The first two nights of the MYC featured decent undercards and stellar main events. The third night had a good main event and a stellar undercard. Best night yet. This is Wrestling Thursday.
I continue to be mostly interested in women's wrestling, as far as WWE goes. In fact, here's my Hell In A Cell prediction: Becky and Charlotte will have the match of the night.
Raw
Becky! Becky! Becky!
WWE has long claimed that it listens to fans, that the fans decide who gets elevated. And, in one sense, Becky Lynch's current push is definitely proof of that. But why do they keep trying to make Becky the heel when the clear majority of fans want to root for her, and want it more the more she attacks Charlotte. Charlotte is an amazing heel. Let these women live, WWE!
NXT
Okay, FINE
I know I said I'll be focusing on women's wrestling until Evolution, but then NXT gave us a match between the guy who only has great match and the guy who's an actual video game character. The UA's interference was inevitable - I never thought WWE would want to unify the two titles up for grabs in the match - but they gave it plenty of time before, and the two delivered. There was also a great title match on 205 Live between Drew Gulak and Cedrick Alexander.
Mae Young Classic
What a night! Every match either met or exceeded expectations!
Kaitlyn vs. Kavita Devi
My love for Kaitlyn is well documented, and she looked sharp in her return match. Devi is still very much a work in progress.
Prediction: Kaitlyn
Winner: Kaitlyn
Toni Storm vs. Jinny
These two women have wrestled each other a bunch of times, and it showed. Also, they are two of the best workers in the world. This match was so crisp. The only thing that hurt it was the inevitability of Toni's win.
Prediction: Toni Storm
Winner: Toni Storm
Xia Li vs. Karen Q
I knew the Toni/Jinny match was going to be great. Everyone who knows them knew it. But my expectations for this match were much lower. And that's why it's both the upset of the night and the surprise of the night. Xia Li has spent her year in the Performance Center very, very well. She was able to absolutely hold her own against Q, who is a very good ring veteran. I am now revising my view of Xia Li's upside.
Prediction: Karen Q
Winner: Xia Li
Mia Yim vs. Allysin Kay
This night was definitely built on matchups, and the main event epitomized that. The artist formerly known as Jade and the artist formerly known as Sienna have been wrestling each other for even longer than Storm and Jinny. While Kay isn't the worker the other three are, her character work is top notch, and she brought a dramatic flair to the main event. This match had the best storytelling of the night.
Prediction: Mia Yim
Winner: Mia Yim
This was the best MYC night yet. And next week will be the WWE debut of Io Shirai. I AM HYPED.
Previous MYC coverage
Women's Wrestling Thursday: Mae Young Classic, Night 2
Mae Young Classic: First Round, Part 1
Rethinking the Mae Young Bracket
Overthinking the Mae Young Classic Parade of Champions