WWE Evolution 2018 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights

For the first time ever, WWE produced an all-women's pay-per-view extravaganza Sunday night in Uniondale, New York.

The event, featuring two high-profile championship matches and the returns to the squared circle of several Hall of Famers, was heavily promoted despite a thrown-together card that was lackluster on paper.

How did it fare in execution, though?

Find out with this recap of the historic spectacular broadcast on WWE Network.

Trish Stratus and Lita vs. Mickie James and Alicia Fox

Credit: WWE.com

WWE Hall of Famers Trish Stratus and Lita controlled the opening contest against Alicia Fox and Mickie James to start, forcing the heels to contemplate taking a walk.

A well-timed bit of interference from Alexa Bliss at ringside, pulling Lita off the top rope and preventing a moonsault attempt, turned the tide in the heels' favor.

Fox and James isolated Lita, but the revolutionary competitor fought back and made the hot tag to Stratus.

Trish exploded into the match, taking the fight to both women and delivering Stratusfaction to James. From there, Lita delivered the Twist of Fate and executed her trademark moonsault.

Stratus followed up with the Chick Kick to score the victory in an energetic opener.

Result

Stratus and Lita defeated Fox and James

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a fine, energetic opener that did not overstay its welcome, nor did it expose the weaknesses of its participants.

Stratus and Lita were red-hot, obviously motivated by the reaction, and James and Fox did a solid job of working around them.

The right team went over, and no one was hurt from a credibility perspective, so it was successful.

20-Woman Battle Royal

Credit: WWE.com

Featuring: Zelina Vega, Naomi, Sonya Deville, Michelle McCool, Alundra Blayze, Carmella, Kelly Kelly, Tamina, Ember Moon, Lana, Maria Kanellis, Mandy Rose, Molly Holly, Dana Brooke, Nia Jax, Ivory, Asuka, Torrie Wilson, Peyton Royce and Billie Kay

Royce and Kay cut a promo before the match, running down Long Island as undeserving of a historic pay-per-view like Evolution. Their trash-talking earned them the first eliminations of the night, as the legends involved teamed up and dumped them right after the bell.

Rose and Deville teamed up to eliminate Holly while the stars of yesterday and today paired off with each other. They continued their dominance, dumping Wilson before Rose inexplicably eliminated Deville from the match.

Kanellis delivered a big DDT to Jax and followed up with a Bronco Buster to Tamina. Jax answered by headbutting her out of the match. Vega starred next, delivering the running knees to the chest of Tamina.

After weeks of teasing, Jax and Tamina stared each other down before obliterating the competition. Lana tried to get them not to fight but found herself deposited on the floor.

After a huge spot in which both Jax and Tamina were taken down, Carmella and Ivory participated in a dance break before teaming up to eliminate Rose.

McCool shined brightly but was dumped by Naomi and Asuka, who continued to work as a team—that is, until Tamina eliminated Naomi. An ugly botch from Carmella on Moon drew boos as the match slowed. Moon eliminated Carmella but paid for it immediately as Tamina caught her with a corner splash.

Ivory, one of the final five competitors, delivered a cross-body block that grounded Tamina. A running hip check by Asuka knocked her off the apron and to the floor. The Empress of Tomorrow next paired off with Moon as chants of "NXT" rained from the stands. Moon eliminated Asuka to a thunderous ovation from fans who expected the latter to emerge victoriously.

Moon, Jax and Tamina made up the final three as fans cheered for the former NXT women's champion. An Eclipse allowed Moon to eliminate Tamina, bringing the match down to her and Jax, who have formed a friendship of late on Raw.

As Moon tried to eliminate Jax, Vega rolled into the ring and attempted to eliminate them both, her own elimination never having happened earlier. She paid for it, eating a nasty gorilla press slam over the top rope and onto Tamina.

Moon looked to follow up, taking advantage of the distraction. Her momentum was used against her, and Jax slammed her to the mat. Moments later, Jax won the match and a future shot at the Raw Women's Championship.

Result

Nia Jax won

Grade

B-

Analysis

The match started ugly, a typical Battle Royal that was messy and probably featured a few too many Superstars. Once things settled down, though, there were a few fun stories told throughout, and women like Vega and Rose were able to shine in a spotlight that is not always shone their way.

