Mae Young Classic
Official logo
Date
  • August 8–9, 2018
    (aired September 5 – October 4)
  • October 28, 2018 (final)
CityWinter Park, Florida
Uniondale, New York (final)
VenueFull Sail University
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum (final)
Mae Young Classic chronology
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The 2018 Mae Young Classic was a multi-night special event and tournament promoted by the American professional wrestling promotion, WWE. It was the second Mae Young Classic tournament produced and was constituted by a 32-competitor tournament exclusively for women from WWE's NXT brand division and wrestlers from the independent circuit. The tournament took place at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida and was taped on August 8–9, 2018 and aired on the WWE Network from September 5 to October 4 (round 1, round 2, quarterfinals, and semifinals). The tournament final match aired live as part of WWE's all-female pay-per-view Evolution, which was held on October 28 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The winner of this second tournament was Toni Storm.

Background

In 2017, the American professional wrestling promotion WWE held a 32-woman tournament called the Mae Young Classic. It involved wrestlers from WWE's NXT brand and wrestlers from the independent circuit. The event was named in honor of the late WWE Hall of Famer Mae Young, who is considered a pioneer of women's wrestling.[1] In April 2018, WWE announced a second Mae Young Classic tournament, following up on the 2017 tournament.[2]

On June 22, 2018, WWE confirmed the tournament would once again have 32 competitors from NXT and the independent circuit, with the event being held at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida on August 8–9.[3] On July 12, the first two competitors for the 2018 tournament were announced as Kaitlyn and Rhea Ripley.[4] The tournament final match was scheduled to be held as part of WWE's all-female pay-per-view Evolution, taking place on October 28 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.[5]

On August 8, it was announced that the show would air every Wednesday on the WWE Network immediately after NXT, beginning September 5.[6] Beth Phoenix, Renee Young, and Michael Cole were confirmed as the commentators for the event.[7] In addition, the week prior to the first episode, WWE Network aired a bracketology special.[8]

Qualifying match

NXT tapings – July 18 (Full Sail University – Winter Park, Florida)[9]
No.ResultsStipulations
1Taynara Conti defeated Vanessa BorneMae Young Classic Final Spot Qualifying Match

Participants

Wrestler Country representing Ref
Aerial Monroe United States United States [10]
Allysin Kay United States United States [11]
Ashley Rayne United States United States [12]
Deonna Purrazzo United States United States [13]
Hiroyo Matsumoto Japan Japan [10]
Io Shirai Japan Japan [14]
Isla Dawn Scotland Scotland [15]
Jessie Elaban United States United States [16]
Jinny England England [14]
Kacy Catanzaro United States United States [14]
Kaitlyn United States United States [17]
Karen Q United States United States [15]
Kavita Devi India India [18]
Killer Kelly Portugal Portugal [19]
Lacey Lane United States United States [15]
MJ Jenkins United States United States [11]
Meiko Satomura Japan Japan [20]
Mercedes Martinez United States United States [19]
Mia Yim United States United States [19]
Nicole Matthews Canada Canada [14]
Priscilla Kelly United States United States [12]
Rachel Evers United States United States [11]
Reina González United States United States [16]
Rhea Ripley Australia Australia [21]
Taynara Conti Brazil Brazil [9]
Tegan Nox Wales Wales [16]
Toni Storm New Zealand New Zealand [16]
Vanessa Kraven Canada Canada [10]
Xia Brookside England England [12]
Xia Li China China [11]
Zatara Chile Chile [11]
Zeuxis Puerto Rico Puerto Rico [15]

Broadcast team

Ring name Real name Notes[22]
Beth Phoenix Elizabeth Kociański Color commentator
Hall of Famer
Cathy Kelley Catherine Kelley Backstage interviewer
Kayla Braxton Kayla Becker Ring announcer
Michael Cole Michael Coulthard Lead commentator
Renee Young Renee Paquette Color commentator
Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber Backstage interviewer
Shadia Bseiso Shadia Bseiso Backstage interviewer

Tournament bracket

The following time limits were in place:

  • Round One: 15 minutes
  • Round Two: 20 minutes
  • Round Three: 25 minutes
 
Round of 32
(Taped August 8)
(Aired September 5, 12, 19, 26)		Round of 16
(Taped August 9)
(Aired October 3, 10)		Quarterfinals
(Taped August 9)
(Aired October 17)		Semifinals
(Taped August 9)
(Aired October 24)		Final
(October 28)
 
                  
 
