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Mae Young Classic 2018 Final
Io Shirai vs Toni Storm
Match: WWE built this match perfectly with some neat video packages, one even featuring a quote from ourselves. For the casual fans, it really added some background. Needless to say, though, the crowd was still hot for this with "Io" chants ringing out. The match started out respectfully with a handshake but was then packed with non-stop action. The end sequence saw Io Shirai hit a sunset flip and roll Storm up for a near fall. Shirai followed up with the double knees in the corner and went for the moonsault but Storm got her knees up, hit a second Storm Zero and picked up the win!
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Verdict: Well, I think everyone expected a classic here and it did not disappoint. While the pacing was quite slow and methodical, both women grew into the match and left it all in the ring. What may have been less predictable than the match quality, though, was the result. This one was impossible to call right until the finish, but Toni Storm came out the victor! Some may say the match felt rushed at the end, some will say it had great urgency - but the match overall was undoubtedly great!
Grade: B+
