The end of the round one was the end of series of great episodes, with devastating main events, with a lot of back and forth battles, presenting 32-amazing women of wrestling! With the last episode we know where the path continues for the winners and who will meet who in the tension of round 2! 16-women were sent home or in the WWE Performance Center, to continue to build their own future outside of Mae Young Classic!
Episode 04 was the grand closure of the Round 1, with its 8 - competitors, fitting the final pieces of the puzzle.
Let's remind ourselves what happened!
ROUND 1
EP.04. MATCH #01
CANDICE LeRAE VS. RENEE MICHELLE
Candice LeRae had the opportunity to open the evening against the famous indie Renee Michelle. Actually both women are well known to every promotion outside WWE, as LeRae is having a lot of years and experience under her belt as advantage. With her husband Johnny Gargano in the audience, Candice looked really inspired to win that match!
Well, the vilainious Renee Michelle prove to be someone who can't be easily taken away. Despite the crowd total suport to Candice LeRae, the Washington, DC, representative put a really good offense. There was a good excahge of moves as we saw Michelle performed modified neckbreaker and amazing reverse roundhouse kick, while LeRae was impressive with the moves like Missile dropkick, clothesline, back elbows. At the end after unsuccessful second rope from Renee, Candice was able to perform a second rope charged Neckbreaker and to win this hard battle!
That was another great opening!
WINNER: CANDICE LeRAE (US), via pinfall
ROUND 01
EP.04. MATCH #02
TAYNARA CONTI VS. LACEY EVANS
First of all I want to share (and praise) how impressed I was with Taynara Conti. Despite the fact that she was the heel, in that match, her judo background really worked. I think that the Lady of NXT had never worked that hard and break that amount of sweat! It was nice debut, despite the result at the end.
That was a two very competitive women's battle. Lacey is physically dominant and she had another motivation - her little daughter was in the audience. Of course she bet on the patriotic card! She played it well.
On the other side Conti, from the starting bow greeting to every single judo throw and swinging slam and another judo moves. She was really impressive and you just want to see more from this young lady. Lacey was able to regroup and to earn some advantage over Conti with a handstand in the ropes transitioned to Bronco buster and then to finish the match with a new Reverse piledriver like move, that I have never seen before and that earned her the victory over the debutante!
Impressive!
WINNER: LACEY EVANS (US), via pinfall
Nicole Savoy is the final member of Mercedes Martinez SHIMMER clique to win the first round! She almost didn't make it!
As I said yesterday I am so happy that the debutantes from WWE Performance Center prove me wrong and they show that they are deserving their spot - I cited Vanessa Borne, Reina Gonzalez and Zeda, as a controversial participants. Because of the lack of appearance on TV , and even on Live events. Well, Reina Gonzalez followed the footsteps of the other two and ever bested them and smashed my opinion, reverse it on 180 degrees!
Nicole Savoy tried to take advantage with beautiful Hurricanrana, and that was one of her memorable offenses in the match. Overall Reina Gonzalez was the dominating powerhouse, that made amazing powerful moves and that reverse Boston Crab submission. At the end, the same that happened to other powerful competitor in MYC, like Jazzy Gabert, Kavita Devi, Sage Beckett, happened to Gonzalez. One mistake by the strong second-generation wrestler was enough for Nicole Savoy to lock a tremendous Cross-armbreaker to force the Reina to tap out!
WINNER: NICOLE SAVOY (US), via pinfall
As Lita said it was sad, because we wanted to see more from these two competitors in MYC, but unfortunately, they collided too early!
Both women were warm welcomed. The handshake was charged with tension. Tessa was supposed to be the heel, but she was so amazing, flawless, that at the middle of the match the crowd support her and Kairi Sane with the same passion.
I want you to watch it! If you didn't do it yet! Watch it! If you watch it one time, do it again - this is what I am going to do, after I am finishing with this post! The match was so intensive! It reminds me of Ember Moon vs. Asuka's type of matches, but it was original and different. Two amazing young talents from two totally different worlds throw everything they had. Blanchard didn't step back for a second! Respect to her!
