ZEUXIS VS. IO SHIRAI
Since I unfortunately saw a spoiler the other day I know it’s Io Shirai who wins this match, but that’s the only thing I know. I can still look forward to an incredible display from these two, and early on I’m not disappointed. Zeuxis hurts Shirai’s arm and goes to work on it immediately. The crowd is firmly behind Shirai. Zeuxis shows little respect for her much-heralded opponent.
Shirai decides to beat some respect into Zeuxis, and the crowd loves it. Zeuxis turns a submission move into an awesome Michinoku Driver, but misses a moonsault, and Io Shirai drop kicks her right in the face. Shirai with a hurricanrana from the top rope, double knees to the back of the head, and a moonsault that barely catches Zeuxis’ legs. Really good match, points off for the miscalculation on the moonsault. If they weren’t pressed for time I would think they’d have Zeuxis kick out of that and try it again in a minute or two.
Match Rating: Six Gold Medals
DEONNA PURRAZZO VS. XIA LI
They keep playing up Li’s lack of experience vs. Purrazzo’s years in the ring, but Li is certainly making a great showing. “Oh snap” is certainly a phrase I never thought I’d hear Michael Cole say. Purrazzo locks in her Fujiwara Arm Bar but Li is able to turn it into a pin attempt to break the count. If I didn’t know Li was a rookie, I’d never have guessed she is due to how great she looks in this match. Both women look great. They’re also both intense, but especially Xia Li. Purrazzo is finally able to lock in her arm bar in the middle of the ring with no way for Li to escape. Purrazzo advances. Terrific match.
Match Rating: Nine Gold Medals
NICOLE MATTHEWS VS. TEGAN NOX
Matthews is MEAN. She’s beating the piss out of Nox. Nox can’t get anything going. Every comeback is thwarted until Nox uses her head. Literally, she headbutts Matthews, Cannonball, Shining Wizard, Nox wins. Short but intense match. Really enjoyable and emotional for Nox, you can see how much the crowd loves her.
Match Rating: Six Gold Medals
MIA YIM VS. KAITLYN
I can’t see this match being pretty. These are two girls who can really throw down. It’s anyone’s call who’s going to win this match. They’re still selling Yim’s hand injury when she *cringe* chopped the ring post last week. I said this match probably wouldn’t be pretty, but Kaitlyn is looking very technically sound in the early going. That is until she misses a baseball side and Yim slams the back of her leg against the apron. Yim goes right to work on the leg. She actually DDTs Kaitlyn’s leg.
Yim puts a modified Figure Four on Kaitlyn’s leg and this has become much more of a technical match than I thought it would be. Of course as I type that, both women do the ground and pound. Kaitlyn works HARD on Yim’s hand, and I almost can’t watch as Kaitlyn bends Yim’s wrist and fingers. Kaitlyn’s leg is badly bruised. Both women are favoring a body part, it’ll come down to who can better take advantage of her opponent’s injury.
Yim begs for mercy before going for a sneak attack, Kaitlyn ducks it and hits a tremendous slam for a two count. This shit is EXCITING. Yim hits Seoul Food but Kaitlyn kicks out! Dueling chants for two excellent competitors. Kaitlyn hits a brutal spear, YIM KICKS OUT! I thought it was over. She goes for a stomp on Yim’s hand, Yim counters with a knee bar, and Kaitlyn ALMOST gets to the rope, but has to tap out. THIS WAS AWESOME! I was so into this match, I knew it was going to be great, and it still exceeded my expectations. Terrific, and I hope we see more of Kaitlyn in the WWE or NXT Women’s Division.
Match Rating: Ten Gold Medals
Tonight’s Overall Show Rating: Eight Gold Medals
It's Damn True: All About WWE 