WWE Mae Young Classic 2018 Preview And Predictions Roundtable
By Harmony Cox
Who do you think is going to the finals?
Ashley: Meiko Satomura vs. Io Shirai. It’s a great legacy match since Meiko might be the last person who performed in WCW to ever perform in a WWE ring and it gives at least some history there in time for Evolution. Plus, I’m fairly certain that match would hit so hard it would hurt *me* and that somehow makes me want it more.
Chelsea: Toni Storm is going to the finals without a doubt. She has a spunk and resilience that will take her very, very far in this company. She’s also challenged for the NXT Women’s Championship before, so you have to believe that’s giving her some (well-deserved) confidence going into MYCII. Not to mention, anyone who incorporates a dead-on headbutt into their move set is pretty special.
Christopher: Historically, WWE has put wrestlers they have signed through to the Finals (this was why TJP won the CWC instead of Kota Ibushi or Zack Sabre Jr., for example), so I think they’ll go this route again. Io Shirai seems like a safe bet to reach the finals from her side of the bracket. As a recent signee, I could see WWE using this tournament to get her push started on the right foot. The other side of the draw is a bit more wide open since the most recognizable stars aren’t under contract and thus are susceptible to upsets. I think Mercedes Martinez will face Shirai in the finals, setting up an interesting clash.
Harmony: I’m going to stick with my earlier prediction that it’s going to be Io Shirai vs Toni Storm. Shirai is a super high-profile signing for WWE, and Storm is being set up to be a big force in WWE UK. These two have had at least one awesome match at STARDOM and I don’t see WWE turning down the chance to put on a show like that at Evolution.
In my dreams the finals would be Meiko Satomura vs Mia Yim. I think they’re both incredible and I would love to see them throw down in front of a WWE audience. But Satomura would never take a WWE contract while Sendai Girls is still kicking, so I’m not getting my hopes up.
Joe: I’m going to go with the match that I initially predicted back in July. Deonna Purrazzo vs. Io Shirai, with Deonna pulling off the upset and immediately becoming a big star. Now that I’ve seen her lose to Bianca Belair on NXT, I’m second-guessing this and might go with Toni Storm vs. Meiko, but you know what? I’ll be a fool and stick to my guns with Purrazzo/Shirai.
Kristen: Io Shirai and Meiko Satomura. Shirai has the stamina, and Satomura has the strong style. Satomura has the highest available ranking in Japan (Yokozuna), with a 23-year career, so it’s no stretch to assume she’ll make it at least close to the final bout. Her Death Valley Driver will ensure her string of wins. Shirai is just too athletic and talented not to expect to see at the end.