Women's Wrestling Thursday: Mae Young Classic Semi Finals and Evolution Preview

As WWE's main programming mostly ignores the first ever all-women's PPV in order to promote a show without any women, at least the MYC continues to be awesome. This is Wrestling Thursday.

I almost feel like a spoiler, because I called the finals of this tournament when the roster was unveiled. But, really, there was no other reasonable choice. Io Shirai and Toni Storm are the top wrestlers in the tournament who are signed to WWE contracts. The only other possibility was Io vs. Meiko, and I figured WWE wouldn't want an all-Japanese finals. Because racism. So, let's talk about the matches.

MYC Semi Finals

Toni Storm vs. Meiko Satomura

If wrestling was real, Toni Storm's potential path to winning this would have been the hardest possible. Both Io Shirai and Meiko Satomura are legitimate contender to the title of Best Wrestler In The World. This match was extraordinary. They got the time and the space to really tell the story, and it was the right story. It was the story of Toni Storm scaling an impossible mountain of skill and ability through her own skill and ability and a ton of heart. Here's something you want see me write often: This was better than their match in Japan earlier this year, and not just because it didn't end in a draw. They just both gave it their all. Storm seemed keenly aware of how big this moment is for her, and Meiko was also keenly aware of how big a moment this is for Storm. There was a ton of generosity in the way Meiko wrestled this match. It was also presented super well in the promos they both gave. Toni's "You don't beat Meiko Satomura, but I have to beat Meiko Satomura" was awesome. This was definitely the match of the night, and maybe the match of the tournament.

Io Shirai vs. Rhea Ripley

While Toni wrestled against the pinnacle of wrestling ability, Io had to make lemonade out of large, powerful, but still raw lemons. Which she did, because Io Shirai is awesome. But it was hard not to think of what a Tegan Nox vs. Io Shirai semi finals would have looked like. Better, that's for sure. I know I've been ripping on Ripley this whole tournament, and I do think she has the potential to be great. But she's not on the level of the other three women in the semis. She's a long way from that level. Also, she needs to stop using "rip her apart" in every interview. We get it, "rip" is literally in your name. But, seriously, mix it up!

WWE Evolution Preview

Oh hell yeah all women announcer team! All images are promotional material from WWE.com

Oh, hey. There's a PPV this weekend! This is the most poorly promoted WWE PPV I can remember. The build up for most matches has been bad, and I am very unhappy. But I trust these women to make it work.

Sasha Banks, Bayley and Natalya vs. The Riott Squad (Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan and Ruby Riott) For Nothing

Hey, remember back when Evolution was announced and we all thought maybe this is where Sasha and Bayley resolve their fued in an epic match? Remember when Sasha and Bayley had a feud? Later, remember when we all thought they'd be teaming up in a match for the new women's tag team titles, back when we thought that was going to be a thing? Now there's just... this. I'm happy for the Riott Squad that they're getting that PPV money, but this is a Raw match.

Battle Royal for a women's championship match

Wasn't the Mania battle royal supposed to be for a championship opportunity? Didn't Naomi win that one? And never get her opportunity? I say she wins this one. Unless they decide to bring in some NXT talent, in which case I'm going to say Nikki Cross is a surprise winner. Yes, this is wishful thinking.

Rhea Ripley vs. Isla Dawn for the NXT UK Women's Championship

The only reason Ripley is the champ is so that Toni can have her MYC match. That said... Isla Dawn? Really? How is this not Jinny's spot? Or Dakota Kai's? Ugh. In any case, Rhea retains. Also? This match isn't on WWE.com, so it may not even be happening? They did say every title, no?

Trish Stratus and Lita vs. Alexa Bliss and Mickie James Tag team match

This is presented as a fight between generations. Only problem is, Mickie James is of the same generation as Trish and Lita. The crowd will probably be hot for it, which may help it soar above the worker's - well, mostly Trish's - limits. The faces win this one.

Ronda Rousey vs. Nikki Bella for the WWE Raw Women's Championship

This will probably be the main event, despite having very little build up and no history. Expectations for this one are not high, and rightly so. I hope Nikki wins, prompting Ronda to get her three friends from NXT.

Toni Storm vs. Io Shirai 2018 Mae Young Classic tournament final match

This will be awesome. I just hope they get the time to do it justice. These two women have the skill and the charisma to carry WWE forward for the next decade. They are both young, yet experienced. I think Io wins. She's signed to a full contract, whereas I think Toni is on one of those WWE UK deals where she can still take bookings elsewhere.

Kairi Sane vs. Shayna Baszler Singles match for the NXT Women's Championship

I'm kinda tired of this feud, but they're very good, and they have very good matches. I hope Kairi wins. And then... maybe a Kairi vs. Io feud? They are legit, real life close friends and former tag partners. And then, to fantasy book some more, they could both join Asuka on the main roster and create the most dominant faction EVAH.

Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair Last Woman Standing match for the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship

This should be the main event. Becky and Charlotte have the history, and their fued has the heat. And the gimmick should put it over the edge. Putting another match after this will probably be a bad mistake. Now, they have a high bar. Asuka and Nikki Cross had a last woman standing match in NXT that was amazing. But they can do it. And I'm hoping they finally do the double turn here.

You know what? Writing this recap has got me pumped for Evolution. The last three matches - well, last on my list - are going to be SO good. And the trios match is going to be fun. And battle royal's are always at least kinda fun.

Previous MYC coverage

Women's Wrestling Thursday: Mae Young Classic Quarterfinals
Women's Wrestling Thursday: Mae Young Classic, Round 2, Night 2
Women's Wrestling Thursday: Mae Young Classic, Round 2, Night 1
The Lost Women's Wrestling Thursday Post: Mae Young Classic Night 4
Women's Wrestling Thusday: Mae Young Classic Night 3
Women's Wrestling Thursday: Mae Young Classic, Night 2
Mae Young Classic: First Round, Part 1
Rethinking the Mae Young Bracket
Overthinking the Mae Young Classic Parade of Champions