Mae Young Classic Report (Episode Five): Laith vs. Evers, Deep vs. Nevin, Sugehit vs. Martinez, Belair vs. Sane

WWE MAE YOUNG CLASSIC – EPISODE FIVE
TAPED JULY 13-14 IN WINTER PARK, FLA. AT FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY
AIRED ON WWE NETWORK (RELEASED SEPT. 4)
REPORT BY ZACK HEYDORN, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Announcers: Jim Ross and Lita

Guests at Ringside: KASSIUS OHNO and KALISTO

INTRO: Episode five and round two kicked off with a promotional recap video for round one. As usual, the video was very well done and Mauro Ranallo’s voice added a layer of legitimacy to it. From there, a round two preview was shown that included some interesting behind the scenes shots of the competitors during round one of the tournament. The episode officially opened with all the round one victors standing on the stage with the Mae Young Classic trophy.\ 

(1) ABBEY LAITH vs. RACHEL EVERS

 Rachel Evers headed to the ring first to kick off round two of the Mae Young Classic tournament. She received a really nice response from the audience and on commentary JR sold many times how much of a powerhouse Evers was. Abbey Laith made her way to the ring next and received a similar response that Evers did. Based on the crowd responses, it was easy to see how much the audience respected both competitors. The competitors clearly respected each other as well as they both participated in the pre-match handshake. JR put over their round one victories with minor details and the bell rang for the match to begin. Laith and Evers tied up to kick things off with Laith getting the early upper hand with an arm drag. Evers returned the favor with a powerful hip toss on Laith into the turnbuckle. Laith immediately shook that off and returned to her offense by utilizing another arm drag that sent Evers flying out of the ring. From there, Laith took to the sky and connected with a high risk running dive through the ropes onto Evers. The crowd ate this spot up and chanted loudly for Laith. Laith slowly tossed Evers back in the ring and by the time Laith followed she was hit with an RKO by Evers. This fast paced action was loved by the audience who immediately started a duel chant for Evers and Laith. After the RKO, it was all Evers who dominated Laith with forearms and a very smooth spring board leg drop off the second rope. Laith brilliantly sold both moves. At this point, the dueling chants for the competitors grew louder and both Evers and Laith fired up at the same time. They then used their newfound energy to simultaneously brogue kick each other in the face. That series of offense brought the crowd to its feet. When Laith and Evers got back to a standing position, Laith got on offense first with some fluid clotheslines. Laith then went to the top rope to once again attack from a high risk position. Evers smartly followed her up and connected with a top rope power slam. Evers slowly pinned Laith here for a two count. Once again, Laith brilliantly sold this move and the commentary team poignantly pointed out that Evers did not do enough to capitalize on that major move. Evers bounced off the ropes and attempted a hurricanrana on Laith. Laith countered with a powerbomb and pinned Evers with the Alligator Clutch for the 1,2,3.

WINNER: Laith at 4:50

Heydorn’s Analysis: This was a really fun match and a great way to start round two of the tournament. Laith and Evers both worked really well together and had a unique situation with the audience being so split on who they were cheering for. From the opening bell, this bout was at a 100 mile an hour pace. At first, I worried that they were trying too hard to fit 10 pounds of stuff into a five pound bag. I was happy to be wrong about that. The speed ended but being a positive as it allowed both Laith and Evers to convey a sense of urgency in their quest for victory. Laith sold like a million bucks and Evers played her powerhouse role well. In my opinion, Laith going over was the right move as I see her as someone who could make an immediate impact in a women’s division on Raw, SmackDown Live, or NXT.

