Rachel Evers and Hiroyo Matsumoto square off in an extremely hard-hitting First-Round Match. Video courtesy of the award-winning WWE Network.

ORLANDO, Fla. — “Lady Godzilla” Hiroyo Matsumoto got off to a monstrous start in the Mae Young Classic, downing returning tournament competitor Rachel Evers in an intensely physical First-Round Match.

Evers put up a valiant fight, withstanding Matsumoto’s high-octane offense and a persistent attack on Evers’ ribs. The Queen of Strong Style strung together her own powerful series of moves, including a senton splash that no doubt put a smile on the face of Evers’ boyfriend, Kassius Ohno, watching at ringside.

The battle soon turned into a slugfest. After a nasty exchange of strikes, Matsumoto dumped Evers with a German suplex. Evers was ever-defiant, however, immediately standing up after the impact and getting right in Matsumoto’s face, which caused the WWE Universe to erupt in excitement.

Matsumoto seemed to admire her opponent’s spunk, but that didn’t stop her from destroying Evers with a powerbomb and her patented Rock Drop suplex. After that, the pinfall was academic. Matsumoto now moves on to the Second Round to face Toni Storm, who might want to channel her inner King Kong if she hopes to topple Lady Godzilla.