WILW: The Mae Young Classic
Well, here we are. After months of speculation, the full lineup of 32 has been announced and shown to the world. The Mae Young Classic is set to debut August 28th on the WWE Network. As with the two previous Dusty tournaments, and the Cruiserweight Classic, we can expect some seriously awesome matches each episode. The difference this time around is that the matches will be taped weeks in advance and the possibility of spoilers is quite high. Now to be fair, matches for the Cruiserweight Classic were also taped in advance just not this far. A smaller difference with this show as well is that it will drop in four episode chunks. The first four hit on 8/28, the next four on 9/4, and the final match will air live on 9/12. All of the matches will be called by Jim Ross (yay!) and Lita (yay?). Hopefully, the commentary can match the excitement shown by Maura Ranallo and Daniel Bryan during the Cruiserweight show.
As for the competitors themselves, there are a couple of huge deals here. The biggest signing, as in to NXT as well, not just for this show, is Kairi Sane. The former Kairi Hojo is one of the very best wrestlers on the planet and the possessor of the most beautiful elbow drop this side of Randy Savage. Her signing to NXT is as big a deal as when Asuka signed and is hopefully a sign of reinjecting that division with some new blood and bringing it back to the heights it reached under the Four Horsewomen and Alexa Bliss. Adding to Sane is Candice LeRae, (fuck AND yes), former UFC fighter Shayna Baszler, Santana Garrett (Brittany in TNA), Rachel Evers (Paul Ellering’s kid), and the returning Serena Deeb among a host of others. To be honest I don’t know a ton of these girls and that is what has me so excited. The Cruiserweight Classic was filled with guys I had never seen before and most of them have gone on to be pretty big deals inside and out of the WWE. I’m hopeful the same will be true here and that the girls will end up with their own show as well, though hopefully handled a bit better than 205 Live. Regardless, this event should be a blast and I simply cannot wait. But wait we shall, until the 28th anyway. Until then, check out the video below and follow me on twitter and instagram, @geekadedan, and let me know who you’re excited to see and who you think takes the tournament. Early prediction from me, Kairi Sane. A win in the tournament should theoretically put her at the top of the mountain for a shot at Asuka and that would be one hell of a match. Join me next week as we take another look at why I love wrestling. Until then…