9/5 MAE YOUNG CLASSIC 2018 – EP. 1: Zatar vs. Tegan Nox, Rhea Ripley vs. M.J. Jenkins, Lacey Lane vs. Vanessa Kraven, Meiko Satomura vs. Killer Kelly

MAE YOUNG CLASSIC II – EPISODE ONE
PREMIERED ON SEPT. 5, 2018
TAPED IN ORLANDO, FLA. AT FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY
AIRED ON WWE NETWORK

Announcers: Michael Cole, Renee Young, Beth Phoenix

-Kicking off the 2018 Mae Young Classic, the show opens with a video package, narrated by Mauro Ranallo showcasing the participants of the 2017 tournament. It focused very heavily on the two finalists, Kairi Sane and Shayna Baszler, highlighting the greatest moments from their matches leading to the finals. A few highlights of the final between the two competitors came next, ending with Triple H raising the winner, Kairi Sane’s hand high in the air.

-The video shifts to this year’s tournament, displaying the brackets consisting of the 32 participants. It continues with a few of the women commenting on the Classic. Audio of Renee Young plays explaining that the finals will take place at the first-ever all women’s PPV, WWE Evolution.  Mauro concludes the video package, and the opening music video for this year’s Classic plays.

Analysis: All in all, the opening video package and music video did a respectable job getting the viewer hyped for the show. Plenty of highlights from last year to jog your memory, and a good introduction to the crop of 32 new competitors. Something of note, the music video ended on a close-up of Toni Storm.

– The show begins with a shot of the Full Sail crowd, and Michael Cole reminds us that this begins the road to the first ever all women’s PPV, WWE Evolution. The camera cuts ringside to the announce table where Michael Cole introduces his two counterparts for the Classic, Renee Young and Beth Phoenix. He makes note that this is the first time ever that two women will be on the commentary team. Beth and Renee separately comment on being part of the show, and then Cole gets right to business introducing the first match of the night, Tegan Nox vs. Zatara.

Analysis: The Full Sail crowd was amped up, and seemed ready for the action to begin. It’s nice to see Beth back in the commentary booth, and it’ll be interesting to find out how much she may have improved from the Mixed Match Challenge.

(1) Zatara vs. Tegan Nox

Cut to a video package of the Chilean Luchadora, Zatara. Subtitled at the bottom of the screen, Zatara speaks her native language introducing herself to the WWE Universe. She makes note that she is the first female Chilean wrestler in the WWE, and that this is the highest point of her career. During the package, you hear Michael Cole tout the 10-year veteran as one of the BADDEST women of the entire event. Her package ends when she says, in English, “After this tournament, you will never forget Zatara.”

Analysis: A nice introduction of Zatara to the WWE audience. This is my report, I don’t have to say Universe, right? It was a decent showcase of her talents, and they even showed two clips of her holding CMLL Championships, showing the audience that she’s championship material.)

-The Welsh performer, Tegan Nox’s video package was up next. After telling us that she likes to hit people hard while a clip of a crisp Shining Wizard played, she says that her biggest influence was the great Molly Holly. She says that Molly did things in the ring that other women didn’t do, and like Molly she aims to do the same – as a clip of her performing a piledriver was shown. She talks about how an ACL injury kept her out of last year’s Classic, and how the injury made her stronger.

Analysis: Another great introduction to the audience showcasing her ability in-ring. Nox seemed to come off sympathetic due to the ACL injury last year and missing the inaugural Mae Young Classic.

-A shot of the Full Sail arena played next, and ring announcer Kayla Braxton is in the center of the ring. She welcomes the audience to the 2018 Mae Young Classic, and then immediately announces the first competitor. Upbeat music plays, and Tegan Nox enters to a somewhat lukewarm reaction. Michael Cole says that she is his pick to go all the way in the tournament, and Renee says that she’s the one with the Shiniest Wizard. Then a slower paced percussive theme begins to play as Zatara makes her entrance and a few boos can be heard throughout the arena. Cole reiterates that she may be the most physical women in the Classic. The announcers then list off her accolades south of the US border.

