Tegan Nox vs. Zatara
After a traditional hand-shake, things start off with both women trading wrist locks. Zatara tries to take Nox down with low kicks but Nox kips up every time. Nox manages to slip behind but Zatara shoves her away. She lands a kick to the midsection and tosses Nox to a corner.
Zatara charges towards the corner but Nox dodges out the way and lands some offense with arm drags, a head scissors takedown and a dropkick combination. Zatara slips to the outside, which triggers Nox to run the ropes for a fake-out flying attack. Zatara re-enters the ring and extends the hand for another handshake but instead uses the moment to actually land a kick to the midsection. Zatara takes control with a running knee strike to the head and then a dropkick for a two count.
From a corner, Zatara begins to target Nox’s right knee, wrenching it using the ring’s ropes and landing a dropkick on it. Back in the center of the ring, Zatara continues to focus on Nox’s right knee, locking up her legs together for a Death Lock but Nox quickly heads to the ropes to force a break.
Nox ducks a clothesline and lands a fury of forearms and uppercuts to Zatara. From the ring apron, Nox lands a high kick and then climbs the top turnbuckle for a top rope crossbody that earns her a near fall. After countering a running attack with a boot to the face, Zatara climbs the top rope and hits a missile dropkick that sends Nox to a corner. Zatara follows up with the running knees for a two count.
Zatara runs the ropes once more but misses her attack, giving Nox an open window to hit the Shining Wizard for the three count and win!
Post-match, Nox is holding in her emotions but promises to make this year the shiniest one ever. She has full intention of winning the entire tournament and is ready for her next opponent, whoever it may be.
Thoughts: This was a fun start match for the Mae Young Classic. I’m not familiar with Zatara at all but I’m here for anytime we can be introduced to diverse talents from across the world, which frankly this episode was really about.
While I’m happy to see Nox be given this second chance at redemption, knowing that news of her injury is already out there put a damper to the story telling during this match and in the weeks coming weeke that lie ahead.
