- 7/2/2025
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00:00The stakes could not be higher for 32 proud women.
00:30As they compete in the inaugural Mae Young Classic.
00:37But at the end of the day, ladies and gentlemen,
00:41remember it's still a single elimination tournament.
00:4612 women have been eliminated.
00:5012 have advanced to the Sweet 16.
00:58Now, the eight remaining challengers will battle for the final four slots in the second round.
01:05The brackets are shaping up in the Mae Young Classic.
01:10The brazen Renee Michelle takes on the resilient Candice LeRae.
01:17Resilient submission specialist Tynara Conte will attempt to take down the valiant Lady of NXT, Lacey Evans.
01:25The queen of suplexes, Nicole Savoy, will use brute force against the technical tactician, Reyna Gonzalez.
01:34And finally, the sublime Kyrie Sane will face off against Tessa Blanchard.
01:40Eight more of the most talented women in the world will compete in a must-win environment.
01:50Tonight, on the Mae Young Classic.
01:57Tonight, on the Mae Young Classic.
02:04I am the victim.
02:07I am the fire.
02:10Love is destruction.
02:13But this war is mine.
02:15This war is mine.
02:17I am the victim.
02:22Another raucous crowd on hand here tonight at Full Sail University on the final night of round one of the historic Mae Young Classic.
02:39Welcome everybody.
02:40I am Jim Ross alongside my Hall of Fame partner, Lita.
02:43Four slots remain.
02:44They'll be decided here tonight.
02:46They are coveted spots and those women know how much it means to move forward and make their mark in the Mae Young Classic.
02:53We'll start off tonight seeing Renee Michelle take on the 15-year veteran.
03:00Candice LeRae has been waiting for this moment for so long and it is finally here.
03:09My name is Renee Michelle.
03:11I represent Washington, D.C.
03:13I'm very excited.
03:16I'm ready to put all my efforts and my hard work into all of this.
03:22I want to show that us as women can be just as good or even better than men.
03:29I have the charisma.
03:30I have the sass.
03:31I have the athleticism.
03:33I have the determination, the ambition.
03:36And I'm willing just to do almost about anything to get to what I achieve.
03:43I'm Candice LeRae and I am from Anaheim, California.
03:48To describe myself, I kind of use the term a modern day mighty mouse.
03:52I am resilient.
03:53I have no fear.
03:55I will throw myself off of whatever if it gets me the victory.
03:59I try not to use the term high flyer.
04:02I am a high risk wrestler.
04:06I think a lot of people are under the assumption that my husband, Johnny Gargano, is partly the reason I'm here.
04:13I have made it very clear to him that I want no help.
04:17Candice has been in that ring since age 16, waiting for this moment.
04:23And I want this more than anything else.
04:26The following is a first round match scheduled for one fall in MMA Young Classic with a 15 minute time limit.
04:46Making her way to the rings from Riverside, California, Candice LeRae.
04:55You know, leader Candice LeRae's enthusiasm is infectious.
05:01It sure is, JR.
05:02And there is Candice LeRae's husband, Johnny Gargano, ringside to cheer her on tonight.
05:08JR, Candice LeRae had a message for you.
05:10She wanted me to tell you.
05:15That is?
05:16She said she's tougher than you.
05:18Hey, you tell her, she's right.
05:21And her opponent, making her way to the ring from Washington, D.C., Renee Michelle.
05:35Renee Michelle's got a MMA background, very unique ethnicity she was sharing with us.
05:47She's Native American, Cuban, African American.
05:52Yeah, she rattled off a whole bunch from her background.
05:56She was rattling off a whole bunch of claims in that video package we just saw.
06:00And we got to see if she can back them off.
06:02Candice LeRae is a professional baker.
06:08So that makes her automatically here and dear to my heart.
06:11Well, she's been a professional wrestler for 15 years, and that's what matters tonight.
06:21Well, she is going to be looking to utilize Miss LeRae's Wild Ride.
06:27Now, you might have to explain what Miss LeRae's Wild Ride is, Lita.
06:31She's just, she's not going to explain it.
06:33She's going to show it to you, hopefully.
06:35We may get a chance to see it later tonight.
06:37She told us in our meeting, did Candice, that she began her fandom at six years of age.
06:44And I can relate to that.
06:46Candice grew up with her brothers watching wrestling.
