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Mercedes Martinez nearly won the first WWE Mae Young Classic last year. She pioneered her way up to the semifinal of the 32 women's championship before falling to current NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler
This year, the "Latina Sensation" will come back for finish what she started.
win everything. I came close last year, I lost to a good friend of mine. It's the year to bring her home, there is no way to stop, "Martinez told Newsweek in an exclusive interview. "I have a lot to prove, and I still prove myself no matter how many years I am in this business."
Wrestling independently and working overseas throughout his 18 – year career, last year 's event was Martinez' s fate spell at WWE. But when the 2018 Mae Young Classic will be recorded August 8 and 9 on Full Sail Live in Orlando, the eyes will be even more focused on the native of Connecticut. For Martinez, the stakes are high
"There is a lot of pressure, there is always pressure, I think the pressure is now to make sure that I am ready and all that I am doing I did last year, I bring 100 percent more, "she said." I'm going into the semi-finals with Shayna, it just solidifies that Mercedes can go . There is a lot of pressure for me to go to the finals and win this year. So I do not take it very lightly. No matter who is in front of me, I'm ready to go out there and improve my game 10 times more than last year. I proved last year that I could travel the distance, and that 's the year when I have to take her home, whatever happens. I'm ready. "
Mercedes's fighting career began in 2000 after suffering a basketball injury in college, and after making the transition to wrestling, she traveled the world. , fighting in various promotions like Shimmer, Ring of Honor and Shine (where she still wrestles) against the most talented wrestlers on the planet, capturing several titles along the way
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But the Mae Young Classic means a lot to the native of Connecticut, for her it shows how much the struggle of women has come into the mainstream.
"For the last 18 years, i've worked It's so hard to be known as a wrestler, and not for the T and A aspect, but for my real ability to fight, my talent and my skills, "said Martinez. "With Mae Young in her second year, it proves that women can go as hard as men, we are our own entity, we deserve respect and we want respect, the public sees us as athletes and not just an attraction. "
Since the first Mae Young, Martinez sees a growing respect for the female wrestling. Her independent bookings have "skyrocketed", she is the leading event show and there is a growing sense that fans want to see women on the front line by focusing on their skills in the ring
" [The WWE] A few years ago, but the revolution began a long time ago, but now it's the mainstream and everyone can see the women's struggle for what it is. I am happy to be part of this trip. "
This trip means more for Martinez than just putting on the matches of the main event and personal success. She continues to use her experience to help other women in and out of the ring. Martinez works to develop new talent in promotions like Rise, watch and criticize matches, acting as an agent, essentially trying to help wherever she can. And she does not intend to stop sharing her wisdom when this year's tournament begins.
"With all the new talents and names coming into the Mae Young, I'm here," Martinez said. "It does not matter if it's a competition, they want my advice or they just want to let off steam, I want to be listening, I'm here whatever it is Come on … As a veteran in this field, our role is to help shape these girls the right way, be it at WWE, overseas, in Japan .I am there and s & They want it, take it. "
Meanwhile, Latina's Sensation continues to work to win the tournament, and is already targeting some of the confirmed participants.
I am very excited for Jinny, whom I have been watching for two years. His hard-hitting style and aggression will make us feel great, "said Martinez." For Kaitlyn, I know she's coached in Miami, so I'm excited to see her come back and see what's going on. " She can do it. Even Io Shirai, whom I hoped to have the chance to fight before falling into the hands of Stardom in the United States. It's a core of very talented women, but there are new faces, new talents. I have to work ten times stronger than young males. "
Martinez is proud of the diversity of the profiles of competitors of Mae Young this year, but also recognizes the potential obstacles that may arise.
"I am a Puerto Rican and we are sort of embraced in the sense of" Luchador ". he. I do not wear a mask, I am not a big traveler, but we are stereotyped, "said Mercedes. "I want to be sure of my fight and everything I do, I represent Puerto Rico, I want everyone to understand that all Hispanics can not fly high, we are also here to throw and do the work. goal is to be a model, and I am very happy and proud to represent Puerto Rico and women. "
Although she considers the Mae Young Classic as a great first step for women's wrestling in the mainstream, Martinez feels the WWE can "take a step in advance".
"I hope that there will be an all-female show for the WWE. Not just a tournament or a special occasion, but perhaps a weekly thing that is just women's wrestling. That's what we miss, "said Martinez." We just do not want to be an attraction, we do not just want to make the main event a "pay-per-view" … we want to be THE show. We want men to be the attraction for once. "
Mae Young Classic 2018 is recording August 8th and 9th at Full Sail Live in Orlando, and will air later this summer on WWE Network.
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