Tag: mae young classic results

WWE Mae Young Classic results: The finals are set

Posted on by Arya Witner

This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The semifinals of the Mae Young Classic. The season finale, if you will. The winners advance to Evolution this Sunday night.

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Toni Storm defeated Meiko Satomura to advance to the finals

In case you need help understanding the age and experience difference between these two, Toni Storm was 13 months old when Satomura wrestled on WCW Monday Nitro in 1996. Satomura was already a 14-year veteran when Storm debuted in 2009.

The match began with some great mat wrestling as neither wrestler wanted to possibly make an early mistake that could cost them big. Storm took a kick to the chest, but she came back with her own running kick to take over. Satomura didn’t let it last long, using a series of leg kicks to chop down her taller opponent.

The bruises began to form on Storm’s legs, but she slapped on an STF. Michael Cole, who has called about 500 John Cena matches, called it “unique offense.” To be fair, he hasn’t seen too many good STFs.

No one believed it was the finish, even though Satomura sold it like death, but she was able to drag herself to the ropes. Storm hit a suicide dive and began grabbing her elbow. The suicide dive, the same move that injured Tegan Nox and always looks like Io Shirai is going to land on her head, is still being used here in the semifinals.

Back in the ring, Storm began kicking Satomura, but Satomura fired up and used her own kicks. Satomura hit a Death Valley Driver for the sure victory — but Storm kicked out. Storm blocked a running knee and hit Storm Zero — but Satomura kicked out! The crowd exploded at this.

Satomura blocked a second Storm Zero and hit a Pele Kick and a Scorpion Kick, but again Storm kicked out. Fans were literally jumping up and down at this point.

Finally, Storm blocked another Death Valley Driver and hit her second Storm Zero for the pin! Storm is going to Evolution. Both wrestlers kneeled and bowed to one another before hugging. Kairi Sane appeared to present roses to Storm, who could not stop crying. Triple H came out to raise Satomura’s hand on the ramp, which led to more applause and more tears.

Storm cut a promo after the match, thanking the crowd and everyone in the back for letting her dreams come true.

Storm has downed Jinny, Hiroyo Matsumoto, Mia Yim, and now Satomura. She has one more test on Sunday.

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Io Shirai defeated Rhea Ripley to advance to the finals

This match was different from the beginning as Ripley showed very little respect to her foe and was making subtle gestures to injuring Tegan Nox. Ripley used her size and power advantage early. She yanked Shirai back in an abdominal stretch. When Shirai tried to kick her way out of it, Ripley punched her right in the ribs. In an ensuing stretch, Ripley was digging her nails into the abdominal region of Shirai.

Ripley’s frustration began as Shirai wouldn’t stay down, but she cooled down and locked on a body scissors. Shirai went crazy and got out of it with a series of punches and forearms, which stunned Ripley. The advantage didn’t last long as Ripley rolled over and kicked Shirai right in the ribs. Seconds later, it was like that never happened as Shirai started to build momentum.

Shirai hit the suicide dive and, for once, didn’t have me worried that she was going to land on her head. Shirai kept the momentum going, hitting a 619 and a missile dropkick for a near fall. However, Ripley tripped her up on an attempted moonsault. Ripley hit a superplex that hurt her own back, but Shirai got out of a pumphandle move and shoved Ripley shoulder-first into the ring post. Shirai hit the double knees and a moonsault for the win!

Not as good as the opener, but still a very good match, especially when you consider this wasn’t even scheduled to be the match since Nox was supposed to beat Ripley before her injury.

Shirai and Sane embraced like long lost friends

Shirai blitzed Xia Brookside and then defeated Zeuxis, Deonna Purrazzo, and Ripley and will now be throwing down on Sunday. 32 began, 30 went to the wayside. At Evolution, only one will be left standing as Io Shirai will face Toni Storm. Who follows in the footsteps of Kairi Sane? Only one way to find out.

The show finished up with both Shirai and Storm coming out on stage and posing with Triple H, Sara Amato, and Sane as Cole closed up the show.

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That does it for this week — and that does it for the Mae Young Classic. Thank you all for reading. If nothing else, it was a fun eight weeks and now I will return to semi-retirement. It is my birthday Monday, so if you are inclined, please donate to a charity of your choice in celebration of my birth.

As for me? I have to hurry on my way. But as I wave goodbye, don’t cry because I will be back again someday.

