A new NXT women’s champion was crowned, a new contender for the Raw women’s championship was established and this year’s Mae Young Classic winner was crowned tonight at WWE Evolution.
In the battle royal, Nia Jax last eliminated Ember Moon to win a future title match. After throwing Zelina Vega to the outside on Tamina, Moon tried to eliminate Jax but to no avail, as Jax tree slammed her then eliminated Moon to win the match. After Ronda Rousey successfully defended the Raw women’s title at the end of the night, Jax was seen backstage watching Rousey celebrate on a nearby monitor.
The NXT women’s championship was the sole title to change hands tonight. The finish had Sane back body drop Baszler into a crowd of NXT women wrestlers, including Shayna Baszler’s friends Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke. Both got involved, with a second cheap shot by Duke allowing Baszler to get the submission win with the kirifuda clutch. With the win, Baszler becomes the first ever two time NXT women’s champion.
In the Mae Young Classic finals, Toni Storm defeated Io Shirai to win this year’s tournament. Shirai kicked out of the Storm zero (tiger bomb). Shirai went for a moonsault, but Storm got the knees up and hit a second Storm zero for the win.
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.
With her match against Rhea Ripley airing on last night’s Mae Young Classic episode, Tegan Nox (formerly known as Nixon Newell) posted an update on the extent of the injury that she suffered and how her recovery has gone thus far.
Nox, who wasn’t able to wrestle in the 2017 Mae Young Classic due to tearing her right ACL before the tournament, made it to the quarterfinals this year and was supposed to go further. But shortly after her match with Ripley started, Nox went for a dive to the outside and hurt her left leg when landing awkwardly. She tried to continue after being checked on by a doctor and trainer, but Ripley eventually won by referee stoppage.
In her post last night, Nox detailed just how bad her injuries from the match were: “dislocated knee cap (luckily it reset itself instantly), torn MCL & LCL, I completely tore my ACL and both meniscus (one had a ‘lightening bolt shape tear’ still a wizard when injured), bone contusions and I had a Segond Fracture on my left tibia.”
Nox noted that, while it’s going to be a long road to recovery, she’s almost two months into her rehab and things are going well and are on track. Her full post is available below:
On last nights episode of the Mae Young Classic, during my match with Rhea Ripley I suffered an injury to my left leg very early on and as soon as it happened, I knew it was serious.
I tried to carry on as far as I could but a few minutes later after trying to push through the pain and finish the match, it all got too much and the match was stopped.
Being greeted backstage by the distraught faces of my friends and coaches was the most heartbreaking thing I’ve ever experienced and it hurt more than the injury itself.
Knowing how excited they were for me to compete this year and how hard they helped me work, then having it taken away so quickly, it was devastating! I felt as if I had let them down and it broke my heart!
Triple H was one of the first of many people there and I’ll never forget the words that he & Mr Regal said.
There were many things said to me that night by people I hold so dearly that continuously play through my mind on loop, especially when I’m having a bad day mentally that help me pick up my head and give me the kick up the a$$ that I need!!!
Anyway, after being checked over by Doc, I was taken to the local hospital where I was diagnosed with numerous injuries to the left leg which included: dislocated knee cap (luckily it reset itself instantly), torn MCL & LCL, I completely tore my ACL and both meniscus (one had a ‘lightening bolt shape tear’ still a wizard when injured), bone contusions and I had a Segond Fracture on my left tibia….Basically my knee exploded and I made a huge mess!!
Days later, I was sent to one of the best surgeons, who also fixed my right knee and on August 23rd I underwent ACL & Meniscus reconstruction surgery which was a flying success.
Obviously this means I’ll be out for a while but with the incredible Dr’s and PT team at the WWE Performance Centre, I’ll be back shinier than ever! We’re already almost 2 months into rehab and it’s going amazingly, we’re right on track and smashing goals already!!
I can’t thank Triple H, the Coaches, the Medic staff, my friends, family and fans enough for all the support that you’ve given me over the past few weeks! They’ve been very tough both physically and more so, mentally, but I’ve done it once and I can do it again.
It’s going to be a long road to recovery, but it’s already started and I plan on making my return special!! There’s going to be some changes but they’ll all be for the best! As Triple H said ‘this is just a bump in the road’, this isn’t the end, trust me.
