By Jason Powell, Prowrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Mae Young Classic
Taped August 8, 2018 in Winter Park, Florida at Full Sail University
Aired September 19, 2018 on WWE Network
Mauro Ranallo narrated the video package that set up this week’s matches… The MYC opening aired… Michael Cole, Beth Phoenix, and Renee Young checked in on commentary. Cole said it would be hard to be unbiased during the opening match…
A video package set up Devi vs. Kaitlyn. Devi spoke about losing in last year’s tournament while saying that she’s not the same person. Kaitlyn, who is now a brunette, said it’s not her first rodeo. She said she had a crazy four years outside WWE including a tough divorce and personal battles. She said she is a more confident person inside and outside the ring…
1. Kaitlyn vs. Kavita Devi in a first round match. Cole said Kaitlyn has been through a lot and he hopes that she advances. It was noted that Kaitlyn is now vegan. Cole said Devi lost to Dakota Kai last year and the match generated over 28 million views on Youtube. The crowd chanted “welcome back” for Kaitlyn. Cole recalled humiliating some of the women during the NXT competition show back in the day and he said it shows how far they have come in eight years. Kaitlyn performed a cannonball in the corner and followed up with a spear for the win. Kaitlyn will face the winner of the Mia Yim vs. Allysin Kay match in round two…
Kaitlyn defeated Kavita Devi to advance in the tournament.
Powell’s POV: A basic match. Kaitlyn has a darker look than she had in her previous run with the company. She was well received by the live crowd and it will be interesting to see where her comeback leads. It’s odd that WWE had Devi lose in the first round if she does huge numbers for them on social media. I’m surprised they didn’t have her beat someone else to advance in the tournament to create some buzz in India.
A video package set up the Jinny vs. Toni Storm match. Jinny said she doesn’t care about her opponents and will go to any length to win her matches. Storm spoke about losing in the tournament semifinals to Kairi Sane last year. She said she is a rock star and fans will see who she really is this time around…
Tyler Breeze was shown in the crowd… The Iiconics were shown in the crowd in between ring entrances…
2. Jinny vs. Toni Storm in a first round match. Cole noted that both women are in NXT UK. Storm offered a handshake, but Jinny slapped her hand away. Young noted that Storm is influenced by Motley Crue and the line of face paint on her cheek is a tribute.
Toni Storm defeated Jinny to advance in the tournament.
Powell’s POV: Crue! Crue! Crue! While some of the other return entrants have changed their looks for the better or just to shake things up since last year, she wisely took the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach. While Storm is the star, Jinny was impressive and had some good offense in addition to selling well for Storm. They have worked together elsewhere and it showed. A good match. Jinny had a run of offense and then Storm came back with a wicked German suplex. She followed up with her Storm Zero finisher for the win. Storm will face Hiroyo Matsumota in round two, which should be really good…
A video set up the Xia Li vs. Karen Q match. Li spoke in Chinese and English and they showed footage of her working out. Q said it’s an honor to be in the tournament. She said she can speak three languages and has multiple degrees. She said she can do pretty much everything and is in the tournament to dominate… Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae were shown in the crowd…
3. Karen Q vs. Xia Li in a first round match. Cole said Li’s match in last year’s tournament was her first match ever. Cole also said she’s a kung fu expert. Q and Li bowed to one another and both struck fighting poses, which got a big rise out of the crowd. Q then slapped Li across the face, then begged off as Li threw quick slaps in the corner. When the ref pulled Li off, Q caught Li with a kick to the head and then mockingly bowed again. Li came back eventually with a series of kicks. Q ducked one kick and Li spun and caught her with another. Cole noted that it was referee Audrey Edwards’ debut in the tournament. Q came back, but she missed a frogsplash. Li performed a spinning axe kick and scored the pin. Li will face Deonna Purrazzo in the next round. The women bowed and hugged afterward…
Xia Li defeated Karen Q to advance in the tournament.
Powell’s POV: This may not have been the best match on the show, but it was very enjoyable. Q did a good job as the heel, and Li is a likable babyface with upside. I’ve seen Q in ROH several times and she seems to improve with each outing.
A video set up the Allysin Kay vs. Mia Yim match. Kay said she’s from Detroit and admitted she’s rough around the edges. She said Bad News Brown was a big influence on her career. She put over her Big D finisher. She said Yim broke her nose once and she wants to return the favor. Yim said she’s bringing a new style to the game this year. She said she’s over being nice and it’s a whole new game this time around… Sonya Deville was shown in the crowd. Cole said she is one of his favorite people in the industry…
4. Mia Yim vs. Allysin Kay in a first round match. Shelton Benjamin was shown in the crowd and Cole noted his longtime friendship with Yim. The broadcast team spoke about Yim being a survivor of domestic abuse. Cole said Mia broke Kay’s nose in the first match they ever had together in 2012. They fought to ringside and Yim threw a chop at Kay, who ducked, causing Yim to hit the ring post.
Back in the ring, Kay performed a fallaway slam. They traded shots in mid-ring. Kay threw what appeared to be a clunky kick that seemed to take the crowd out of the moment. Yim came back with three dropkicks and a missile dropkick for a two count. Yim also stuffed a Kay comeback with a sunset powerbomb for a two count. Kay performed a discus lariat for a two count. Kay barked at the ref for a slow count. The women hit each other with simultaneous kicks and both fell to the mat. A short time later, Kay caught Yim on the ropes, but Yim performed Sole Food from the ropes and scored the pin. Yim will face Kaitlyn in round two…
Mia Yim defeated Allysin Kay to advance in the tournament.
Cole noted that the final four matches of the first round will air on next week’s show…
Powell’s POV: A good match with Kay doing nice work as a heel and performing some nice power moves. Their history as Jade (Yim) and Sienna (Kay) in Impact Wrestling was not acknowledged by the broadcast team. Overall, this was a better shown than last week. All four matches were easy to follow and held my interest. Some of the second round matches are looking good on paper and I have enjoyed the tournament thus far.
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