Zitat:Who Is The New Face Of EVOLVE?

Wesley "Davey" Richards and EVOLVE have permanently parted ways. Richards was promoted as the "face" of EVOLVE since the inception of the promotion. He gave us a very memorable, must-see main event against Kota Ibushi on EVOLVE 1. What now for EVOLVE?

"I have to admit that the concept of having one main face of EVOLVE didn't work," Co-Founder Gabe Sapolsky said. "Don't get me wrong, and this is a general statement, but it's not because of the fact that we are the underdog promotion in its infancy and we can't compete with the payoffs of other companies. It is because of the message it sent to the locker room

Saying one guy was the "face" of EVOLVE immediately set up a hierarchy on the roster. It sent a message to everyone else that they are the undercard talent. This is the exact opposite of what EVOLVE is all about. We want anyone on any part of the card to feel like they can go out there and steal the show, win their match, and become a main eventer. That spot isn't reserved for one person. It is wide open for the taking.

As you will see on the DVD of the first event, it also segregated the locker room. This in turn created cliques. These are all things we want and need to avoid in EVOLVE. These are the things that cause wrestlers to worry more about politics and locker room heat than performance and pleasing the fans. We want to create an environment where everyone can wrestle in peak form without concern of backstage BS."

EVOLVE is not based on one individual or wrestling style. It is a collection of athletes who possess hunger, uniqueness and the drive to advance their style of combat. EVOLVE is about opportunity. Sure, it is a place where you will see dream matches with some of the top talent from all over the world, but most importantly it is the platform for new stars to be born and fresh styles to be displaced. Need proof? Just look at EVOLVE 1.

TJP vs. Munenori Sawa stole the show with an incredible display of fighting skill. Brad Allen moonsaulted off the top rope, landed on his face, and still found the heart to get up. Mike Quackenbush and the CHIKARA crew displayed their "science" of tag team wrestling, which no one in the world can emulate. Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly held nothing back in the opening match and fought without fear of what veterans later on the card might think. Arik Cannon and Ricochet completely modernized the hard-hitter vs. high-flyer match. Mercedes Martinez proved that women can be just as vicious as the guys. The list goes on and on, but we'll let you watch the DVD for yourself.

EVOLVE 1 was just a taste of things to come. We are still like a newborn, becoming aware of who we are. You will see the promotion and its wrestlers grow and improve before your eyes. You will witness fresh matches and exciting styles. We will all evolve together.

Who will step up and take success? Who will be the first EVOLVE homegrown stars? How will EVOLVE develop next? Be there on March 13th for EVOLVE 2 in Rahyway, NJ at the Rahway Rec Center and experience it for yourself.