Analysis: Between the music and their demeanors walking to the ring, it’s pretty clear that Nox is wrestling as the face, and Zatara heel. The crowd seems excited for the event to begin, but they didn’t seem to be solidly behind either competitor. However, that’s to be expected with two women new to the WWE audience.

-The ref walks both competitors to their respective corners and checks them for foreign objects. He signals for them to step to the center of the ring for the traditional handshake to begin. The bell rings, and the crowd gets behind Tegan immediately. The two slowly grapple back and forth to start the bout, before Zatara kicks Tegan’s leg, knocking her down. Nox kips up, and Zatara kicks her down again. Another kip up, and Nox gains control with a hammerlock. After some more back and forth, Nox gets knocked into the corner as Zatara taunts the crowd. She runs at Nox, who jumps over her and takes control with a couple arm drags. Nox lands a head scissors takedown and a couple dropkicks, while Zatara rolls out of the ring for a breather. Nox goes for a suicide dive, but notices Zatara duck. She turns it into somewhat of a 619, landing back in the ring. At the ref’s 4 count, Zatara makes it back to the ring and tries to shake Nox’s hand, showing respect that she’s been bested thus far. She kicks Nox down instead, and then gets some offense in before pulling Nox’s hair, and stomping her square in the spine. She dropkicks Nox and goes for the cover, but Nox kicks out at two. Zatara gets Nox back into the corner, and wrenches Nox’s leg on the 2^nd rope – the same leg that suffered the ACL injury last year. The ref breaks it up, but Zatara attacks the leg again. She then gets a modified Figure Four on Nox, as Nox screams in agony. Nox makes her way to the rope for the rope break, and then gets the upper hand knocking Zatara into the corner and hit a running uppercut, selling the leg the whole time. Nox makes her way to the top rope and lands a crossbody into a pin. Zatara kicked at two. Zatara gets the advantage again, and climbs to the top rope for a diving dropkick. Nox recovers in the corner with her head along the bottom turnbuckle when Zatara comes running with a double knee to the face, another pin attempt, Nox kicked out at two. Zatara signals to the crowd that Nox is finished before trying to kick Nox in the back of the head as she attempted to get up. Nox ducks, and Zatara fell to the mat. Nox makes her comeback, as Zatara begins to rise back to her feet. Nox nails Zatara with a Shining Wizard for the 1, 2, 3.

WINNER: Tegan Nox at 6:13

Analysis: A decent opening bout, but a relatively basic match. Both competitors looked like they belonged in the tournament, and they won the crowd over by the end. Props to Nox for selling the injured leg, and props to Zatara for that brutal double knee in the corner.

(2) Rhea Ripley vs. M.J. Jenkins

After the match, Nox celebrates in the ring as the announcers recap the highlights of the match. Braxton announces Nox as the winner, as the ref holds her hand high. The camera cuts to Ember Moon watching along in the crowd before cutting to Alexa Bliss doing the same. Cole then introduces the next bout, Rhea Ripley vs. M.J. Jenkins.

-Rhea Ripley’s video package plays first and she acknowledges that her defeat last year made her look like a fool, as a clip of her getting pinned by Dakota Kai last year plays. This year, she has a much darker look, wearing fishnets, spikes and a dog collar. She declares she’s going to prove what Rhea Ripley is all about by ripping every single competitor apart. Her video concludes as the screen goes purple and some disco-esque dance music plays, introducing the “Afrolicious” MJ Jenkins from Brooklyn. A clip of her dancing provocatively in the ring is shown as Cole can be heard asking if she can make a name for herself in the Classic. Very few clips of her in ring work are shown, and the package focused more on her making her entrance and dancing.