06:50I mean, as far as she knows, this is all that she's ever wanted to do.
06:55And then her path leads her to marrying the wrestling.
06:59It's fates, ladies and gentlemen.
07:02So you'd think with all that glowing background information that this should be a layup for Candice LeRae.
07:08This just in, it's not.
07:15I just believe that Candice LeRae, based on what we heard, cover, is taking this much more seriously.
07:24And maybe I'm wrong than Renee Michelle.
07:27There seems to be a more sense of urgency that you would get after being a veteran for all these years, getting this opportunity.
07:39Renee Michelle is just getting her journey started.
07:42So I don't know that she can take inventory of all that's around her right now.
07:46For sure.
07:47I mean, Renee Michelle knows that this could be her opportunity to make her name tonight in this match against Candice LeRae right now.
07:54Nice.
07:59Springboard, arm drag.
08:04Candice LeRae is a, she has just got this, we talked about her personality being so infectious.
08:15Taking a chance, the missile drop kick.
08:19Quickly going for a cover, got a near fall out of that.
08:23Arm barred.
08:26Nice wide base.
08:28Perfect execution by Candice LeRae.
08:32I mean, that's that veteran move right there.
08:35Candice LeRae scouts where she, she knows where she wants to go and she knows where she needs to get to get this win tonight.
08:42Candice giving up a lot of size.
08:47Oh man.
08:48Nice.
08:49I was going to be as a face buster kick downstairs and went to the head by Renee Michelle.
08:56And Renee Michelle has confidence from her MMA background to use those kicks quite effectively.
09:06I like to see that.
09:07It looked like Renee Michelle was going to go take off and hit something else, but decided to try to go for the cover, get an opportunity while it's available.
09:15Again, the back kick gets in by Renee Michelle.
09:19The modified neck breaker.
09:21Going face first to the canvas and a near fall by the beautiful young woman from Washington, D.C.
09:31You hear the Razz ask if Candice can continue.
09:34She, she whacked her head pretty good there, but she is still in this fight.
09:41Hard roundhouse kick, a couple of them.
09:44Going for a trifecta.
09:45Whoa.
09:46Nice counter by Candice LeRae.
09:50Just found a little bit of an opening.
09:53And what that has done for Candice is buy her some time.
10:02Amazing.
10:03The enthusiasm, the level of enthusiasm for these great fans has just been amazing to me.
10:09The momentum, close line, the back elbow.
10:16Nice.
10:18Nick Bricker scored.
10:20Renee Michelle in trouble.
10:24So now it's going to be up to Candice LeRae to stay offensively focused.
10:33Nice.
10:34Look at Candice LeRae firing up.
10:35She's had enough.
10:36Referee having a little trouble containing the exuberance of Candice LeRae.
10:49Superman punch.
10:50Or maybe in this environment, Superwoman punch.
10:54The veteran follows up.
10:59Her adversary in.
11:01Low drop kick.
11:02That's about as low drop kick as I've seen.
11:04Nice.
11:05Your fall as a result of the kicks of Renee Michelle.
11:19Renee Michelle has an opening here, but she has got to capitalize.
11:29Renee willing to take a chance.
11:33Didn't pay off.
11:34And now let's see if Candice LeRae can capitalize.
11:41The expression on the face of Renee Michelle really tells a profound story of determination and consternation.
11:56Oh, look at that.
11:57Interesting way to get your opponent on the top turnbuckle.
12:02Candice LeRae may be going for that second rope neck breaker.
12:05That's it.
12:06That, JR, is Miss LeRae's wild ride.
12:11Renee Michelle did not fare well on Miss LeRae's wild ride.
12:17Johnny Gargano looking on.
12:19His wife is a winner.
12:22Everyone's waiting.
12:23You got Candice LeRae in the office pool.
12:27You win.
12:28We are the stars here.
12:31It's going to be a show.
12:34Renee Michelle taking just a little too long to be able to hit that moonsault.
12:39Gave Candice LeRae the opening she needed.
12:43And then after the near fall here, we saw Miss LeRae's wild ride.
12:50Right there.
12:51One, two, three.
12:52That's a winner.
12:53I guess anybody.
12:54That's a winner.
12:55Here is your winner, Candice LeRae.
12:57Big smile from the veteran.
12:58One step closer to reaching her last goal.
