Mae Young Classic
Official logo
PromotionWWE
Date
  • July 13–14, 2017
    (aired August 28 and September 4)
  • September 12, 2017 (final)
CityWinter Park, Florida
Paradise, Nevada (final)
VenueFull Sail University
Thomas & Mack Center (final)
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2018

The 2017 Mae Young Classic was a multi-night special event and tournament promoted by the American professional wrestling promotion, WWE. It was constituted by a 32-competitor tournament for women from WWE's NXT brand division and wrestlers from the independent circuit. The majority of the tournament took place at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida and was taped from July 13–14, 2017; these matches aired on the WWE Network on August 28 (round 1) and September 4 (round 2, quarterfinals, and semifinals). The tournament final match aired live on the WWE Network on September 12 and took place at the Thomas & Mack Center in Paradise, Nevada. The event was named in honor of Mae Young. The winner of the inaugural tournament was Kairi Sane.

The 2017 Mae Young Classic also featured WWE's first full-time female referee, Jessika Carr. A second edition of the tournament was held in the summer and fall of 2018.

Background

Mae Young – WWE Hall of Famer and the tournament's namesake

At a press conference during the weekend of WrestleMania 33, the American professional wrestling promotion WWE announced that a women's tournament would be taking place in the summer of 2017, with a total of 32 wrestlers competing. It was also announced that the tournament would be among wrestlers from WWE's NXT brand and wrestlers from the independent circuit.[1] The event was named in honor of the late WWE Hall of Famer Mae Young, who is considered a pioneer of women's wrestling. The first four wrestlers announced to be competing were Sarah Logan, Lacey Evans, Princesa Sugehit, and Toni Storm,[2] with the rest revealed in the weeks leading up to the event.[3][4][5][6][7] On June 26, Hall of Famers Lita and Jim Ross were announced as the commentators for the tournament.[8]

On July 13, WWE held the Mae Young Classic: Parade of Champions, a pre-tournament event streamed live on YouTube and Facebook and revealed the remaining tournament participants.[9] The Mae Young Classic also featured WWE's first full-time female referee, Jessika Carr.[10] Round 1 up through the semifinals of the tournament were taped at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida on July 13 and 14 and aired on the WWE Network on August 28 (round 1) and September 4 (round 2, quarterfinals, and semifinals). The tournament final match aired live on September 12 from the Thomas & Mack Center in Paradise, Nevada, and was also streamed on the WWE Network.[11]

Qualifying matches

The tournament consisted of various matches that resulted from scripted storylines and had predetermined results.[12][13]

NXT tapings – June 23 (Full Sail University – Winter Park, Florida)[14]
No.ResultsStipulations
1Bianca Belair defeated AliyahMae Young Classic Qualifying Match
2Vanessa Borne defeated Jayme HacheyMae Young Classic Qualifying Match

Participants

Wrestler Country representing Ref
Abbey Laith United States United States [15]
Ayesha Raymond England England [16]
Bianca Belair United States United States [17]
Candice LeRae United States United States [18]
Dakota Kai New Zealand New Zealand [19]
Jazzy Gabert Germany Germany [20]
Kairi Sane Japan Japan [21]
Kavita Devi India India [22]
Kay Lee Ray Scotland Scotland [23]
Lacey Evans United States United States [24]
Marti Belle Dominican Republic Dominican Republic [25]
Mercedes Martinez United States United States [26]
Mia Yim South Korea South Korea [27]
Miranda Salinas [Note 1] United States United States [28]
Nicole Savoy United States United States [29]
Piper Niven Scotland Scotland [30]
Princesa Sugehit Mexico Mexico [31]
Rachel Evers United States United States [32]
Reina González United States United States [33]
Renee Michelle United States United States [34]
Rhea Ripley Australia Australia [35]
Sage Beckett United States United States [36]
Santana Garrett United States United States [37]
Sarah Logan United States United States [38]
Serena Deeb United States United States [39]
Shayna Baszler United States United States [40]
Taynara Conti Brazil Brazil [41]
Tessa Blanchard United States United States [42]
Toni Storm Australia Australia [43]
Vanessa Borne United States United States [44]
Xia Li China China [45]
Zeda China China [46]
  1. ↑ This competitor is a replacement for another participant who was taken out of the tournament.