The use of Asuka continues to be baffling, considering how special an entity she was coming from NXT, and it was disappointing to see how much of a nonfactor some of the returning legends turned out to be. But all things considered, this was better than it had any right to be, especially down the stretch.

Jax winning was a fine outcome, and considering the fact that her first match with Ronda Rousey did not have a satisfactory conclusion, it makes sense that she would get another shot at The Baddest Woman on the Planet.

Mae Young Classic Final: Toni Storm vs. Io Shirai

Credit: WWE.com

After losing in the semifinals of the Mae Young Classic last year, Toni Storm sought victory as she battled international sensation and NXT prize signee Io Shirai.

Chain wrestling dominated early, but a submission from Shirai forced Storm to fight from underneath. A big suplex sent Shirai onto the back of her head. Storm looked to continue building momentum, but a dropkick from Shirai sent Storm to the mat.

Shirai, dubbed The Goddess of the Sky by Michael Cole, delivered a textbook moonsault from the top rope onto Storm on the floor.

Playing great defense, Storm was able to regain control of the match until Shirai mounted the comeback with a series of Japanese strong style strikes. A nasty clothesline by Storm cut her off. Storm followed up with her Storm Zero finisher, but Shirai kicked out at two.

Shirai fought back, blasting Storm with a 619 and nearly beating her with a springboard sunset flip. Shirai looked to follow up with her trademark moonsault, but Storm got her knees up and delivered the Storm Zero to score the most significant victory of her career.

Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and Sara Amato greeted a tearful Storm in the ring, capping another successful Mae Young Classic.

Result

Storm defeated Shirai

Grade

B+

Analysis

Shirai and Storm had a good match that fell just short of being great.

The commentary team did a quality job of putting over each woman and telling their stories, but it was evident in the tone of Michael Cole's voice when he mentioned Storm's name that she was the favorite to win this one. And rightfully so. She has all of the tools to be a star for WWE both now and in the future.

Shirai is going to be another one of those Japanese stars to come to NXT and help evolve the in-ring style of the women's division. A hugely recognizable star among fans of pro wrestling beyond the barriers of WWE, she did not necessarily need the win to legitimize her. She will be just fine coming out of this loss.

Six-Woman Tag Team Match: Sasha Banks, Bayley and Natalya vs. The Riott Squad

Credit: WWE.com

The seemingly never-ending rivalry between Bayley, Sasha Banks and The Riott Squad continued Sunday night as Banks and Bayley partnered with Natalya to battle Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan in one of Raw's highest-profile offerings on the show.

The babyfaces seized control early, taking the fight to Logan until a momentary distraction by the heels allowed Logan to deliver a dropkick that sent her opponent rib-first into the ring post. Bayley fought through the tremendous pain to try to make the hot tag to one of her partners, but Logan pulled Natalya off the ring apron and Morgan pulled Bayley back to her team's corner.

Banks finally received the hot tag and exploded into the match, delivering a Meteora to Riott. Riott countered a backstabber, but a crucifix roll-up from Banks scored a two-count. Banks delivered a backstabber right into the Bayley-to-Belly as it appeared the babyfaces were en route to victory.

An alert Morgan sent Banks into Bayley, breaking the pin.

At ringside, The Riott Squad teamed up to send Banks back- and neck-first into the guardrail. Further execution of three-on-one assaults led to a two-count, as Natalya broke up a pin.

Bayley threw caution to the win, sacrificing herself at one point to keep the match alive, as Cole brought up the differences they have had over the last year.

Natalya finally received a hot tag of her own and exploded into the match, leveling Morgan with a German suplex. Riott tagged in and was slammed onto Logan. A double Sharpshooter ensued, but Morgan, the legal competitor, entered the match and delivered a neckbreaker for a near-fall.

Bayley wiped out Morgan at ringside and Banks delivered a frog splash in homage to Eddie Guerrero to score the hard-fought win.

Result

Bayley, Natalya and Banks defeated The Riott Squad

Grade

A

Analysis

The was an excellent match, full of outstanding psychology from The Riott Squad and valiant comebacks from the babyfaces.

Riott, Morgan and Logan really stood out; their teamwork and the execution of their spots was nearly flawless and added so much to the story.

