Csonka’s Mae Young Classic (Ep. 1) Review

Csonka’s Mae Young Classic (Ep. 1) Review

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Princesa Sugehit defeated Kay Lee Ray @ 6:10 via submission [**¾]
– Serena Deeb defeated Vanessa Borne @ 6:05 via pin [**¼]
– Shayna Baszler defeated Zeda @ 2:10 via submission [NR]
– Abbey Laith defeated Jazzy Gabert @ 10:15 via pin [***¼]

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– Follow all of my reviews at this link.

– I’m reviewing all the episodes of the Mae Young Classic, all linked below.
* Episode 1 Review
* Episode 2 Review
* Episode 3 Review

– Thanks to Cagematch for the match stats I used.

– We get an opening video package, voiced over by Stephanie McMahon, showing ladies like Moohlah, Mae Young, Lita, Trish, Beth Phoenix, the Bellas, Bayley, Sasha Banks, and more; putting over the history of WWE women’s wrestling.

– Jim Ross & Lita welcome us to the show.

– We get a great video package for Princesa Sugehit vs. Kay Lee Ray, which should be no surprise, WWE always thrives at video package like this.

Princesa Sugehit vs. Kay Lee Ray: Princesa Sugehit is a Mexican luchadora from CMLL, age 37, and has been working since 1996 and a veteran of over 680 matches. Kay Lee Ray, age 25, is from Glasgow, Scotland and started working back in 2009. Many know her for her work in ICW, SHIMMER, and STARDOM. They shake hands and here we go. The crowd loves Ray right away, she attacks with chops but Sugehit picks up the pace, tripping up Ray and covering for 2. Sugehit looks for a pinning combo, ray cuts her off with a modified gory special, witch turned into a code red for a near fall. She misses the senton atomico, leading to a near fall for Ray, who then takes control. Sugehit had enough of that, lays in chops but Ray hits a short flatliner into a koji clutch. Sugehit escapes, lays in chops and kicks, and then a head scissors. The atomic drop leads to her rolling Ray around and into a roll up for 2. Sugehit follows with kicks, but Ray hits the Gory bomb for a near fall. Ray up top now, but misses the senton, and Sugehit locks in her arm bar finish and Ray has to tap. Princesa Sugehit defeated Kay Lee Ray @ 6:10 via submission [**¾] This was a pretty good and fun match to kick things off, they kept a pleasant pace, but I wasn’t particularly impressed by Sugehit. I think she only moved on because she’s the only representative from Mexico. Ray looked good.

– We get a video package for Serena Deeb vs. Vanessa Borne.

Serena Deeb vs. Vanessa Borne: Vanessa Borne, age 28, is was previously a broadcaster for Fox Sports Arizona, as well as a dancer for the Phoenix Suns and a cheerleader for the Arizona Cardinals. She is currently under a WWE developmental deal, and has only worked 25 matches, all under the WWE umbrella. Serena Deeb, age 31, was an OVW & SHIMMER regular before signing with WWE in 2009. She was released from her WWE contract, reportedly for not “living out” her straight edge persona in public. She’s the redemption story, and they have even discussed her past issues with alcohol. Deeb was a great 80s style, fiery babyface much of the time in SHIMMER, and was really good at it. Deeb looks to be in great shape. They lock up and work to the mat. Borne appears to have a lot of confidence, but Deeb controls with arm drags and is then sent to the corner. Borne head butts her and then takes control, laying the boots to Deeb. Forearms follow, and then another head butt connects for 2. Borne grounds things with a chinlock, but Deeb fights to her feet and hits a belly to back suplex. Deeb fires up with strikes, hits a slam and then neck breaker for 2. Deeb follows with a gut buster, but misses the spear and hits the buckles. Borne hits a neck breaker, but Deeb kicks out at 2. Borne follows with mounted punches, and then the Samoan drop for 2. Borne is now frustrated, allowing Deeb to battle back and hit the spear for the finish. Serena Deeb defeated Vanessa Borne @ 6:05 via pin [**¼] Borne is obviously still a project, due to her inexperience, but she showed some good confidence and potential. She just needs more time in the ring. Deeb led a smart and simply match, and this was solid. Deeb looked good here, and it’s nice to see her get the chance.

