Noah's Ark of Wrestling: BWOTW Special: Your Guide to the Mae Young Classic

Hey there readers and welcome to the third of my tournament guides. First it was the Cruiserweight Classic, then it was the United Kingdom Championship Tournament, and now the series is continued with the Mae Young Classic. Episodes will start airing shortly after SummerSlam, uploaded in blocks of 4 it seems, with there being another Bracketology show beforehand. In an ideal world, I would have got this done before the tapings and spoilers got out, but hey ho, I blame WWE.

So, let's get into it.

The Ladies I Know

Toni Storm

Age: 21

Pro Debut: 2009

Billed From: Auckland, New Zealand

Associated Companies: Stardom, PROGRESS

Notable Accomplishments: Current SWA Undisputed World Women's Champion (Stardom), Current PROGRESS Women's Champion

Starting us off on this guide, it's Toni Storm! Storm is one of the most high profile competitors in this tournament, being a top wrestler in her most well known companies, Stardom and PROGRESS. She's also already competed under the WWE banner at WrestleMania Axxess this past year. With all that in mind, I expect her to be promoted very highly and pushed quite far into the brackets in this tournament.

Fun fact, I've seen Toni Storm live at a Global Force Wrestling show like 20 minutes from my house in a rural part of Eastern England against Mickie James in 2015, where I also saw Tyler Bate before he became the star he is today, but I was too focused on his opponent, Trevor Lee. Why the fuck GFW came here, or with this calibre of talent, I'll never know. The next year's show was shite.

Sarah Logan

Age: 23

Pro Debut: 2011

Also Known As: 'Crazy' Mary Dobson

Billed From: Jeffersonville, Indiana, USA

Associated Companies: NXT, Ring of Honour, Resistance Pro Wrestling

Notable Accomplishments: Former Resistance Pro Wrestling Champion

As far as I'm aware, Logan has only had one NXT appearance since signing with the company. Her gimmick is a sort of huntress wild-woman, with her in-ring style being that of unorthodox movements and grappling. I've seen her compete in Ring of Honour under the Dobson name, and it is very similar to this current incarnation of her. So, expect some weird stuff from her.

Lacey Evans

Age: ??

Pro Debut: 2016

Billed From: Parris Island, South Carolina, USA

Associated Companies: NXT

Notable Accomplishments: N/A

It's former member of the armed forces Lacey Evans who first came to my attention on WWE's YouTube page when she was acting as drill sergeant during one of the tryouts. With that legitimate badass background, I figured they'd run with that. I'm not sure I quite understand Lacey's current gimmick, like some sort of proper lady...thing? She's shown promise in her NXT TV appearances, so it'll be interesting to see how she does in the tournament.

Tessa Blanchard

Age: 21

Pro Debut: 2014

Billed From: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Associated Companies: Stardom, SHIMMER, Queens of Combat, NXT

Notable Accomplishments: Current SHIMMER Tag Team Champion (w/ Vanessa Kraven)

Daughter of member of the legendary Four Horsemen, Tully Blanchard, Tessa has made a couple of appearances in WWE so far, though they have tended to be quick matches in a losing effort. She has the power of her hoss daddy and uses that to great effect in her matches, with slams and thudding strikes a plenty. I haven't heard the best things about her outside of the ring, with some backstage drama and the like, so I'm not too sure how to feel about Tessa. I suppose this tournament will help me come to a conclusion.

Abby Laith

Age: 26

Pro Debut: 2011

Also Known As: Kimber Lee, Princess KimberLee

Billed From: Seattle, Washington, USA

Associated Companies: Chikara, NXT, SHIMMER, Beyond Wrestling, AAW, SHINE

Notable Accomplishments: Former Chikara Grand Champion, Former SHIMMER Tag Team Champion (w/ Cherry Bomb), Former SHINE Tag Team Champion (w/ Cherry Bomb)

Laith is another one that has had a couple of matches on NXT TV in the past few months but hasn't had a whole lot of time to shine. Here's hoping she gets a good showing in this tournament and show us why she was the first female Chikara Grand Slam Champion. Laith is well versed in inter-gender wrestling too, a medium that is explored in this mini-documentary about her;

