Why WWE Evolution Felt Different From Other WWE PPVs

WWE Evolution had a different feel than most WWE PPVs. A big part of it was probably that the house lights for the crowd were turned down, which gave the show a more “intimate” feel and sort of made it feel like an NXT TakeOver.

One major reason why it felt this way was that the show was handled by the NXT production crew, according to PWInsider. WWE producer Kevin Dunn, who directs most WWE shows and is usually blamed for the horrendous extreme camera cuts and movements that sometimes make WWE feel unwatchable, was not at Evolution. The show was instead directed by the same person who directs NXT TakeOvers.

WWE was actually sort of forced to use the NXT crew, because Raw the next day was in Charlotte, NC, and the logistics of getting everything from New York to North Carolina in time would have been very difficult. Evolution was conceived of later than most WWE events, which are usually planned out almost a year in advance, PWInsider says.

PWInsider also noted that Vince McMahon was backstage at the show in the “gorilla position” with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.