 – Episode 1
 
 
 Japan Meiko Satomura Pin
 
 – Episode 5
 
Portugal Killer Kelly 7:41[23]
 
Japan Meiko Satomura Pin
 
 – Episode 2
 
 United States Mercedes Martinez 11:32[24]
 
 United States Ashley Rayne 7:31[25]
 
 – Episode 7
 
United States Mercedes Martinez Pin
 
Japan Meiko Satomura Pin
 
 – Episode 1
 
 United States Lacey Lane 4:34[26]
 
 United States Lacey Lane Pin
 
 – Episode 5
 
Canada Vanessa Kraven 4:50[23]
 
United States Lacey LanePin
 
 – Episode 4
 
Brazil Taynara Conti2:38[24]
 
 Brazil Taynara Conti Pin
 
 – Episode 8
 
United States Jessie Elaban 4:44[27]
 
 Japan Meiko Satomura 13:05[28]
 
 – Episode 3
 
 New Zealand Toni Storm Pin
 
 New Zealand Toni Storm Pin
 
 – Episode 5
 
England Jinny 7:08[29]
 
 New Zealand Toni Storm Pin
 
 – Episode 4
 
Japan Hiroyo Matsumoto 9:17[24]
 
 United States Rachel Evers 9:47[27]
 
 – Episode 7
 
 Japan Hiroyo Matsumoto Pin
 
 New Zealand Toni Storm Pin
 
 – Episode 3
 
 South Korea Mia Yim 8:25[26]
 
 South Korea Mia Yim Pin
 
 – Episode 6
 
 United States Allysin Kay 9:39[29]
 
South Korea Mia YimSub
 
 – Episode 3
 
United States Kaitlyn7:09[30]
 
United States Kaitlyn Pin
 
 – WWE Evolution
 
India Kavita Devi 4:08[29]
 
 New Zealand Toni Storm Pin
 
 – Episode 1
 
 Japan Io Shirai10:20[31]
 
 Wales Tegan Nox Pin
 
 – Episode 6
 
 Chile Zatara 6:10[23]
 
 Wales Tegan Nox Pin
 
 – Episode 4
 
 Canada Nicole Matthews3:45[30]
 
 Scotland Isla Dawn 7:20[27]
 
 – Episode 7
 
 Canada Nicole Matthews Sub
 
 Wales Tegan Nox 3:14[26]
 
 – Episode 1
 
 Australia Rhea Ripley KO
 
 Australia Rhea Ripley Pin
 
 – Episode 5
 
United States MJ Jenkins 7:41[23]
 
 Australia Rhea Ripley Pin
 
 – Episode 2
 
 United States Kacy Catanzaro7:04[24]
 
 United States Kacy Catanzaro Pin
 
 – Episode 8
 
 United States Reina González 4:46[25]
 
 Australia Rhea Ripley 12:52[28]
 
 – Episode 4
 
 Japan Io Shirai Pin
 
 Japan Io Shirai Pin
 
 – Episode 6
 
England Xia Brookside 3:16[27]
 
 Japan Io Shirai Pin
 
 – Episode 2
 
 Mexico Zeuxis6:06[30]
 
 Puerto Rico ZeuxisPin
 
 – Episode 7
 
United States Aerial Monroe5:06[25]
 
 Japan Io Shirai Pin
 
 – Episode 2
 
 United States Deonna Purrazzo 8:44[26]
 
United States Deonna PurrazzoSub
 
 – Episode 6
 
United States Priscilla Kelly4:28[25]
 
 United States Deonna Purrazzo Sub
 
 – Episode 3
 
China Xia Li5:45[30]
 
United States Karen Q4:21[29]
 
 
China Xia LiPin
 

Aftermath

Performers on the tournament such as Deonna Purrazzo, Io Shirai, Jessie Elaban, Kacy Catanzaro, Kavita Devi, Lacey Lane, MJ Jenkins, Reina González, Rhea Ripley, Taynara Conti, Tegan Nox, and Xia Li already had signed contracts with the company. While Xia Brookside, Isla Dawn, Jinny, Killer Kelly, and winner Toni Storm had signed contracts with the company, performing on the NXT UK brand.

On August 25, 2018, Rhea Ripley started competing on the NXT UK brand, where she would eventually become the inaugural NXT UK Women's Champion.[32]

On October 18, 2018, WWE announced that Mia Yim had been signed to a contract, performing on the NXT and NXT UK brand.[33]

In February 2019, WWE announced that Rachael Ellering and Karen Q signed to contract and training at the WWE Performance Center.