WWE Mae Young Classic results: The quarterfinals

Posted on by Arya Witner

Sorry for the delay everyone! It is the penultimate episode of the Mae Young Classic. Next week is the season finale, with the finals taking place at WWE Evolution on October 28.

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Meiko Satomura defeated Lacey Lane in a quarterfinal match

From the start, Michael Cole was pushing that it would be the biggest upset in the history of women’s wrestling if Lane won. Satomura tried to play nice early and showed sportsmanship by offering her hand during a break. Lane refused, so Satomura turned her foe into five feet of lumps. Lane missed a kick that would have missed by three feet if Satomura hadn’t ducked.

Lane got out of an armbar attempt and countered with a series of strikes, which got the fans behind her. Satomura battled back with a head kick and picked up the win with a Death Valley Driver! So much for the biggest upset in the history of women’s wrestling.

Lane shook hands and bowed in respect after the match.

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Io Shirai defeated Deonna Purrazzo in a quarterfinal match

It was the return of “The Virtuosa” drinking game — because if you took a drink every time someone said “The Virtuosa” in regards to Purrazzo, you would have liver damage.

The match started slow with them feeling each other out, but the pace changed just as quickly. Shirai hit her suicide dive and, just like last time, I was afraid she was going to come up short and land on her head. Shirai stood on Purrazzo in the corner and counted along with the referee before breaking at four.

Purrazzo had trouble stringing together multiple moves in a row until she got in two hard chops. She followed with a hip toss and her basement dropkick. Purrazzo locked on the armbar, but no one believed Shirai would tap out. Shirai used the 619 and a springboard dropkick for a near fall. Purrazzo used the rolling German suplexes, which haven’t been seen in a while.

Shirai got locked in another armbar — and this one the fans actually bought as the finish — but Shirai  somehow got out of it and turned it into a crossface. Shirai used her running double knees and what amounted to a back flip headbutt (as opposed to a moonsault) for the win!

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Rhea Ripley defeated Tegan Nox via referee stoppage 

This was the match that unfortunately had the injury during it. Nox hit a suicide dive 20 seconds into the match and landed awkwardly on her knee on the ramp. They tried to continue, and it made me think of the Trish Stratus vs. Lita match where Lita blew out her knee. Ironically, this was Nox’s knee that wasn’t injured last year.

The trainer came out and they did allow it to continue for some reason. It went maybe a minute or two until they did a spot that culminated with Ripley hitting a dropkick. Nox went down and couldn’t get back up. The referee waved the match off and the crowd went deathly silent.

We got polite applause when Ripley was announced as the winner, which was followed by a standing ovation when Nox was carried to the back. They showed women crying in the crowd.

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Toni Storm defeated Mia Yim in a quarterfinal match

This match only had about eight minutes, but it was a fantastic eight minutes.

Yim learned from her last match and didn’t start this one by throwing strikes with her injured hand. She concentrated more on holds to wear down Storm and attempting to submit her. Storm, however, was content wailing away on her injured foe with hard strikes and high impact moves.

When submissions didn’t work for Yim, she decided that what was good for the goose was good for the gander and she began to kick at Storm. However, Storm then kicked her right in the injured hand, followed by a headbutt that put both wrestlers down.

They fought to their knees and exchanged a series of open handed slaps and chops. Yim hit a Saito suplex and a powerbomb for a pair of near falls. Storm blocked Seoul Food and hit Storm Zero to score the pin!

The semifinals are set. Next week it is Shirai vs, Ripley and Storm vs. Satomura. Who is going to the finals on October 28? We’ll find out next Wednesday. Until then, thank you for reading and I’ll talk to you again next week!

WWE Mae Young Classic results: Second round begins

Posted on by Arya Witner

Hey, we’ve reached the second round!

Toni Storm defeated Hiroyo Matsumoto in a second round match

According to Storm, they have wrestled each other seven times before now. I could only find results of two matches, both of which were in Stardom. One was a time limit draw and the other was a tag team match where Storm was on the winning side.

Storm defeated Jinny in the first round, while Matsumoto beat Rachel Evers.

This was a better match than a lot of the first round bouts. Michael Cole said Matsumoto likes to have fun. Ironically, this was immediately followed by a very heel move where she delivered a cheap shot after a clean break. Renee Young said that these two had a chance to watch each other in the first round, which allowed them to scout each other. So, she doesn’t watch the pre-match videos either.

