Mae Young Classic Report (Episode Six): Strom vs. Evans, Yim vs. Baszler, Kai vs. Ripley, Lerae vs. Savoy

WWE MAE YOUNG CLASSIC – EPISODE SIX
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: RONDA ROUSEY and the UFC HORSEWOMEN, WWE’S HORSEWOMEN (CHARLOTTE, BECKY LYNCH, and BAYLEY), and JOHNNY GARGANO

INTRO: WWE aired its traditional recap package from episode five and followed that up with a promo video hyping episode six. Lita talked up Shayna Baszler being in action as Ronda Rousey and the UFC Horsewomen were shown entering the arena at Full Sail.

(1) TONI STORM vs. LACEY EVANS

Storm entered the arena first to a nice pop and immediately stared at the Mae Young Classic trophy with a flare of attitude that only Toni Storm could pull off. She still headed to the ring with her mini top hat on which is a great look. Storm exuded a top notch attitude that can make her a star in this business. Evans came out next and still played up her Rosie the Riveter gimmick to the audience. She really embraced this character 100% as her facial expressions showed throughout the match. Even with the gimmick though, the response Evans received was significantly less impressive than it was for Storm. Both Storm and Evans shook hands as the bell rang for the match to begin. Both competitors started off with a tie-up that was accompanied by loud “Toni” chants from the crowed. Seemingly, Storm listened to them as she locked in a vicious headlock and took Evans down to the mat. Storms mannerisms while she applied the hold were very impressive and in line with the character she worked to portray all throughout the match. Evans countered Storm’s next headlock takeover attempt with a head scissors take down of her own. From there, Storm reached out her hand toward Evans for a second respectful shake. This time Evans heelishly snatched Storm’s hand and locked in a side headlock. The crowd really responded strongly to this heel move by Evans and booed her. Evans attempted to capitalize on her newfound momentum with a shoulder tackle, but Storm countered with a left kick to the chest and her patented hip bumps and grinds like we saw in her first round match. In the middle of her grind though, Evans countered with a roll-up pin and a two count. Evans controlled most of the offense from here on out. She beat up Storm with a variety of moves including a sweeping cross kick, a series of ground and pound strikes, and a nice over the top rope elbow drop. With all that offense on her side, Evans went for a pin but only received a two count. It was clear Evans had a significant amount of momentum here and the fact that she couldn’t close the deal and win with that momentum visibly frustrated her. Storm used that frustration to her advantage by hitting Evans with some unsuspecting punches and a reverse backbreaker off the second rope. Her comeback was in full force but she still managed to maintain her unique attitude and charisma while selling the damage she sustained earlier in the match. Storm then hit a beautiful northern lights suplex followed by her Strong Zero crushing neckbreaker for the win.

WINNER: Storm at 5:07

Heydorn’s Analysis: This was a really good match to start the episode with. Storm was great as expected, but Evans more than held up her end of the deal and kept up with Storm. Evans had a nice series of offense in this one and proved she could control a match and audience. I loved her attempt to capture heel heat during the second handshake exchange. I’d go so far as to say that Evans is the more athletic performer of the two. That said, Toni Storm has that “it” factor and is so natural and genuine in the ring. From a match standpoint, it was very standard with Storm hitting a big time move for a big time win.

(2) MIA YIM vs. SHAYNA BASZLER

Yim made her way out first to a nice pop and was extremely energetic as she headed to the ring. The crowd was very much on her side. Baszler came out next and entered to a quiet response with some audible boos here and there. Charlotte, Bayley, and Becky were ringside for this match and Baszler stared them down as she stepped into the ring. Ronda Rousey and the UFC Horsewomen were also ringside. As Baszler posed to the crowd, a very loud chant for Yim echoed through the arena. Baszler denied Yim’s handshake which riled the crowd even more and the two began trading kicks to the legs. Soon after, Baszler started blocking Yim’s kicks and taking the offensive momentum to her side. Baszler then was finally tagged with a stiff Yim shot that she basically no-sold. This lack of selling clearly was not part of the match. Baszler just either forgot or didn’t care to do that part of her job. Yim continued her offensive attack with kicks that sent Baszler outside of the ring. Yim capitalized with a beautiful suicide dive through the ropes that connected with Baszler cleanly. Yim then brought Baszler back into the ring and continued her striking attack with kicks. Baszler’s selling was god awful here as well, but she quickly countered the kicks into a submission hold and then into a gut wrench sidewalk slam. Baszler got a two count and then continued working Yim’s leg which was already damaged due to the earlier submission move. From here, Yim gained a little steam and applied the tarantula to Baszler in the corner. After that she hit a running KO bomb in the corner and covered Baszler for the two count. In a desperation attempt after nearly losing the match, Baszler attempted an ankle lock submission, but Yim grabbed the ropes to break the hold. From here the action and the momentum swayed back and forth between both Yim and Baszler with Yim finally winning the upper hand with a pele kick to the head. Yim covered, but received only a two count once again. Yim sensed that she almost had Baszler at that point and went for a second KO bomb in the corner which was countered by a stiff knee to the face. Baszler covered for the two count. The selling from Baszler was still atrocious even after all the damage she had taken. Yim just couldn’t get the pin on Baszler with traditional moves so she went to the top rope for something high risk. Yim leaped off for a 450 splash and Baszler smoothly countered into her rear naked sleeper submission. After a couple seconds in the hold, Yim tapped out giving Baszler the victory.

