Predicting Mae Young Classic (10/3/18)

This week the likes of Toni Storm, Meiko Satomura, Hiroyo Matsumoto, Mercedes Martinez, Taynara Conti, Kacy Catanzaro, Lacey Lane, & Rhea Ripley will be in action. Toni Storm will face off with Hiroyo Matsumoto, Meiko Satomura will face off with Mercedes Martinez, Taynara Conti will face off with Lacey Lane, & Kacy Catanzaro will face off with Rhea Ripley.

Hiroyo Matsumoto vs Toni Storm

Toni Storm will face Lady Godzilla.

Toni Storm defeated Jinny to move on to the second round while Hiroyo Matsumoto defeated Rachel Evers to move on to the second round. The winner of this match will face Kaitlyn or Mia Yim in the quarterfinals.

WWE may want to have a match between two powerhouses in Hiroyo Matsumoto and Kaitlyn. She looked really impressive in the last round and since she mentioned wanting to go to NXT in the past, she might be given the win.

Toni Storm, however, is a favorite to win the entire tournament. She competed in last year's Mae Young Classic and WWE may want to have a competitor from last year go to the finals. She is also currently signed to WWE (as a part of the brand new NXT UK brand) while Hiroyo Matsumoto is not. Therefore, it will be Toni Storm that gets the win.

Final Prediction: Toni Storm defeats Hiroyo Matsumoto via pinfall with Storm Zero

Lacey Lane vs Taynara Conti

2 NXT prospects will face off.

Taynara Conti defeated Jessie Elaban to move on to the second round while Lacey Lane defeated Vanessa Kraven to advance to the second round. The two have a lot of potential.

Taynara Conti has appeared on NXT before so WWE might want to give her momentum if they want her to possibly challenge for the NXT Women's Championship. However, WWE seems to be heavily invested in Lacey Lane.

She has a unique look and wrestling style that was excellently spotlighted in her last match. She will probably not be eliminated by someone who has already appeared on NXT multiple times and on the Mae Young Classic last year.

Final Prediction: Lacey Evan defeats Taynara Conti via pinfall with the Crucifix Bomb.

Kacy Catanzaro vs Rhea Ripley

Rhea Ripley will face off with a former American Ninja Warrior participant Kacy Catanzaro

Rhea Ripley defeated MJ Jenkins to move on to the second round while Kacy Catanzaro beat Reina Gonzales to advance to the second round. Kacy Catanzaro has a lot of fans from her time in American Ninja Warrior so WWE may want to take advantage of that by giving her another upset victory.

However, there are several underdogs (Tegan Nox & Lacey Lane) in this tournament so WWE might want to get rid of one this round. Rhea Ripley is so much bigger than Kacy Catanzaro so it seems like she won't be able to do the same thing twice.

Rhea Ripley's new heel attitude is sure to be spotlighted throughout the tournament. It also helps that she is currently a big part of the young NXT UK women's division.

Final Prediction: Rhea Ripley defeats Kacy Catanzaro via pinfall with a Pumphandle Powerbomb.

Meiko Satomura vs Mercedes Martinez

This is a dream match!

Meiko Satomura defeated Killer Kelly to make it to the second round while Mercedes Martinez beat Ashley Rayne to advance. Mercedes Martinez is more likely to be signed by WWE than Meiko Satomura so that gives her an advantage.

WWE may also want to have two former semifinalists in Mercedes Martinez & Toni Storm face off in the semifinals this year. Meiko Satomura has so much hype that it makes almost no sense for her to be eliminated in the second round. She will probably put over a signed competitor, not an unsigned competitor that is 37 years old.

Final Prediction: Meiko Satomura defeats Mercedes Martinez via pinfall with a Death Valley Driver.