9/12 Powell’s WWE Mae Young Classic Finals Review: The tournament finals

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By Jason Powell

WWE Mae Young Classic Finals on WWE Network
Aired live from Las Vegas, Nevada at the Thomas & Mack Center

After a video package, Renee Young introduced the show from the stage while standing next to the championship trophy. Young set up a video package that focussed on the red carpet event that was held earlier in the night…

Dana Warrior, Alundra Blayze, and Beth Phoenix were shown sitting together in the crowd. Mauro Ranallo was shown sitting elsewhere in the front row…

The broadcast team of Jim Ross and Lita checked in from ringside. Lita spoke about how the bar has been raised by the tournament. She said 32 are now two and she questioned what was going through the minds of Kairi Sane and Shayna Baszler…

A shot aired of Sane walking backstage. Baszler was shown walking backstage with Ronda Rousey and Jessamyn Duke. Video packages aired on Baszler and then Sane…

Ata Johnson, Rock’s daughter, and Erica Wiebe were shown sitting in the front row. Tournament entrants Candice LeRae, Mercedes Martinez, Piper Niven, and Toni Storm were shown in the crowd…

Ring entrances for the match took place. A tale of the tape noted that Baszler had a six inch height advantage. It did not list the weight of either woman…

1. Kairi Sane vs. Shayna Baszler in the Mae Young Classic tournament final. Lilian Garcia served as the ring announcer and delivered in-ring introductions. Baszler was booed, while Sane received a nice round of applause. The referee called for a handshake. Sane was game, but Baszler slapped her hand. Baszler took Sane down and threw some punches to her abdomen. Sane rolled her over into a pin. Baszler countered into a guillotine, but she had to let it go when Sane turned it into a pin.

Baszler threw a nice kick that drew gasps from the crowd and knocked Sane to ringside. Rousey and company were shown clapping in the crowd. Sane went for a spear, but Baszler caught her and then muscled her up for two gut wrench suplexes and a two count.

At 6:20, Sane ran the ropes and Baszler followed and caught her with a running knee. Asuka, Becky Lynch, Charlotte, Summer Rae, and Bayley were shown cheering in the crowd when Sane speared Baszler. Ross noted that Baszler was showing signs of rib pain. Sane went up top at 8:55, but Baszler caught her and applied a rear naked choke on the way down. Sane elbowed her in the bad ribs until she released the hold.

Sane caught Baszler with a back fist. Sane went up top for her finisher, but Baszler caught her and went for a superplex. Sane punched her way out of the superplex. The women traded punches. Baszler applied a kimura while they were on the ropes. Sane got free and headbutted Baszler into the tree of woe. Sane performed a double stomp and went for a pin, but Baszler reached the ropes at 11:30. A short time later, Sane hit her top rope elbow drop and scored the pin…

Kairi Sane defeated Shayna Baszler in 12:00 to win the Mae Young Classic tournament.

The WWE women were shown clapping afterward, while Rousey looked like she was in tears. Sane approached Baszler and helped her up, then they hugged. Baszler raised Sane’s arm while selling her ribs…

After the match, Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and Sara Amato entered the ring where the trophy was positioned in the center. Hunter gave Sane a large bouquet of roses. Baszler left the ring while Hunter raised Sane’s arm. Ross spoke about how proud he was to be a part of the tournament.

Powell’s POV: A fun match. It wasn’t flawless, but they worked hard and created some dramatic moments. I like that Baszler was given an out with the rib injury. I’m also happy that they didn’t do a big angle involving the Horsewomen of WWE and MMA on this broadcast, as that’s something that should be done for a bigger platform. The tournament was a success in terms of providing quality entertainment and introducing several women with very bright futures. While I’m all for doing more with binge viewing, WWE made a mistake in giving fans too small of a window to watch all eight episodes. At the very least, they should have released the two blocks of shows on Fridays rather than on Mondays, as it would have given fans a chance to watch over the weekend. Even so, I would welcome another women’s tournament. Remember, you can check out my reviews of all eight episodes in a special section on the main page.

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