Please note: there are FULL spoilers for the first seven episodes of the Mae Young Classic here. If you have yet to watch these episodes, read my spoiler free reviews found here.
All four Semi Final matches have been set, as by the time this eighth episode is finished we will know who is going to the live finals of the WWE Mae Young Classic. In the first of two semi final matches, both with 30 minute time limits, Japan’s Kairi Sane will face off with Australia’s Toni Storm, and in the second semi final it is teacher versus student, as Shayna Baszler will have a war to win against the experienced Mercedes Martinez. Jim Ross and Lita will once again continue to call all of the action in front of a packed crowd at Full Sail University, in Orlando, Florida.
I’ll admit, I am only familiar with a handful of the competitors, so this will be mostly a ‘clean slate’ for me to form my opinions.
+ Kairi Sane vs Toni Storm (Semi Final Match): this was a match betwen my two favourites, and as objectively as I can be, this may have been the match of the tournament so far. With shades of Kendrick/Ibushi (or Alexander/Ibushi) from the Cruiserweight Classic, both women put everything on the line, including a death-defying dive with one competitor possibly busting themselves open on the steel ramp. This was fantastic
+ Shayna Baszler vs Mercedes Martinez (Semi Final Match): this was a really interesting subversion to the matches Baszler has had so far. Martinez hit some brutal side suplexes, and both women seemed content to strike each other will full force. I really liked this match, and it has somewhat redeemed Baszler in my eyes, and cemented Martinez as one of the best
– Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and NXT trainer Sara Amato came out after each match to present the winners with a bouquet, and it is a nice gesture but entirely unnecessary. There will be more than enough pomp and glamour after the final, I’m sure, so I would have preferred this to focus on the competitors
Should you watch this event: There was only two matches on this episode, and both of them were fantastic. Moreso, we have the two finalists, and that match should be incredible.
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