Grading this week's episode of the Mae Young Classic (10/3/18)

This week on the Mae Young Classic, the second round of the tournament began. 4 women moved on to the quarterfinals while 4 women did not move on. Hiroyo Matsumoto and Toni Storm faced off in the opening match.

Taynara Conti and Jessie Elaban and Rhea Ripley and Kacy Catanzaro both faced off before the main event. Meiko Satomura and Mercedes Martinez then faced off in the night's main event.

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#1 Hiroyo Matsumoto vs Toni Storm

Hiroyo Matsumoto & Toni Storm faced off in the first match of the 2nd round.

Result: Toni Storm defeated Hiroyo Matsumoto via pinfall with a bridging kedo clutch to advance to the second round.

Grade: B+

Analysis: This was a great opening match. Each woman worked their hardest to steal the show. They had the advantage of having an opening match so they were able to wow the crowd. They had an excellent hard-hitting match with excellent false finishes.

Hiroyo Matsumoto worked great as a dominant heel. I truly thought she got the win when she hit her Backdrop Suplex. However, Toni Storm somehow managed to make it to the bottom rope.

Storm looked great as the fighting face. It was the right decision to have Storm get the win since she is the signed competitor that needs to get several wins to bolster her credibility.

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#2 Kacy Catanzaro vs Rhea Ripley

The DDT heard round the world

Result: Rhea Ripley defeated Kacy Catanzaro via pinfall with a Pumphandle Powerbomb.

Grade: B+

Analysis: What a match! These two women were determined to keep the ball rolling after the incredible Hiroyo Matsumoto vs Toni Storm match earlier in the show. Kacy Catanzaro was an incredible underdog. For someone who has been wrestling for less than 2 years, she is incredible.

Her innovative springboard dropkick off of the middle rope, her corkscrew dive to the outside, and her amazing Tilt-a-Whirl DDT all looked incredible. Rhea Ripley excellently sold the DDT. Kacy Catanzaro has a lot of talent and certainly has the potential to succeed in the WWE. Rhea Ripley was great as the dominant heel.

She had no desire to entertain Catanzaro's underdog story and looked past her. She was almost defeated as a result of that. It will be interesting to see if this leads to even more aggressiveness from Ripley in her match in the quarterfinals.

#3 Lacey Lane vs Taynara Conti

Two NXT prospects faced off.

Result: Lacey Lane defeated Taynara Conti via pinfall with a Crucifix Bomb.

Grade: C+

Analysis: This was not a bad match. However, the two matches before it were so good that this match didn't seem so good. The match could've used a little bit more time but the two superstars made it work. Taynara Conti looked good in this match and in her last match against Jessie Elaban. She is ready to regularly appear on NXT like someone like Lacey Evans. Lacey Lane looked great as well.

She is great as a high flying superstar that manages to defy the odds. Her character is similar to Ember Moon's character and will do great on NXT. It will be interesting to see how she does against one of the best women wrestlers in the world in Meiko Satomura.

#4 Meiko Satomura vs Mercedes Martinez

This is by far the best match of the tournament so far!

Result: Mercedes Martinez defeated Meiko Satomura via pinfall with a Scorpion Kick.

Grade: A

Analysis: After having a match that was viewed as a disappointment with Ashley Rayne, Mercedes Martinez needed to have a great match in the second round. She did not disappoint this time. Mercedes Martinez and Meiko Satomura stole the show in what was one of the best matches of the month.

It seemed like Mercedes Martinez actually could get the win. When Mercedes Martinez hit her finishing move Bull Run, I was convinced that she had Meiko Satomura beat. However, that wasn't meant to happen.

Meiko Satomura looked dangerous in this match and her kicks were truly stunning. It was the right decision for Meiko Satomura to move on. She has stolen the show every single time that she has been given the opportunity to do so and will do great against Lacey Lane.