Rethinking the Mae Young Bracket

Three weeks ago, I wrote about the Mae Young Classic's Parade of Champions, and made very early predictions. I have remained spoiler free, and can now have a second look at my predictions, based on the recently released bracket.

I'm going to focus on the first round, and see if my predictions have changed for any of the competitors.

Meiko Satomura vs. Killer Kelly

Original predictions: Both win in the first round
Current Prediction: Meiko Satomura goes over
Well, in the very first match of the bracket, I have to change my prediction for one of these women. They can't both win. I still think Meiko goes a long way, so I'm picking her to win here.

Ashley Rayne vs. Mercedes Martinez

Original predictions: Both win in the first round
Current Prediction: Mercedes Martinez goes over
Same deal as the previous match. I thought they'd give Rayne a first round win, but I don't think she gets it against last year's semi finalist. Nor should she.

Lacey Lane vs. Vanessa Kraven

Original predictions: Both lose in the first round
Current Prediction: Vanessa Kraven goes over
I have no confidence in this prediction. Lane was featured in last night's Bracketology, and seems to be an amazing athlete. But Kraven is huge, and Lane is tiny.

Jessie Elaban vs. Taynara Conti

Original predictions: Both lose in the first round
Current prediction: Taynara Conti goes over
Elaban's persona is great, but Conti's in ring work has really improved. I think she goes over. There's time for Elaban.

Toni Storm vs. Jinny

Original predictions: Toni moves on, Jinny loses
Current prediction: Toni moves on, Jinny loses
Finally, a prediction that holds! Jinny's time will come. I absolutely believe in her. I think this is going to be a showcase match, as these women have tons of experience wrestling each other.

Rachel Evers vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto

Original predictions: Matsumoto moves on, Evers loses
Current prediction: Matsumoto moves on, Evers loses
Well, this is getting easier, for now!

Mia Yim vs. Allysin Kay

Original predictions: Both win in the first round
Current prediction: Mia Yim goes over.
Mia is signed. Mia is great. Mia is going over.

Kaitlyn vs. Kavita Devi

Original predictions: Both lose in the first round
Current prediction: Kaitlyn goes over
In hindsight, I really should have predicted a first round win for Kaitlyn.

Tegan Nox vs. Zatara

Original predictions: Nox loses, Zatara moves on
Current prediction: Nox loses, Zatara moves on
It is fairly well known that Nox got injured at some point in the tournament. So I'm just gonna say it happened here.

Isla Dawn vs. Nicole Matthews

Original predictions: Both move on
Current prediction: Matthews goes over
I had both winning two rounds in my original prediction. I'm gonna go against my own inclinations and support the favored wrestler of beloved wrestling podcast Not Your Demographic.

Rhea Ripley vs. MJ Jenkins

Original predictions: Ripley moves on, Jenkins loses
Current prediction: Ripley moves on, Jenkins loses
Well, this is easy. It seems the company really believes in Rhea Ripley. I truly hope she's improved since last year, but she's very young, so there's hope.

Kacy Catanzaro vs. Reina Gonzales

Original predictions: Both lose
Current prediction: Kacy wins
This is another huge contrast in size. Reina is gigantic. Kacy is diminutive. But Kacy is a name, and that should get her one round. Maybe.

Io Shirai vs. Xia Brookside

Original predictions: Io wins, Xia loses
Current prediction: Io wins, Xia loses
This is as close to a lock as I can think of.

Zeuxis vs. Aerial Monroe

Original predictions: Zeuxis wins. Monroe loses
Current prediction: Zeuxis wins. Monroe loses
I'm sticking with my original prediction, but this is one case where I am entirely unsure I'm right.

Deonna Purrazzo vs. Priscilla Kelly

Original predictions: Both win
Current prediction: Deonna wins
Purrazzo getting a recent NXT showcase against Bianca Belair means she's not winning, but probably getting a first round win.

Karen Q vs. Xia Li

Original predictions: Both lose
Current prediction: Karen Q goes over
While Xia Li has probably gotten better since wrestling her first match in last year's Classic, Karen Q is already there. She's going over.

I'm going to continue to cover this tournament obsessively. It is, by far, the wrestling thing I am most interested in right now.