13:15And now we have it.
13:16Candice LeRae advancing on to the second round.
13:25And coming up next, ladies and gentlemen, she is a judo expert from Brazil.
13:30I guess a former Marine.
13:33Here's more about these ladies.
13:37My name is Lacey Evans, the lady of NXT.
13:40Oh, and the neck breaker here on the film.
13:43I am a wife, mother, sister.
13:45She is a former SWAT team member of the United States Marine Corps.
13:50I take pride in what women all over the world fight for daily.
13:55If any opponent looked at me and thought that I was a pushover at any second,
13:59I would know for a fact they've never seen me train.
14:02Because I've never been a pushover in my life.
14:04The only thing I pushover are tires whenever I'm working.
14:07I am hard-headed and I do not give up.
14:10Everything that I do proves to the world that it's possible.
14:14My name is Tainara Conte.
14:19I'm from Rio de Janeiro.
14:21And I'm here.
14:23I'm representing all of you.
14:25I'm the first Brazilian here.
14:28And I make history for my country.
14:31It's amazing.
14:32I don't have words.
14:34I've trained in all my life.
14:37What a prospect.
14:38Been studying Chido for 15 years.
14:41If I put my submissions in one lady,
14:45she don't have a choice.
14:46She will top out.
14:48I will use all my experience, my 15 years of struggle,
14:51to destroy each person who thinks that I can win.
15:03Hey, look who's here.
15:04Little Miss Bliss.
15:06Alexa Bliss.
15:08She likes her some Alexa Bliss now.
15:15.
15:33The following contest is scheduled for a one fall.
15:46Making your way to the ring for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tainara Conti.
15:53Tainara is simply an amazing prospect in WWE.
16:02I know that she's been on the radar a long time.
16:07As you heard in the video package, she studied high level judo 15 years.
16:16Tainara made it to the Olympic tryouts for judo.
16:20That's how good this woman is.
16:30She's proud to be representing Brazil in this tournament.
16:37From Paris Island, South Carolina, Lacey Evans.
16:44Woo!
16:45How about that?
16:46Bones gonna wrestle.
16:47He don't understand.
16:49So quite the ringside support stand, support system for Lacey Evans.
16:56Serving America as a United States Marine.
16:57And took that one step farther, Lita.
16:58She was on the SWAT team.
16:59The only female in the Marine SWAT team at her base.
17:06Well, I'll tell you, I don't know if there's such things you can't miss.
17:08But if there is, you may be seeing two of them.
17:15I like both these young women a great deal.
17:22From a professional standpoint, they've got everything you want.
17:24J.R., as you would say, they have huge upsides.
17:25Yeah, they really do.
17:26The thing that Tainara has got a battle is a little lack of experience.
17:31And the training, the Marine training that Lacey Evans has undergone has been nothing sort of extraordinary.
17:54Preparing her for life, but has it prepared her for this life.
17:59Prepared her for this life.
18:04Nice roll.
18:06And quickly into a cover.
18:11This is an interesting matchup.
18:13Both of these women highly prepared in life, but both new to the ring.
18:22Lacey dedicating this match to her daughter that we saw earlier.
18:26Yeah, getting that flag from Mom, a pretty cool deal.
18:31Let's see if Mom can win it, because it's not going to be easy.
18:35Again, there's a kick over the top, great athletic maneuver right into the cover.
18:39I like the directness of going from the big kick, big-time move, right into a pin.
18:47Lacey wasting no time.
18:50Really, there's no time to waste.
18:53I mean, we've talked about this ad nauseum.
18:55If you lose, you go home.
18:58It's a hell of a long way from here in Brazil.
19:01You can't get there from here type thing, you know?
19:05So, and Lacey Evans got family here.
19:08This is what she wants to do for the rest of her life.
19:13And all hinges around winning.
19:17Nice.
19:17Both of these women not giving each other space.
19:20And that is a good technique for both of them.
19:24Both ladies very competitive as well, as you can hear and see.
19:30Big kick by Evans going for a cover and got a near fall.
19:34Arm barred on the judo expert.
19:42You know, I was looking at, Tanara's only 22 years of age, right?
19:48She's been studying judo at a high level for 15 years.
19:52Now, even an old oaky like me can do that now.
19:54She started at seven.
19:57She wasn't playing with Barbies.