WINNER: Baszler by submission at 5:37 – After the match, Baszler had a second stare down with WWE’s Horsewomen in front of Ronda Rousey and her fellow UFC stars. The audience booed seeing the UFC group but loudly cheered when Charlotte, Becky, and Bayley were shown on the screen.

Heydorn’s Analysis: This was more of the type of match that Baszler needs to be having right now. She was able to showcase her strengths, but also took some intense moves that showed the audience she wasn’t being overly protected by the WWE office. The crowd enjoyed those spots very much as did I. That said, Baszler’s selling was stunningly bad. There were moments in the match that called for her to sell more that ended up being less important because she couldn’t do it effectively. Yim was really solid in this match as well. Even with Baszler’s pathetic selling, Yim came off as a viable opponent. With the UFC and WWE main roster women at ringside for this match, the outcome was clear from the start and its obvious they are building something big. Within that, Shayna is being thrusted into a big spotlight and needs to help herself by doing the little things right.  

(3) RHEA RIPLEY vs. DAKOTA KAI

Ripley came down first to a very nice pop. I loved her entrance and charisma as she gave a nice peak to the Mae Young Classic trophy. Kai was out next to a similar pop with the camera showing Ripley applauding Kai as she entered the ring. Both seemed very gracious and respectful of each other as they shook hands and waited for the bell to ring. After the bell, Ripley immediately interacted with the crowd using a “Aussie” yell to get a response from the audience. Both competitors then tied up in the middle of the ring and Kai took over with an overhand wristlock. Kai released the wristlock and bounced Ripley off the ropes after which both went into an amazing rope tumbling spot that included flips, ducks, clothesline counters, and kick counters. Eventually, Kai gathered herself and controlled the action with an arm drag into a stiff running kick. Just like in round one, Kai was utilizing her quickness to keep the stronger Ripley on her toes. After a third running kick, Ripley countered Kai’s offense but was sent flying over the top rope for her struggles. Kai looked to capitalize on this with a springboard splash. Ripley caught Kai instead, lifted her up on top of her shoulders, and connected with a devastating electric chair drop onto the ring apron. Kai sold this well as Ripley rolled her back into the ring for a two count. After this spot, JR was putting Ripley over huge. At the same time, the audience totally bought Kai’s selling of the move and began to migrate over to her side in terms of who they wanted to win. Ripley began to get frustrated after that massive move didn’t land her the win. She then worked to lock in a full nelson and Kai countered with a backwards kick. Both Ripley and Kai were down at this point and the crowd started to cheer loudly once again. When they got to their feet, they traded kick attacks in the middle of the ring which Kai finally won due to two gorgeous dropkicks and a stunning boot to the face. Kai covered for a two count near fall. After staggering around for a few seconds, Ripley finally came to and connected with an impressive northern lights suplex that accurately showcased just how strong Ripley is. Ripley did not follow the move with a quick enough pin attempt which allowed Kai time to recover. JR made sure to point this out on commentary as Ripley lifted Kai up to the top rope. The two struggled for position high atop the ring with Ripley working to attempt a superplex and Kai working to prevent it. After a couple punches to her face from Kai, Ripley slipped into the tree of woe position. Kai took advantage of this, nailed her top rope double foot stomp on Ripley, and covered her for the 1,2,3 win.

