wrestling / TV Reports
Csonka’s Mae Young Classic (Ep. 2) Review
Image Credit: WWE
Loading...
Csonka’s Mae Young Classic (Ep. 2) Review
OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Mercedes Martinez defeated Xia Li @ 3:20 via submission [**]
– Rachel Evers defeated Marti Belle @ 7:32 via pin [DUD]
– Rhea Ripley defeated Miranda Salinas @ 4:06 via pin [**]
– Mia Yim defeated Sarah Logan @ 7:20 via pin [***¼]
– 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 a video package for Mercedes Martinez vs. Xia Li.
Mercedes Martinez vs. Xia Li: Xia Li is a WWE developmental talent from China. She has trained in martial arts and is the co-founder of her own fitness studio; she has multiple first-place finishes in various martial arts and fitness competitions. She’s only worked limited NXT live events. Mercedes Martinez, age 36, is a longtime veteran of the indie scene and someone fans have wanted to see get a shot for years. She’s been working since 2000, and has been a regular for SHIMMER, SHINE and more; she’s a veteran of 420 matches. Martinez mocks Li a bit to begin. Martinez takes control at the bell, and easily outwrestles Li. Li fires up with a series of leg kicks, and follows with running forearms; she cradles Martinez for 1. Li blocks attacks from Martinez, goes back to the kicks and gets a cover for 2. Li then follows with strikes and kicks, buy runs into a spinebuster for 2. Martinez has had enough of this bullshit, working a Romero special and then locking in a dragon sleeper for the submission win. Mercedes Martinez defeated Xia Li @ 3:20 via submission [**] This was a solid little outing, with Li getting to showcase some of her skill set before Martinez put her away. Martinez winning was 100% the right call, but Li showed some potential. She has a great look and just needs more time in the ring to develop. For her first major singles outing she did well and they were smart to pair her with Martinez.
– We get a video package for Rachel Evers vs. Marti Belle.
Rachel Evers vs. Marti Belle: Rachel Evers, age 24, is the daughter of Paul Ellering and has a background in power lifting. She started working in 2015, and was trained by Lance Storm. She’s worked 68 matches so far. Marti Belle, age 29, has been working since 2008 and was trained by Johnny Rodz. She had a cup of coffee in TNA, and has worked 224 matches. Belle tries to stall right away, they lock up and work to the ropes. Belle hits a rough looking suplex, covering for 1. Evers looks to work her power game, lays in the boots and covers for 2. Evers hits an STO and leg drop off the ropes for 1. Belle to the apron, and stuns Evers off the ropes to take control. She lays in a series of sloppy looking strikes, they are moving in slow motion here. Evers fights back, slamming Belle to the buckles. Evers lays in strikes, kicks and a running senton. Evers hits a rough looking spinebuster for a near fall. Evers then hits a fisherman slam for 2. Belle fights back, hits a face buster, and that gets 2.Evers then gets a roll up for the win, thank God that’s over. Rachel Evers defeated Marti Belle @ 7:32 via pin [DUD] Holy trashy match Batman, this was horrible. Marti Belle is generally a bad pro wrestler, and rumors were that she was supposed to win this but that they changed the finish near the end. Evers wasn’t much better here. The work was slow, sloppy, disjointed and uninspired and the selling was atrocious. They had no idea what to do together, the work was generally shit in execution and they embarrassed themselves here and shit the bed during their big opportunity. This was easily the worst match of the tournament so far.
– It is announced that Shadia Bseiso and Kacy Catanzaro (American Ninja Warrior) have signed with WWE. They are both on the crowd.
– We see papa Hunter giving his pep talk to the Mae Young Classic competitors.
– We get a video package for Rhea Ripley vs. Miranda Salinas.
Rhea Ripley vs. Miranda Salinas: Rhea Ripley (aka Demi Bennett) is a 20-year old competitor from Australia. She’s been working since 2013, and is signed to a WWE developmental deal. She’s worked 69 matches in her career thus far. Miranda Salinas, age 23, has been working since 2016, and was trained by Booker T, and only has 17 matches under her belt. Ripley just oozes charisma and looks like a star based on her entrance alone. Ripley is about a foot taller than Salinas. Salinas heels it up early, pulling the hair to try and gain an advantage. Ripley hits a dropkick, but after Salinas takes a powder, she’s right back in and attacks. They trade strikes, with Salinas grounding Ripley and taking control. Ripley quickly fires back, hits a dropkick and follows with the running corner boot. The hesitation dropkick follows, but Salinas kicks out at 2. She gets a desperation roll up, but eats a big kick and full nelson slam, and Ripley wins. Rhea Ripley defeated Miranda Salinas @ 4:06 via pin [*] This was short and sweet, designed as a showcase for Ripley who came off like a star here. Salinas has a good look and appears to have potential, but like some of the others I have talked about, needs more in ring time to grow.
– We get a video package for Mia Yim vs. Sarah Logan.
– Beth Phoenix & Natalya are in the crowd.
Mia Yim vs. Sarah Logan: Mia Yim is 28 years old, has been working since 2009, had a run in TNA and is a SHIMMER vet. She’s a veteran of 336 matches. Sarah Logan, age 23, is a WWE developmental talent, formerly known as Crazy Mary Dobson. She’s been working since 2011, and is a veteran of 256 matches. They work a basic back and forth opening stretch, Logan is really aggressive but Yim is able to use her speed, cut her off and lay in some kicks. Logan quickly takes things to the ground, works ground and pound, and follows with a basement dropkick. Yim has had enough of that bullshit, firing back with strikes, kicks and a knee strike for the near fall. Yim follows with more kicks, and then works the tarantula. The missile dropkick follows for 2. Yim then locks in a rolling guillotine, Logan fights and powers out. They trade strikes center ring, and then fire up slapping the shit out of each other and they continue the fights on the feet. Logan hits a cartwheel into a running knee strike for a good near fall. Yim fights back, hits a pair of Germans for a near fall. Logan is resilient here, continuing to fight back, hitting the charging knees in the corner. The fisherman’s suplex scores for 2. Yim avoids knee strikes, and hits eat defeat and Logan is done. Mia Yim defeated Sarah Logan @ 7:20 via pin [***¼] This was a good main event, easily the best thing on the show and one of the top two matches so far. Yim delivered as expected, and it was nice to see Logan get time to work and show and show what she can do.
– Advancing: Princesa Sugehit, Serena Deeb, Shayna Baszler, Abbey Laith, Mercedes Martinez, Rachel Evers, Rhea Ripley, Mia Yim.
– End scene.
– Thanks for reading.
“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”