Jazzy Gabert

Age: 35

Pro Debut: 2001

Also Known As: The Alpha Female

Billed From: Berlin, Germany

Associated Companies: wXw, Stardom, Impact Wrestling,

Notable Accomplishments: Former World of Stardom Champion, Former Artist of Stardom Champion (w/ Kyoko Kimura & The Female Predator Amazon), Former Goddesses of Stardom Champion (w/ Kyoko Kimura)

Yes, there were several higher quality photos out there, but fucking hell how awesome does she look there. I hope that she carries a machine gun to the ring, but from what I know about Jazzy, she doesn't need one to lay people out. I think the name 'The Alpha Female' speaks for itself, meaning that we have our first hoss of the tournament here, being a big, badass machine keen on destruction. Gabert is one of the widest travelled and most experienced women competing in this thing, it's just a matter of whether the wear and tear will catch up to her.

Kairi Sane

Age: 28

Pro Debut: 2012

Also Known As: Kairi Hojo

Billed From: Hikari, Yamaguchi, Japan

Associated Companies: Stardom

Notable Accomplishments: Former World of Stardom Champion, Former Wonder of Stardom Champion, Former 3x Goddesses of Stardom Champion (1x w/ Natsumi Showzuki, 1x w/ Nanae Takahashi & 1x w/ Yoko Bito), Former 4x Artist of Stardom Champion (1x w/ Kaori Yoneyama & Yuhi, 1x w/ Chelsea & Koguma, 1x w/ Io Shirai & Mayu Iwatani & 1x w/ Hiromi Miruma & Konami)

Perhaps the most decorated and highly acclaimed participants in the Mae Young Classic, Kairi Sane has been a staple in the world of Japanese women's wrestling, up there with Io Shirai as one of the stars Stardom has been built around. Possessing one of the most beautiful looking top rope elbow drops I've ever seen, the 'Pirate Princess' is sure to become one of the most popular competitors coming out of this.

Piper Nevan

Age: 26

Pro Debut: 2008

Also Known As: Viper

Billed From: Ayrshire, Scotland

Associated Companies: ICW, Fierce Females, WCPW, Stardom, Preston City Wrestling

Notable Accomplishments: Former ICW Women's Champion, Current Scottish Women's Champion

Nevan's size is definitely the first thing that strikes you when you see her, possibly being the biggest participant in the Mae Young Classic. From what I've seen of her, although the size-game is a big part of her repertoire and wrestling style, and rightfully so, she can brawl with the best of them, and has been known to take to the skies every now and then. Having been through some bloody battles in ICW, against both men and women, Nevan is one of the toughest ladies you've got here.

Kay Lee Ray

Age: 24

Pro Debut: 2009

Billed From: Glasgow, Scotland

Associated Companies: ICW, SWE, SHIMMER, Stardom, Fight Club: PRO, PROGRESS, WCPW

Notable Accomplishments: Former ICW Women's Champion, Former 2x Queen of Southside, Former Scottish Women's Champion, Former SWE Speed King Champion, Former WCPW Women's Champion

It's our first high-flyer of the tournament here, Kay Lee Ray, one of Piper Nevan's most storied adversaries battling in Scotland's women's wrestling scene. However, compared to her rival, she is arguably the more established and renowned of the two. Either way, my British pride is definitely going to be cheering both girls on through this.

Serena Deeb

Age: 31

Pro Debut: 2005

Billed From: Oakton, Virginia, USA

Associated Companies: WWE, OVW, FCW, SHIMMER

Notable Accomplishments: Former 6x OVW Women's Champion, Former Queen of FCW Champion

She's more recognisable without her hair, it's Serena Deeb, former member of CM Punk's Straight Edge Society. Deeb is coming out of retirement to compete in the Mae Young Classic, having hung up her wrestling boots just a couple years ago and becoming a yoga instructor. Having been with various forms of WWE's developmental system for a large chunk of her career, this has the makings to be this tournament's version of the Brian Kendrick redemption story. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out for Deeb, and who knows, maybe she could reunite with goodbrother Gallows after this.