19:59Nothing wrong with that, kids.
20:00She was judo throwing people.
20:03This seems to be a logical path for Tanara Conti to make.
20:07Using this judo skill.
20:08Oh!
20:09With throws like that.
20:11Oh, what a throw!
20:12Could it be?
20:13And a kick out.
20:14Man, that caught Lacey Evans a little bit unaware.
20:19Really some straightforward but effective offense by the judo expert.
20:26I just found it unique.
20:27You look at kids around the world.
20:29They're different values, different likes and dislikes.
20:33So at seven, they're covered.
20:36This Olympic hopeful was going to judo practice every day.
20:40And using it right here with that Tominagi that we just saw from Tanara Conti to Lacey Evans.
20:44Only getting the two count but staying right on Lacey Evans.
20:53There'll never be a shortage or an issue of physicality for Tanara Conti.
20:59And at 22, she's going to get stronger and better and better.
21:04Whoa.
21:05What a takedown and a strike.
21:07You know, Lacey Evans was a drill sergeant in the Marines.
21:12She trained other Marines.
21:15Imagine how that would be in a society where you've got a primary male force and you're taking
21:20owners.
21:22There's a counter.
21:23Covered shoulders down.
21:26From a female Marine who could damn sure back it up.
21:30But this Marine's got her hands full here.
21:32The young lady from Rio.
21:43Something about Rio.
21:46For Pat Patterson won his Intercontinental title, I'm told.
21:49Nice knockdown.
21:50And now the bigger, stronger Lacey Evans has stepped up.
21:56Reasserted herself.
21:59Front face lock into a nice neck breaker.
22:04Nice move, Lacey Evans.
22:06Oh, I'll tell you, this, I see, you mentioned earlier, the upsides.
22:23Fireman Carey pick up here.
22:24Uh-oh.
22:29Look out.
22:30Oh!
22:32The impact.
22:33The legs are hooked.
22:34It's over.
22:36Man, Lacey Evans set that up.
22:40Executed what she wanted.
22:43When she finally got control back, it could bend off the judo throws.
22:48It came back to catch as catch can, and the Marine wins it.
22:52Take a long look at this, ladies and gentlemen.
22:59There's going to be a time that we're going to see in our lives where Tynera Conte is not going to have this happen often.
23:07And the other person's in here.
23:08Here's your winner, Lacey Evans.
23:11Well, our bracket continues to unfold and evolve.
23:22And Lacey Evans moves on to face Tony Storm in the second round.
23:26Wow.
23:27That's going to be a great matchup.
23:29Lacey Evans and Tony Storm and Tynera says, I won't forget this.
23:35But I guarantee you she won't.
23:38One thing we can't forget either.
23:40Tony Caruso.
23:41Thank you, JR and Lita.
23:46A big win for the all-American Lacey Evans, who moves on to face the Aussie upstart, Tony Storm.
23:53So far, 14 women have each punched their ticket to the Sweet 16, and only two slots remain.
23:59Vying for one of those slots will be Nicole Savoy, the queen of suplexes,
24:04taking on second-generation wrestler, Reyna Gonzalez,
24:08who hopes that all of her knowledge will help give her the edge in this first-round showdown.
24:16My name is Reyna Gonzalez.
24:18My dad is Rick Desperado Gonzalez.
24:20Ricky Gonzalez was a very accomplished pro wrestler.
24:24I'm a collegiate athlete.
24:25I plan on being hard-hitting and coming at them fast.
24:29I'm a six-foot athlete.
24:31My athleticism is what's going to catch them by surprise.
24:36I try to bring that strong style, hard-hitting, and give you guys just a powerhouse.
24:41I don't plan on showing any mercy when it comes to this tournament.
24:45I'm here to push through who Reyna Gonzalez is so that the whole WWE universe knows it.
24:51I'm the queen of suplexes.
25:01My name is Nicole Savoy, and I am from Sacramento, California.
25:04The queen of suplexes, Nicole Savoy!
25:09I'm a very aggressive person.
25:12When I'm not putting submissions on my opponents, I actually go for throws.
25:16It's just fun throwing bodies around the ring.
25:18Oh, I still got it!
25:20I like to talk a lot of trash.
25:22Come on, come on, Bryce!
25:24Keep your eye on this very physical, young man.
25:27Everything that I've worked for is finally paying off.