Matsumoto played to the crowd, so Storm snapped off a German suplex, followed by a running hip attack and a Perfect Plex, but Matsumoto kicked out. Matsumoto locked on a Boston crab that transitioned into a single-legged crab, which Storm sold for all it was worth. Heads collided mid-ring and Matsumoto hit the Rock Drop, but Storm got her toe on the bottom rope.

The finish saw Matsumoto hit multiple clotheslines, but Storm ducked one and rolled her up, bridged backwards, and picked up the win!

Storm will now wrestle the winner of next week’s match between Mia Yim and Kaitlyn.

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Rhea Ripley defeated Kacy Catanzaro in a second round match

Catanzaro is the American Ninja Warrior participant who was incredibly unique in her first round match against Reina Gonzalez. Ripley defeated MJ Jenkins in the first round. Ripley has a seven-inch height advantage and 42-pound weight advantage.

Ripley refused a handshake, so Catanzaro ran all over the ring, hitting her on all sides, until she got caught and thrown stomach-first on top of the top rope. Catanzaro teased a sudden win with a small package, but Ripley was back on her feet quickly and dropped Catanzaro with a dropkick. Ripley lifted her up for a vertical suplex and walked around the ring before falling backwards.

Catanzaro did her best Rey Mysterio impersonation by hitting both a tornado DDT and a corkscrew plancha to the floor. Catanzaro went for a springboard move, but she slipped and nearly hurt herself. They went and re-did the exact same spot, which made it weird that they didn’t edit the first one out. The fans did cheer for Catanzaro when she finally hit it. Ripley got tired and hit a Riptide for the somewhat surprising win.

Ripley will face the winner of Nicole Matthews vs Tegan Nox, which is next week.

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Lacey Lane defeated Taynara Conti in a second round match

Lane scored a first round upset over Vanessa Kraven, while Conti defeated Jessie Elaban. Conti was the only woman who had to win a qualifying match before the tournament and then had a match against Elaban that was best described as “something that happened.” Lane’s victory over Kraven “shocked the world.” My goal for tomorrow is to ask random strangers what they thought of Lane beating Kraven and recording their answers.

Conti is either the most believable striker in WWE or she kicked the hell out of Lane. She followed kicking Lane in the ribs and hands by throwing a clothesline about two feet above Lane’s head. Shockingly, that missed. Lane made a brief comeback and won quickly with a crucifix bomb. They got them in and out as quick as possible.

Lane is now going to get her butt kicked in the quarterfinals by the winner of our main event.

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Meiko Satomura defeated Mercedes Martinez in a second round match

Martinez beat Ashley Rayne in the first round, while Satomura defeated Killer Kelly. Satomura is a 23-year veteran, and I will bring this up during every match she has, is one of the very few women to have wrestled on WCW Monday Nitro.

Martinez got frustrated as Satomura controlled her on the mat. Martinez finally hit a belly-to-belly overhead suplex before controlling her with a side headlock. This stopped being a nice, little, respectful battle between veterans when Martinez slapped Satomura right in the face. Satomura battled out of a front chinlock and hit a high kick. However, she got tripped on the top rope and Martinez utilized a spinning neckbreaker for a near fall.

Martinez was slow to follow up, so Satomura locked on an armbar. Martinez had to roll all over the ring to finally reach the ropes.

Satomura kicked Martinez’s body up and down, to and fro and then hit a frog splash for a two count. Satomura did her handstand knee drop, which was kicked out of again. Martinez blocked a Pele and delivered a fisherman’s suplex for the closest of close near falls. Martinez went for the Mexican surfboard, but Satomura elbowed her way out of it and hit a Scorpion Kick for the win!

That was a tremendous match, and Satomura has to wrestle at least one more time. Lacey Lane, you might want to just wave the white flag now, because you’re next.

Well, that is going to do it for this week. The second round finishes up next week! Until then, thank you all for reading and I’ll talk to you again in seven days!

WWE Mae Young Classic results: Last set of first round matches

Posted on by Arya Witner

The first round comes to its conclusion tonight!

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Hiroyo Matsumoto defeated Rachel Evers in a first round match

Evers is the daughter of Paul Ellering. And since she couldn’t be called Ellering, she took the real last name of her trainer, Lance Storm. Matsumoto called herself Lady Godzilla in her pre-match promo and told Renee Young that if she could wrestle any one person it would be The Undertaker.