Analysis: I liked this new, edgier Ripley this year. They want to portray a Ruby Riot-like “don’t mess with me” vibe, and I think she did a decent job at portraying that. From her video, MJ came off to me as somewhat of a mix of a more provocative Adam Rose and No Way Jose in female form. Nothing spectacular, but the gimmick may be entertaining in a setting like the MYC.

-MJ Jenkins danced her way down the ramp to some upbeat, soulful music. The announcers mention that she was trained by the Dudley’s and that this is her WWE Network debut. The ref puts her into her corner, and begins to pat her down as Rhea Ripley’s music plays. An intense Ripley struts to the ring as her heavy metal inspired theme accompanies her. Cole reminds us that she made it to the quarter finals last year, as the crowd cheered Ripley’s charismatic entrance. Renee makes note to mention that Triple H tweeted that Ripley is “one to watch” in the tournament. The ref pats Rhea down, as “Rhea Ripley!” chants break out through the arena. She waves off the crowd as if to say “Pleeeease, I don’t need you.”, which was met with a chorus of boos. As the two circle each other in the ring, the announcers begin to compare Ripley to Charlotte as the two get some back and forth offense in. MJ gets the upper hand, throwing Ripley across the ring with a 2^nd rope springboard arm drag. She dances in the corner before running at Ripley who throws her over the top rope. MJ lands on the apron, and lands a forearm to the face. Ripley falters but rebounds with a dropkick, sending MJ flying off of the apron and onto the floor. Ripley gets out of the ring and throws MJ back in before going for the cover. MJ kicks out at 2. Ripley gets some more offense in as the crowd gets behind her once again. She goes for another pin attempt, but MJ kicks out. She maintains the upper hand, while MJ struggles to fight back. Ripley knocks MJ down with a stiff lariat, and goes for an unsuccessful cover for a third time. Cole goes back to the Charlotte comparison, and states that Ripley doesn’t want to be known as Charlotte 2.0, but wants to forge her own path in the WWE. Ripley trash talks MJ, maintaining the advantage throughout. She backs MJ into the corner, and kicks her in the midsection repeatedly before the ref breaks it up. MJ falls to her knees, but makes it back to her feet to fight back. Too bad, because Ripley immediately puts her into a stalling vertical suplex that Bobby Lashley would be proud of. Ripley goes for a 4^th pin, but MJ shows her resilience and kicked at two. Ripley lands a stiff blow to the back, and gets MJ into a standing abdominal stretch. The announcers hype up how painful the hold is, as Ripley wrenches it in and grinds her elbow into MJ’s stomach. MJ reverses with a hip toss, but her comeback is cut short when Ripley picks her up and tosses her across the ring. Ripley then makes three rapid pin attempts, but MJ kicks out of all of them. Ripley continues to trash talk, when MJ snaps and knocks Ripley down with a series of forearms and a shoulder tackle. The two trade some back and forth blows and MJ knocks Ripley into the corner. She heads to the opposite corner and charges at Ripley, who again tosses her out of the ring and on to the apron. MJ lands an impressive roundhouse kick from the apron to Ripley, still inside the ring. She tries getting the crowd behind her, before hitting a missile dropkick from the top, and making a cover on Ripley who kicks at two. They both take some time to get back to their feet, and MJ throws another roundhouse kick. Ripley ducks, and counters into a pump handle powerbomb, immediately pinning MJ’s shoulders to the mat for the win.

WINNER: Rhea Ripley at 7:41

Analysis: Even though MJ got some offense in throughout the match, it was largely one-sided in Ripley’s favor. Ripley showed some great ring presence with the way she carried herself and stuck true to her gimmick. She trash talked MJ every opportunity she got, and all her offense came off with great intensity. MJ looked somewhat green on some of her strikes and kicks, but that aside, they both looked great overall.