25:31I'm one of the best in the world, and it's go time.
25:35The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
25:57Making her way to the rings from Sacramento, California, Nicole Savoy!
26:03The queen of suplexes, she's had extensive MMA training, five-year pro, who said that
26:13she emulated a lot of her game to our colleague, Madhuissa.
26:19The WWE Mae Young Classic is brought to you by Rocket League, an award-winning hybrid
26:25of arcade soccer and driving.
26:27Rocket League is available now for PS4, Xbox One, and Steam PC.
26:33And her opponent, from Rio Grande Valley, Texas, Reina Gonzalez.
26:57Nice outfit.
27:00I figured you liked that.
27:01You okay with that hat?
27:02I'm good.
27:03Oh, yeah.
27:05Absolutely.
27:05No gimmicky friends.
27:08She's in the Rio Grande Valley, the same place as Michael Cole.
27:11I've heard he wears outfits like this quite often down there.
27:17Reina, seriously, is a big-time college athlete, played basketball at Sam Houston State, a legit
27:25six-footer, Texas high school All-State basketball player, built for her strength by working on
27:33a ranch.
27:34As we said, her dad is a journeyman wrestler.
27:39Good skill set, Ricky Gonzalez.
27:41But he made sure his little girl went to college first before she got in the wrestling business.
27:48Reina says she likes to pay tribute to her father when she's in the wrestling ring because
27:52he stopped pursuing his dream to be able to raise Reina as well as her sister, and she
27:59really appreciates that.
28:00Dad, Ricky Gonzalez, being a father first over his career, very admirable, quite frankly.
28:08So we'll see if young Reina can bring home the victory here against a really tough five-year
28:18pro in Nicole Savoy.
28:28Frank blocks the armbar takedown, hard slam.
28:33The one thing that Reina Gonzalez will always have going for, she's going to be bigger and
28:37stronger than most of her adversaries.
28:40There's not that many six-foot women that weigh, you know, I'm guessing around 200.
28:44She's in great shape.
28:45She's just a big, evolved athlete.
28:54You don't become a Texas high school All-Stater with average skills.
29:00It's impossible.
29:01You see Reina early on demonstrating her power, her size advantage, and Nicole Savoy is having
29:06a little bit of a problem trying to figure out how to work around that.
29:14Nicole Savoy, again, trying to knock down Reina Gonzalez, the shoulder tackle, just not working.
29:22Nicole, also another athlete, along with Shayna Baszler, trained by Josh Barnett, and a nice
29:29hurricanrana counter by Nicole Savoy, the queen of suplexes, she calls herself.
29:37That's a way to take somebody down, right?
29:39Handful of hair.
29:40Quick hair pull can stop anything, as well as a big lariat from Reina Gonzalez.
29:52Reina keeping things in her wheelhouse, exactly her pace, her skill set.
29:59She's only 26.
30:01She's still learning, putting her game together.
30:03That's why, but she's considered a great prospect.
30:07Oh.
30:08Hard kick right to the upper back.
30:12The one thing I'll say about Reina Gonzalez, I love her aggression.
30:18Very aggressive.
30:19Reina is not giving Nicole any room to hook in for any of her suplexes.
30:25Big left foot, got right in the face.
30:32Oh, sidewalk slam by Reina Gonzalez.
30:37Looking for three and almost found it.
30:42We spoke of the training earlier from Nicole Savoy by Josh Barnett, as well as she sought
30:46the expert and the veteran status of Mercedes Martinez for advice along the way in her career.
30:56Can't get too much good advice from great sources.
31:05And quickly, Reina Gonzalez finds her way out of bounds, if you will.
31:10Nicole Savoy may be having some issues with her legs.
31:19She's not moving like we thought we might see her move.
31:23She has been unable to figure out how to suplex Reina Gonzalez.
31:30Byron McCary picked up by Gonzalez.
31:37What am I going to do with her?
31:38She may be thinking.
31:40There's a double wrist lock applied by Nicole Savoy.
31:48Nicole's trying to get in there, but not able to lock anything in.
31:51Not quite in position, but she sure is now.
31:54She can get Reina Gonzalez other hand free.
32:00Cross arm breaker is the goal.
32:03Looking for the juji.
32:05But Reina's not letting go.
32:07I would say the submission really is the goal.