Rachael Evers

Age: 24

Pro Debut: 2015

Also Known As: Rachael Ellering

Billed From: Sauk Centre, Minnesota, USA

Associated Companies: NXT, WrestleCircus, Impact Wrestling, Shine

Notable Accomplishments: N/A

Another second generation wrestler here in Rachael Evers, daughter of The Authors of Pain's current manager, Paul Ellering, though more known for his run with The Legion of Doom through various promotions. Evers is another one of those who have popped up every now and then in NXT's women's division with limited success. Perhaps the tournament could be just what she needs to cement herself in the division and gain some traction. Plus, I've always thought something looks a little off about her gear, but I can't quite but my finger on it.

Santana Garrett

Age: 29

Pro Debut: 2009

Billed From: Ocala, Florida

Associated Companies: NXT, Stardom, Shine, WWN, GFW, NWA

Notable Accomplishments: Former Shine Champion, Former Shine Tag Team Champion (w/ Raquel), Former Wonder of Stardom Champion, Former NWA World Women's Champion

Definitely one of the most popular women in the tournament, Santana Garrett is a far traveller in pro wrestling. I'm a sucker for Ultimo Dragon-esque pictures, and the one above is certainly doing it for me, making me like her even more. If you're that good you hold more title than you have arms at one time, you have my admiration. Again, another woman who has had sporadic appearances on NXT already, let's hope this propels her into serious contention on the NXT women's division.

Candice LeRae

Age: 31

Pro Debut: 2002

Billed From: Anaheim, California, USA

Associated Companies: PWG, AIW, Smash Wrestling, AAW, SHIMMER, DDT, NWA

Notable Accomplishments: Former PWG Tag Team Champion (w/ Joey Ryan)

Awwwww fuck yeah, it's Candice LeRae. Known primarily for her intergender wrestling, Candice has competed in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla's most notable matches, especially her and Joey Ryan teaming to face The Young Bucks in a Guerrilla Warfare match in which she was busted open after taking an Indytaker on the outside, which cemented her as being one tough motherfucker. Hands down the purest babyface there is gunning for the trophy, I expect Candice to have the audience's support and win the hearts of many. I love my mini-documentaries, and here's one about Candice and her husband, Johnny Gargano.

The Ladies I Sorta Know

Dakota Kai

Age: 29

Pro Debut: 2007

Also Known As: Evie

Billed From: Auckland, New Zealand

Associated Companies: SHIMMER, Stardom, NXT

Notable Accomplishments: Former SHIMMER Tag Team Champion (w/ Heidi Lovelace (Ruby Riot)), Former Artist of Stardom Champion (w/ Hiroyo Matsumoto & Kellie Skater)

I've heard good things about Dakota Kai for a long time, so I'm real excited to see her compete. Coming into this as a fresh signee with barrel loads of support, I'm fairly confident the 'E will have her progress into the tournament a bit at least, here's hoping anyway.

Bianca Belair

Age: 28

Pro Debut: 2016

Billed From: Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

Associated Companies: NXT

Notable Accomplishments: N/A

According to my research, Belair is a former CrossFit competitor and powerlifter, meaning although she doesn't have tonnes of experience going into this, she does have a great athletic background. Belair has made a couple of NXT TV appearances so far in her relatively short career, being most memorable for using her unbelievable long braid as a whip with wincing effect. I'd bet good money that we'll see that come into play again in this tournament.

Shayna Baszler

Age: 37

Pro Debut: 2015

Billed From: Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA

Associated Companies: UFC, Stardom, SHIMMER, AIW

Notable Accomplishments: Current AIW Women's Champion, MMA Record: 15-11 (I know it's not that great a record, but still)

Before I even knew that Baszler was a fighter, I just knew her as that one woman who got front row seats to a lot of PWG shows and was also friends with Ronda Rousey. Turns out, she is one of the other Four Horsewomen in the world of mixed martial arts WHO USE THE GODDAMN HORSEMAN HAND SIGN, YOU BETTER HOPE YOU'RE NOT IN FLAIR COUNTRY NEXT TIME YOU DO THAT. Anywho, having competed in the UFC, Baszler is as legit as it comes in this tournament, following the likes of Ken Shamrock and Dan 'The Beast' Severn as UFC fighters to step into a WWE ring. I expect her to be the Dean Malenko of this tournament, cold, calculated, killing machine.