(2) SERENA DEEB vs. PIPER NEVIN

Piper Nevin made her entrance first to a very loud reaction from the Full Sail crowd. Nevin is incredibly unique and clearly the crowd appreciates it. Serena Deeb came out next to a much quieter reaction. Based on the commentary, it was obvious at this point that the match was constructed around Deeb being the ultimate underdog in the match. Both Nevin and Deeb shook hands and then were off to the races. The match started off with Nevin using her size advantage to back Deeb down into the corner. While in the corner, Nevin confidently taunted Deeb with a joking jab to the face. Deeb hated that disrespect and popped Nevin with a punch to the face. With Nevin stunned, Deeb locked in a headlock to attempt to bring Nevin down to the mat. She was unsuccessful and then tried to body slam Nevin instead. That was unsuccessful too as Nevin fell on top of Deeb for a near fall. Deeb popped right back up and locked in another headlock which was once again countered by Nevin via a smooth back suplex. From there, Nevin furthered her offensive attack with a running splash. Nevin then pinned Deeb, but again only received a two count. The splash move was loved in round one and the crowd loved seeing it again here. Nevin then pushed forward and attempted a running senton bomb which Deeb countered by moving out of the way. Deeb took advantage of this moment of weakness from Nevin and locked in yet another headlock to try and get Nevin down. It finally worked. With Nevin down, Deeb went to the tope rope and connected with her own high risk splash. Deeb followed that move up with a modified body slam showing that she learned from her mistake earlier in the match. Deeb got a lot of offense in here on the bigger Nevin but it all came to a screeching hault with Nevin countering and hitting a KO somersault on Deeb in the corner. JR and Lita really played up the heart and determination of Deeb to further the story of her being an enormous underdog but at the same time trying her best. After the somersault, Deeb immediately went for her spear finisher to put away Nevin once and for all. Nevin countered and moved out of the way  which sent Deeb flying into the mat. From there, Nevin hit a splash from the second rope but only recorded a two count. Nevin was truly shocked that Deeb kicked out. In that moment of frustration, Nevin headed to the top rope and attempted an even bigger splash. Deeb moved out of the way and attempted a second spear. Once again though, Nevin countered and hit Deeb with a Michinoku Driver for the 1,2,3 win.

WINNER: Nevin at 7:10

Heydorn’s Analysis: The psychology of this match was tremendous. It was the best use of match psychology by two women since the tournament began. Serena Deeb being the underdog was outlined at the beginning of the match and Nevin and Deeb designed the match with that story arc in mind. Every time Deeb would get a glimmer of hope, the bigger Nevin would squash it. This happened at least four different times. Deeb even went so far as to try her finisher twice and had them both countered by Nevin. Throughout the entire match Nevin was just that much stronger than Deeb was able to be. Nevin looked incredible within this story because she is so menacing that it’s easy to see her as a unbeatable. Deeb looked great too as she sold well for Nevin and got sympathy from the audience because of that selling. The match itself was crisp and well done, but it was the story within it that stood out most.  

(3) PRINCESA SUGEHIT vs. MERCEDES MARTINEZ

Sugehit hit the ring first to a tempered response at best. She came out decked in Wonder Woman gear which looked really cool. Martinez came out next and also received a tempered pop. As both competitors made their way down to the ring, JR highlighted their history in the business and that both women are veteran performers of 10+ years. “Mercedes” chants kicked up relatively loud as both she and Sugehit shook hands. The match began with pin roll ups and head locks from each woman. Mercedes hit Sugehit with a clothesline and while going for another, Sugehit countered and dropped Mercedes with a massive back body drop into the turnbuckle. Martinez kicked out of Sugehits’s pin after two. Sugehit took control after this by using her lucha moves that were talked about significantly during her round one match. Sugehit was riding some momentum there and tried to capitalize on it with a flying head scissors. Martinez countered the move into a very unique reverse sidewalk slam. Martinez took over the control from here hitting Sugehit with a trio of vertical suplexes that led to a DDT off the second rope. Martinez attempted a cover, but Sugehit kicked out after two. Martinez was visibly frustrated with the ref after the kick out and took an inordinate amount of time to continue her attack. Sugehit took advantage of this and hit a Codebreaker-esque face plant on Martinez. From there, Sugehit took control of the offense that culminated in an attempted monkey flip into the turnbuckle. Martinez countered with a stiff slap to the face and then hoisted Sugehit up to the top rope for a superplex. Sugehit countered that with a top rope tornado DDT. With Martinez down, Sugehit attempted her arm breaker submission hold. Martinez sold this perfectly. It looked like her arm was going to pop out of its socket and her facial expressions conveyed that pain. Sugehit lost the hold when Martinez rolled out of it. Sugehit attempted her finishing submission again but Martinez blocked it and nailed her fisherman buster finisher for the win. After the match, Martinez sold her arm pain significantly which leads me to believe it will be an issue for her in the quarterfinals.

