Tattooed on the mat.

wrestling 017 & tv review 058

WWE

Mae Young Classic 2018

s02e02

[ WWE ]

[12th of September, 2018]

[48min, Pop culture, Sports Entertainment, Wrestling]

I should've make this review a week ago but just couldn't find the time to fit it into my schedule but I will try to increase the frequency or lessen the wait between the episodes, since I am still waiting to see Aoi Shirai in the WWE ring for the first time. Let the review begin!

Having not known any of these wrestlers at all since I have never watch an independent promotion makes me have a clean slate to judge them purely as a performer in the ring, and with Deonna Purrazzo versus Priscilla Kelly as the first match of the second day of the first round, I can see the difference of wrestling styles and how polished the moves and characters are. The latter is a solid heel prospect with clean cut moves with an effective edges on them, fitting for her persona but I can say I am quite impressed with the former since I can clearly see her improvement since last year's tournament with how smooth her transitions from moves to moves are with her athleticism and grappling prowess shining through every moment of the fight. In kayfabe term, the Virtuoso's superior talent overshadow the Black Rose (that's just the nickname I gave to her) but in shoot term, the more well rounded athlete and admittedly more entertaining performer goes through which would result in a better match for the next round.

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The second gear is in as we turn it up with Zeuxis against Aerial Monroe, as we see one of the leaders of the ladies Mexican Lucha Libre plying her trades with the female equivalent of Cedric Alexander. During the introductory promos, I can see the Big Swole certainly have her own flair and characteristics but when I actually see the Cruiserweight Champion with their daughter at the ringside, it just clicks in my mind since they mirror each other perfectly from her inring demeanour even down to the wrestling moves. Don't you see her gear?! I can see a bright future ahead of her especially if she is signed onto the NXT Development team but for now, her interchanges with the Luchadoress are one of the best bits of the night with plentiful of immobilizing grapples with extra dose of scratches and hair pulls by the latter and stylish quick and swift counterattacks by the former but it is all for naught. Despite her efforts, Monroe just couldn't edge Zeuxis out as she is trapped in the Spanish Fly in the end, the best play of the day and a testament of the masked wrestler's pedigree and how many is still left in her arsenal. Having a full fledged established heel will do wonders for the tournament going forward but can she go all the way?

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A former American Ninja Warrior contestant with a six foot tall former MYC contestant; where can this go? This is today's edition of David and Goliath but a particularly unique one whereby the height disparation is as prevalent as the ring styles between the two of them, as Kacy Catanzaro at the highest level of athleticism clashing head on with Reina Gonzalez's pure strength-based offense. This is one of the best put together matches yet as I love seeing the contrast between the spunky and never-say-die attitude of the smaller former gymnast against the brute force of the Texan bully. From the handstand off the rope to the smack on the back, this match has it all and it might be one of the best representative of this tournament. One has to go over and I think they make the right choice. Do you think so?

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Experience versus experience is the main theme of main event of the night, with two veterans in Ashley Rayne and Mercedes Martinez that sacrifice a lot for the industry and gain a lot of ring knowledge in result. After quite a devastating-looking Brainbuster, I know I am in for a treat as the they keep exchanging attacks with each other with the momentum keeps exchanging hands. The newcomer Ashley certainly makes a strong case for herself as she push Mercedes to her limit but the two-time entree just had a little edge over her with a strong knee to the face and a Fisherman Drive to close out the night! It is a more technical affair and a treat for the wrestling fanatics. Now I can't wait to see her going head to head with the End Boss, Meiko!

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A great second step following up on the first. We are only halfway there for the first round!

Execution = above 90% with never-before-seen matchups (at least for me) and solid bouts with varieties from every aspect of the spectrum!

P.S. I wish this kind of tournament would never end since I love seeing the spotlight being give to these unsung talents!

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