Mia Yim

Age: 28

Pro Debut: 2009

Also Known As: Jade

Billed From: Fontana, California, USA

Associated Companies: Impact Wrestling, SHIMMER, Shine, SWE

Notable Accomplishments: Former Impact Knockout's Champion, Former Queen of Soutshide Champion, Former Shine Champion, Former Shine Tag Team Champion (w/ Leva Bates)

Mia Yim debuted on Impact Wrestling a little while before I fell out of watching it, so I have some memory of watching her, but I have witnessed people sing her praises since then. I'm expecting good things from Yim with that in mind, let's hope she can wow even more people on her biggest stage yet.

The Ladies I Don't Know

Welcome to the initial reactions portion of the guide, not really knowing any of these women before the announcement of their inclusion in the tournament. Let's see how things go...

Rhea Ripley

Age: 20

Pro Debut: 2013

Billed From: Adelaide, Australia

Associated Companies: Riot City Wrestling - (Mainly Aussie Indies)

Notable Accomplishments: Current and 2x RCW Women's Champion

I don't remember buying tickets to a gun show, yet here I am. WWE just can't get enough of the Aussies it seems, though the growth of that scene down under certainly helps the reasoning. I'm guessing a focus on the power game with Rhea, and we can never have too many hosses, sometimes.

Taynara Conti

Age: 22

Pro Debut: 2017

Billed From: Rio de Janiero, Brazil

Associated Companies: NXT

Notable Accomplishments: Competed in 2016 Olympic Judo trials

Taynara Conti here, being one of the rare breed of Brazilian wrestlers in the WWE. It's just a shame I'm not too sure which one judo is - is that the one all about throws where they can grab each other? Any help is much appreciated. Conta adds to those in the tournament who have signed with WWE and begun wrestling very recently, it's a risky move by WWE, hopefully it pays off.

Princesa Sugehit

Age: 36

Pro Debut: 1996

Billed From: Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

Associated Companies: CMLL

Notable Accomplishments: Current Mexican National Women's Champion (CMLL)

Undoubtedly the coolest looking wrestler in this tournament, Sugehit is the most experienced in the roster, with over 20 years to her career, primarily wrestling for CMLL in Mexico. As another veteran in the tournament, it will be interesting to see how they handle her, with the CWC's vets of Tajiri and Kendrick picking up wins in last summer's tournament.

Sage Beckett

Age: 32

Pro Debut:

Also Known As: Andrea

Billed From: Ruskin, Florida, USA

Associated Companies: NXT, SHINE, FIP, NWA

Notable Accomplishments: N/A

If you thought Cedric Alexander dropping 20lbs was impressive, wait til you get a load of Sage Beckett. Beckett retired from wrestling in 2012 and returned in 20114 having lost 130lbs in the process. Christ alive, that's a whole person! That's all I really have on her, bit of a mystery this one.

Kavita Devi

Age: 34

Pro Debut: 2016

Billed From: Jind, Haryana, India

Associated Companies: That one Great Khali runs

Notable Accomplishments: Gold Medal in Weightlifting at South Asian Games

Another high level powerlifter in the form of Kavita Devi. What is most notable about her however is that she is the first Indian woman signed by the WWE. With the push that Jinder Mahal has received in the bid of aiding WWE's progression in India, it will be interesting to see how they handle Devi in this, and beyond. Plus, she was trained by The Great Khali, so here's hoping we get a repeat of Battleground and helps her win. Typing that sentence made me sick in my own face.

Vanessa Borne

Age: 24

Pro Debut: 2015

Billed From: Los Angeles, California, USA

Associated Companies: NXT

Notable Accomplishments: N/A

Vanessa Borne hear, with 2 years of wrestling experience being backed up from her time as a cheerleader and a dancer. Also, I like those boots, I hope she wrestles in them. That is literally all I have on her.

Zeda

Age: ???

Pro Debut: 2017

Billed From: Richmond, Virginia, USA

Associated Companies: NXT

Notable Accomplishments: MMA Record: 2-0

Another of WWE's freshly signed competitors for in-house training from the ground up. However, having competed in mixed martial arts, Zeda knows how to fight. Unlike others with similar backgrounds in this tournament, her look doesn't seem to show that that'll be her selling point. But, I could be wrong, only a matter of time will tell what sort of wrestler Zeda is, and how well she will do in the Mae Young Classic.

