With only eight women to go, Episode 7 of the Mae Young Classic features the entire quarterfinals. All of these women have defeated three other women to get this far in the tournament, and it is getting down to the best of the best. Matches include Abbey Laith vs. Mercedes Martinez, Shayna Baszler vs. Candice LeRae, Toni Storm vs. Piper Niven, and Kairi Sane vs. Dakota Kai.
Abbey Laith (USA) vs. Mercedes Martinez (USA)
Both of these women are known for being veterans in the independent wrestling scene, but Mercedes Martinez has double the years of experience that Laith has at a whopping 16. Martinez used her experience to defeat Xia Li in the opening round, followed by the even more experience Princesa Sugehit in the second round. Laith has been the underdog in her matches, but that has not prevented her from defeating Jazzy Gabert and Rachel Evers in the first and second rounds, respectively.
Martinez is the only woman to escape the Alligator Clutch and after Martinez kicks out of a German suplex, the 16-year pro becomes the first woman to qualify for the semifinals. Martinez will face either Candice LeRae or Shayna Baszler. Winner: Mercedes Martinez | Eliminated: Abbey Laith
Candice LeRae (USA) vs. Shayna Baszler (USA)
Here are two very different women that could win the entire Mae Young Classic. Shayna Baszler is a no-frills, tough, hard-hitting MMA expert who soundly defeated Zeda and Mia Yim to get to the quarterfinals. Candice LeRae is one of the smaller competitors in the tournament and she implements a more high-risk, high-flying style in her move set that proved useful in wins over Renee Michelle and Nicole Savoy. The question remains: Will Baszler force LeRae to tap out or will she go on Ms. LeRae’s Wild Ride?
LeRae starts out hot, countering almost everything Baszler has to offer. She sets up for Ms. LeRae’s Wild Ride, but Baszler surprisingly counters into her signature Rear Naked Choke. LeRae immediately taps out, but Baszler holds on for a solid 30 seconds after the bell rings. Baszler will face Mercedes Martinez in the semifinals. Winner (via submission): Shayna Baszler | Eliminated: Candice LeRae
Toni Storm (Australia) vs. Piper Niven (Scotland)
Both Toni Storm and Piper Niven are perhaps the biggest breakout stars of the Mae Young Classic. Commentator Jim Ross calls Storm one of the hottest prospects in the world today, and she has proven that with her in-ring ability and unique rock star personality. Storm defeated Ayesha Raymond and Lacey Evans to get to the semifinals, while Piper Niven defeated Santana Garrett and Serena Deeb. Niven has the size and strength advantage, and her unexpected agility doesn’t give Storm much of an edge at all in this bout.
Niven looks to attempt the Vader Bomb, but Storm gets to her feet in time to hit a German suplex on her much larger opponent. Storm then immediately capitalizes on a downed Niven to hit a leg drop from the top rope, picking up the win. Storm will either face Dakota Kai or Kairi Sane in her fourth Mae Young Classic match. Winner: Toni Storm | Eliminated: Piper Niven
Kairi Sane (Japan) vs. Dakota Kai (New Zealand)
We are already at the last match of the quarterfinals. Dakota Kai, the captain of Team Kick, has toppled much bigger opponents in Kavita Devi and Rhea Ripley to get to this match, but as Jim Ross points out, she actually has the size advantage here. She is five inches taller than Kairi Sane, the crowd favorite who defeated Tessa Blanchard and Bianca Belair to make it this far.
Sane and Kai go back and forth in a great match that results in just one mistake causing the end of the match. When Kai defeated Ripley, she hung her up in the Tree of Woe before hitting the Coup de Grace (much, much better than Alberto Del Rio attempted to do). Kai attempts the same maneuver here, but Sane has it well scouted as she dodges the attack. Sane hits an insanely fast Alabama Slam, setting Kai up for the always stunning diving elbow drop. Sane advances to the semifinals where she takes on Toni Storm. Winner: Kairi Sane | Eliminated: Dakota Kai