Kassius Ohno, introduced as Evers’ boyfriend, was shown in the front row.

It was the Irresistible Force vs. The Immovable Object early on — as neither wrestler would give up an inch during a collar-and-elbow lock-up and a series of clotheslines. Michael Cole had his first “Michael Cole-ism” of the night when, after Beth Phoenix talked about how Evers was always in between Japan tours, Cole said that if Evers won tonight, people would take notice in Japan.

Matsumoto hit a beautiful missile dropkick that folded Evers up. She then placed Evers across the middle rope, ground her foot into the ribs of her opponent, and used the double knees for a near fall. Evers came back and hit a short powerbomb. Evers hit a pump kick, a Diamond Cutter, and a running senton for a near fall and then used a rope-assisted twisting leg drop for another near fall.

Both used hard open-hand slaps before Matsumoto knocked Evers down with a clothesline, in a throwback to the start of the match. Matsumoto hit a spinning elbow and a German suplex, but Evers exploded up! She did a pump kick on one clothesline attempt — but got caught the second time. The finish saw Matsumoto hit a powerbomb and a Rock Drop back suplex for the win.

Easily one of the best matches of the first round. That could have been a later round match. Speaking of the later rounds, Matsumoto will now move on and face Toni Storm.

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Taynara Conti defeated Jessie Elaban in a first round match

Conti is the first Brazilian woman signed to WWE. She has competed in the WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal and — for one show — was kind of a member of Undisputed Era last year. Elaban is goofy and falls down a lot. That’s not me being a jerk, that’s literally how she describes herself.

Dana Brooke was at ringside and Cole was way too happy about this.

Conti used a hip toss to start the match and Elaban almost landed on her head. Elaban went for a corner splash. Conti not only moved, but shoved her into the top rope. The good news for Elaban is it’s a good thing she likes falling down, because Conti had no problem bumping her all over the ring. Conti went for a kick to the face, but Elaban moved and Conti kicked the bottom turnbuckle, which gave Elaban her opening.

Elaban got in a little bit of offense, including hitting a flying forearm in the corner, but she got cut off quickly and was laid out with a spinning side slam, which gave Conti the win.

The biggest positive of this match was it’s now over. Conti will face Lacey Lane in the round of 16.

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Nicole Matthews defeated Isla Dawn in a first round match

Isla Dawn is a former actress, has wrestled in PROGRESS, and is signed to the NXT UK brand, while Matthews is a 12-year veteran who has wrestled primarily in ECCW and Shimmer. She also once lost to Asuka on NXT.

Renee Young was hoping Dawn broke out witchcraft in this match. That would take this tournament in a direction most people wouldn’t expect.

Matthews used a draping neckbreaker from the middle rope and lit Dawn up with a series of kicks to the back. Dawn used a rolling uppercut, but when she went for it a second time, Matthews dropped her. Matthews’ strategy appeared to be to kick every possible inch of Dawn’s body, as she turned to her stomach and chest. Dawn came back and decided that what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, as she kicked Matthews up and down her body, used a running knee, and hit a fisherman’s suplex for a two count.

Dawn used an Olympic Slam for another near fall. Matthews came back with a knee strike and locked on the Liontamer for the submission win. I guess Dawn should have broken out the witchcraft, eh?

Matthews will move on and go one-on-one with Tegan Nox. Young said they will have a “pound-for-pound hardway matchup” — whatever that is.

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Io Shirai defeated Xia Brookside in a first round match

Brookside is 19 years old. I don’t want to put her down, but she had slightly less than zero percent chance of winning this match. On a positive note, she is the daughter of Robbie Brookside. Shirai is only 28 years old but is a legend already. I would be here until tomorrow to list all of her accomplishments and awards.

Kairi Sane and Robbie Brookside were both sitting ringside. It was noted that this was the first time Brookside ever saw his daughter wrestle live.

Brookside tried breaking out a flying headscissors at the bell, but it didn’t work out for her and Shirai, who was the crowd favorite, took over. Shirai slapped on a twisting crossface with such remarkable speed. Cole noted that Shirai’s two dream opponents were Charlotte Flair and Asuka.

Shirai used a springboard moonsault to win what was almost an extended squash match. Brookside did her best, but she was outclassed in this one.