(3) Lacey Lane vs. Vanessa Kraven

As Ripley celebrates up the ramp Cole introduces the next bout, Vanessa “The Mountain” Kraven Vs. Lacey Lane. Vanessa’s video package opens with her eerily peering into the camera. She says that she lures her opponents into a false sense of security by looking like a monster but showing a sweet side. That’s when she strikes. Various clips of her pummeling opponents at indy shows play as she tells us that she’s a bruiser, and loves hitting hard. Kraven wraps up by saying “Play time is NOW”. The shot turns green, and close ups of Lacey Lane wearing a bandana across her face pan across the screen. Lane introduces herself, and names the Dudley’s as her influence. She says she wrestles a little lucha, and a little strong style and likens herself to a pitbull. She touches on her basketball career, and she says she’s a deadly threat to everyone in the Classic.

Analysis: In both packages, Kraven and Lane come across as serious competitors. Kraven as a Monster Among Women so to speak, and Lane as the scrappy, energetic underdog.

-Before the match begins, the camera cuts to Lio Rush in the crowd watching ringside. Ominous music fills the arena as Lacey Lane makes her way down the ramp. The crowd gives her a nice reaction, and they cut to a shot of fans cheering Lane on. Cole says Lane is his wild card pick in the tournament. Renee tells us that Lane, the hometown hero, has her family and friends in attendance for the biggest match of her career.  The ref pats her down, as different ominous music can be heard throughout Full Sail. “The Mountain” makes her way down the ramp to a chorus of boos from the crowd. Phoenix mentions that she recently talked with Ruby Riot, and Riot said that Kraven is one of the toughest women she’s ever stepped in the ring with. So tough, that Riot came out of their match minus one tooth! Seemingly getting the Nia Jax “billing your height and weight” treatment, Cole touts that Kraven is 6’2, over 200lbs and draws comparisons to his broadcast partner, Beth Phoenix. Cole calls this a David and Goliath matchup as the ref calls for the bell.

-The two women trade reversals for the beginning of the bout, with Lane showing some impressively speedy defense against her much larger adversary. Lane tries gaining the upper hand with a roll up, but Kraven doesn’t even leave her feet. She stands tall and attempts to stomp Lane, as Lane swiftly rolls to the side. The announcers mention that there is almost a 100lb difference between these women. Lane goes for a crucifix pin, but again Kraven stands tall completely unfazed. She tries getting Lane on her shoulders, but Lane counters by getting herself off of Kraven’s shoulders and flat on the mat. Lane gets a few kicks to the face, and then some offense in the corner before Kraven pushes her aside. Lane manages to get her back into the corner, twists Kraven’s arm and walks up on to the 3^rd rope, a la Undertaker’s “Old School”. She springs from the top rope to the middle, back to the top before performing what looked to be a somewhat botched springboard arm drag to Kraven. Kraven rolls out of the ring to recover, while the ref checks on Lane in the ring.

Analysis: It’s tough to tell if it was truly a botched move, or part of the story. I’m inclined to think it was an accident after the camera cut moved off of Lane as the ref was checking on her. That, and the fact that this was her first televised match.)

-Kraven makes her way to the apron, but Lane knocked her back to the floor. Lane jumps the top rope, and Kraven goes to attack, but Lane countered it with a cartwheel on the apron so the blow didn’t land.  Lane does a diving cross body off the apron, but is caught by Kraven. Kraven gets some offense on the apron, before draping Lane over the top rope in a tree of woe-like position. She gets a few kicks in, and Lane hits the mat. Kraven gets some more offense in, including a cannonball on Lane in the corner. Kraven goes for a pin, and Lane kicks out at two.

Analysis: Keeping in mind that this is Lane’s first televised match, so far, I’m impressed with what I’m seeing. Other than that one botch, she’s carrying herself at a much higher level than I’d expect from someone with so little experience.