32:09But now she's got it.
32:11Cross arm breaker.
32:13Once it gets locked in and becomes very academic.
32:17We've seen Ronda Rousey win match after match with that same move, the cross arm breaker.
32:21Nicole Savoy moving on, but as you can see, she is favoring that right knee.
32:39Two women that will not back down.
32:42One of them is going home.
32:43Here is your winner by submission, Nicole Savoy.
32:51Nicole Savoy, as you will see, advances in our bracket.
32:56You know Candice LeRae was watching that to see who she would face.
33:01It'll be Nicole Savoy in that second round.
33:03And JR, there's only one spot left.
33:08We are excited about the final match of the first round in the Mae Young Classic.
33:13I have not heard a buzz like we have been hearing about Kairi Sane, who's featured in this next matchup.
33:20I mean, I know I am excited to see this matchup.
33:23Kairi Sane in just such a short time has been a huge sensation in Japan globally.
33:28She is here now in the Mae Young Classic.
33:30Potentially the woman to beat.
33:32And ladies and gentlemen, her opponent, certainly one of the other women to beat a third generation star.
33:38I knew her grandfather, Joe Blanchard.
33:40Her dad, Tully Blanchard, a Hall of Famer.
33:42Tessa Blanchard's got a lot to prove here in the Mae Young Classic.
33:46Now is the time to do it.
33:47We expect an outstanding matchup between these two women.
33:52When Tessa Blanchard hits that ring, she changes into a completely different person.
33:58Making her way to the ring from Charlotte, North Carolina, Tessa Blanchard.
34:06She has a lineage second to none.
34:08The daughter of none other than WWE Hall of Famer, Tully Blanchard.
34:13Tully Blanchard, you can do it all.
34:15You know, I'm so proud to be a Blanchard, to have that family name.
34:20Like, I don't want to ever be handed anything because of my last name.
34:23She's a student of the game.
34:24She grew up around the business.
34:25She knows what it takes to get it done inside the ring.
34:27I'm going to go in there, full force, and I'll do what I need to do.
34:32It's my turn to make my own name.
34:38My name is Kylie Sane.
34:41I'm only a Japanese Japanese player in this tournament.
34:47I'm a Japanese player, so I want to know more about Japanese style.
34:54I want to know more about Kylie Sane's style.
34:55I love her most pretty.
34:56I want to know more about Kylie Sane's style.
34:58I want to know more about Kylie Sane's style.
34:59It is my entire name.
35:01I want to know more about Kylie Sane.
35:04Kylie's buzz has preceded her here.
35:06She is finally in a WWE ring.
35:09I'm going to challenge this tournament as a Japanese champion.
35:16I will always be able to win this tournament.
35:19I will always be able to win this tournament.
35:22And I will always be able to win the title of 32 people.
35:26I will always be able to win the title.
35:29Let's go!
35:31Nakamura! Nakamura!
35:37There you see the charismatic superstar, Shinsuke Nakamura.
35:43And who do you think he might be pulling for in this one?
36:01The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
36:05Making her way to the rim from Tokyo, Japan.
36:09Kairi Sen!
36:13Let's go on an adventure, JR.
36:18Oh, she's a dandy pirate.
36:22Man, this is one of the most personable, sweetest young women I've ever talked to.
36:27She said please cheer for her. She said please.
36:30She did say please.
36:33But her reputation of being a global star has preceded her to the Mae Young Classic.
36:43I know that WWE officials have been looking to sign Kairi Sen for a long time.
36:52Whether that happens or not remains to be seen.
36:55But she is a superstar of significant performance.
37:00She's a superstar of significant performance.
37:03Third generation means a lot.
37:33Charlotte, North Carolina, Tessa Blanchard.
37:37We talked about the fact that Tessa's grandfather, Joe Blanchard, was an All-Big-Seven wrestling champion.
37:44You may ask, what the hell was the Big-Seven?
37:47The Big-Seven was there before the Big-12.
37:50So Joe was a wrestler at Kansas State University.
37:54Her grandpa can get it done.
37:56Her dad, Tully, Hall of Famer.
37:58And she also has been raised largely by Magnum T.A., who married her mother.
38:06She's got wrestling all around her.
38:09It seems to be the ongoing narrative with these second and third generation wrestlers.