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!
In the first round Shirai blitzed Xia Brookside en route to an easy win, while Zeuxis had a harder go of it, but still defeated Aerial Monroe. Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir were at ringside for this bout.
Io finally faced her first consistent bit of disadvantage as she went for a springboard, but Zeuxis forearmed her and then slid into her arm and shoulder with a baseball slide dropkick. Shirai didn’t stay down long, as she made her comeback. It included a Suicide Dive where I legitimately was concerned that she hadn’t dove out far enough and was going to land on her head. Thankfully she was a-ok and the match continued.
Zeuxis missed a moonsault and Shirai went for one, but got tripped up on the top rope. Shirai blocked a top rope spanish fly and hit a frankensteiner and a moonsault for the win. Shirai will face the winner of the next match in the quarterfinals.
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Deonna Purrazzo submitted Xia Li in a second round match
There is a chance that if you take a drink every time someone calls Purrazzo “The Virtuosa”, you will have liver poisoning by the end of the tournament. Ricochet, who 20 minutes prior to this retained the NXT North American Title (read about it in the NXT report), was at ringside watching on. Purrazzo defeated Priscilla Kelly, while Li got the win over Karen Q in their respective first round matches.
We had some nice mat wrestling early on, but Li got tired of that and decided to start her kickboxing training, as she used Purrazzo as a heavy bag. Li used a jumping kick from the middle rope, which did NOT shatter her leg. Purrazzo got tired of being kicked, so she returned the favor, concentrating on the arm of Xia Li. Li came back and managed to use the three limbs Deonna wasn’t concentrating on to make her black and blue. Li dove from the middle rope…but got caught in a Fujiwara armbar for the tap out!
Deonna Purrazzo now faces Io Shirai in the quarterfinals.
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Tegan Nox pinned Nicole Matthews in a second round match
Since last seen beating Isla Dawn, Matthews has been in the news after being banned from the United States for five years due to visa issues. Not reading the spoilers in advance, but something tells me Nicole will not be at WWE Evolution. Tegan Nox, who is Michael Cole’s favorite, defeated Zatara in the first round. This is the match that Renee Young previewed by calling a “Pound For Pound Hardway Match”, whatever that is.
Matthews worked over Nox with chops, kicks, dropkicks and grinded the elbow in when covering. Nox returned the favor, which made Matthews make the shocked face. Nox’s offense didn’t last long, as Matthews just enjoyed delivering strikes to her foe. Nox fired up, screamed to the crowd and almost got locked in a Liontamer. Thankfully she avoided that, hit a cannonball and a shining wizard outta nowhere for the sudden victory!
Now disposed of the sobbing Matthews, Nox faces Rhea Ripley next.
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Mia Yim submitted Kaitlyn in a second round match
The former Impact Knockouts Champion vs the winner of NXT Season 3 and former WWE Diva’s Champion. Mia beat fellow Impact alumna Allysin Kay and Kaitlyn polished off Kavita Devi in the first round.
Mia had her hand taped, so of course she used that hand to chop Kaitlyn, which hurt her more than it did her foe. Kaitlyn used a cannonball in the corner and then did a wacky cover for a 1 count. It was like she meant to jackknife Mia, changed her mind, but she was already in position, so she had little or no weight on the shoulders.
Since she couldn’t use her right hand, Mia used her foot and kicked at the hamstrings of Kaitlyn before using a standing figure four leglock. Mia forgot her hand hurt and swung for the fences at her grounded foe, but Kaitlyn moved and Mia punched the mat. Kaitlyn channeled her inner Marty Scurll and locked on a hand hold, twisting it around, trying to force a tap out. Kaitlyn’s leg bruises were shining through as she threw her entire body at Mia.
Mia begged for mercy, but Kaitlyn was merciless. Kaitlyn kicked out of Sole Food (Eat Defeat) and hit her spear, which the entire crowd bought as the finish, but Mia kicked out. Finally Mia locked in a kneebar for the submission win! This was a very good match, easily the best match of the night, but not quite as good as the two matches from last week.
Mia Yim will now go one on one with Toni Storm in the quarterfinals.
