Mercedes Martinez and Ashley Rayne, two of the Mae Young Classic’s most battle-tested warriors, are set for action in a highly intriguing First-Round Match.
The Latina Sensation and The Queen Bee are bonded by similarities: Both are seasoned veterans who’ve competed around the world, and both are incredibly decorated grapplers. Combined, they’ve captured practically every women’s title on the independent scene. Yet, Martinez and Rayne are surely looking at this year’s event from very different vantage points.
Martinez excelled in last year’s Mae Young Classic, advancing all the way to the Semifinals thanks to her supremely hard-hitting ring style that is loaded with back-bending suplexes, ferocious strikes and painful submission holds. This year, she searches for redemption.
Rayne, on the other hand, is looking for validation, having never competed in a WWE ring during her 13-year career. Though she’s attained tremendous success outside of WWE, the multiskilled Queen Bee has always viewed WWE as the final destination. Against Martinez, she’ll finally get her chance to show the WWE Universe what they’ve been missing.
Which fan favorite will prevail and move on to the Second Round? Find out this Wednesday on WWE Network.