WWE is heavily investing in its future, as seen with its main roster call-ups and veteran talent releases. It’s become abundantly clear that WWE (and John Cena, specifically) sees a huge upside in Je’Von Evans. While Je’Von Evans has been skyrocketed to the main roster, other future prospects have taken different roads to the top. Jackson Drake became the inaugural Evolve Champion and is now the leader of NXT’s The Vanity Project. Prior to being in the WWE system, Jackson Drake and Je’Von Evans teamed together on the North Carolina independents. Luckily for fans, we have unearthed a rare picture of Je’Evon Evans and Jackson Drake with Tag Team gold prior to their WWE run.
Je’Von Evans and Jackson Drake: The Wrestling Prodigies
Some people are just born with “it.” With a name like The Wrestling Prodigies, it was clear that Je’Von Evans and Jackson Drake believed in themselves from the jump. The Wrestling Prodigies began training for their WWE careers in their early teens!
Both WWE Superstars grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. Jackson Drake and Malachi Jeffers, known today as Je’Von Evans, started training at the ripe age of 13, honing their craft at Fire Star Pro Wrestling Academy.
The young standouts would cross paths on the North Carolina independent scene in 2019. Jackson Drake competed under his own name, while Je’Von wrestled as Jay Malachi.
Malachi and Drake would become popular acts in Fire Star Pro Wrestling (FSPW), Premier Wrestling Federation (PWF), and America Lucha Wrestling (ALW). As The Wrestling Prodigies, they would capture Tag Team gold in all three promotions. Now, an image of a young Je’Von Evans and Jackson Drake is circulating on the internet.
Rare Pic of Jackson Drake and Je’Von Evans As The Wrestling Prodigies
Some future WrestleMania clashes involve competitors with a lifelong history. Video packages containing archival footage of past fights on the indies are often included in video packages.
For instance, clips of Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor (as Prince Devitt) in Ring of Honor were used in the package for their NXT TakeOver: London clash over the NXT Title in 2015. Meanwhile, stills from New Japan Pro Wrestling were used to promote AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Title at WrestleMania 34.
When Jackson Drake and Je’Von Evans clash in the future, this Wrestling Prodigies promo pic could make the airwaves:
It’s undeniable that this could happen. After all, Jackson Drake was candid about his jealousy over Je’Von getting called up before him. Perhaps The Vanity Project can take the air out of The Bouncy One when they make their way up to the main roster.
These two aren’t the only rare pics on the IWC. A rare sighting of Sable recently made waves. This outing was in the wake of Brock Lesnar’s shocking retirement.