Replaced

This participant was taken out of the tournament for a specific reason and therefore was replaced by another competitor.

Wrestler Country representing Progression in the tournament Reason Replacing wrestler Ref
Nixon Newell Wales Wales Replaced before the official start of the tournament ACL injury United States Miranda Salinas [47]

Alternates

If any of the official participants had suffered an injury, they would have been replaced by one of the following wrestlers:

Wrestler Country representing
Barbi Hayden United States United States
Deonna Purrazzo United States United States
Jessica James United States United States
Lei'D Tapa Tonga Tonga
Nicole Matthews Canada Canada

Broadcast team

Ring name Real name Notes
Alundra Blayze Debrah Miceli Backstage interviewer
Hall of Famer
Dasha Fuentes Dasha Kuret Ring announcer
Jim Ross James Ross Lead commentator
Hall of Famer
Lita Amy Dumas Color commentator
Hall of Famer
Lilian Garcia Lilian Garcia Ring announcer (finals)

Referees

Ring name Real name Notes
Eddie Orengo Eddie Orengo
Jessika Carr Jessika Heiser
Danilo Anfibio Danilo Anfibio
Darryl Sharma Darryl Sharma
D.A. Brewer Antoine Brewer

Results

Finale

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes[48]
1Kairi Sane defeated Shayna BaszlerMae Young Classic tournament final match12:07

Tournament bracket

The following time limits were in place:

  • Round one: 15 minutes
  • Round two: 20 minutes
  • Quarterfinals: 25 minutes
  • Semifinals: 30 minutes
  • Final: No time limit
 
Round of 32
Taped July 13
Aired August 28		Round of 16
Taped July 14
Aired September 4		Quarterfinals
Taped July 14
Aired September 4		Semifinals
Taped July 14
Aired September 4		Final
Live on September 12
 
                  
 
 – Episode 1
 
 
Germany Jazzy Gabert7:33[49]
 
 – Episode 5
 
United States Abbey LaithPin
 
United States Abbey LaithPin
 
 – Episode 2
 
United States Rachel Evers4:49[50]
 
United States Rachel EversPin
 
 – Episode 7
 
Dominican Republic Marti Belle6:10[51]
 
United States Abbey Laith8:58[52]
 
 – Episode 1
 
United States Mercedes MartinezPin
 
Mexico Princesa SugehitSub
 
 – Episode 5
 
Scotland Kay Lee Ray 6:32[49]
 
Mexico Princesa Sugehit5:14[50]
 
 – Episode 2
 
United States Mercedes MartinezPin
 
China Xia Li3:07[51]
 
 – Episode 8
 
United States Mercedes MartinezSub
 
United States Mercedes Martinez8:11[53]
 
 – Episode 4
 
United States Shayna BaszlerSub
 
United States Nicole SavoySub
 
 – Episode 6
 
United States Reina González4:27[54]
 
United States Nicole Savoy5:53[55]
 
 – Episode 4
 
United States Candice LeRaePin
 
United States Renee Michelle5:36[54]
 
 – Episode 7
 
United States Candice LeRaePin
 
United States Candice LeRae3:13[52]
 
 – Episode 2
 
United States Shayna BaszlerSub
 
United States Sarah Logan7:17[51]
 
 – Episode 6
 
South Korea Mia YimPin
 
South Korea Mia Yim5:39[55]
 
 – Episode 1
 
United States Shayna BaszlerSub
 
China Zeda2:42[49]
 
 – Episode 9
 
United States Shayna BaszlerSub
 
United States Shayna Baszler12:07[56]
 
 – Episode 4
 
Japan Kairi SanePin
 
Japan Kairi SanePin
 
 – Episode 5
 
United States Tessa Blanchard8:38[54]
 
Japan Kairi SanePin
 
 – Episode 3
 
United States Bianca Belair10:00[50]
 
United States Sage Beckett5:33[57]
 
 – Episode 7
 
United States Bianca BelairPin
 
Japan Kairi SanePin
 
 – Episode 3
 
New Zealand Dakota Kai7:42[52]
 