The babyfaces brought the in-ring charisma, and Banks, in particular, did a fantastic job of selling the pain and agony she found herself in at times before putting an exclamation point on the bout with a frog splash.

In what was, arguably, the most lethargically built match on the show, the six women involved in this one tore the house down with a match reflecting their abilities.

Kudos to Michael Cole for putting over just how important Bayley, Banks and Natalya have been to the evolution of women's wrestling in WWE, too.

NXT Women's Championship Match: Kairi Sane vs. Shayna Baszler

Credit: WWE.com

The Pirate Princess battled The Queen of Spades Sunday night, as the NXT Women's Championship was on the line on WWE pay-per-view for the first time ever.

Shayna Baszler targeted the hand, wrist and arm of Kairi Sane early, looking to take the champion's striking away from her. She followed with a key lock, eager to do maximum damage to her opponent's ability to defend herself.

Sane fought back and delivered a backhand that stunned Baszler and cut off her onslaught. She delivered a nasty spear to the midsection of Baszler as momentum built. A corner shoulder block and flipping neckbreaker continued Sane's intense onslaught.

Baszler set up a suplex attempt, but Sane countered with a DDT. She looked to follow with the Insane Elbow, but Baszler rolled to the floor. Sane flew off the top rope, wiping out her challenger at ringside. She back-body-dropped Baszler into her fellow Four Horsewomen, including Jessamyn Duke, who ate a back fist from Sane.

Sane tried for the elbow again, but Marina Shafir jumped on the apron. She ate a back fist, too, as Baszler recovered and tried for the rear choke. Sane rolled through but ate an undetected kick from Duke that sent her right back into the clutches of Baszler.

Sane fought through the desire to tap out but faded as the referee called for the bell.

Baszler won her second NXT Women's Championship, making history as the first woman to accomplish that feat.

Result

Baszler defeated Sane to win the title

Grade

A

Analysis

Another strong match that introduced Duke and Shafir to the audience at large and set the stage for the invasion of the Four Horsewomen to the main roster.

Given the rich history of the NXT women's title, it certainly means something that Baszler is the first two-time champion. It cements her place in NXT history and elevates her to a status beyond that of "Ronda Rousey's friend." With that said, attaching her to the Four Horsewomen is not necessarily the best way to help her form her own identity in WWE.

Sane's reign feels rushed and uneventful, hardly the way to help The Pirate Princess and first Mae Young Classic winner build a stronger connection with the NXT fans. With that said, the fight she showed in nearly overcoming the three-on-one disadvantage may create the sympathy she needs to be accepted by a fanbase that has been strangely cold toward her.

Last Woman Standing Match: Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch

Credit: WWE.com

The SmackDown Women's Championship was up for grabs in the best-built match of the night as Becky Lynch defended against former champion Charlotte Flair in a Last Woman Standing match.

The women took turns taunting each other with Flair's father's trademark strut, but neither was able to gain an early advantage.

Lynch introduced the first plunder of the match, pulling a kendo stick from underneath the ring and unloading on the challenger with several sickening shots about the body. Later, she introduced more than a handful of steel chairs to the match and piled them up before throwing Flair into them.

From there, she teased a Bexploder, but Flair countered and delivered a side suplex onto them, leaving Lynch lying.

A table was introduced to the match, but Lynch opted to plant Flair back-first into the chairs instead as the referee began his count.

Flair fought back, laid Lynch on the table and delivered a moonsault. The table did not break, though, drawing groans from the audience and a fantastic attempt by Michael Cole to explain why it was not a bad thing.

Flair followed with a senton, this time putting Lynch through the table. Both women fought their way back into the match, the champion shoving a ladder over to prevent its use against her as a weapon. With the ladder lying flat on the mat, Lynch delivered a slam onto it.

Pain painting her face, Flair recover long enough to clip Lynch's leg out from underneath her. From there, she trapped the leg in a ladder and punished it, looking to take her base away from her. Flair applied the Figure Four around the ladder, leaving Lynch to scream in pain. She bridged up, completing a Figure Eight.

The champion screamed in pain and even tapped, but it mattered not. Desperate, she grabbed a chair and used it to break the hold, driving it into Flair's shin.

Flair continued to take the fight to Lynch, though, as the fight spilled to the arena floor.