Shirai picked up Brookside and hugged her after the match. Now, Shirai goes on from here to face Zeuxis.

So that does it for the first round. Thank you all so much for reading — and we kick off the round of 16 next week!

WWE Mae Young Classic results: Mia Yim vs. Allysin Kay, Kaitlyn returns

Posted on by Arya Witner

Welcome to yet another fun, action-packed edition of the Mae Young Classic.

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Kaitlyn defeated Kavita Devi in a first round match

As a lot of you reading this probably remember, I used to review NXT. The very first match on the very first show I reviewed was Kaitlyn vs. Maxine, which was such a terrible three minutes that it won the Wrestling Observer Worst Worked Match of the Year Award. Kaitlyn did improve quite a bit over the years and is a former Divas Champion and the winner of NXT season three. Ironically, she never had a match at WrestleMania — while Kavita Devi has been in developmental for under a year and was in the Women’s Battle Royal this year.

This match was mostly fine. It was a little rough in the middle, but they held things together and Kaitlyn won with a spear after a cannonball in the corner. Kaitlyn seemed ready to cry when her hand was raised.

Kaitlyn will next go one-on one with the winner of Mia Yim vs. Allysin Kay, which is our main event this week.

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Toni Storm defeated Jinny in a first round match

Jinny is a fashionista, but she at least wants to use the MYC to catapult her career from modeling to WWE. If this were 1995, she would be wrestling to become a bigger star in modeling. Storm competed last year and made it to the semifinals before losing to Kairi Sane.

Tyler Breeze was shown at ringside watching on for this one. Makes sense since he’s a model and Jinny’s a model. The Iiconics were also shown watching.

Jinny tapped out to an armbar, but apparently it didn’t count. Storm nearly booted Jinny’s head off her neck, but Jinny gave Storm an STO into the middle turnbuckle. Jinny used an armbar and a crossface, which was unique. Jinny gave Storm an arm drag near the corner. Not sure if Storm was supposed to hit the turnbuckles, but she didn’t and bumped on the mat.

Jinny used a rolling surfboard but eventually had to let go. Jinny ran face-first into Storm’s foot, which began Storm’s comeback. She hit a snap German suplex, a running hip attack, and the Storm Zero Tiger Driver for the pin!

Storm will face the winner of Rachel Evers vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto.

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Xia Li defeated Karen Q in a first round match

Li is the first Chinese female signed to WWE and was in last year’s Mae Young Classic, where she lost to Mercedes Martinez in her first-ever match. Q is a former gymnast, who has a master’s degree in nursing and has wrestled in ROH and SHIMMER.

Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae were ringside for this one.

The match started with a show of respect and a martial arts demonstration. Q got the worst of it — so she slapped Li, much to the chagrin of the fans. Q periodically did a mocking bow towards Li during the match. Li made her comeback with a series of kicks to the thigh. Q ducked a high kick, but Li came up with the other foot to knock Q out.

The finish saw Q miss a frog splash and get pinned after a twisting ax kick. Li moves onto the Sweet 16 to face Deonna Purrazzo.

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Mia Yim defeated Allysin Kay in a first round match

If the rumors are true, congratulations to Mia Yim on being signed to WWE. Both Kay and Yim are former Impact Knockouts Champions, and Kay beat Yim for the title when they were known as Sienna (Kay) and Jade (Yim). They also have wrestled each other all over the world, including a match where Yim broke Kay’s nose.

Sonya Deville and Shelton Benjamin were at ringside for this one.

Yim got the better of the early exchanges, including her running down the apron and kicking Kay squarely in the chest. Back in the ring, Kay laid Yim out with a Pounce that sent her halfway across the ring and out of it. Yim rebounded from that and hit a suicide dive. However, her advantage ended there as she backed Kay to the post and went for a chop, but Kay ducked and Yim chopped the ring post! That echoed across Full Sail.

An exchange of submission holds led to Yim blocking a high kick and the two enemies going forehead-to-forehead before resuming their battle. Kay backdropped out of a package piledriver attempt, but she got caught with a Code Red for a near fall. Yim went to the middle rope, and after a brief scuffle, hit Sole Food (Gail Kim’s Eat Defeat) for the win.

Probably the best match of the first round so far. Yim now faces Kaitlyn in the next round.

So that does it for this episode. The first round comes to an end next week, so make sure to come on back next Wednesday!