New Zealand Dakota KaiPin
 
 – Episode 6
 
India Kavita Devi3:58[57]
 
New Zealand Dakota KaiPin
 
 – Episode 2
 
Australia Rhea Ripley7:03[55]
 
Australia Rhea RipleyPin
 
 – Episode 8
 
United States Miranda Salinas3:51[51]
 
Japan Kairi SanePin
 
 – Episode 1
 
Australia Toni Storm12:23[53]
 
United States Vanessa Borne6:22[49]
 
 – Episode 5
 
United States Serena DeebPin
 
United States Serena Deeb7:10[50]
 
 – Episode 3
 
Scotland Piper NivenPin
 
United States Santana Garrett7:10[57]
 
 – Episode 7
 
Scotland Piper NivenPin
 
Scotland Piper Niven7:38[52]
 
 – Episode 4
 
Australia Toni StormPin
 
Brazil Taynara Conti4:41[54]
 
 – Episode 6
 
United States Lacey EvansPin
 
United States Lacey Evans5:07[55]
 
 – Episode 3
 
Australia Toni StormPin
 
England Ayesha Raymond4:27[57]
 
 
Australia Toni StormPin
 

Aftermath

Performers on the tournament such as Bianca Belair, Dakota Kai, winner Kairi Sane, Lacey Evans, Reina González, Rhea Ripley, Sarah Logan, Taynara Conti, Vanessa Borne, Xia Li already had signed contracts with the company. Nixon Newell, who missed the tournament due to injury, also already signed a contract with the company.[58]

On October 3, WWE officially announced that finalist Shayna Baszler had signed a contract with the company and started training at the WWE Performance Center.[59] On October 15, 2017, WWE announced that performer Kavita Devi had signed a contract, and will start training at their Performance Center in January 2018.[60]

On January 16, 2018, WWE announced that Candice LeRae had been signed to a contract, performing on the NXT brand.[61]

On February 8, 2018, WWE announced that Serena Deeb had been signed by WWE to become a coach at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

On March 8, 2018, WWE officially announced that Abbey Laith and Sage Beckett were released from their NXT contracts.

In April 2018, a second Mae Young Classic tournament was scheduled for later that year.[62]

On May 31, 2018, WWE announced that Deonna Purrazzo had been signed to a contract by WWE and will be performing in their developmental territory NXT.

On June 2, 2018, Zeda was released from her NXT contract.

Rhea Ripley, Rachel Evers, Xia Li, Mercedes Martinez, Taynara Conti, Kavita Devi, Reina González, Toni Storm, alternate Deonna Purrazzo, and Nixon Newell (under the ring name Tegan Nox) all competed in the 2018 Mae Young Classic tournament.

On January 12, 2019, Toni Storm defeated Rhea Ripley to win the NXT UK Women's Championship.

On February 27, 2019, WWE announced that Kay Lee Ray and Jazzy Gabert had been signed to a contract by WWE and will be performing in their NXT UK.[63]

On March 27, 2019 , WWE announced that Piper Niven had been signed to a contract by WWE and will be performing in their NXT UK.

