Mae Young Classic Report (Episode Four): Blanchard vs. Sane, Michelle vs. Lerae, Savoy vs. Gonzales, Evans vs. Conte

WWE MAE YOUNG CLASSIC – EPISODE FOUR
TAPED JULY 13-14 IN WINTER PARK, FLA. AT FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY
AIRED ON WWE NETWORK
REPORT BY ZACK HEYDORN, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Announcers: Jim Ross and Lita

Guests at Ringside: JOHNNY GARGANO, ALEXA BLISS, AND SHINSUKE NAKAMURA.

INTRO: The WWE kicked the show off with a brief analysis of the Mae Young Classic bracket. From there they previewed the action from the episode and then went to the first match.

(1) RENEE MICHELLE vs. CANDICE LERAE

Candice LeRae was one of the biggest “gets” for the WWE in this tournament and the pop she received as she made her way to the ring proved it. Renee Michelle came out second to a reaction that was dwarfed by LeRae’s. It wasn’t bad, but the connection just wasn’t there and its length tested the patience of the audience. Because of LeRae’s involvement, the crowd was into this thing from the beginning and even chanted “women’s wrestling” before the match started. Both stars took part in the pre-match handshake and then started their fight. The match began with both LeRae and Michelle exchanging tie-ups, arm bars, shoulder tackles, and quick pin attempts. The effort that Michelle put out to keep up with LeRae proved not to be worthwhile as LeRae was first to take control of the match and the crowd with a very impressive spring board arm drag that she followed with an innovative knee strike, and a missile dropkick from the top rope. After that combination LeRae went for the pin but only held Michelle down for the two count. After the two count, LeRae shot Michelle off the ropes which gave Michelle a countering opportunity. She graciously took that opportunity and countered with a stiff knee to the face. Renee Michelle was fully in control of the match at this point and landed a number of punches and offensive moves. Once again though, that offense appeared to be worthless as LeRae countered out of it with multiple clotheslines and a very nice jumping neckbreaker which the crowd popped big for. Down the stretch, both Michelle and LeRae exchanged forearms to the face and Michelle managed to get a two count pin fall attempt after a spinning heel kick to LeRae. Much like Michelle’s offense in the early parts of the match, this was all worthless too. Michelle went on to botch a moonsault from the top rope which gave LeRae the opportunity to hit her “Miss LeRae’s Wild Ride” top rope neckbreaker for the 1,2,3 and the win.

WINNER: LeRae at 5:37

Heydorn’s Analysis: It was awesome to see Candice LeRae in a WWE ring. She certainly deserved it and her performance in this match lived up to my expectations even if I know she has more to give. This match was solid and it was clear that LeRae was charged with carrying most of it. LeRae drove all the action and sold the best which should be expected from a 10+ year veteran of the business. In particular, I really enjoyed LeRae’s offense and how she weaved the “high risk wrestler” gimmick into it without beating us over the head with it. She’s managed to find a happy medium that’s effective. The match itself was built on athleticism. Renee Michelle did ok in that regard but this match really served as a coming out party for Candice LeRae.

(2) TAYNARA CONTI vs. LACEY EVANS

Conti made her way to the ring first and did not receive any kind of reaction from the crowd. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Evans was next and while her reaction wasn’t great, it wasn’t nearly as bad as Conti’s. The Evans entrance was a bit too long, but I enjoyed her attempt to bring a character with her to the ring. It helped get her over. Conti utilized her judo bow for the handshake instead of actually shaking hands which made the crowd even more indifferent to her. From there the ref rang the bell and the match was on. Conti started things off quick with a fast roll up for a two count. After the failed pin attempt it was all Evans. She nailed Conti with an over the top rope kick and then locked in a submission move on Conti’s arm. On commentary, JR made sure to sell how important it was that Evans was working the arm to prevent Conti from using her judo moves. Evans then whipped Conti into the corner for a clothesline which Conti countered into a judo toss. It was her first judo move of the match. And by toss, I mean she launched Evans across the entire ring. It was an impressive move that the crowd still didn’t pop for. Conti controlled the match after that until Evans countered and hit some innovative offensive moves of her own including an inverted bronco buster. Evans finished Conti off with a Styles Clash like slam in the middle of the ring for the 1,2,3. After the match, Conti slapped Evans’ hand out of the way as she went for a congratulatory handshake.

WINNER: Evans at 4:43

Heydorn’s Analysis: This was the first match of the tournament that I really didn’t care for. Throughout the entire match it seemed like both Conti and Evans were going through the motions and dancing together instead of fighting each other. They seemed to think it was more important to remember meticulious spots than to engage themselves with the audience. You could see their brains churning while in the ring, too. Not good. Conti was really bad. She showed no emotion whatsoever and her selling was totally unbelievable. I don’t think she gets what pro wrestling is. I did enjoy the attempt Evans made to be a character. She was full entrenched in the role of being WWE’s Rosie the Riveter and it worked for her. Having that character gave her something to fall back on when the match went nowhere. Props to her for using it and I think it will help her even more down the road. 