So that does it for another week here at the Mae Young Classic. We start the Round of 8 next week and until then, thank you for reading and remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers.
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!
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!
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!
Welcome to week two of the 2018 Mae Young Classic. We dive further into the first round with four big matches tonight. Let’s get going!
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Deonna Purrazzo defeated Priscilla Kelly in a first round match
Purrazzo is a familiar face to the NXT audience, as she has wrestled a number of times since 2015 on the yellow brand. Kelly, who is not related to Killer Kelly from last week, has wrestled in a number of WWN companies. Samoa Joe was shown at ringside.
They were on different pages early but calmed down and built to a good match. Kelly took over with a pump kick to the face, which almost got her the win. Kelly seemed to be freaking out as she was unable to put Purrazzo away. Finally, Purrazzo suddenly hit a side Russian leg sweep and rolled through with a Fujiwara armbar for the submission!
Purrazzo couldn’t hold in her emotions and began crying. She’ll face the winner of Karen Q vs. Xia Li.
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Zeuxis defeated Aerial Monroe in a first round match
Monroe calls herself “The Big Swole” and has competed in Shimmer. Zeuxis has wrestled in both CMLL and AAA. Natalya and Cedric Alexander were both in the crowd here. Alexander is Monroe’s husband.
Monroe had her hair pulled early, so she threatened Zeuxis as to what would happen if she did that again. After another exchange, Zeuxis did just that. The crowd gasped and Monroe backhanded her foe in retaliation. Well, maybe Monroe shouldn’t have mentioned that, because Zeuxis concentrated on pulling her hair in almost every exchange.
Zeuxis locked on the Camel Clutch and yanked Monroe back by her nostrils. Monroe made her comeback and used an STO, but Zeuxis got her on the top rope and won after the Spanish Fly.
Zeuxis mocked the crowd and will now face the winner of Io Shirai vs. Xia Brookside. Alexander was shown hugging his and Monroe’s child, who was crying.
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Kacy Catanzaro defeated Reina Gonzalez in a first round match
Catanzaro was on American Ninja Warrior and was shown doing some very impressive things in her video package. Gonzalez mentioned that she was in last year’s MYC and was disappointed about losing in the first round. Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan were sitting ringside. They really usher people in and out of those seats, huh?
Catanzaro got in the ring by climbing up and over the ring post. That is not seen every day. Gonzalez towers over Catanzaro, who started the match by running into a headlock and a giant swing.
Catanzaro used her speed to try to make Gonzalez chase her and tire her, but it wasn’t working early. Catanzaro went for a headscissors, but Gonzalez turned that into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Gonzalez squished Catanzaro like a bug here, but the announcers telegraphed the finish a bit too much.
Catanzaro came back, using a springboard missile dropkick and a senton for a near fall. Catanzaro got the win with a roll-up, to the delight of the fans.
Gonzalez was pissed, but she put Catanzaro on her shoulders in celebration. Catanzaro will meet Rhea Ripley in the second round.
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Mercedes Martinez defeated Ashley Rayne in a first round match
Rayne, better known as Madison Rayne, has had a unique seven weeks. She wrestled for the Impact Knockouts Championship at Slammiversary, challenged for the Women of Honor title, wrestled at All In, and now is here in the Mae Young Classic. Martinez was in last year’s MYC, is an 18-year veteran, has wrestled all over the world, and was even on the long-forgotten Wrestlicious. The Undisputed Era bought out seemingly the entire front row just for this match.
Without elaborating on who he was, Beth Phoenix mentioned Rayne’s husband Josh (Mathews, formerly from WWE and now Impact) as Martinez dropped her on her head. Martinez held Rayne up for the Davey Boy Smith vertical suplex, holding her up for close to 15 seconds before dropping her. Rayne finally took over on Martinez with a series of forearms and clotheslines. Rayne hit a flying crossbody and a Roll of the Dice for a two count.
Rayne got caught with a running knee and Martinez picked up the win with the fisherman buster. Martinez will now go one-on-one with Meiko Satomura in round two, which should be tremendous.
So, that does it for another week. Nothing truly amazing, but nothing truly bad this week. See ya next Wednesday!
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!
Note: The following references results from last night’s Mae Young Classic tapings.
