This article was updated at 7 PM Eastern.
In December, news emerged that WWE NXT was considering a second show that would focus on those trying to make it on the NXT roster.
Fightful reported Wednesday that show is another step closer to being a reality with a tentative title of NXT EVOLVE with EVOLVE founder Gabe Sapolsky and Jeremy Borash both heavily involved.
Dave Meltzer confirmed that a pilot has been filmed, but couldn’t confirm any other details.
Sapolosky tweeted Wednesday evening, “Everything is a team effort at NXT. Everything is fluid and fluctuates. My name doesn’t belong attached to anything like I’m running another independent promotion. Thank you.”
WWE purchased EVOLVE and other assets from Sapolsky and Sal Hamoui last July. Sapolsky has been an WWE/NXT creative consultant since 2018.
Fightful reported that the show tapings had more of a “fight” feel and took place at a warehouse that temporarily used when the Performance Center was unavailable to training during the pandemic. Josiah Williams was the host with new graphics and even a title belt already created with the NXT EVOLVE branding.
As of this point, it’s unknown whether the project has been greenlit for production, announcers, intended talent and the platform on which it will air with the WWE Network the most obvious choice.
The original plan for the show as reported was to provide those in developmental more opportunity to work and hone their craft given that a return to touring is still up in the air given the pandemic.