WWE Mae Young Classic 2018
Episode 7
#WWEMYC
Original Air Date: October 17, 2018
Event Date: August 9, 2018
(available on the WWE Network)
City: Winter Park, FL
Venue: Full Sail University
Commentary: Michael Cole, Beth Phoenix, Renee Young
Ring Announcer: Kayla Braxton
Video
Mauro Ranallo narrates as he introduces the eight women remaining at the start of the quarter-finals.
Intro Video
“Vicious” by Halestorm
Video
Lacey Lane wants to show why she is an asset to the women’s revolution, and Meiko Satomura wants to show the world what true strength means.
Match 1
Mae Young Classic 2018 Quarter Final Match
Lacey Lane vs Meiko Satomura
(referee: Jessika Carr)
Result: Meiko Satomura wins via pinfall after a Death Valley Driver
Time: 4:33
Match Thoughts
Good match. Lane was outclassed, but most people are outclassed when facing Satomura. Satimura looked in-control at all times during the match, even when Lane was delivering her offense. Lane was good, and she’ll definitely get better with experience. This match was great experience for her.
Backstage
Io Shirai prepares. So does Deonna Purrazzo.
Video
Io Shirai is number one in Japan, and Deonna Purrazzo is a Fujiwara arm bar specialist.
Match 2
Mae Young Classic 2018 Quarter Final Match
Io Shirai vs Deonna Purrazzo
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Io Shirai wins via pinfall after a diving moonsault
Time: 8:44
Match Thoughts
Very good match. I feel like Shirai got off to a bit of a slower start in the tournament (compared to some of the other standouts), but this fight against Purrazzo really started to show what Shirai is all about. Shirai hit hard, flew a little, and worked submissions throughout the match. She is an all-around fighter, and she’s good at all of it. With Purrazzo being as good as she is, she helped both herself and Shirai look very good in this match. This was fun to watch. I do think people need to get a little further away from the corner when Shirai goes for her moonsault though.
Video
Tegan Knox is stronger after an injury left her out of last year’s tournament, and Rhea Ripley doesn’t care about anyone or anything.
Match 3
Mae Young Classic 2018 Quarter Final Match
Tegan Knox vs Rhea Ripley
(referee: Aubrey Edwards)
Result: Rhea Ripley wins via referee stoppage
Time: 3:14
Match Thoughts
Tegan Knox went for a dive to the floor early in the match, and she landed awkwardly on her knee (not the one that was previously injured). SHe tried to continue the match, but after another minute or so, she had to stop. The match was called and Ripley would advance. It was a heartbreaking scene, compounded by the fact that Knox had only recently returned to action after being out for about a year with a torn ACL.
Video
Mia Yim is determined and motivated to be on top, and Toni Storm will not be stopped.
Match 4
Mae Young Classic 2018 Quarter Final Match
Mia Yim vs Toni Storm
(referee: Darryl Sharma)
Result: Toni Storm wins via pinfall with Storm Zero
Time: 8:25
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Yim dominated much of the match, and Storm took quite a beating. Storm hit some offense here and there, but it wasn’t until she started focusing on Yim’s injured hand that she really found the opening she needed. I think this was a fine come-from-behind type of match, though it did surprise me a little that they went that way with it. I thought this might be a more evenly contested match. It put over Storm’s resilience and power for sure though.
Show Impressions
Another good show. Seeing Knox get eliminated like she did was sad, but the other matches set up an interesting semi-final round.
Match of the Night
Io Shirai vs Deonna Purrazzo
Storm versus Yim was good as well, but I liked to competitive nature of Shirai and Purrazzo more.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/maeyoungclassic/2018-10-17