I was impressed how kind of cute and slim Japanese girl, can do Alabama slam, surviving a devastating Senton by Tessa. Sane is really good addition to NXT and I know that you can't wait to see where her career will go! As every Japanese Superstar, she is ready to sacrifice everything she has, for the show and the win. Her Diving elbow, with legs, high in the air, in an amazing angle - it was WOW! That might hurt a lot!
At the end Tessa Blanchard showed amazing respect to her opponent by rasing her hand and hugging her. That was real display of sportsmanship and validation for the two young women!
Well deserved victory for Sane and impressive work by Tessa Blanchard! Once again we had a really explosive Main event, that can be announced for the best battle, from the first round, even with other four-six matches that can dispute for that title!
WINNER: KAIRI SANE (JAPAN), via pinfall
The Round 01 is over! We had experienced the greatest power of the women's wrestling. From the small promotions like WSU and SHINE, to SHIMMER and WWE NXT/Performance Center - all of the independent and worldwide famous were presented! Episode 4 really raised the expectations for the next round!
We can't wait to see what will happen next week!
Here comes our top 5 picks! We had several surprises in here, because we think that there are no losers in this tournament and sometime those who lose a match lose deserve to be honored equally with the winners.
Sorry Nicole Savoy - your Majesty the Queen of Suplexes, you did great work elevating this young, second-generation talent in your match and you are continuing to the next round.
Reina Gonzalez, like Kavita Devi dominated her match and was a real surprise for the watchers. I think that she has IT factor, but need to be well and carefully booked in the following months. I am afraid that WWE is really full of women and men talents, you must really be different from the pack to survive in there. Reina is definitely one head over the pack, so we hope that with some training and booking, she will make her statement in NXT!
Vuva La Reina!
The Brazilian breakout was really impressive in her first televised match. She was kind of cold-face and distant as a character but her judo and pro-wrestling moves, spoke better about who she is and what she may accomplish in NXT.
I know that she and Lacey Evans have alredy met each other with the same result, but for what I see Conti is someone who will not lose without putting a really hard fight. I really hope to see more from this young talents in NXT, because they are the difference between the weekly routine and the novelty in the Black and Yellow brand!
If I can, I will put LeRae and number 2 together on #02 position, but I am not allowed!
Impressive!
WINNER: LACEY EVANS (US), via pinfall
ROUND 1
EP.04. MATCH #03
NICOLE SAVOY VS. REINA GONZALEZ
Nicole Savoy is the final member of Mercedes Martinez SHIMMER clique to win the first round! She almost didn't make it!
As I said yesterday I am so happy that the debutantes from WWE Performance Center prove me wrong and they show that they are deserving their spot - I cited Vanessa Borne, Reina Gonzalez and Zeda, as a controversial participants. Because of the lack of appearance on TV , and even on Live events. Well, Reina Gonzalez followed the footsteps of the other two and ever bested them and smashed my opinion, reverse it on 180 degrees!
Nicole Savoy tried to take advantage with beautiful Hurricanrana, and that was one of her memorable offenses in the match. Overall Reina Gonzalez was the dominating powerhouse, that made amazing powerful moves and that reverse Boston Crab submission. At the end, the same that happened to other powerful competitor in MYC, like Jazzy Gabert, Kavita Devi, Sage Beckett, happened to Gonzalez. One mistake by the strong second-generation wrestler was enough for Nicole Savoy to lock a tremendous Cross-armbreaker to force the Reina to tap out!
WINNER: NICOLE SAVOY (US), via pinfall
ROUND 1
EP.04. MATCH #04
KAIRI SANE VS. TESSA BLANCHARD
As Lita said it was sad, because we wanted to see more from these two competitors in MYC, but unfortunately, they collided too early!
Both women were warm welcomed. The handshake was charged with tension. Tessa was supposed to be the heel, but she was so amazing, flawless, that at the middle of the match the crowd support her and Kairi Sane with the same passion.
