WWE witnessed Evolution becoming one of the most important factions in company history. An argument can be made that it is the greatest group given the short and long-term impacts they had in the promotion. Triple H, Randy Orton, Batista and Ric Flair all speak glowingly about their time working together.
Evolution is mostly remembered fondly, but there are some things about the group that WWE wants to be forgotten. Four future Hall of Famers working together doesn’t even guarantee that every segment, match or moment will be successful. Various reasons exist for WWE to not want fans to remember everything. Each of the following things about Evolution will see WWE hoping we don’t talk about them.
10 The Cabinet Matched Their Accomplishment Not Too Long After
WWE hyped up the moment of Evolution all winning gold together as a rare accomplishment in the promotion. Armageddon 2003 featured Triple H leaving as World Champion, Randy Orton becoming Intercontinental Champion, and the duo of Ric Flair and Batista winning tag gold.
10 Wrestlers That Were Part Of Multiple Legendary Factions
One mistake in WWE’s booking saw JBL’s much less credible faction The Cabinet have the same accomplishment. Orlando Jordan becoming the United States Champion and the Basham Brothers winning tag titles saw The Cabinet matching Evolution about a year later.
9 Triple H Blocked Mark Jindrak
WWE rarely acknowledges old rumors or urban legends, but that changed for something involving Evolution. Triple H was rumored to have blocked Mark Jindrak from joining Evolution as the second “future star” with Randy Orton.
The Ruthless Aggression documentary series saw this confirmed with WWE showing the old footage of Jindrak filming vignettes with Orton, Triple H and Ric Flair. Triple H used his power to get that axed due to not liking Jindrak’s immaturity and preferring Batista.
8 Mocking Goldust's Condition
The Attitude Era is considered the edgiest time in WWE, but the Ruthless Aggression Era had the same style of crossing the line. WWE ran a storyline where Goldust got electrocuted during a segment that caused a condition going forward.
Evolution had a small program going with Goldust that allowed them to have promo exchanges mocking his stuttering side effect. Everything about this storyline would not work today and provides a rare time WWE did regretful things with the top faction.
7 Reunion Without Randy Orton
It felt like WWE went many years before reuniting Evolution for their feud against The Shield in 2014. However, there was a one-time reunion of Triple H, Ric Flair and Batista reforming the group when all three were playing face characters.
The 2007 Raw match saw the faces teaming up and paying tribute to their old group against Randy Orton, Edge and Umaga. WWE never mentions this rare reunion since Orton was excluded due to his heel character at the time.
6 Long Storyline With Eugene
The entire run of Evolution felt shorter than most factions since they ended once with few reunions and no different versions of the group. However, one negative about that was the potential time wasted in terrible programs.
Eugene having a storyline with Evolution was arguably the worst booking for the group by WWE. Triple H and the rest of Evolution tried manipulating Eugene into doing their bidding when he held power. WWE even wasted a big SummerSlam 2004 Triple H match by having him face Eugene.
5 Kane Turned Them Down
The storyline of Kane unmasking for the first time in WWE actually started off with Evolution trying to get him into their group. Triple H didn’t recruit many members after Evolution officially formed with Ric Flair, Randy Orton and Batista as the four.
Kane was asked to join the group during his face run, and he refused wanting another title shot against Triple H. The loss for Kane against Triple H ended Evolution’s recruiting and forced him to unmask as part of the stipulation for getting another title shot.
4 Kicking Randy Orton Out Almost Ruined His Career
WWE pushed Randy Orton to the top faster than expected due to his ascension in Evolution. Orton made history and is still the youngest World Champion in WWE history to this day. Chris Benoit lost the World Championship to Orton in a shocking moment.
Triple H’s jealousy led to him turning on Orton and having the others help him deliver a brutal beat down. Orton’s face turn went poorly due to the awful Triple H feud dooming his first world title reign. A heel turn against The Undertaker months later saved Orton from the terrible decline.
3 Reunion On SmackDown 1000 Was First Time On Blue Brand
WWE had a unique setting for the big Evolution reunion segment on the 1000th episode of SmackDown. The entire show paid tribute to many of the wrestlers who made SmackDown a success over the past few decades, but Evolution being advertised was strange.
Raw was the brand of Evolution, and they never appeared on SmackDown together in the brand split. WWE didn’t reference the lack of logic as they wanted more star power on the show and used the setting of Batista’s hometown to entice him for the reunion.
2 Product Of Triple H's Backstage Power
One variable about Evolution’s success that never gets talked about is Triple H’s influence in the booking of the show at the time. Triple H had more power than just about any wrestler as both a top star and a member of the McMahon family having more creative freedom.
Many fans viewed the reign of terror as the worst thing in WWE during the early 2000s. Even though Evolution was much more positive, the strength in their booking came from Triple H vouching for them and ensuring the group would be booked well over others.
1 Batista Being Older Than Triple H
WWE sold the concept of Evolution as the past, present and future of wrestling. Ric Flair being the past and Triple H as the top present star were obvious choices. Randy Orton was also the easy pick for the future of wrestling, but Batista joining him was a bit odd.
The later start in wrestling made Batista new to fans and feeling like another young breakout star. However, most fans would be stunned to first realize Batista was technically older than Triple H by a few months. WWE never referenced this since it would have ruined the entire concept of Evolution.