It’s been eight years since WWE’s landmark Evolution pay-per-view event in 2018, which was the first all-women’s PPV card in WWE history. As WWE plans to revive this event in 2025, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the highlights and setbacks of the 2018 show.
In many ways, Evolution 2018 has stood the test of time, with some wrestlers rising to prominence and others showing early promise. However, there were also aspects where the event’s impact faded, whether due to poor pushes or missed opportunities, as we’ll explore.
The 2018 Evolution match results were:
- Trish Stratus and Ronda Rousey defeated Mickie James and Alicia Fox in a tag team match lasting 11:05.
- Nia Jax eliminated Ember Moon in a 20-woman battle royal lasting 16:10.
- Toni Storm defeated Io Shirai in the Mae Young Classic final over 10:20.
- Sasha Banks, Bayley, and Natalya beat the Riott Squad in a six-woman tag match lasting 13:10.
- Shayna Baszler defeated Kairi Sane to retain the NXT Women’s Championship in a 12:10 bout.
- Becky Lynch retained the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair in a 30-minute Last Woman Standing match.
- Ronda Rousey defeated Nikki Bella to keep the Raw Women’s Championship in a 14:15 match.
Shayna Baszler and Kairi Sane were major "what if" stars from Evolution 2018, having an incredible NXT feud and showcasing their talents. However, neither fully reached their potential on WWE’s main roster, with Baszler struggling to connect and ending up in tag team roles, while Sane was mostly in the tag division and never succeeded as a solo act.
Bayley, then still the lovable "Hugger" babyface, teamed with Sasha Banks and Natalya at Evolution 2018. Unfortunately, her babyface character didn’t resonate long-term, leading to her eventual heel turn, which was a stark shift from her previous persona.
Ronda Rousey, one of WWE’s biggest stars at the time, was the Raw Women’s Champion and delivered a strong main event against Nikki Bella. Despite her initial impact, challenges backstage and fan reactions hampered her WWE tenure, leading to a decline before her eventual departure.
Looking back at the roster, many stars from Evolution 2018 are no longer with WWE. While some, like Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, Natalya, Liv Morgan, Iyo Sky, and others remain, many notable talents such as Toni Storm, Ember Moon, and Ronda Rousey have left, illustrating the instability of WWE’s women’s division.
Toni Storm, in particular, stood out at Evolution 2018 after winning the second Mae Young Classic by besting Iyo Sky. Despite her great potential, WWE failed to utilize her effectively, leading to her moving to AEW where she has since flourished as a top women’s star.
Fan Take: Evolution 2018 was a historic milestone for women’s wrestling, but reflecting on it now reveals how WWE missed chances to elevate some incredible talents. Reviving the event in 2025 is not just about nostalgia—it could signify a renewed commitment to growing the women’s division and giving these athletes the spotlight they deserve.