I was impressed how kind of cute and slim Japanese girl, can do Alabama slam, surviving a devastating Senton by Tessa. Sane is really good addition to NXT and I know that you can't wait to see where her career will go! As every Japanese Superstar, she is ready to sacrifice everything she has, for the show and the win. Her Diving elbow, with legs, high in the air, in an amazing angle - it was WOW! That might hurt a lot!
At the end Tessa Blanchard showed amazing respect to her opponent by rasing her hand and hugging her. That was real display of sportsmanship and validation for the two young women!
Well deserved victory for Sane and impressive work by Tessa Blanchard! Once again we had a really explosive Main event, that can be announced for the best battle, from the first round, even with other four-six matches that can dispute for that title!
WINNER: KAIRI SANE (JAPAN), via pinfall
OVERVIEW:
The Round 01 is over! We had experienced the greatest power of the women's wrestling. From the small promotions like WSU and SHINE, to SHIMMER and WWE NXT/Performance Center - all of the independent and worldwide famous were presented! Episode 4 really raised the expectations for the next round!
We can't wait to see what will happen next week!
TOP 5 PICKS
Here comes our top 5 picks! We had several surprises in here, because we think that there are no losers in this tournament and sometime those who lose a match lose deserve to be honored equally with the winners.
#05: REINA GONZALEZ
Reina Gonzalez, like Kavita Devi dominated her match and was a real surprise for the watchers. I think that she has IT factor, but need to be well and carefully booked in the following months. I am afraid that WWE is really full of women and men talents, you must really be different from the pack to survive in there. Reina is definitely one head over the pack, so we hope that with some training and booking, she will make her statement in NXT!
Vuva La Reina!
#04: TAYNARA CONTI
The Brazilian breakout was really impressive in her first televised match. She was kind of cold-face and distant as a character but her judo and pro-wrestling moves, spoke better about who she is and what she may accomplish in NXT.
I know that she and Lacey Evans have alredy met each other with the same result, but for what I see Conti is someone who will not lose without putting a really hard fight. I really hope to see more from this young talents in NXT, because they are the difference between the weekly routine and the novelty in the Black and Yellow brand!
#03: CANDICE LeRAE
Candice LeRae was skeptical about WWE, several years ago, but now when she saw the rising and the quality of the women's wrestling in the promotion #1, she logically reconsiders her views! From her early appearence in the #1 contender Battle royal this year to her involvement in MYC, Candice LeRae prove that changes, leads to chances and I am sure that she is more willing to give a try to WWE NXT in the future, why not next to her husband, like in a rivalry against Andrade 'Cien' Almas and Zelina Vega!
She is really impressive young woman who is not afraid to face the men in the ring and to emerge as a winner! Respect and love!
#02: TESSA BLANCHARD
I know that you know it! But who you suggest to be on second place? Maybe Candice? Well Candice will be eventually in the next round, but for now Tessa Blanchard steal the silver prize, because she met Kairi Sane!
We know Blanchard. She is a third generation Superstar and we know how hard it is for the so-called genetic superiors to built their own career, especially when your family is not so into it (because they know how merciful is this business). Tessa started to build a really strong legacy. I am 'graciously illiterate' about her grandfather, father and stepfather's careers, so for me she is just a blank page, that is ready to turn into a best-seller! I hope that when WWE felt that she is experienced enough for them, they will sign her with Rachael Ellering and Deonna Purrazzo!
#01: KAIRI SANE
The amazing Shinsuke Nakamura was in the audience to watch his Japanese countrywoman winning the first biggest victory on her way to NXT domination.
Kairi payed respect to her current colleagues in NXT - Hideo Itami and Asuka, next to Nakamura, citing them as a future inspiration and example for exceptional athletes and trailblazers. We are sure that she will compensate on 100% for Io Shirai release and for Asuka's eventual move to the Main roster. NXT must tremble in fear and respect, as they know that the fearless Pirate of the Japanese pro-wrestling Sea of Talents is on her way to the NXT Women's title domination!
Really amazing!
EPILOGUE
Round 01 is over and we are planning to do special preview of the brackets for Round 2 in the Fan Facebook Event at our Facebook page! So stay tuned!
EPISODE 05 OVERVIEW IS COMING SOON!
