Mae Young Classic: First Round, Part 1
From now until the Evolution PPV, the heart of my WWE coverage is going to be focused on women's wrestling, and in particular on the MYC. I will make exceptions for PPVs such as Hell in The Cell, but the big weekly coverage will not be about the regular shows. I've already predicted the first round, so with the first night out of the way, let's see how I did, and how the wrestlers did. This is Wrestling Thursday.
Zatara vs. Tegan Nox
This one had an easy heel/face alignment, with the very sympathetic Nox vs. Zatanna's antagonistic dad. The match was solid, if a little hesitant. It's kinda hard to be the first to go on in a competition such as this, against an opponent who you never fought before. The story of the match was about Nox's injury, which was a little hard to watch knowing Nox goes out of the tournemant at some point due to injury.
Prediction: Zatara:
Result: Nox wins with the Shiniest Wizard.
MJ Jenkins vs. Rhea Ripley
The winner of this one was never in doubt before it even began. Ripley became the inaugral WWE NXT UK Women's champ after this was taped, so there was no chance of her going out in the first round against a relative unknown. I was impressed by Jenkins' movement. She's fluid in the ring. Ripley is definitely a powerhouse, but she doesn't have that fluidity yet. She's still a work in progress, but has improved since last year.
Prediction: Ripley.
Result: Ripley wins with a pumphandle powerbomb.
Vanessa Kraven vs. Lacey Lane
This was the classic big vs. small match. Lane is less experienced, but a much more ambitious worker. Not everything worked, but I really appreciate the effort and ambition. Kraven doesn't try as much, but is more solid in execution, which makes sense given her experience. Once the women were introduced, I realized I was wrong in my prediction. Lacey was the obvious pick, as the company is clearly much more behind her.
Prediction: Kraven.
Result: Lane wins with the crucifix bomb
Meiko Satomura vs. Killer Kelly
This was a match between an up and comer and a living legend. Meiko is a small woman, but she's... concentrated. She's a big powerhouse in a small package. She is so smooth, so precise. I've watched her work against Io Shirai, and this was obviously not on that level, but it was really good. Much like in last year's first round, they seem to be booking one standout match to be the main event of each of the televised shows. This was it.