Je’Von Evans details breakout moment that led to WWE signing

A show that he wasn’t even originally booked for helped Je’Von Evans get hired by WWE.

The 20-year-old Evans will be one of the challengers for NXT Champion Trick Williams at Heatwave this Sunday (July 7). Williams is putting his title on the line against Evans, Ethan Page, and Shawn Spears in a fatal four-way bout. In advance of the match, Evans spoke with Sports Illustrated about his quick rise to NXT stardom. He detailed how WWE talent scout Gabe Sapolsky took notice of him after competing at GCW’s For The Culture during WrestleMania week in 2023.

“I wasn’t originally booked, but my friend was wrestling on the card and he couldn’t make it, so I asked if I could take his place. The promoter said I could, and I was like, ‘Say less.’ One of the agents for WWE was at that show, and we spoke after the match,” Evans said. “Gabe saw me in this elimination match, and after I got eliminated, he met me at the curtain. He was like, ‘We need to exchange info right now.’”

Evans wrestled as Jay Malachi on the indies. In the Sports Illustrated interview, Evans said he’s always wanted to be a WWE wrestler and never had a backup plan. He began training at 13 years old and then “started going crazy on the indies” once he graduated high school.

“I’ve been telling friends since the third grade I was going to be a WWE wrestler,” Evans said. “My teachers would get mad at me, telling me I needed a backup plan or I should go to college. But I didn’t listen.”

Evans told Sports Illustrated that he wants to become the youngest NXT Champion in history. He’s also set his sights on breaking Randy Orton’s record as the youngest WWE Champion ever.

On NXT tonight, Williams, Evans, Page, and Spears will take part in a contract signing ahead of their Heatwave match.