WINNER: Martinez at 5:14

Heydorn’s Analysis: This match was the worst of the night by far. With both Sugehit and Martinez having so much experience I expected more from them. The moves and the match itself were all fine, but it all seemed disjointed. In fact, outside of what happened after the match with Martinez selling the arm injury, there really wasn’t much psychology at all within this matchup. On top of that, Martinez and Sugehit both seem like decent characters. We need to see more of those characters though to be invested. They missed the boat on that with this match.   

(4) BIANCA BELAIR vs. KAIRI SANE

Kairi Sane entered the ring to another massive pop from the audience. The pop for her in the first round was big but this was even bigger. Belair was out next and she made her way to the ring with a confidence about her that is typically only seen in veterans of the business. Belair did her skip which is counterproductive to her character but also sported the long braid in her hair. Both shook hands and Belair laid in a little attitude within that shake. It was just a minor grin, but it conveyed so much about the Belair character. The two started the match with a tie up and Belair showcased her strength by pushing Sane to the ground and into the turnbuckle before locking in a headlock. From there, Blair continued her control by connecting on two massive shoulder tackles in a row. The crowd seemed surprised at this start as did Sane. Even as the crowd chanted for Sane to make a comeback, Belair continued her dominance. From there, Sane and Belair executed a very funny spot in which Belair arrogantly blew a kiss to Sane who caught the kiss and smashed it on the ground. That threw Belair off her strategy and allowed Sane to take control of the offense with a standing drop kick and alternating forearms to the face. The audience was 100 percent behind Sane. Belair quickly ended this offensive momentum with a wicked braid whip. This was brutal. It was loud and the crowd popped huge. From there, Belair continued to whip Sane with viscous shots from the braid. These had to hurt and Sane sold the pain well. Brutal stuff and if everyone wasn’t on the side of Sane before the braid, they certainly were after. After the beating, Belair confidently stood in the ring and soaked in the boos. She looked like a natural heel. Belair continued her relentless assault by delivering a standing vertical suplex to Sane and busting out a set of squats with her held high before executing the drop. JR and Lita both played up the fact that Sane was in significant danger of getting upset by a rookie with less than one year in the business. From there, Belair locked in a brutal submission move that Sane sold well. That sell job put sympathy on her from the audience and continued to make Belair look dominant. Belair then went to the top rope for a splash and Sane finally countered. Sane slowly took over on offense and immediately hit a barrage of moves including chops, clubs to the face, a flying forearm, and an innovative crossface submission. Belair countered that move into a power slam. From there, both competitors were down and the crowd took that opportunity to cheer loudly for the wonderful match they were seeing. As both women came to their feet, they traded punches back and forth to the continued delight of the audience. Belair got the upper hand and headed to the top rope for a 450 splash. She nailed the move to a major pop, but only got a two count on Sane. Belair was then on tilt in the match and was able to effectively show that frustration with her eyes. Because of that frustration, Sane got the advantage and nailed Belair with a shining forearm and stiff backhand before crushing Belair with her elbow driver finishing move for the victory.

WINNER: Sane at 10:00

Heydorn’s Analysis: Bianca Belair lost the match, but she sure did win the war. Regardless of the outcome, this match was all about her. With only one year in the business it was fun to watch Belair attack the match with the instincts of a 10 year veteran. Belair was calm and collected when she needed to be, but then turned it up at the proper moments as well. Her facial expressions alone carried the gravity of all the important moments in the match. From an athletic perspective she was perfect as well. The braid whips were absolutely insane. Belair was great, but her opponent was great too. Sane’s selling helped put Belair over. She has a special connection with the crowd and more importantly she knows how to use that connection to get her match and opponent over. Props to both women. The match was awesome.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Really great episode overall. Having a relationship with these women from the first round really helped in getting more into their matches the second time. I can’t give enough respect to Bianca Belair. She looked amazing out there and the sky is the limit for her in the WWE. With only a year under her belt, she appears to be leaps and bounds ahead of current women on the WWE main roster (i.e. Carmella and Lana.) If this episode is an example of things to come in round two, we all should be excited for something really fun moving forward.

NOW CHECK OUT THE REPORT ON THE PREVIOUS EPISODE: Mae Young Classic Report (Episode Four): Blanchard vs. Sane, Michelle vs. Lerae, Savoy vs. Gonzales, Evans vs. Conte