So I just prepped you AfroNerd Followers with a year old blog and a "where are they now" feature on the 2017 Mae Young Classic competitors. So what about this year's edition? My analysis begins now with the help of Lzzy Hale & Halestorm!
First up my "What Were You Expecting" class of athletes: Aerial Monroe, Jessie Elaban, Jinny, Kacy Catanzaro, Lacey Lane, MJ Jenkins, Priscilla Kelly, Xia Brookside, Vanessa Krave, Zatara & Killer Kelly were either new to me or I didn't see much of them before this event. A cool crop of ladies determined to set the wrestling world on fire. For obvious reasons, Catanzaro and Lane were being pushed hard by the WWE PR machine but do not sleep on Monroe and Jinny. Jinny is already a part of the WWE NXT UK brand as a model with a mean streak. Monroe, the significant other of Cedric Alexander, literally moves FASTER than him in the ring and is already modifying his moves.
In my "Love/Hate Heartbreak" class where I have pros that I have seen elsewhere come to the WWE and show the Universe a thing or two: Allysin Kay, Ashley Rayne, Deonna Purrazzo, Hiroyo Matsumoto, Isla Dawn, Kaitlyn, Karen Q, Nicole Matthews & Zeuxis. Now these are ladies that have made a name for themselves elsewhere and got to rock a WWE ring here. Loved seeing Kay and Rayne "Knockout" fans who never saw them go nuts at Impact. Karen Q is the Women of Honor Women's Champion at last check and she definitely lives up to her hype. Folks, I cannot stress enough to check out Hiroyo Matsumoto aka Godzilla clips on YouTube. She, like previous year MYC alternates Purrazzo & Matthews, more than impressed here. And Kaitlyn returned to a WWE ring! The way she left the company before had me broken I'll admit BUT I'm glad she has rebounded and gotten BETTER!!
In my "Bet U Wish U Had Me Back" class, I have Rachel Evers, Reina González, Taynara Conti Xia Li, Kavita Devi, Tegan Nox, Mercedes Martinez & Mia Yim. Most of these lasses were here last year (only Tegan didn't get to wrestle because of injury) and returned this year and definitely left their mark on the competition. Most notable was the legend Mercedes Martinez taking on Meiko Satomura in the match of the tournament. They put on a never say die clinic that will be remembered for YEARS! Nox was unfortunately hurt again in her quarterfinals match with Rhea Ripley but valiantly continued on. Then there's Mia Yim, who has been so impressive to the Full Sail crowd, that their chanting "Please Sign Mia" after her quarterfinal with Toni Storm, got Triple H to sign her to NXT immediately.
This left my "I Am The Fire" final four of Io Shirai vs Rhea Ripley & Meiko Satomura vs Toni Storm. Io Shirai has long been considered the best Women's wrestler in the world. She decided to sign with WWE during the company's last tour of Japan. And this tourney was her welcoming party. Ripley, totally adorable in last year's mYC, underwent a total character change and has become a total badass. And boy did they go at one another, with Shirai narrowingly escaping with the win. Following that, Toni Storm took on Satomura for that final spot in the finals and I will say it isn't hyperbole to say Satomura stole this tournament from everyone else. Move after move, counter after counter, Satomura and Storm WOWED the crowd in the arena. Somehow, Storm pulled this out setting up the Mae Young Classic title match at the next thing I'm reviewing, EVOLUTION!
Full Disclosure: I heard the Evolution PPV as background noise as I worked and then actually watched it in bits throughout the week until now. Action took place in Long Island NY, which was totally planned because the NY/NJ wrestling fan are very tolerant when it comes to Women's Wrestling. Don't get it twisted: WWE made sure that they would have a pro crowd for the ladies. And if they were unsure, the first match booked ensured that as Trish Stratus & Lita faced Alicia Fox & Mickie James w/Alexa Bliss. Trish and Lita are BELOVED by a majority of the WWE Universe. Throw in another fan favorite in Mickie James with the "Bad Gal folks love" at ringside to stir things up and you couldn't ask for a hotter start.
We then went to the Battle Royal which had today's stars like Nia Jax, Ember Moon, The IIconics etc facing off with stars of the past like Molly Holly, Alundra Blayze, Kelly Kelly etc. for a future title shot. 20 female wrestlers in all. Seemingly, each favorite wrestler got a "moment" and this battle royal was more enjoyable than I thought it would be.
From there we had the 2018 Mae Young Classic Finals. Toni Storm vs Io Shirai. The 2nd best match of the night in my opinion as both gals just let it go for 10 frenetic minutes. This one I will spoil as Toni Storm came out on top. Sorry but knowing the ending will not damper any of the fun. Trust me.
A Six Women Tag Team Match was next as Natalya, Sasha Banks, & Bayley (Banks and Bayley I can argue heralded the mainstream Women's Revolution with their NXT Women's Title match at the initial NXT Brooklyn Takeover event) faced The Riott Squad who are Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan. Another match that was much better than I thought going in, as all the ladies stepped up their game to try and steal the show.
No time for me to breathe as the NXT Women’s Title Match was next. Shayna Baszler vs Champion Kairi Sane. And one thing that NXT has established is the emnity between these two ladies. One's a bully, the other is a pirate. One is no frills while the other is high flying. Two different worlds clashed and heralded a new era...for the Four Horsewomen have now arrived in the mainstream WWE *omnious evil laughter*
Next up was my match of the night for the Smackdown Women’s Title. The rule is simple: You can only win when you beat down your opponent so bad that they cannot stand back up by a count of 10. Last. Woman. Standing. In one corner, Champion Becky Lynch. In the other corner, Charlotte Flair. The intensity and hate was paltable as Becky has thrown a longtime friendship out the door to get and hold onto the gold. Ladders, tables, chairs, cheap shots all came into play as both women pulled out ALL STOPS to win. My ECW heart is still beating fast at this one. Pure. Athletic. Ruthlessness!
The night ended with the RAW Women’s Title Match as Champion Ronda Rousey faced Nikki Bella w/sister Brie in her corner. Not often that I can say that the "main" title match had the unfortunate luck to end the show but this match was good. However, when compared to the tour de force that was Lynch/Flair? There was no hope for this to top that. Rousey is still growing into this new role and is getting better while the crowd has a love/hate thing with The Bellas. This certainly didn't drop the ball. In fact I do this an injustice by saying that. I was entertained by every match on the card. This I have only been feeling with the aforementioned NXT Takeover shows to be 100% honest.
There you go. The Women's Revolution is now full blast at WWE and the ladies knocked this out of the park! Who knows how many folks the Mae Young Classic and Evolution inspired and entertained here? Gone are the days of the ladies considered being just T & A or the bathroom break. Disregard these fantastic athletes at your own peril!
Thanks For Reading AfroNerd Followers! As you can see, I do take my wrestling very seriously like my other geeky loves. And hopefully my recap helps those of you who haven't before to give these gals a chance to entertain you. Until Next Time, Keep Fantasizing!