WWE Mae Young Classic results: The tournament begins

Posted on by Arya Witner

Hey, I’m back!

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The show opened with a recap of last year’s tournament, which segued into a video of this year’s competitors.

Michael Cole, Beth Phoenix, and Renee Young are the commentary team.

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Tegan Nox defeated Zatara in a first round match

In her pre-match video package, the masked Zatara said she was the first Chilean wrestler in WWE history. Nox’s video had plenty of footage from PROGRESS.

Nox was the crowd favorite as they exchanged holds early. Nox got the best of her at the start. Zatara reached out for a handshake, but she betrayed Nox by booting her in the gut.

Zatara began working on the knee that Nox injured before last year’s tournament. Nox tried to shake it off during her comeback, the highlight of which was a diving crossbody off the top rope. Nox kicked out after a running double knees in the corner and picked up the win with a Shining Wizard!

A good, solid match to kick off the tournament. Nox will face the winner of the Isla Dawn vs. Nicole Matthews first round match.

Ember Moon and Alexa Bliss were shown applauding in the audience.

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Rhea Ripley defeated MJ Jenkins in a first round match

Ripley said she made a fool out of herself last year, but this is the darker version of her.

Ripley refused the pre-match handshake — and it was on. Jenkins was moving and grooving until she was on the apron and went to jump back in the ring, with Ripley dropkicking her and sending her crashing and burning onto the mats outside the ring. Ripley dominated Jenkins, who did a great job selling. Ripley used the abdominal stretch and dug her elbow right into the ribs.

Jenkins screamed to the heavens as she started her comeback. She hit a high kick and this time connected with the springboard dropkick on Ripley for a two count. Jenkins seemed primed for another big move, but Ripley hit a pumphandle powerbomb for the pin.

Ripley will face the winner of Kacy Catanzaro vs. Reina Gonzalez.

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Lacey Lane defeated Vanessa Kraven in a first round match

Lio Rush was shown ringside before this match.

Lane is the hometown favorite. She’s from Winter Park, Florida and has been in wrestling for two years. Kraven, however, is six feet tall and a 14-year veteran from Montreal. She’s competed all over Canada, Japan, and the United States.

Lane may be a foot (or so) shorter, but she can get her foot high, as she kicked Kraven right in the head. She also used an ugly looking multiple-springboard move, but it still did the trick. They ended up outside the ring, but that was for the worse. Kraven caught Lane and hung her upside down from the top rope. Kraven stalked Lane around the ring, using chops and an over-the-shoulder backbreaker.

Lane tried to fight back and kicked out after a Black Hole Slam, which got the crowd chanting for her. Kraven missed a cannonball splash (that she had hit earlier) and got upset when Lane used a crucifix pin for the win.

Kraven couldn’t believe it and neither could the Full Sail crowd. Lane will now face the winner of Taynara Conti vs. Jessie Elaban.

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Shadia Bseiso interviewed Natalya, who was really happy to be here and said she was rooting for both Mia Yim and Io Shirai to win.

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Meiko Satomura defeated Killer Kelly in a first round match

Want to know how long Satomura has been wrestling? In 1996 and 1997 she lost matches on WCW television, including to Toshie Uematsu on Nitro. Funaki and Tye Dillinger watched from ringside for the main event. Killer Kelly has been wrestling two years but has already competed for NXT UK, Rev Pro, Pro Wrestling EVE, and wXw.

Kelly used her superior speed, but once Satomura got her hands on her, she was twisted like a pretzel. Satomura locked on a single-legged crab and turned that into the best looking STF you’ve seen on WWE TV in 13 years. Kelly was used as a kick pad, as Satomura kicked her in every exposed inch of her body. Kelly came back with a suplex and went for a pump kick, but Satomura used an uppercut. Satomura also used a handspring into a double knee drop.

Kelly got the nearest of near falls with a Perfect Plex, which inspired a “This is Awesome” chant. Satomura was tired of the games and hit a nice looking Death Valley Driver for the pin.

Satomura will face the winner of Ashley Rayne vs. Mercedes Martinez.

So, that does it from night one of the Mae Young Classic. Thank you for reading and I’ll see you again next week!

WWE Mae Young Classic finals live results: Baszler vs. Sane

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Kairi Sane won the Mae Young Classic in a dramatic match against Shayna Baszler during a live special from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas for the tournament finals.

