Mae Young Classic (2017)

The Mae Young Classic is a multi-night special event and tournament promoted by the American professional wrestling promotion, WWE. The tournament comprises various matches, that result from scripted storylines and have predetermined results.[1][2] It is constituted by a 32 competitor tournament exclusively for women from both NXT and the independent circuit. The inaugural tournament took place on July 13, and 14, 2017, which aired on the WWE Network on August 28 (round 1) and September 4 (round 2, quarterfinals, and semifinals), and the final match aired live on September 12, 2017, also on the WWE Network.[3] The winner of the inaugural tournament was Kairi Sane.

Mae Young Classic (2017)
Official logo
PromotionWWE
Date
  • July 13, 2017
  • July 14, 2017
  • September 12, 2017 (final)
CityWinter Park, Florida
Paradise, Nevada (final)
VenueFull Sail University
Thomas & Mack Center (final)
WWE Network event chronology
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Mae Young Classic chronology
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2018

A second tournament was scheduled for 2018.[4]

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

WWE announced that a women's tournament would be taking place in the summer of 2017 at a press conference during WrestleMania 33 weekend. There will be a total of 32 wrestlers competing.[5] The name of the event is in honor of the late WWE Hall of Famer Mae Young. It was announced on their official website that the first four wrestlers to be competing would be Sarah Logan, Lacey Evans, Princesa Sugehit, and Toni Storm.[6] The second set of names announced were Tessa Blanchard, Abbey Laith, Taynara Conti, Jazzy Gabert, and Kavita Devi.[7] On June 26, 2017, Lita and Jim Ross were announced as the commentators for the tournament.[8] The third set of names announced were Kairi Sane, Dakota Kai, Piper Niven, and Bianca Belair.[9] The fourth set of names announced were Rhea Ripley and Sage Beckett.[10] The fifth set of names announced were Kay Lee Ray and Ayesha Raymond.[11] Later in the day, Vanessa Borne qualified to the classic.[12] On July 13, 2017, 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.[13] The Mae Young Classic also featured WWE's first full-time female referee, Jessika Carr.[14]

Qualifying matches
NXT tapings – June 23 (Full Sail University – Winter Park, Florida)[15]
No. Results Stipulations
1 Bianca Belair defeated Aliyah Mae Young Classic Qualifying Match
2 Vanessa Borne defeated Jayme Hachey Mae Young Classic Qualifying Match

Participants
Wrestler Country representing Ref
Abbey Laith United States [16]
Ayesha Raymond England [17]
Bianca Belair United States [18]
Candice LeRae United States [19]
Dakota Kai New Zealand [20]
Jazzy Gabert Germany [21]
Kairi Sane Japan [22]
Kavita Devi India [23]
Kay Lee Ray Scotland [24]
Lacey Evans United States [25]
Marti Belle Dominican Republic [26]
Mercedes Martinez United States [27]
Mia Yim South Korea [28]
Miranda Salinas[Note 1] United States [29]
Nicole Savoy United States [30]
Piper Niven Scotland [31]
Princesa Sugehit Mexico [32]
Rachel Evers United States [33]
Reina González United States [34]
Renee Michelle United States [35]
Rhea Ripley Australia [36]
Sage Beckett United States [37]
Santana Garrett United States [38]
Sarah Logan United States [39]
Serena Deeb United States [40]
Shayna Baszler United States [41]
Taynara Conti Brazil [42]
Tessa Blanchard United States [43]
Toni Storm Australia [44]
Vanessa Borne United States [45]
Xia Li China [46]
Zeda China [47]
  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 Replaced before the official start of the tournament ACL injury Miranda Salinas [48]

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
Deonna Purrazzo United States
Jessica James United States
Lei'D Tapa Tonga
Nicole Matthews 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. Results Stipulations Times[49]
1 Kairi Sane defeated Shayna Baszler Mae Young Classic tournament final match 12:07

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
 
 
 Jazzy Gabert7:33[50]
 
 – Episode 5
 
 Abbey LaithPin
 
 Abbey LaithPin
 
 – Episode 2
 
 Rachel Evers4:49[51]
 
 Rachel EversPin
 
 – Episode 7
 
 Marti Belle6:10[52]
 
 Abbey Laith8:58[53]
 
 – Episode 1
 
 Mercedes MartinezPin
 
 Princesa SugehitSub
 
 – Episode 5
 
 Kay Lee Ray 6:32[50]
 
 Princesa Sugehit5:14[51]
 
 – Episode 2
 
 Mercedes MartinezPin
 
 Xia Li3:07[52]
 
 – Episode 8
 
 Mercedes MartinezSub
 
 Mercedes Martinez8:11[54]
 
 – Episode 4
 
 Shayna BaszlerSub
 
 Nicole SavoySub
 
 – Episode 6
 
 Reina González4:27[55]
 
 Nicole Savoy5:53[56]
 
 – Episode 4
 
 Candice LeRaePin
 
 Renee Michelle5:36[55]
 
 – Episode 7
 
 Candice LeRaePin
 
 Candice LeRae3:13[53]
 
 – Episode 2
 
 Shayna BaszlerSub
 
 Sarah Logan7:17[52]
 
 – Episode 6
 
 Mia YimPin
 
 Mia Yim5:39[56]
 
 – Episode 1
 
 Shayna BaszlerSub
 
 Zeda2:42[50]
 
 – Episode 9
 
 Shayna BaszlerSub
 
 Shayna Baszler12:07[57]
 
 – Episode 4
 
 Kairi SanePin
 
 Kairi SanePin
 
 – Episode 5
 
 Tessa Blanchard8:38[55]
 
 Kairi SanePin
 
 – Episode 3
 
 Bianca Belair10:00[51]
 
 Sage Beckett5:33[58]
 
 – Episode 7
 
 Bianca BelairPin
 
 Kairi SanePin
 
 – Episode 3
 
 Dakota Kai7:42[53]
 
 Dakota KaiPin
 
 – Episode 6
 
 Kavita Devi3:58[58]
 
 Dakota KaiPin
 
 – Episode 2
 
 Rhea Ripley7:03[56]
 
 Rhea RipleyPin
 
 – Episode 8
 
 Miranda Salinas3:51[52]
 
 Kairi SanePin
 
 – Episode 1
 
 Toni Storm12:23[54]
 
 Vanessa Borne6:22[50]
 
 – Episode 5
 
 Serena DeebPin
 
 Serena Deeb7:10[51]
 
 – Episode 3
 
 Piper NivenPin
 
 Santana Garrett7:10[58]
 
 – Episode 7
 
 Piper NivenPin
 
 Piper Niven7:38[53]
 
 – Episode 4
 
 Toni StormPin
 
 Taynara Conti4:41[55]
 
 – Episode 6
 
 Lacey EvansPin
 
 Lacey Evans5:07[56]
 
 – Episode 3
 
 Toni StormPin
 
 Ayesha Raymond4:27[58]
 
 
 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.[59]

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.[60] 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.[61]

On January 16, 2018, WWE announced that Candice LeRae had been signed to a contract, performing on the NXT brand.[62]

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.

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.

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