A year after a torn ACL kept her out of the inaugural tournament, Tegan Nox (the former Nixon Newell) suffered an injury to her other leg at last night’s Mae Young Classic tapings.
Nox was facing Rhea Ripley in the quarterfinals when she hurt her left leg on a dive. She tried to continue but wasn’t able to, and the match ended by referee stoppage. Nox was looked at by doctors and was visibly emotional after the injury.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque spoke to the crowd about the situation and initially indicated that Nox had a broken leg, along with a broken heart over not being able to finish what she started. He said it would just be a bump in the road for her. Levesque later did an interview with espnW, noting that Nox was being taken to the hospital to determine the specifics of the injury.
“To come here tonight and be in a position to where, let me just say, it couldn’t have been any more heartbreaking for her,” Levesque said. “Emotionally, just couldn’t have been any more heartbreaking. I don’t know, at this point, what happened. She landed funky on a dive and hurt herself.
“The doctor looked at it and it was so painful at the point that he couldn’t manipulate the disc to see if it was an ACL. So we have her headed over to the hospital now and check what it is.”
Nox had returned to the ring from her 2017 knee injury at an NXT house show this April. She was making her WWE television debut in the Mae Young Classic.
Nox posted a statement about yesterday’s injury on Twitter overnight. She called the past two days the best experience of her life despite what happened, said the support she’s received has been overwhelming, and vowed to come back stronger than ever:
This isn’t how I planned to finish the Mae Young Classic in any shape or form but the last 2 days have been the best experience of my life, despite the obvious! My match with Rhea was something I’ve wanted for a while because, damn that girl is talented (even if she is very moody). Freak accidents happen, it’s part of the job but to hear that she had a killer match with one of the best wrestlers in the world, Io Shirai made my heart swell with happiness.
This is more mentally draining than it is physically but you can guarantee that this isn’t going to keep me down! I have the best friends and support system a girl could ever ask for!
I worked so hard for over a year to be able to compete in this year’s MYC, so you know for a fact, I’m fighting back stronger than ever!
Every message I’ve received tonight on twitter, Facebook, Instagram, text, etc has been absolutely overwhelming! The fact that my hospital room was full of people really warms my heart and honestly meant the absolute world to me! I said it before and I’ll say it again, everything happens for a reason, so no matter what the full extent of this injury is, I’ll be back and I’ll be Shinier than ever.
Night two of this year’s Mae Young Classic tapings took place at Full Sail University tonight, setting things up for the finals at WWE Evolution on October 28.
Second round matches —
– Toni Storm defeated Hiroyo Matsumoto
They had the match of the tournament up until this point, with Storm winning with a bridging pin.
– Rhea Ripley defeated Kacy Catanzaro
Ripley hit a pumphandle forward slam to win a good match. The crowd loved Catanzaro here.
– Lacey Lane defeated Taynara Conti
Lane advanced with a crucifix pin slam.
– Meiko Satomura defeated Mercedes Martinez
Another very good match. Satomura won with a step-up kick to the back of the head after some strong near falls.
– Io Shirai defeated Zeuxis
Knees to the back of the head followed by a moonsault won it for Shirai.
– Deonna Purrazzo defeated Xia Li
Li came off the top and got caught in a Fujiwara armbar for the submission.
– Tegan Nox defeated Nicole Matthews
A cannonball in the corner and a shining wizard got Nox the victory.
– Mia Yim defeated Kaitlyn
Yim kicked out of the spear and won with an ankle lock. The crowd chanted “Thank you Kaitlyn following the match.
Satomura used a Death Valley Driver for the finish. The crowd was into this one.
– Io Shirai defeated Deonna Purrazzo
This was a really good technical matchup. Shirai advanced with a moonsault.
– Toni Storm defeated Mia Yim
One of the better matches of the tournament. Storm used the Tiger Driver to win it, and the crowd chanted “Please sign Mia” after the match.
– Rhea Ripley defeated Tegan Nox
Ripley won by referee stoppage when Nox injured her non-braced leg on a dive. Nox tried to continue, but it gave out and she was tended to by doctors before being taken away crying. A devastating moment to witness.
Kraven and Gonzalez turned against Kay with a double chokeslam before Brookside hit a crossbody to win.
