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The rise and fall of Evolution: photos6 u% ]2 C- _6 h( e- i+ P
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Evolution began at Unforgiven 2002 when Ric Flair aligned himself with World Heavyweight Champion Triple H.
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Batista and Randy Orton joined the group on Jan. 20, 2003 by helping Triple H and Flair put a beating on Scott Steiner., {: j0 w; H! @ j, |0 w
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' z! o/ e6 U7 [5 w( NThe four Superstars officially adopted the name Evolution, representing the past, present and future of WWE.
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Shortly after their formation, Evolution was dealt a blow when both Orton and Batista were sidelined with injuries.
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4 Y4 d" u" B+ W7 ?' k V" LThe Viper returned on the May 26 episode of Raw, the first sign that Evolution was regaining their strength.
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Batista returned that October and destroyed The Game's rival, Goldberg.
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# Y8 W; l$ z4 d) d5 c4 K7 k" ]Orton, Flair and Batista bested The Rock 'n' Sock Connection at WrestleMania XX.5 s! h$ T) X" ^1 o3 v J
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4 C) C" r/ l! s& E1 EThe Viper was dismissed from Evolution after winning the World Heavyweight Title.
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Batista left Evolution after setting his sights on The Game's World Heavyweight Championship.. o/ K( d) s: y% H D& A0 J5 l
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Triple H, Flair and Batista reunited on the 15th anniversary of Raw to take on Rated-RKO and Umaga. O& U3 N* h/ W! W. q$ `
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