38:14Their parents didn't want them to get into this line of business, but they went and did it on their own.
38:19And we've heard that same story from Rachel Evers and others, and we heard it from Tessa.
38:31And here we are.
38:32We're ready to go.
38:32Bell sounds.
38:34The last match of the first round of the Mae Young Classic.
38:39It is amazing to think one of these two women is not advancing.
38:44I would think both of these women would go very far in this tournament.
38:48That's a great point from the Hall of Famer.
38:50Two great ones, but one of them is going home.
38:56Cardinal Bow tie-up.
38:58Tessa got a little advantage in size.
39:00Maybe strength, I think.
39:02The experience and the uniqueness that Kyrie's saying is going to be challenging to deal with.
39:18Kyrie with almost an inquisitive look on her face, like, you would really hit me on the break, wouldn't you?
39:23I mean, both of these women are definitely feeling each other out.
39:26They know the magnitude of this match.
39:29They know one of them is going home, and neither of them wants it to be them.
39:32For those that may be wondering about Kyrie's ring attire, she's a yachts person.
39:41She's a yachtsman.
39:43She likes boating.
39:46Just thought I'd bring you folks up to date on that so you can get it.
39:54Tessa's strength will be advantage Blanchard, I think.
40:02Good counter.
40:03Nice chain wrestling by Tessa Blanchard for the hammerlock to the side headlock.
40:09And using that clinched fist there, a little liberally.
40:14You saw, as she knew what she was doing, Tessa turned her away from the referee before she used those closed fists on Kyrie.
40:22She's got a slight advantage.
40:24Kyrie with a cradle.
40:28Oh, nice.
40:31Man, that's a little blockbuster.
40:35Pretty darn impressive.
40:36The thing about Kyrie Sager we've seen on videotape is that she has amazing quickness.
40:42Very elusive.
40:43I mean, slowing her down is like trying to pour smoke through a keyhole.
40:47Good luck with that.
40:49Nice neck breaker.
40:50Oh, Tessa.
40:51Tessa scores.
40:52Go for the cover.
40:54She does.
40:55And got a three.
40:55No, she doesn't have a three.
40:58Tessa Blanchard with a pronounced near fall as Kyrie Sager holds her lower back.
41:07Oof.
41:08Nice.
41:09Oh, the innovation, the impact, the results will be a near fall.
41:22Man, both these women bringing it.
41:27Guys, take another look at this sequence.
41:30Boom.
41:30Boom.
41:31Position.
41:33Man, that.
41:34Scoops Kyrie away from the ringer.
41:36I'm just trying to get that pin.
41:38That was just a beautiful execution by Tessa Blanchard.
41:46Abdominal stretch.
41:50Kyrie, the point of the elbow to the quadricep causes some separation.
42:00Oh, Lord.
42:02Oh, that's a.
42:04Oh, hell.
42:04Oh, what a shot.
42:07Three of them.
42:08And if there was a standing eight count, would have one.
42:12Kyrie retaliates with a spear out of nowhere.
42:17That spear came from parts unknown.
42:21In downtown parts unknown.
42:25Look at the heart of Kyrie's thing.
42:27Man, I thought Kyrie was done, to be honest with you.
42:33How wrong was I?
42:35Big top.
42:37Another knife edge.
42:42Here we go.
42:47Kyrie's been in a while.
42:53Oh.
42:53Trying to march into the end of the plank.
42:56Oh.
42:56That sliding forearm shot.
42:59Kyrie's calling for the elbow already.
43:01Are we going to see this?
43:03And Kyrie may have got a little premature on advertising the elbow.
43:09He comes off with a forearm instead.
43:13The ankles are locked together and over the head of Tessa Blanchard.
43:21And these are two really smart, beautiful, powerful women.
43:30And the fans love this action.
43:33And look at this octopus hole.
43:36Submission time.
43:39Will Blanchard submit as, look at Tessa's strength and willpower.
43:44Heading to the ropes to get free.
43:47Man, the fact that one of these women is not advancing is insane.
43:51They are incredible competitors.
43:55But there's no redrawing.
43:57That's the tournament.
44:00Unpredictable nature of this tournament.
44:05Fans here.
44:06Certainly, it seems like they have acquired Kyrie as their favorite, at least a good part of them.
44:17At the moment.
44:18Yeah, you're right.
