The success of the Evolution faction helped four wrestlers find greater importance in WWE. Triple H was the top heel in the company, but things were growing stale until he formed the group. Ric Flair struggled to find a role in WWE until aligning with Triple H to start Evolution. Batista and Randy Orton each became huge stars after their time in the group.
WWE went with the simple concept of having wrestlers represent the best of the past, present and future. There is speculation that a new Evolution may be in the works after Flair returned to align with Orton recently. Regardless, the original group holds a legendary place in WWE’s history. Find out more about stories from Evolution that will surprise you.
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10 Bubba Ray allegedly tried to injure Randy Orton and Batista
The WWE Network Ruthless Aggression episode about Evolution featured more stories about the group’s time together. Batista and Randy Orton each developed backstage heat for how they handled the fame and for getting such major opportunities earlier in their careers.
Bubba Ray Dudley had a reputation for working stiff with people he disliked and that caused controversy during an infamous Dudley Boyz vs Evolution tag team. Batista and Orton both suffered injuries and viewed Bubba as being a jerk who could have prevented it from happening.
9 They used to bury Smackdown while working for Raw
Evolution members received heat for different reasons in WWE, but one issue was how much little respect they showed for Smackdown. Raw has been WWE’s top shows for most of the company’s existence and was the home of Evolution.
Batista, Randy Orton and Triple H all made public comments mocking Smackdown’s roster for the ratings and live event numbers being down. WWE eventually placed both Orton and Batista on Smackdown shortly after Evolution ended.
8 Ric Flair credits the group for saving his career
The end of Ric Flair’s WCW career featured him losing all confidence after Eric Bischoff tried to ruin his life and the company showed him little respect. Flair struggled in WWE until turning heel to align with Triple H.
Evolution was the turning point in Flair returning to form as a character. Triple H’s personal relationship with Flair helped, but Randy Orton and Batista wanting to learn from the legend was another huge game-changer.
7 Triple H refused to let Mark Jindrak join after spending a day with him
The Ruthless Aggression series confirmed a longstanding urban legend about Mark Jindrak possibly getting Batista’s spot in Evolution. WWE filmed segments of Jindrak as the fourth member as they were preparing the group being formed.
Triple H admitted that Jindrak annoyed him when spending that day together and he refused to let him join the group. Orton and Jindrak were best friends at the time, and their comfort with each other ended up hurting Mark’s career.
6 Batista vs Orton was a long-term WM plan that injuries ruined
The futures of Batista and Randy Orton were clearly bright and huge parts of WWE’s vision. A reported plan was for the former Evolution teammates to have a huge match for the World Championship at WrestleMania 22.
Batista suffered a brutal injury that forced him to relinquish the title. The match changed to Orton vs Kurt Angle vs Rey Mysterio with Mysterio winning the World Championship. WWE did have a backstage segment at the show with Batista confronting Orton during a promo.
5 Seth Rollins almost joined later version
The reunion of Evolution in 2014 saw Triple H, Randy Orton and Batista putting over The Shield in two great matches. However, Seth Rollins’ heel turn at the end of the feud was the most memorable moment.
There was speculation of a new Evolution seeing Triple H as the veteran, Orton as the present and Rollins as the future top star. WWE instead opted to keep The Authority as the main faction with Rollins mostly working in singles action with Triple H’s guidance.
4 Triple H gave tough love to Randy Orton
Triple H has referenced Randy Orton’s struggles with maturity quite a few times throughout the years. The common belief is that Orton could have been an even bigger star since he often relaxed or didn’t take wrestling seriously.
There were a few conversations over the years of Triple H trying to get Orton to smarten up. It worked enough for Orton to have a great career, but he still failed to reach that level of John Cena, CM Punk or Roman Reigns that WWE expected.
3 Goldberg was forced to sell for Batista
Bill Goldberg was very protective of his character and refused to sell for any wrestlers he deemed beneath him. One of the biggest moments for Evolution came when Batista delivered a vicious attack on Goldberg to collect Triple H’s cash bounty and joined the group.
Many wrestlers and fans were shocked at Goldberg allowing Batista to look strong at his expense. This around the time WWE started to lose faith in Goldberg and made him follow their approach. Goldberg opted to leave WWE a few months later due to his unhappiness working there.
2 Triple H wanted it to be his version of the Four Horsemen
WWE was very intentional about only having three or four members in Evolution. Triple H came up with the concept and wanted it to be like the Four Horsemen. There was a modern twist, but the inspiration came from wrestling history.
Triple H was the top heel for WWE when leading Evolution much like Flair during his best days in the Horsemen. Vince McMahon was never going to use the Four Horsemen name, so Triple H came up with the Evolution concept.
1 WWE instantly regretted turning Randy Orton face
One of the defining moments for Evolution was Randy Orton defeating Chris Benoit at Summerslam 2004 to become the youngest World Champion in WWE history. Evolution helped get Orton to the point where he could credibly win the top prize at a young age.
The following night saw Triple H betraying Orton on Raw by having Evolution unleash a brutal beatdown. Orton turned face, but he could not connect with the audience after they loved his heel work. WWE shockingly had Orton lose the title to Triple H at the next PPV and turned him back heel a few months later.