Lynch tried to take her title and walk out, but Flair cut her off and continued the fight. Back at ringside, Flair set up a ladder but took her eye off Lynch long enough to allow the champion to blast her with the women's title. Lynch delivered a big leg drop from the ladder to Flair, through a table.

The champion proceeded to bury Flair beneath chairs and tables at ringside before demanding the referee count her down. Flair made it to her feet, to the dismay of the champion, who began backing off and begging for mercy.

Flair unloaded on Lynch with the kendo stick and delivered a spear on the floor. Flair positioned a table at ringside and slammed Lynch's face off it. She laid the champion across it and climbed the ropes. Before she could go for the moonsault, Lynch powerbombed her through the table, and the referee began his count again.

Flair tried desperately to fight her way back to her feet, but she was unable to, delivering the win and title to Lynch.

Result

Lynch defeated Flair

Grade

A+

Analysis

The culmination of the best rivalry in WWE, this was everything it needed to be and then some.

It was violent, it was relentlessly physical and it featuring all of the weaponry one would come to expect from the highest-profile male main events. It was every bit as awesome as one would have expected it to be given the talent of the competitors involved, and it definitively ended their program in dramatic, jaw-dropping fashion.

A brilliant match that did not overuse the referee's count, which has been a hallmark of other Last Man Standing matches, this was an epic bout that firmly established Lynch and Flair as two of the best in the industry, regardless of gender.

It was a phenomenal match that the main event will in no way, shape or form be able to match.

Raw Women's Championship Match: Ronda Rousey vs. Nikki Bella

Credit: WWE.com

Nikki Bella and sister Brie were instrumental in beginning a revolution. Ronda Rousey brought it legitimacy with her arrival in WWE. Sunday night, they battled in the main event of the Evolution pay-per-view, Rousey's Raw Women's Championship up for grabs.

The champion took her challenger down early and immediately toyed with her, pushing her back to her feet. A second throw followed and Rousey grabbed the arm, a not-so-subtle warning to the star of Total Divas that the end could come at any time.

A distraction by Brie allowed Nikki to seize control, though, grounding Rousey and applying a sleeper.

On the floor, Bella drove Rousey into the barricade and slammed her face-first into the ring apron. With a headscissors applied, Bella began a series of push-ups. Rousey escaped but showed a look of concern on her face. Another cheap shot by Brie at ringside did her no favors.

Bella applied an abdominal stretch, working over the midsection of the champion in an attempt to seep the life out of the UFC Hall of Famer.

Alternating chants in favor of the competitors rained from the stands as the challenger set her opponent up for a superplex. After more interference from Brie, Rousey fought Nikki off and tried for a cross-body. Bella moved out of the way, and the champion crashed to the mat below.

Bella tried for a baseball slide, but Rousey pulled herself up and out of the way. A kick attempt by Bella was countered. Rousey put both Bellas on her shoulders and delivered her Brazilian throw. A barrage of right hands followed as Rousey mounted a punishing comeback.

She rag-dolled Bella around the ring, punishing the overmatched Bella. She prevented Nikki from escaping to the crowd but ate a forearm from Brie. She responded, throwing Brie across the commentary table. Back inside the squared circle, Nikki answered with an Alabama Slam for a two-count.

The Rack Attack 2.0 followed, but Bella could only keep Rousey down for another two-count.

With Bella perched on the ropes, Rousey ran the ropes and brought her off before applying the armbar for the tapout victory.

Result

Rousey defeated Bella

Grade

B

Analysis

It is a testament to how good a performer Rousey is so early in her career, how experienced Bella is in relatively high-profile matches and every single producer on this match that it was as good as it was.

It feels almost apropos that, on a show called Evolution, Bella was featured in the main event. From a former soccer player-turned-model to Diva Search reject to underdeveloped in-ring competitor and, finally, longest-reigning women's champion of the modern era, her growth as a performer does not get the attention it (or she) deserves.

Was it the best match on the card? No. Was she the best wrestler on the card? Absolutely not, but she was damn good here.

Ditto Rousey, who is so much better at this early point in her career than she has any right to be. Her selling is getting better with every week, and her awareness between the ropes stands out.

This was a quality main event that will probably be underrated by critics but whose story was strong enough to earn it the "B" grade.