a little teary eyed, especially after Nia won with her emotions, because of just how monumental this was. It was a giant step for women everywhere. And for every little girl fan around the world who can now dream of one day not only being on the main card at WrestleMania, but now having their very own PPV, is everything.

"When women support each other, incredible things happen."

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About the Creator

Amanda Raifman

Huge sports fan! WWE junkie! Animal lover! Music aficionado!

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