– Aerial Monroe & Candice LeRae defeated Jinny & Killer Kelly
Monroe connected with a ripcord forearm for the win before celebrating with her daughter and husband (Cedric Alexander) at ringside.
– Triple H came out to talk to us and received a “Please sign Mia” chant, to which he said “Okay.” He mentioned that Nox had a broken leg before hyping up the final two matches for tonight.
Semifinals —
– Toni Storm defeated Meiko Satomura
They had an excellent match — the best of the tournament. They each kicked out of each other’s finishers and went for new moves as the crowd elevated. Storm finally hit the Tiger Driver a second time to earn her place in the finals.
Kairi Sane, last year’s Mae Young Classic winner, brought flowers out to Storm after the match.
– Io Shirai defeated Rhea Ripley
They had a back-and-forth match that got hot down the stretch. Shirai advanced to face Storm in the finals after hitting a moonsault. She received flowers from Sane, celebrated with the crowd, and had a photo op with Storm and Triple H.
Tegan Nox seriously injured her left leg during tonight’s Mae Young Classic tapings.
She was in the early stages of a match against Rhea Ripley when she went for a dive. Upon impact, her left leg gave out. The match was stopped shortly thereafter and awarded to Ripley as medical officials came to Nox’s aid. The crowd was said to be silent as Nox was visibly in pain and crying.
Later during the tapings, Triple H came out and indicated that she suffered a broken leg.
Nox, who competed on the indie scene as Nixon Newell, had just signed a developmental deal with WWE when she tore her right ACL before the Mae Young Classic tapings last year, which she was scheduled to be a part of. She returned to the ring in April of this year and had been working NXT house shows before being announced as a competitor for this year’s tapings.
The first night of tapings for this year’s Mae Young Classic took place at Full Sail University tonight. They’ll continue tomorrow, leading into the finals being held at WWE Evolution on October 28.
Pre-show —
Triple H welcomed the audience and thanked them for being there. He introduced Renee Young and Beth Phoenix, who were joining Michael Cole on commentary.
– Britt Baker defeated Tesha Price in a dark match (non-tournament)
Baker submitted her with a crossface.
First round matches —
– Tegan Nox defeated Zatara
The former Nixon Newell used a shining wizard to pick up the win.
– Rhea Ripley defeated MJ Jenkins
Ripley advanced with a pumphandle slam.
– Lacey Lane defeated Vanessa Kraven
Lane won with a crucifix slam and pin.
– Meiko Satomura defeated Killer Kelly
Great match here. Satomura won with a Death Valley Driver.
– Deonna Purrazzo defeated Priscilla Kelly
Purrazzo used a Fujiwara armbar for the submission.
– Zeuxis defeated Aerial Monroe
The crowd loved Monroe, but she was pinned after an impressive Spanish Fly off the top by Zeuxis.
– Kacy Catanzaro defeated Reina Gonzalez
The former American Ninja Warrior standout used a roll through for the pin.
It will begin airing on the WWE Network at 9 p.m. Eastern time on September 5. The episodes will air after NXT every Wednesday, leading into the finals being held at WWE Evolution on October 28.
There will be a three-person commentary team for the tournament, with Michael Cole, Beth Phoenix, and Renee Young calling the action. Cathy Kelley and Shadia Bseiso, the first Arab woman to sign with WWE as a wrestler, will be the backstage interviewers, and Kayla Braxton will be the ring announcer. Bseiso also has experience working in television.
“A few years ago I was put in charge of all of the announcers in the company,” Cole said in an interview with ESPN. “My goal when I took over was to have, for the first time, a full-time female commentator on one of our main shows. That is still my goal today and it led to, for the first time, having two women in the announcing booth for the Mae Young Classic. It blows me away that this is happening because as little as two years ago I would not have seen this happening.”
Young has expressed renewed interest in doing commentary recently if the opportunity were to present itself. She was previously part of the NXT team. Phoenix also called WWE’s Mixed Match Challenge alongside Cole and Corey Graves.
A bracketology special hosted by Phoenix and Mauro Ranallo is set to air on the WWE Network at 9 p.m. Eastern on August 29.
Tapings for the Mae Young Classic will continue tomorrow and set things up for the finals. Here’s the full list of participants:
