WWE Mae Young Classic 2018 Preview And Predictions Roundtable
By Harmony Cox
Who were you most excited to see selected for MYC 2018?
Ashley: I already went on about this in my profile about her, but Isla Dawn! On top of being a great wrestler, she’s a super sweet human being and I think she could easily impress in the tournament and beyond. She’s in the NXT UK division now, so it’s also a great expo for what’s going on over there. Isla is very much Miss Feminism and Witchcraft, but I’m really excited for people to see how amazing she is. One of the great parts of the MYC is getting to discover all these awesome women’s wrestlers and I feel like I’m coming at it from the opposite end with her: I get to see everyone else discover how cool she is.
Chelsea: I was over the moon to see Allysin Kay be selected to the MYC. I was a huge fan of hers while she wrestled with Impact. She’s been out of action more or less since January due to blood clotting in her lungs, so to see her come back from that with an event of this caliber is sensational. It’s also great to see names like Ashley Rayne, Mercedes Martinez, even Kaitlyn this time around, women with tons and tons of experience under their belts that bring that will really anchor this tournament. I’m also very excited to see Priscilla Kelly in this tournament. Priscilla has a dangerous edge about her unlike anyone else participating in the MYCII, and I’m very curious to see if it will give her a mental advantage over her opponents.
Christopher: Oh man, there are so many to choose from in a really strong field. Io Shirai is the first name that immediately springs to mind. One of the best female wrestlers in the world, Shirai seemed destined to compete in last year’s MYC, but neck issues caused WWE to hold off on signing her. I’m excited to see what she can do on the WWE/NXT stage. Outside of Shirai, I was happy to see Ashley Layne/Madison Rayne get a spot in the tournament. I was a big fan of her work in TNA/Impact Wrestling, especially when she broke away from The Beautiful People, so I’m happy to see her get a shot in front of a bigger audience. Honorable mentions also go out to Meiko Satomura, Deonna Purrazzo, Mia Yim, and Toni Storm.
Harmony: The MYCII roster is bananas. I can’t think of a single name on there that I’m not at least a little excited for. I still can’t believe they managed to get Meiko Satomura. I’m very excited that she’s going to have the chance to show the WWE audience what she’s made of. Also cool to see some of my favorite talents from SHIMMER make the cut, including Aerial Monroe and Vanessa Kraven. They’re both really unique wrestlers and I think audiences are going to love them. And of course Jinny, who I’ve loved in PROGRESS and EVE for a long time. On the home-grown WWE talent side of things, I’m hoping for a good performance from Kavita Devi. Seeing her pop up in the women’s Battle Royale at WrestleMania this year was a great sign, and I am looking forward to seeing her and Bianca Belair toss each other around the ring at Full Sail next year.
Joe: Meiko Satomura. I mean, how on earth was I going to pick anyone else besides the most hard-hitting wrestler on the planet? Satomura is one of the most revered grapplers in this industry, and I never thought I’d see the day where she’d step in the ring under the WWE umbrella in some capacity. For those of you who need a recent example of just how good she is, check out her match against Kay Lee Ray at Pro Wrestling EVE’s Wrestle Queendom. I’d put that match right up there with anything we’ve seen in 2018.
Kristen: Io Shirai. Shirai was given top women’s wrestler of the year three times by Tokyo Sports, and no one needs to wonder why. She’s a deadly high flyer, but her submissions are what seals the deal for this NXT signee. Shirai’s charisma will bring much needed flair to the tournament.