Two of the Classic's most popular competitors, Kairi Sane and Toni Storm, square off for the opportunity to advance to the tournament Final.

Kairi Sane might be smaller than almost every other woman in the Mae Young Classic, but as her Semifinal thriller against Toni Storm proved, it will take an immense beating by an elite fighter to make The Pirate Princess give up.

It was clear that Storm had her internationally acclaimed opponent well-scouted. As the Japanese sensation attempted her patented sliding forearm strike, Storm blocked it and subsequently launched Sane with a huge German suplex. When Sane went for her fabulous Diving Elbow, Storm stopped her in her tracks and caught her with a fisherman suplex for a two-count. Storm was even prepared for Sane’s blink-and-you-miss-it backfist, catching The Pirate Princess’ arm and nearly ripping it out place with a submission hold.

Mae Young Classic Episode 8 photos, featuring Semifinals matches Shayna Baszler vs. Mercedes Martinez, and Kairi Sane vs. Toni Storm.

Soon after, Storm decimated Sane with a top-rope legdrop that landed squarely on Sane’s back, but the underdog would not give in or let herself be pinned, no matter how relentless Storm was on the attack. Sane courageously backfisted her way back into action, dropping Storm with the strike and finally soaring through the air with her Diving Elbow — which, in a tit-for-tat move, landed precisely on Storm’s lower back (an area of the body that Sane had targeted when she was on the advantage.)

That was enough for Sane to clinch the win. After embracing Storm and congratulating her on a hard-fought match, Sane received flowers from Triple H, Stephanie and Amato and then approached the stage, where she stared down her opponent for the Tuesday, Sept. 12, Tournament Finale, Shayna Baszler.

Will “The Queen of Spades” Baszler, with her penchant for ripping limbs and the support of her Four Horsewomen compadres, rise to the top? Or can Kairi Sane’s technique and intestinal fortitude lead her to the biggest win of her career? Find out next Tuesday, streaming live on WWE Network!