-The Mountain maintains the advantage, chopping Lane’s chest with force. She gets Lane into a modified torture rack, and Lane counters. Kraven goes for a chokeslam powerbomb, and Lane counters with a headbutt to Kraven’s face. Lane gets some more offense in, kicking Kraven into the corner and a running knee to the face. Kraven no sells it, and delivers a mean spinning side slam into a pin. Lane kicks at two, and the crowd goes wild for her. Kraven goes for another cannonball, but Lane dodges and secures the upper hand. After a few more kicks to Kraven, Lane attempts another crucifix bomb, slamming Kraven to the mat and pinning her for the win.

WINNER: Lacey Lane in 4:50

Analysis: Lane performed at a higher level than should be expected for her first match. Her charisma and lucha/strong style won the crowd over big time. Her win over Kraven was your typical feel good “David slays Goliath” story, which works well in the tournament setting of the MYC. Kraven came across as a crazy, deranged heel and I could see her going toe to toe with the likes of Nia Jax or maybe Asuka if given the opportunity.

-Lacey Lane is shown fighting back tears as the ref raises her hand in victory. Cole says that we could be looking at a Cinderella story with Lane, fighting the odds and making her way to Evolution. Cole throws it to a backstage interview where WWE’s first signing from the middle east, Shadia Bseiso, is standing by to talk with none other than Nattie Neidhart. She asks Nattie how she feels about being back at Full Sail, and Nattie tells her she’s excited to be there and around so many women who share a passion for wrestling. Shadia asks Nattie who she thinks will win, and Nattie names Mia Yim and Io Shiari as the two to go all the way to Evolution, wrapping up the segment.

(4) Meiko Satomura vs. Killer Kelly

The final bout of the evening pits Satomura vs. Killer Kelly. Cole cuts to Satomura’s video package, which begins with her introducing herself and a clip of her making her entrance during a WCW Monday Nitro twenty—two years ago. She acknowledged that she lost all of her matches, and offered up an brilliant explanation as to why. She said that back then she was only a rookie and had yet to learn any finishing moves, so she always lost instantly. She said she always wanted to come back, and redeem herself.

-Killer Kelly’s video rolled next, and the Portuguese brawler introduces herself to the WWE audience as the first female Portuguese wrestler ever to wrestle for the company. She said that the Classic will bring her the exposure she needs, and that any fans who are yet to know who she is will never forget her by the end of the night. She talks about being a straightforward fighter who’ll put her opponents to sleep with her fierce dragon sleeper.

Analysis: Again, the video packages played to the Women’s strengths and showcased them both as competitors not to be toyed with. Satomura’s redemption story, to me, outshined Killer Kelly’s quest to be the most dominate women on the roster. But, that could be because it seems very similar to Shayna Baszler or, to a lesser degree, Rowsey. Kelly didn’t seem completely natural on camera during the video package either, albeit not super noticeable.

-After the package wrapped up, the camera cut to Funaki in the crowd waiting for the match to begin. Of course, placed shamelessly behind Funaki was Bayley super fan, Izzy. Funaki starts holding up 10 fingers repeatedly as the crowd chants “Ten!”. The camera pans to R-Truth’s latest protégé, Tye Dillinger. Phoenix, Cole and Young appear on screen, hyping the final match as well as putting the rest of the night over. To some generic percussive beat, Killer Kelly swaggers down the ramp. Cole says that all you need to know about this young woman in a nutshell, is that her inspiration to be a wrestler was Kane. Renee says that she can’t wait to see how Kane’s influence affects her style. She climbs to the top rope, snarls and puts her mouth guard in. Before jumping down from the top rope, she slaps herself in the face, showing how unhinged she can be. Next, the crowd goes wild as Meiko Satomura’s music hits and she makes her way to the stage. Cole touts her as the “Final Boss” of Japan and a master of Joshi. Phoenix explains that Joshi Strong Style is designed to punish your opponent with strikes and grapples.