44:20Tessa maintaining wrist control to deliver those clotheslines.
44:29Back suplex.
44:32And now, going for the cover.
44:35Sensing up on that leg and got a near-faulted Tessa Blanchard.
44:38You notice both of these women, neither one of them are throwing away a pin.
44:45They are hooking deep every single time, trying to get that win, trying to get to that second round.
44:50That says a lot about this whole match and what it means to both women.
44:56And as my Hall of Fame partner has pointed out, it's a damn shame that one of them is going home.
45:03These are two of the top prospects in the whole game right here that you're seeing right now here in the Mae Young Classic.
45:10The headbutts.
45:11Kyrie saying is in jeopardy.
45:18Oh!
45:19Man, I think Kyrie was able to move away enough to maybe be able to kick out.
45:27And I guess so, Tessa did not get everything she wanted in that senton.
45:33You can see the shock on Tessa's face.
45:37She thought she had it all.
45:44She has to regroup and she has to regroup fast.
45:47Chirking on the hair.
45:48Kyrie saying, pull a carry up chain move.
45:54Hammer lock.
45:55Front face lock.
45:58Combination offense.
45:58elevation
46:03to a sunset flip
46:05counter
46:06running elbow blocked
46:13and another near fall
46:16man
46:17wow
46:19Tessa's kick was blocked
46:22by Kyrie Sane
46:24big foot right to the spine
46:26of Tessa Blanchard
46:28really a physical matchup
46:31back and forth both ladies
46:33fighting to gain an extended
46:35advantage
46:35guess what time it is
46:47sailing the seas the crowd
46:49wants that
46:50Kyrie Sane getting her
47:00her gain face on
47:02oh my god
47:04makes contact
47:05the elbow
47:06yes
47:08wow
47:10what a magnificent elbow drop
47:17man we just saw a hell of a wrestling match
47:24what a contest
47:25Kyrie Sane deserved that last spot
47:31she fought so hard
47:32for this victory
47:34it was really
47:37it came down to a
47:38one match
47:39a one whole match
47:41Kyrie got the elbow in
47:43that shut her down
47:45but
47:46Tessa Blanchard had
47:47this thing going her way
47:49Tessa makes one mistake
47:53early on
47:54there you see that
47:56big Superman punch
47:57that didn't get it done
47:59Tessa was folded up so tight
48:03still got out
48:04and then this
48:06that stiff kick
48:07right to the
48:08to the spine
48:09follows it right off
48:10with another
48:11right to the spine
48:12of Kyrie
48:13all the lower back
48:14but
48:15this was a mistake
48:16and look at the
48:19Tessa's face
48:20told the story
48:21she played her hand
48:22right there
48:23she hurt herself
48:25on the
48:25on the
48:26senton
48:26to Tessa Blanchard
48:28and then this
48:30was the result
48:31of a phenomenal
48:33gravity defying
48:36elbow drop
48:37one
48:38two
48:39three
48:40wow
48:41what a way
48:44to close out
48:44round one
48:45here is your winner
48:47Kyrie Sane
48:49so devastating
48:53you see the face
48:54of Tessa Blanchard
48:55the emotion there
48:56still giving that
48:58round of applause
48:59what a sign of
49:00sportsmanship
49:01to Kyrie Sane
49:02wow
49:06I love seeing that
49:11respect of two
49:12competitors
49:13that is so
49:14that is such a
49:15classy move
49:16Tessa is so upset
49:17right now
49:17but to be able
49:18to give props
49:19where props is due
49:20to Kyrie Sane
49:21I love that
49:22that's really good
49:27raising
49:27wow
49:27for Tessa Blanchard
49:30whose heart's been
49:32broken by
49:32Kyrie Sane
49:34whose life has
49:36changed now
49:37by winning this match
49:39here in the first round
49:41going on to face
49:43Bianca Belair
49:44who's also
49:45trying to make her name
49:47anything can happen
49:48in this Mae Young Classic
49:50as we saw tonight
49:51with Kyrie Sane's victory
49:53the Mae Young Classic
49:56is just that
49:56and a huge victory
49:57for Kyrie Sane
49:59to close out
50:00the first round
50:00and folks
50:01whatever you do
50:02keep it right here
50:03in the WWE Network
50:04for exclusive coverage
50:06of the Mae Young Classic
50:07so
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50:30you
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