Tonight, WWE concludes perhaps its most historic tournament ever, the Mae Young Classic. It started with 32 women from all over the world competing on the biggest platform of their careers and after eight incredible episodes (which are highly recommended viewing), it is just down to two women: Kairi Sane and Shayna Baszler. Along with the finals, there was a six-woman tag team match uploaded to the WWE Network right after Monday Night Raw last night, and there is a special announcement regarding the fate of the tournament’s victor.
Santana Garrett, Sarah Logan, & Marti Belle vs. Tessa Blanchard, Jazzy Gabert, & Kay Lee Ray
It is nice to see all six of these women for what could be the last time. All of the women involved in this match put on great performances in the first round of the Mae Young Classic, but unfortunately for them, they never got further in the tournament. Jazzy Gabert was eliminated by Abbey Laith, Tessa Blanchard
Here are all of the matchups that these six women competed in and who eliminated them from the Mae Young Classic:
- Jazzy Gabert was eliminated by Abbey Laith
- Tessa Blanchard was eliminated by Kairi Sane
- Santana Garrett was eliminated by Piper Niven
- Kay Lee Ray was eliminated by Princesa Sugehit
- Marti Belle was eliminated by Rachel Evers
- Sarah Logan was eliminated by Mia Yim
Chaos ensues and everybody starts fighting at the same time. Santana Garrett tries to prevent Jazzy Gabert from attacking Marti Belle with a cross body, but Gabert catches her in mid-air. Gabert then hits an inverted powerslam on Garrett to pick up the win for her team while being drowned in “We want Jazzy!” chants from the crowd at Full Sail University. Winners: Tessa Blanchard, Jazzy Gabert, & Kay Lee Ray
After the match, Triple H appears on the stage to address the fans. He thanks the fans for supporting women’s wrestling and calls the Mae Young Classic the start of women being able to chase the same goals and dreams that the men do.
Now, onto the live finale.
Shayna Baszler vs. Kairi Sane
Both of these women have had incredible journies to get to the live Mae Young Classic finals. Before entering the tournament, Kairi Sane was already world renowned for her ability in the ring and while she is usually the smallest dog in the fight, she is widely considered to be one of the best wrestlers in the world. Her opponent, Shayna Baszler, started her career in MMA. Baszler was a major factor in the push for women’s MMA, specifically in UFC alongside the likes of Ronda Rousey.
In the Mae Young Classic itself, both Sane and Baszler had to overcome four other women in very competitive matches. Baszler defeated Zeda, Mia Yim, Candice LeRae, and her mentor, Mercedes Martinez, while Sane was victorious over Tessa Blanchard, Bianca Belair, Dakota Kai, and Toni Storm.
Baszler dominated in most of the Mae Young Classic, but she has a hard time dominating Sane. The Pirate Princess has a counter for everything Baszler dishes out, including hurting one of Baszler’s left ribs. Since hurting the ribs, Baszler doesn’t have enough power in her offense, leaving the perfect opportunity open for Sane to hit her sliding forearm in the corner. Sane the climbs to the top rope to hit the Insane Elbow Drop (by far the best elbow drop to ever grace a wrestling ring), pinning Baszler and winning the inaugural Mae Young Classic. Winner: Kairi Sane
Announcement
After the tournament finals go off the air, an interview with ESPN reveals what is next for the winner of the Mae Young Classic, Kairi Sane. Triple H announces that at NXT TakeOver: Houston, which takes place on November 18 (one day before WWE Survivor Series), Sane will challenge for the vacant NXT Women’s Championship. In a mix of injury and main roster call-up, Asuka relinquished the belt on NXT last week to end her undefeated reign at 523 days. So far there are no details regarding who Sane will face for the title. Asuka, however, is making her way to Monday Night Raw.
