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The rise and fall of Evolution: photos% y& Z- ^# ?. k8 j8 G; X
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$ z. D7 G9 C C, J8 X8 GEvolution 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.& U* r4 N. T/ p
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! ^- `$ i7 {2 z4 `7 b* tThe four Superstars officially adopted the name Evolution, representing the past, present and future of WWE.
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; z& i+ `0 s: m0 AShortly after their formation, Evolution was dealt a blow when both Orton and Batista were sidelined with injuries.
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The Viper returned on the May 26 episode of Raw, the first sign that Evolution was regaining their strength.
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) W6 @- n2 E I9 iBatista returned that October and destroyed The Game's rival, Goldberg.
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; S3 x" {+ F' z/ i y1 `9 \: YOrton, Flair and Batista bested The Rock 'n' Sock Connection at WrestleMania XX.- @2 o% [9 G" o$ V+ X0 k. `
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4 }" [, z$ _2 M% o; @8 KThe Viper was dismissed from Evolution after winning the World Heavyweight Title.' N+ M* g* p E$ Q
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6 L/ g3 @+ u; e# v$ X0 u+ QBatista left Evolution after setting his sights on The Game's World Heavyweight Championship.
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4 f/ R/ H" e) a' {9 ` o9 h7 ]1 tTriple H, Flair and Batista reunited on the 15th anniversary of Raw to take on Rated-RKO and Umaga.
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