WINNER: Kai at 7:04

Heydorn’s Analysis: Overall, this was a fine match. I was expecting a bit more from Ripley though. Her persona was good, but I think she could have done more with it, even in a losing effort. That said, she is on to something with her character and needs time to develop it. Kai continued to impress in the role of a gritty babyface that doesn’t quit. Ripley’s strong offensive moves certainly helped Kai with her comeback, but her selling did wonders in that regard too. Kai is able to showcase facial expressions when getting hurt that can make the audience feel the pain she’s in. It’s a rare talent that reminds me of Shawn Michaels. The story of this match had been done before a couple times now in the tournament with the inexperienced Ripley getting frustrated and that frustration leading to her demise. Even if I didn’t like that they went to that again, the finish of the match captured that story nicely.

(4) CANDICE LERAE vs. NICOLE SAVOY

Candice LeRae hit the ring first to a massive pop from the Full Sail audience. The crowd absolutely loved seeing her and once again she came out with her perfectly selected entrance music. Savoy entered next and had little too no reaction at all. If anything, you could hear boos from the audience that was clearly and fully on LeRae’s side. LeRae went for the pre-match handshake and Savoy kicked her hand out of the way to litany of boos. Boos had to be the reaction Savoy was looking for as there wasn’t a conceivable avenue to her getting cheered over Candice. After the kick, “let’s go Candice” chants blared from the crowd, but Savoy kept her cool and controlled the early part of the match. She grounded LeRae with strikes and arm bars before LeRae picked up the pace and connected with a spinning single arm DDT from the second rope. The chants for LeRae got even louder, but Savoy was able to block them out and continue her dominance even after the big move. She finally hit LeRae with one of the many suplexes we had been hearing so much about from the commentary team. The first was a very nasty back suplex that almost dropped LeRae on her head. Candice sold the neck and head pain from this spot throughout the match. From there, Savoy moved into some vertical suplexes before laying in a submission move on Candice. LeRae attempted a handful of counters but the one that stuck was a carbon copy of the submission hold that Savoy had on her. After the submission, LeRae capitalized and hit a flawless Codebreaker on an injured Savoy. From there, the fighting and offense went back and forth before Savoy laid in her patented suplexes again. This time, she connected with two perfect double arm suplexes. Savoy then went for a cover, but only until the count of two. With her opponent on the ground after the pin attempt, Savoy locked in another submission that this time targeted the arm of Candice LeRae. LeRae worked to escape and did, but was then hit with a delayed German suplex leading to another two count near fall. With the crowd still cheering wildly for her, LeRae surprised Savoy and locked in her own submission move next. To escape, Savoy backed LeRae into the turnbuckle which caused whiplash to her head and neck. LeRae sold this perfectly and the announcers alluded to the fact that that move hurt her more than usual because of all the suplex punishment she had taken in the match. From there, Savoy picked LeRae up and placed her on the top turnbuckle. The two women battled above the ring with LeRae fighting hard to avoid a top rope double under hook suplex. To the crowd’s amazement, LeRae did just that and hit Savoy with her “Miss LeRae’s Wild Ride” finishing maneuver instead for the win.

WINNER: LeRae at 5:54

Heydorn’s Analysis: Candice LeRae made this match work. If the crowd didn’t love her as much as they did, the formula they went to with it would have failed miserably. However, because Candice was so over, she was able to hold the crowd’s attention and get them to cheer her on in the face of defeat instead of losing interest all together. Within the narrative of this match, Savoy played her part perfectly. She stalked LeRae around the ring and looked very dangerous; especially after the almost botched suplex that nearly paralyzed LeRae. LeRae sold well and conveyed perfectly that she was going to fight through any pain to get the victory. She did just that. Seeing how over LeRae was in this match spells big trouble for the WWE if they are going to stubbornly push forward with Shayna Baszler as a babyface instead of LeRae in the quarterfinals.

Final Thoughts: Just like round one, round two of the Mae Young Classic surpassed my expectations. The matches were better and more thought out, but the characters of these women shined through more as well. That is where round two beats round one. By tapping into their characters more, these women were able to put on better matches that had infinitely more investment from the audience. In the quarterfinals, I look for the same evolution to continue. That continued evolution, plus more time, could equal classics. In the quarterfinals, I’m most looking forward to seeing Shayna Baszler vs. Candice LeRae. In classic WWE fashion, their bright light is one direction and the light of the fans is in another. Such is life with Baszler and LeRae. It’ll be interesting to see where the WWE goes with that and how both competitors respond.

What To Watch For In The Quarterfinals: Shayna Baszler vs. Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai vs. Kairi Sane, Piper Nevin vs. Toni Storm.

NOW CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS REPORT: Mae Young Classic Report (Episode Five): Laith vs. Evers, Deep vs. Nevin, Sugehit vs. Martinez, Belair vs. Sane