(3) NICOLE SAVOY vs. REINA GONZALEZ

Savoy was the first to hit the ring and had a great look to her. JR sold Savoy as the “Queen of Suplexes” and she definitely looked the part. Gonzalez came out next and sported a unique look herself which included a black cowboy hat and a Zorro mask. The two did not shake hands before the match. They started by feeling each other out for nearly a minute and a half. This period in the match featured them trading body slams, arm bars, hip tosses, and headlocks. Nobody gained the upper hand after that so they went into a test of strength spot where the smaller, Savoy, would hit the ropes and attempt to take down Gonzalez with a shoulder tackle. This happened three times and neither time did Savoy knock Gonzalez to the mat. On the fourth try, Savoy hit Gonzalez with a hurricanrana instead and took control of the match. The control that Savoy secured was short lived due to Gonzalez countering by delivering a very aggressive clothesline to the neck of Savoy. From there Gonzalez continued her aggressive assault and locked in a submission maneuver that focused on Savoy’s legs. The crowd hated this and chanted for Savoy. As the submission was cinched in, JR and Lita both drove home the fact that Savoy wouldn’t be able to deploy her suplex assault if she continued to take submission damage to her legs. Eventually, Savoy broke the hold and got some offense in but still made sure to sell the pain in her legs. Within that offensive run, Savoy ended up on the shoulders of Reina Gonzalez. Reina tried to hit Savoy with a big move but instead Savoy locked in a cross arm breaker that forced Gonzalez to the ground. From there, Savoy tweaked Gonzalez’s arm even more which caused her to tap out.

WINNER: Savoy via submission at 4:27

Heydorn’s Analysis: From an athletic standpoint, I thought this match was very good. On the flip side, I absolutely despised the psychology of it. Reina beat on Savoy for much of the match and took her legs out of the game after her first submission. It was clear they were focusing on the fact that Gonzalez was trying to limit Savoy’s ability to do what she does best which is the suplexes. If Savoy would have lost the match, that story would have made sense in that Savoy would have lost the match because she couldn’t hit her prized moves. In this match, Savoy won, but didn’t hit her prized suplexes. How important are they then? If she can easily win matches without them, don’t sell me on how important they are. Plus, by selling the suplexes so hard on commentary, it was natural to be disappointed when we ended up not seeing any. 

(4) TESSA BLANCHARD vs. KAIRI SANE

Sane made her way to the ring first and received an absolutely massive pop from the crowd. This pop was the biggest of the first round. I loved the get up that Sane sported to the ring and so did the audience. Tessa Blanchard came to the ring next and while she looked like a total intense bad ass, the response to her wasn’t even close to what it was for Sane. Both Sane and Blanchard accepted the handshake to start the match and began by tying up with each other as the crowd duel chanted both of their names. After they traded head locks, both Blanchard and Sane engaged in the classic test of strength battle. Blanchard, who was the larger of the two, won the test of strength but could only muster up another head lock coming out of it. Sane countered that head lock with a devastating snap neckbreaker. Blanchard absorbed the move well and then went back on the offensive with a clothesline that setup an innovative inverted double foot stomp off the second rope. Blanchard pinned Sane after that series but only for a two count. From there, Blanchard continued her assault by putting Sane into the abdominal stretch. Sane eventually fought her way out of the submission only to be beaten back down by forearm shots and clotheslines. Only after Sane landed a spear to the gut of Blanchard was she able to take control of the match. The crowd loved the spear and the Flair Chops to the chest that game right after it. With Blanchard down on the canvas, Sane headed to the top rope, presumably to try her patented elbow drop. Blanchard had the wherewithal to move away but still ended up on the receiving end of a high risk forearm shot instead. Sane then went for a pin but only received a two count. After the failed pin, Sane locked in her own version of the abdominal stretch. Much like Blanchard’s version earlier in the match, the move failed and Tessa was able to counter with two dropkicks to take back control. From there, there were many near falls, counters, and pinning combinations for both competitors and neither one could gain any upper hand. This was exciting for the audience and they acknowledged that excitement by starting up the dueling name chants again. Amidst the back and forth pandemonium, Sane caught Blanchard sleeping, connected with an Alabama Slam, and then hit her beautiful top rope elbow drop, the Seven Seas, for the 1,2,3 victory.

WINNER: Sane at 8:37

Heydorn’s Analysis: This was a great match that had a very fast pace, but very clean and crisp spots throughout it. It was a back and forth match in its truest form. Blanchard and Sane both got their offense in and both sold for each other too. In contrast to the two matches earlier in the episode, this seemed like a real fight between two people. The most unique element to this match was the crowd reaction to Kairi Sane. They loved her from the moment she came through the curtain and the moves she showcased made them love her even more. Her top rope elbow drop (the Seven Seas) is truly a thing of beauty. As JR said, she defies gravity with that move and it looks incredible. Most importantly though its effective. Kairi Sane’s second round opponent is Bianca Belair. That match could be the round two show stealer.

Final Thoughts: In my opinion, this episode was the worst of the four. Reason being is that it just had two dud matches on it. Putting Blanchard vs. Sane on a show with duds was a good strategy. While that match was very good, it simply couldn’t make up for the deficiencies of the other matches on the card. All in though, the Mae Young Classic has been extremely fun to watch. For the most part, the matches were all well wrestled and we’ve been able to see some really great personalities develop as well. The good thing is, with round one being completed, fans have a vesting interest in many of the competitors that are left. This will add to the dynamic of the round two matches and allow the women to put something extra behind their personas.

What To Watch For In Round Two: Sarah Logan vs. Shayna Baszler. Kairi Sane vs. Bianca Belair. Dakota Kai vs. Rhea Ripley.

NOW CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS REPORT: Mae Young Classic Report (Episode Three): Storm vs. Raymond, Devi vs. Kai, Beckett vs. Belair, Nevin vs. Garrett