Toni Storm vs Lacey Evans
Much better performance by both women than in the first
round. Evans in particular looks more comfortable, possibly due to being in the
ring with a more experienced opponent, and this ended up being a better showcase
for her than the match she won. Liked her avoiding a third butt thrust by
rolling Storm into a roll up, and she hit some nice legsweeps from the apron
including a sort-of 619 around the post. Storm also looks more comfortable, and
she look so fluid quickly reversing a boot in the corner into a backcracker.
Evans tries a backflip into a pin, but eats knees and the Strong Zero gets the
win for Storm.
Mia Yim vs Shayna Baszler
Good match, but one where I never thought the result was in
question. Baszler hits some nice early kicks to down Yim, but Mia sends her
outside and follows with a great looking dive. Loved how Baszler had this look
of disdain at Yim’s strikes before taking control again. Later in the match,
Yim tries another strike combo, which looks more successful until Shayna just
belts her with a knee to the face. Baszler is really smooth at countering into
an ankle lock, first from out of a Yim pinfall then later as a counter to a
German suplex. It also helps to convey the idea that she can hook a submission
from nowhere, which she proves by getting her knees up on a Yim 450 and swiftly
locking on the choke for the win.
Rhea Ripley vs Dakota Kai
Another fun match here, and another where the loser is
elevated in defeat. Loved the early spot where Ripley lands on her feet on
getting sent to the floor, scoops Kai onto her shoulders and drops her face
first on the apron. Ripley has some nice kicks, including a big dropkick to the
stomach. Even better is that moments later Kai tries a bridging cradle, but can’t
commit to it due to selling her stomach. Kai also has her own share of nasty
looking offence, with a facewash in the corner standing out. The end sees
Ripley making a mistake by putting Kai on the top rope for a superplex, only to
get knocked down and hit with a top rope stomp for the win. Both women came out
of this looking great.
Candice LeRae vs Nicole Savoy
Probably the weakest match of the show. At least this time
the “Queen of Suplexes” got to hit some, and they looked pretty good. Loved the
rolling butterfly suplex chained into an armbar, and she plants LeRae with a
back suplex. Savoy looks pretty impressive throughout, really liked her diving
clothesline in the corner. LeRae looks less impressive, though she does sell
pretty well, but her offensive run is pretty forgettable and never seems truly
convincing against the bigger, stronger Savoy. LeRae gets the win with a 2nd
rope neckbreaker.
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