On August 14, 2019, WWE announced that Santana Garrett had been signed to a contract by WWE and will be performing in their developmental territory NXT.[64]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "WWE announces 32-competitor Women's Tournament coming to WWE Network this summer". WWE. April 1, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  2. ↑ "First competitors revealed for WWE's Mae Young Classic". WWE. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  3. ↑ "International powerhouses, Performance Center standouts and third-generation grappler named to Mae Young Classic". WWE. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Mae Young Classic field widens with addition of international sensations, including Japan's Kairi Sane". WWE. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  5. ↑ "20-year-old Australian phenom, Team 3-D Academy alumna added to Mae Young Classic". WWE. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Kay Lee Ray and Ayesha Raymond added to Mae Young Classic". WWE. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Vanessa Borne joins Mae Young Classic after winning Qualifying Match on NXT". WWE. July 12, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Jim Ross and Lita to announce the Mae Young Classic, streaming exclusively on WWE Network starting Monday, Aug. 28". WWE. June 26, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Mae Young Classic competitors announced at Parade of Champions". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  10. ↑ "Meet Jessika Carr, WWE's First Full-Time Referee". WWE. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  11. ↑ "WWE announces Mae Young Classic women's tournament to be held at Full Sail Live July 13 and 14". WWE. May 23, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  12. ↑ Grabianowski, Ed. "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on November 22, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Mae Young Classic Competitors Qualify At NXT Taping". www.prowrestlingsheet.com. 24 June 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Abbey Laith". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Ayesha Raymond". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Bianca Belair". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Candice LeRae". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Dakota Kai". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Jazzy Gabert". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Kairi Sane". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Kavita Devi". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Kay Lee Ray". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Lacey Evans". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Marti Belle". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Mercedes Martinez". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  27. ↑ "Mia Yim". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Miranda Salinas". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Nicole Savoy". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  30. ↑ "Piper Niven". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Princesa Sugehit". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Rachel Evers". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Reina González". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Renee Michelle". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  35. ↑ "Rhea Ripley". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  36. ↑ "Sage Beckett". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  37. ↑ "Santana Garrett". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  38. ↑ "Sarah Logan". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  39. ↑ "Serena Deeb". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  40. ↑ "Shayna Baszler". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  41. ↑ "Taynara Conti". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  42. ↑ "Tessa Blanchard". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  43. ↑ "Toni Storm". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  44. ↑ "Vanessa Borne". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  45. ↑ "Xia Li". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  46. ↑ "Zeda". WWE. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  47. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (July 11, 2017). "Several names expected for WWE Mae Young Classic". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  48. ↑ "WWE Mae Young Classic taping spoilers: The finals are set". WON/F4W – WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, UFC News, UFC results. July 14, 2017.
  49. 1 2 3 4 Powell, Jason (28 August 2017). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic Review: Episode One featuring first-round matches (spoilers)". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  50. 1 2 3 4 Powell, Jason (5 September 2017). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic Review: Episode Five featuring second round tournament matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  51. 1 2 3 4 Powell, Jason (28 August 2017). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic Review: Episode Two featuring Sarah Logan vs. Mia Yim, Mercedes Martinez vs. Xia Li, Miranda Salinas vs. Rhea Ripley, and Marti Bell vs. Rachel Evers". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  52. 1 2 3 4 Powell, Jason (5 September 2017). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic Review: Episode Seven featuring the four quarterfinal tournament matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  53. 1 2 Powell, Jason (5 September 2017). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic Review: Episode Eight featuring the semifinal tournament matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  54. 1 2 3 4 Powell, Jason (28 August 2017). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic Review: Episode Four with Kairi Sane vs. Tessa Blanchard, Candice LeRae vs. Renee Michelle, Taynara Conti vs. Lacey Evans, and Nicole Savoy vs. Reina Gonzalez". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  55. 1 2 3 4 Powell, Jason (5 September 2017). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic Review: Episode Six featuring the final second round tournament matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  56. ↑ Powell, Jason. "9/12 Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic Finals Review: The tournament finals". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  57. 1 2 3 4 Powell, Jason (28 August 2017). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic Review: Episode Three featuring Ayesha Raymond vs. Toni Storm, Kavita Devi vs. Dakota Kai, Bianca Belair vs. Sage Beckett, and Santana Garrett vs. Piper Nevin". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  58. ↑ Steven, Fernandes (April 1, 2017). "WWE ANNOUNCES ARRIVAL OF FIVE NEW FEMALE TALENTS". PWInsider. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  59. ↑ Currier, Joseph (October 3, 2017). "WWE officially confirms the signing of Shayna Baszler". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  60. ↑ "WWE signs first female talent from India and the Middle East to developmental contracts". WWE. October 15, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  61. ↑ "WWE signs Candice LeRae". WWE. January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  62. ↑ "WWE Announces 2nd Annual Mae Young Classic, King Of The Ring United Kingdom Tournament". Wrestle Zone. April 6, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  63. ↑ "WWE NXT UK Announces Signings Of Ilja Dragunov, Kay Lee Ray, Jazzy Gabert | Fightful Wrestling". www.fightful.com. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
  64. ↑ "Evolve champ, Mae Young Classic veteran headline new WWE signing class". Cageside Seats. 14 August 2019. Retrieved 2019-08-14.
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