Despite speculation ahead of the show about an angle involving the Horsewomen factions, the show was purely focused on the finals and the match itself. The Horsewomen factions were indeed at ringside, but they were merely there to watch the match.

Celebrity guests and various other female wrestlers — both past and present — from the WWE roster were at ringside as well. Semifinalists and others from the tournament were also there to watch on.

The heated match gave way to an emotional scene with Sane during the post-match ceremony. The atmosphere was made even better by a hot crowd reacting to the drama of the match. The presentation of the show itself helped in making the tournament finals seem monumental.

The tournament came down to former UFC fighter Shayna Baszler taking on joshi wrestling standout Kairi Sane. Baszler defeated Zeda, Mia Yim, Candice LeRae, and Mercedes Martinez on her road to the finals, with Sane overcoming Tessa Blanchard, Bianca Belair, Dakota Kai, and Toni Storm in getting to the climatic match.

Baszler and Sane had previously met in a match against each other for the Stardom promotion in Japan prior to either being a part of WWE.

After winning the tournament, Kairi Sane is set for a title match to decide the next NXT Women’s Champion at the TakeOver special event in Houston this November during Survivor Series weekend.

The live special from Las Vegas opened with a video package hyping the finals. Highlights from the red carpet followed with sound bites from the celebrity guests and WWE wrestlers in attendance.

Renee Young was the host of the show while Jim Ross and Lita were on commentary. Lillian Garcia returned in a special appearance doing the ring announing for grand introductions before the match.

Kairi Sane defeated Shayna Baszler to win the Mae Young Classic

Sane pinned Baszler with a flying elbow drop to win the tournament final.

As they circled each other at the outset, dueling chants broke out from the crowd upon the first lock-up.

Early on in the match, they established the story that played on the size difference. The larger heel bullied the babyface-in-peril until finally being vanquished.

The match soon went to the mat when Baszler shot in for a takedown and they began grappling. 

Baszler displayed her power advantage during a Greco Roman knucklelock. Sane showed her quickness with a flying headscissors. Baszler mowed down Sane with a kick. Sane rolled outside and Baszler stalked her prey at ringside.

Back in the ring, Baszler began to get heat on Sane by working the arm and elbow. Sane countered at one point with a schoolgirl for a hope spot. Baszler quickly went back to dissecting the arm.

Sane countered a suplex — only to get caught in the clutches of Baszler. That led a couple gutwrench suplexes from Baszler that were dubbed “Two of a Kind.”

Upon firing up, Sane got cut off again with a running knee strike by Baszler. Pausing for a moment to taunt Sane, Baszler is met with a spear as Sane started a comeback. Sane then targets the ribs and applied a body scissors.

Baszler escaped the scissors and repeatedly paint brushed Sane. Baszler is then soon the victim of another spear that sent her into a corner. Sane goes for her signature walking of the plank spot, and she missed on a charge into the corner.

Sane went back to targeting the ribs, and she hit Baszler with an ax kick in the process. Baszler sold her ribs as Sane went to the top rope.

When Sane jumped off attemping her flying elbow, Baszler caught her in a rear naked choke. The submission hold was Baszler’s key to victory throughout the tournament. Sane became the first in the tourney to break the hold as she elbowed Baszler’s ribs to escape.

Sane dropped Baszler with a spinning back fist. Sane climbed the turnbuckles and Baszler tripped her up. Sane countered an attempted superplex, and they exchanged strikes. Baszler applied a kimura lock while perched on the ropes.

Sane shoved Baszler off the ropes to trap her in the tree-of-woe. Sane hit Baszler with a double foot stomp for a near fall and a rope break.

Sane targeted the ribs again in the closing moments to set up the flying elbow drop. Sane dropped the elbow and covered Baszler as the crowd counted along in unison for the three count.

Sane became the winner of the inaugural Mae Young Classic. Her and Baszler hugged after the match.

Sarah Amato, Stephanie McMahon, and Triple H joined the finalists in the ring for a presentation ceremoney with the giant trophy. Triple H gave Sane a bouquet of flowers before raising her hand in victory. Sane wept.

No Horsewomen angle at all with the focus was on the match and the tournament finals.

After the conclusion of the live special, WWE announced that Sane will go on to challenge for the vacant NXT Women’s Championship at NXT TakeOver: Houston in November. Triple H first broke the story during an interview with ESPN.