Since WWE decided to upload four episodes of the Mae Young Classic at once, there is a lot to cover. The first episode featured a great variety of matchups, nationalities, and wrestling styles. Episode Two features more great action: Rookie Xia Li takes on veteran Mercedes Martinez, Rachel Evers faces former TNA Knockout Marti Belle, 20-year-old Rhea Ripley faces Miranda Salinas, and Mia Yim tears the house down with the unorthodox Sarah Logan.
Xia Li (China) vs. Mercedes Martinez (USA)
Like Serena Deeb and Vanessa Borne in the previous episode, this match features a veteran taking on a rookie. Xia Li was part of the group of Chinese athletes recruited to the WWE Performance Center earlier this year and impressed with her athletic ability and background in Kung Fu. Mercedes Martinez has been competing in the ring for about 15 years and she believes that she finally has the platform that she deserves to showcase her talents.
Li impresses with her striking ability in what is essentially her first match, but Martinez’ years of experience show. Martinez transitions a surfboard stretch into a Dragon Sleeper and Li has no choice but to tap out. In the second round, Martinez will face Princesa Sugehit, who defeated Kay Lee Ray to advance herself. Between the two of them, there are about 35 years of experience in that one match. Winner (via submission): Mercedes Martinez | Eliminated: Xia Li
Rachel Evers (USA) vs. Marti Belle (Dominican Republic)
Now we get into the part of the Mae Young Classic where two fairly successful independent wrestlers get to shine on WWE’s stage. Marti Belle has experience in Shimmer but most notably Impact Wrestling, while Rachel Evers, daughter of tag team manager Paul Ellering, has competed all over during her career. Belle hasn’t gone over her wrestling style in interviews, while Evers wanted to emphasize that she has experience in powerlifting.
In a bit of a slow-paced match, the battle is pretty back and forth. Both women kick out of high-impact moves, but a quick roll-up is all Rachel Evers needs to score the victory over Marti Belle. In the next round, Evers will take on Abbey Laith, who defeated the powerhouse Jazzy Gabert. Winner: Rachel Evers | Eliminated: Marti Belle
Rhea Ripley (Austraila) vs. Miranda Salinas (USA)
Miranda Salinas could easily be a dark horse in the Mae Young Classic. She is only five feet tall, but as Alexa Bliss has shown, that doesn’t stop anyone from achieving greatness. Salinas is also trained by WWE Hall of Famer and Monday Night Raw commentator Booker T. Her opponent, Rhea Ripley, is only 20 years old but is one of the favorites to win. She uses her background in soccer to emphasize kicking in her arsenal and she is exactly a foot taller than her opponent.
Salinas gives it all she’s got, but Rhea Ripley is just too prepared for everything she can dish out. Following a Full Nelson Slam, Ripley covers Salinas to pick up the victory and to advance to Round Two, where she will either face Kavita Devi or Dakota Kai. Winner: Rhea Ripley | Eliminated: Miranda Salinas
Sarah Logan (USA) vs. Mia Yim (South Korea)
JR calls Mia Yim a “walking testament to survival,” and after revealing her struggle with domestic violence, it could not be truer. Yim is the only woman representing South Korea and like Marti Belle, she also has experience in Shimmer and Impact Wrestling. Sarah Logan has been competing ever since she graduated high school (Logan flew to Japan to begin training just a few days after graduation).
Logan looks to finish Yim off with the running double knees, but Yim rolls out of the way. Yim then wraps Logan up like a pretzel and finishes her off with Eat Defeat, shades of fellow Korean wrestler Gail Kim. Yim will go on to face a huge challenge in Shayna Baszler. Winner: Mia Yim | Eliminated: Sarah Logan
