The feud between John Adams and Jesse Jamester has been going on since the return of Evolution Pro Wrestling in May. It wasn't until last month's Rise From The Ashes pay-per-view event that Hudman would make his return to EPW and find himself in the middle of this rivalry by standing outside of the ring and distracting Jamester, allowing for Adams to retain his title.

On the May 21st episode of RiOT, Hudman and Jamester would square off to determine the number one contender for the World Championship. A winner could not be determined as John Adams would interfere, knocking out Hudman with the belt.

The following week, Hudman was named the number one contender for the World Championship. However, John Adams and Shawn Singleton would team up to take on Hudman and Jesse Jamester where the stipulation put forth in the match was that if Jamester were to earn a pin-fall over John Adams, he would also earn himself a shot at the World Championship. Also, if Hudman were to be pinned by anyone in this match, he would lose his shot at the title. Needless to say, Jamester would gain a pin-fall over John Adams, making it a Three-Way Match at Higher Stakes

On the June 4th episode of RiOT, a match was made due to an incident with John Adams where he destroyed a locker room backstage in anger after losing the Tag Team Match the previous week. Adams got his way in the form of of Three-Way Match against Hudman and Jamester. In this match, if Adams were to defeat either one of his opponent's that person would be removed from the match at Higher Stakes. Despite being attack by an unknown assailant earlier on in the night, Jesse Jamester would still compete in the main event. Hudman however, would win the match, keeping it a Three-Way for Higher Stakes. After the match, Stephen Cardin would come out and call out all three men for using the World Championship as a weapon over the course of the last few weeks. Cardin stated that at Higher Stakes, no one will be able to use the World Championship to strike their opponent with as it will be hanging above the ring as all three men compete in a Ladder Match.

All three men would have the following week off, but that would not stop the feud between them from intensifying. Jesse Jamester was on a mission as he searched backstage to find the main who attacked him the previous week. In his mind, it could be no one other than Hudman. Seeking Hudman, he found the man backstage and confronted him with a steel chair in hand. Before anything could happen, security would step in and separate the two. Stephen Cardin would then make an appearance, booking a match between the two men for the following week.

On the June 18th episode of RiOT, Hudman and Jesse Jamester would finally get to settle their differences as it was announce that if John Adams were to interfere in the match in any way, he would be stripped of his title and removed from the match at Higher Stakes. John Adams would not interfere in the match as Jamester would pick up the win. However, this did not stop Adams from assaulting both men after the bell sounded. John Adams would then go on to set up a ladder in the ring and climb to the top rung, holding his championship in the air.

The question is, "Will the champion stay on top, or will everything come crashing down?"

It all began with a feud between Harley Grimm and Shawn Singleton. Grimm couldn't defeat Upton Osgood for the Evolution title at Rise from the Ashes. Enter Upton Osgood, the Evolution Champion and EPW's favorite wrestler. He calls Singleton out for attacking him at Rise from the Ashes. Singleton complies, and thus calamity ensues. Singleton introduces The Triumvirate: Martyr, The Hunter and himself. Add Azhrarn to the bunch, and there are now four.

Ever since Upton Osgood inserted himself between Harley Grimm and Shawn Singleton, his dark passenger, someone who he's been keeping captive in his soul over the last thirteen years, has come out, and he's challenged both of his tormentors to a Japanese Death Match.

What will happen in this match? Will Harley Grimm become the unstable monster he is meant to be? Will Upton Osgood's dark passenger play a part in this? Or will Shawn Singleton, the instigator of all of the torment he's caused, walk away with the Evolution Championship? Tune into Higher Stakes, but I warn you, parental discretion is strongly advised for this match.

Ever since he entered EPW, Oliver Ranken has been on a crusade to rid the wrestling world of over-hyped characters and outlandish gimmicks. Ranken is a no nonsense type of guy and he believe wrestling should be just that.

After disposing of American Gladiators star, Titan at Rise From The Ashes, Oliver Ranken appeared at the May 21st episode of RiOT where he assaulted Lantlas after the elf's match with Justice was finished.

On the May 28th episode of RiOT, Oliver Ranken and Lantlas finally stepped into the ring together in a match that Oliver Ranken would have won, but the decision was overturned after Ranken refused to remove his Solution hold from The Elven Warrior.

Over the course of the next couple of weeks, Lantlas and Oliver Ranken would continue their heated feud, including Dallas Green, Devon Drake and even Wormwood.

It wasn't until the June 18th episode of RiOT that Oliver Ranken and Lantlas finally signed on the dotted line, setting up a rematch between the two men at Higher Stakes.

After Evolution Pro Wrestling witnessed a revival of the Tag Team Division with the likes of The Cromartie Brothers, The Canadian Coolness Crew, The Killer Pirates of the Outer Caribbean and the team of B-Boy and Alex Grey, it was apparent that Tag Team Championships needed to be brought back.

A three match tournament was set up pitting The Canadian Coolness crew against B-Boy and Alex Grey, and The Killer Pirates of the Outer Caribbean against The Cromartie Bros.

On the June 11th episode of RiOT, B-Boy and Alex Grey defeated The Canadian Coolness Crew. The Killer Pirates defeated The Cromartie Bros. the following week.

At Higher Stakes, B-Boy and Alex Grey will team up to face The Killer Pirates of the Outer Caribbean to determine EPW's first Tag Team Championship in over four years.

On the June 4th episode of RiOT, Vince Jones made his EPW debut as he stepped into the ring with both Bruce Preacher and the undefeated Phil Burgess. The match came down to the wire as Vince Jones was one second shy of breaking up the pin that allowed Burgess to take the win.

In an attempt to settle their issues once and for all, Vince Jones and Phil Burgess went one-on-one the following week in a match that ended in a double count-out.

On the June 18th episode of RiOT, Phil Burgess and Vince Jones were scheduled to face each other in a Tag Team Match, but neither superstar could find a partner and thus they were forced to team up to take on The Canadian Coolness Crew. Despite not being able to get along, Jones and Burgess picked up the win as Jones earned the pin-fall on Connor Banks.

At Higher Stakes Vince Jones and Phil Burgess will face off once again in a match where there will be no count-outs.

It was announced on June 13, 2008 that ten of EPW's up-and-coming superstars will compete in a Battle Royal Match in which the last man standing will earn a shot at the Evolution Championship. Kevin Richardson defeated Crichton on the June 18th edition of RiOT to earn the tenth spot in the match.

Just as things were starting to heat up for Ciaran Kennedy in EPW, he suffered an unfortunate knee injury in a match on the May 14th episode of RiOT. Two weeks later, Ciaran Kennedy was seen backstage for RiOT. Kennedy mentioned that he was a month away from returning, but almost suffered a major setback when he was attacked by Glyn Cognito

The following week on RiOT, Ciaran Kennedy demanded a match against Glyn Cognito. Due to the fact that Kennedy was not ready to return to action, he was forced to sign a release in order to compete, which he gladly did.

On the June 11th episode of RiOT, Ciaran Kennedy would step back into the ring for the first time in nearly a month despite not being at 100%. Glyn Cognito would take advantage of the situation as he continually attacked the knee of Ciaran Kennedy, causing the referee to put a stop to the match.

On the June 18th episode of RiOT, Ciaran Kennedy would return, still brandishing the knee brace as he clocked Glyn Cognito with a steel chair, putting out yet another challenge for a match at Higher Stakes.

Will Ciaran Kennedy be fully healed and ready to compete or will Glyn Cognito once again take advantage of "The Next Level".