-After the handshake, the ref signals for the bell and the two circle each other in the ring. The crowd is solidly behind Meiko, as she lands a few kicks to the shin and quads of Kelly. Kelly tries to recover, only to be met with lightning quick kicks from Meiko to the torso and head. They appear to be setting up for a Test of Strength but after they lock one set of hands, Meiko twists Kelly’s arm and kicks her to the mat. She goes for an armbar but Kelly reverses to a front belly to back suplex, slamming Meiko face first into the canvas. They both simultaneously get to their feet and dance around one another again. Meiko gets a good headlock on Kelly, pinning her at the same time. The ref count to two twice, and Kelly kicks out both times, reversing into a head scissors hold. Meiko reverses with another headlock, Kelly with another head scissors. Meiko slips out of the hold, and the two trade blows back and forth. Kelly knocks Meiko down and looks for a surfboard stretch, but is reversed by Meiko into a half Boston Crab. Kelly gets the rope break, and escapes the hold only to be immediately put into a much more convincing (albeit modified) STF than Cena could ever hope for. Kelly gets the rope break, and they both get back to their feet. Meiko maintains the offense, and delivers a series of brutal kicks to the chest and midsection. She attempts a pin, and Kelly kicks out. Kelly gets the upper hand and goes for a pin after a stalling vertical suplex, but Meiko escapes at two. Kelly tries to keep Meiko down, to be met with a huge uppercut. Kelly falls to the mat, and Meiko cartwheels across the ring to deliver a devastating double knee to the spine of Kelly. Meiko grabs an arm and a leg, and drags Kelly in front of the turnbuckle. She goes up top, but Kelly met her there and tried to Super Belly to Back suplex Meiko off the top rope, but Meiko countered with a punch to the midsection. Kelly, however, manages to latch on the dragon sleeper while they both dangle in an almost tandem tree of woe from the turnbuckle. The announcers wonder if Meiko will tap out, as Kelly really locks it in and wrenches the hold. The ref started his five count, as it was an illegal manuver much like Tajiri’s Tarantula finishing hold. She jumps off of the turnbuckle, and puts Meiko into another tree of woe in the corner before kicking her in the chest. Meiko falls to the mat, and pulls herself up to a sitting position at the turnbuckle. Which she immediately regretted, or at least I’d assume she did as Kelly delivered a fierce dropkick to her face. Kelly pulls off a beautiful fisherman’s suplex, bridging to a pin. Meiko BARELY kicked out before the count of three, coaxing a “This is awesome!” chant from the Full Sail crowd. The camera lingers on Kelly’s face for a bit, capturing her completely astonished expressions.  Kelly gets her back up and goes for a German suplex, to be countered by a Pele Kick from the Japanese powerhouse. Meiko screams, picks Kelly up off the mat and hoists Kelly on to her shoulders to deliver a devastating Death Valley Driver to a cover, leading to the final win of the night.

WINNER: Meiko Satomura in 7:41

Analysis: Both of these women deserved the reaction the Full Sail crowd gave them. This match was technical, hard hitting and pieced together very well. They both got in roughly an equal amount of offense, allowing both Meiko Satomura and Killer Kelly to walk away looking strong. For someone with roughly two years of experience, Killer Kelly’s in ring work made up for her somewhat unnatural feeling talking segment during her video package. Plus, the veteran Satomura put on a crisp and hard hitting performance as well. For me, match of the night.

Cole, Phoenix and Young recap the highlights of the match as the replays are shown, and put both women over. Kelly and Meiko share a handshake and a bow in the center of the ring before Kelly leaves Meiko standing tall in the center of the squared circle. Michael Cole ends the show by thanking everybody for watching, and reminding us to tune in next week!

Overall Analysis: A very solid first episode of the 2018 Mae Young Classic. These eight women put on four great matches, and each one was paced near perfectly. There were very few moments during the matches that felt like lulls, and they kept the attention of the sometimes-harsh Full Sail crowd. With maybe the exception of MJ Jenkins, in my opinion anyway, all of them came off as credible competitors that could make an impact in the tournament.

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