– Charly is at the control center, breaking down the early happenings of the bracket.

– We get a video package for Shayna Baszler vs. Zeda.

– Ronda Rousey, Marina Shafir, and Jessamyn Duke are in attendance to support Baszler.

Shayna Baszler vs. Zeda: Zeda is a WWE developmental talent, with a background in MMA, amateur wrestling, wrestling, singing, acting and modeling. Shayna Baszler, age 37, is a former MMA fighter (15-11), and considered a pioneer of the early women’s MMA scene. Baszler may only have 73 matches under her belt, but has received comparisons to Matt Riddle, due to how fast she’s picked up professional wrestling. No handshake from Baszler, Zeda looks for a knee bar early, but Baszler counters and they grapple early. Baszler slaps her around a bit, looks for an arm bar, but Zeda counters out. Baszler easily counters a hanging arm bar by shoving Zeda to the mat with ease. Baszler works strikes, misses a knee strike allowing Zeda to fight back and hit a monkey flip. Zeda now works a hanging guillotine, but Baszler counters into a falcon arrow into the rear naked choke for the win. Shayna Baszler defeated Zeda @ 2:10 via submission [NR] I liked the layout of this, in that they played into their MMA backgrounds. But Baszler doesn’t get paid by the hour, and put her away quickly, coming off as an instant threat in the tournament. I think that this was the right match to work here. Zeda, who is another project, showed good charisma and effort.

We get a video package for Abbey Laith vs. Jazzy Gabert.

Abbey Laith vs. Jazzy Gabert: Abbey Laith, better known as Kimber Lee, is 27 years old and has been working since 2011. She is under a WWE developmental deal and is a veteran of 390 matches. Jazzy Gabert, better known as Alpha Female, is 35 and has been working since 2001. She is a veteran of 252 matches, and has also competed in MMA. Laith attacks right away, screaming as she tries to take the fight to the bigger Gabert. Gabert cuts her off, tossing her around the ring with ease. Laith picks up the pace, looking for arm drags, but Gabert just powers out and again takes control, grounding her and then going to her submission game. Every time Laith tries to escape, Gabert continues with the submission game. Gabert fires up with rapid-fire strikes, and then goes back to a neck crank. Gabert then lays in huge forearms, Laith tries to go to the air, but was caught and slammed with ease. The cocky pin only gets 1 for Gabert. Laith manages to cut off a charge and works an octopus in the ropes. Laith fires up with kicks and finally takes Gabert to her knees. She finally takes her down, and covers for 2. Laith heard up top, but Gabert cuts her off. Laith again fires back with kicks and a dropkick. Laith again heads up top, hits the senton but Gabert kicks out at 2. Gabert kills her with a lariat, lays in ground and pound and then looks to finish things but Laith counters out and rolls into the cradle for the win. Abbey Laith defeated Jazzy Gabert @ 10:15 via pin [***¼] This was a good match, playing the David vs. Goliath angle, and Laith picking up the big win. She was a great never say die babyface, while Gabert was a great monster. The best part is that they both got over from their efforts.

– Advancing: Princesa Sugehit, Serena Deeb, Shayna Baszler, Abbey Laith.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

6.0

The final score: review Average

The 411

Episode one of Mae Young Classic was a solid effort all round in the ring. We got to see some developmental projects, Serena Deeb began her redemption story, Shayna Baszler was dominant, while Abbey Laith vs. Jazzy Gabert was the best of the bunch with Laith getting over big as a babyface, and Gabert getting over as the monster. Unfortunately, Jim Ross and Lita weren’t good on commentary; Ross felt as if he was reading a script and relying on sound bites. Lita is so delayed on her reactions, feeling as if she’s thinking way too hard about what to say next. There is no emotion at all from their work.