Mercedes Martinez

Age: 36

Pro Debut: 2000

Billed From: Waterbury, Connecticut, USA

Associated Companies: SHIMMER, Shine, WSU

Notable Accomplishments: Former 2x and Current SHIMMER Champion, Current Shine Tag Team Champion (w/ Ivelisse), Current and Former 3x WSU Champion, Former WSU Tag Team Champion (w/ Angel Orsini)

From the sounds of it, Martinez is the most successful participant I don't know about, making her all the more interesting. Another very experienced member of the line-up, Martinez certainly looks the part like a mix of Ruby Riot and a heavy helping of Baron Corbin. I have no idea if that concoction is apt in regards to her wrestling style, and God I hope not because that sounds like it'd be terrible.

Xia Li

Age: ???

Pro Debut: 2017

Billed From: Chong Qing, China

Associated Companies: NXT

Notable Accomplishments: N/A

One of WWE's recent signings from their China tryouts, Xia Li is another of this tournament's MMA fighters. At this rate they should have just done another Brawl For All...I'm sorry I take that back.

Miranda Salinas

Age: 23

Pro Debut: 2014

Billed From: Houston, Texas, USA

Associated Companies: Reality of Wrestling

Notable Accomplishments: N/A

Coming in under the tutelage of Booker T in ROW, WWE's notes describe her as having a fast paced, lucha libre influenced style. Flyers are always a good thing to have, let's hope she's a good one.

Ayesha Raymond

Age: 27

Pro Debut: 2009

Billed From: London, England

Associated Companies: IPW:UK, UPW, Wrestle-1, Stardom

Notable Accomplishments: Former Artist of Stardom Champion, Former IPW:UK Women's Champion, Former IPW:UK Tag Team Champion (w/ Paul Robinson, Scott Wainwright & Will Ospreay), Former Artist of Stardom Champion (w/ The Alpha Female & Kyoko Kimura)

EN-GUR-LUND! EN-GUR-LUND! More Brits for me to cheer now, as we have Ayesha Raymond who cagematch.net has listed as winning the IPW:UK tag titles with The Swords of Essex. Interesting. She also won Stardom's trios titles with none other than our favourite machine gun wielding badass, Jazzy Gabert. Looks like we've got another hoss on our hands!

Renee Michelle

Age: ???

Pro Debut: 2013

Billed From: Washington D.C., USA

Associated Companies: Shine, MCW, ECWA

Notable Accomplishments: Former 2x ECWA Women's Champion, Former 3x MCW Women's Champion

I don't know who Renee Michelle is at all. But, here gear and those things in her hair look cool. I'm dying here guys someone add something interesting.

Marti Belle

Age: 29

Pro Debut: 2008

Billed From: New York City, New York, USA

Associated Companies: Impact Wrestling, Shine, SHIMMER, AIW, WSU, WWN

Notable Accomplishments: Former Shine Tag Team Champion (w/ Jayme Jameson), Former WSU Spirit Champion, Former WSU Tag Team Champion (w/ Tina San Antonio)

Another Impact wrestler that has made the jump from TNA to WWE here, I've definitely heard the name Marti Belle, but that's all I can really tell ya. That and that she looks like Ramsey from the last two Fast and the Furious films.

Nicole Savoy

Age: 31

Pro Debut: 2011

Billed From: Pulaski County, Missouri, USA

Associated Companies: SHIMMER

Notable Accomplishments: Former Heart of SHIMMER Champion

According to my research on Savoy, she is called the 'Queen of Suplexes', and by God I hope she lives up to that moniker. I love it when wrestlers become a connoisseur of particular moves, like Roderick Strong and backbreakers and The Young Bucks with suplexes, it makes them all extra special and when you're focusing on suplexes, you're joining the likes of Angle and Taz, so here's hoping she tosses some fuckers around.

Reina Gonzalez

Age: ???

Pro Debut: 2014

Billed From: Rio Grande Valley, Texas, USA

Associated Companies: NXT

Notable Accomplishments: N/A

Rounding off the guide is another second generation wrestler, Reina Gonzalez, daughter of Ricky 'Desperado' Gonzalez. Her WWE bio paints her as another big girl in the tournament, standing at 6 feet tall (you can teach that, though) and is a former college basketball player. Let's hope her finisher is squishing her opponents into a ball and dunking them.

Matches

Kairi Sane (Kairi Hojo) vs Konami - Stardom (27 mins)