Mae Young Classic 2018 Episode #3

Kaitlyn vs Kavita Devi

This felt like it veered between really good bits and being very amateur. At times, Devi looked pretty lost, and there were awkward transitions where neither looked like they were sure what to do next. On the positive, Kaitlyn really whipped Devi over with a snapmere, hit a really nice shoulderblock and flew into the corner on a cannonball. It wasn’t a pretty match, but was quite nicely hard-hitting. Kaitlyn won with a spear.

Toni Storm vs Jinny

This was comfortably match of the episode, both ladies worked a nice competitive opening and gave a real air of aggression. Jinny slapping Storm feels like a mistake, as it prompts Storm to fire back, with Jinny taking a big bump from a Storm kick. Jinny comes back with a nasty kick to the spine, and I loved her Japanese armdrag into the corner. She locked in a surfboard that looked absolutely vicious, and it felt like Toni really had to battle to make the ropes. Eventually, she does escape, planting Jinny with a German suplex, charging her in the corner and hitting a Tiger Driver to win. Great stuff here.

Xia Li vs Karen Q

Li really impressed in last years tournament, and she looked like the extras year’s experience had helped continue her progress. The opening exchange, where both girls went for each other with some martial arts, really popped the crowd by being so different. Q slapped Li in the face, and at a monstrous barrage of strikes in the corner. This was briskly paced, with Q hitting a lovely back elbow and an exploder to take over, Li firing back with a nice range of kicks, before Q missed a frog splash, giving Li an opening for a flipping ax kick for three. Only 4 minutes long, but I really enjoyed this.

Mia Yim vs Allysin Kay

Bit of a disappointment here, both ladies have big reputations and are experienced working together, but this felt like they were just throwing things out there with no rhyme or reason. There’s a poor opening scuffle supposed to indicate animosity between the two, but the hatred never feels that real. There’s some nice wrestling, loved Yim’s big kick from the apron and her suicide dive, but then you get the moment like Yim violently chopping the post by accident that never goes anywhere, and you wonder what the point of that was. Kay taking over and choking Yim with her hair was nicely done, and she does nail a lovely discus clothesline, but then there’s a strike exchange that almost feels like a reset. Yim gets the win in the end with a top rope Eat Defeat, but I didn’t love this.

WWE Mae Young Classic Episode 3

Toni Storm vs Ayesha Raymond

This was pretty solid, some hard-hitting stuff from both ladies. Raymond is a powerful lady, and she moves well here, with some deliberate offence. Sometimes comes off a bit green, but Storm is competent enough to fill the gaps. The end plays into the over-confidence of Raymond as she takes too long to yell at the fans , missing a top rope splash, following which Storm cradles her for the win.

Dakota Kai vs Kavita Devi

Devi has a substantial size and strength advantage over Kai, which she works at the start of this match. She looks green, but they work this quite sensibly to have a decent match. Devi works over the arm of Kai with her strength, hoisting her in the air and working a lucha-style top rope armdrag (though it looks really hesitant, may have been better not to do it). Devi uses a big press slam but misses a corner splash. Great looking corner kick is followed by a top rope stomp by Kai, giving her the win. This is fine.

Sage Beckett vs Bianca Belair

There were parts of this I really enjoyed, but also a few scrappy looking bits. Beckett hits a big elbow drop that looks great and Belair hits a really nice looking clothesline. Beckett seems to be working this as underdog face, which is odd given her size advantage. Belair has a few moments where she looks a bit off the pace and doesn’t quite have the stuff to fill it. Beckett misses a Vader bomb and Belair whips her with her ridiculously long hair, before hitting a huge spear to win.

Piper Niven vs Santana Garrett

Really feels like both women should be going through to the next round. Loved the early armbar sequence they work, with Santana gaining control by using the ropes to flip through and Niven swinging and missing to try and break free. Love Piper’s running crossbody, looks great as a sudden impact move. Niven works a neat cravate before hitting a low crossbody to a seated Garrett. Santana’s comeback is good, really liked how they worked her handstand rana, with Niven initially fighting it off before Santana gets it. Garrett misses the Shining Star Press and Niven hits a senton and a Michinoku Driver to win. Best match of the tournament so far.