In November 2019, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) announced that Big Swole (Aerial Monroe during the Mae Young Classic) signed with the company.

In January 2020, WWE announced that Mercedes Martinez signed to contract WWE Performance Center.

On April 15, 2020, Deonna Purrazzo was released from her contract. Two days later, Taynara Conti and M.J Jenkins were also released from their contract as part of budget cuts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On January 20, 2021, NXT announced they had signed Priscilla Kelly, where she would be competing under the new ring name Gigi Dolin.

References

  1. ↑ "WWE announces 32-competitor Women's Tournament coming to WWE Network this summer". WWE. April 1, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  2. ↑ Namako, Jason (June 21, 2018). "First official details on the second annual Mae Young Classic tournament, tapings in August". Wrestleview. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  3. ↑ "WWE's Mae Young Classic 2018 to be held at Full Sail Live, tickets available now". WWE. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  4. ↑ "First Entrants In The 2018 Mae Young Classic on WWE Network Revealed – Former Divas Champion Included". 12 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  5. ↑ "Stephanie McMahon announces the first-ever all-women's pay-per-view WWE Evolution". WWE. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Mae Young Classic 2018 premieres on WWE Network on Sept. 5". Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  7. ↑ "Mae Young Classic to feature both Beth Phoenix and Renee Young on commentary". 8 August 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  8. ↑ "WWE Reveals How and When The 2018 Mae Young Classic Will Air – Bracketology Special and Commentary Team Confirmed". 8 August 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  9. 1 2 "WWE NXT-Tapings « Events Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 "Hiroyo Matsumoto, Aerial Monroe and Vanessa Kraven confirmed for Mae Young Classic". 1 August 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 "Zatara, Xia Li, MJ Jenkins, Allysin Kay and Rachel Evers enter Mae Young Classic". 3 August 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 "Ashley Rayne, Priscilla Kelly and Xia Brookside join Mae Young Classic 2018". 30 July 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  13. ↑ "Deonna Purrazzo lands 'dream job' as she enters the 2018 Mae Young Classic". 18 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Mae Young Classic field widens with addition of international standouts, "American Ninja Warrior" pioneer". WWE. July 13, 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "International competitors, new NXT recruit and indie star added to Mae Young Classic". 25 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "Four more participants confirmed for WWE Mae Young Classic". Won/F4W - Wwe News, Pro Wrestling News, Wwe Results, Aew News, Aew Results. 18 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  17. ↑ "Kaitlyn returns to WWE as entrant in Mae Young Classic". 10 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  18. ↑ "India's Kavita Devi readies for Mae Young Classic return". 20 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  19. 1 2 3 "Returning favorites, WWE newcomers added to Mae Young Classic 2018". 20 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  20. ↑ "里村明衣子のＷＷＥ参戦決定 女子トーナメントＭＹＣは「優勝しか考えていない」". 27 July 2018. Archived from the original on 27 July 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  21. ↑ "NXT's Rhea Ripley selected for Mae Young Classic 2018". Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  22. ↑ Satin, Ryan (8 August 2018). "Mae Young Classic Announce Team Will Include Renee Young And Beth Phoenix". Pro Wrestling Sheet. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  23. 1 2 3 4 Powell, Jason (6 September 2018). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic 2018 Review Episode One: Meiko Satomura vs. Killer Kelly, Tegan Nox vs. Zatara, Lacey Lane vs. Vanessa Kraven, and Rhea Ripley vs. MJ Jenkins in a first-round matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  24. 1 2 3 4 Powell, Jason (October 5, 2018). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic 2018 Ep. 5 Review: Mercedes Martinez vs. Meiko Satomura, Kacy Catanzaro vs. Rhea Ripley, Toni Storm vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto, Taynara Conti vs. Lacey Lane in second round matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  25. 1 2 3 4 Powell, Jason (September 13, 2018). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic 2018 Ep. 2 Review: Mercedes Martinez vs. Ashley (Madison) Rayne, Kacy Catanzaro vs. Reina Gonzalez, Deonna Purrazzo vs. Pricilla Kelly, and Aerial Monroe vs. Zeuxis in first round matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  26. 1 2 3 4 Powell, Jason (October 18, 2018). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic 2018 Ep. 7 Review: Toni Storm vs. Mia Yim, Lacey Lane vs. Meiko Satomura, Rhea Ripley vs. Tegan Nox, Io Shirai vs. Deonna Purrazzo in quarterfinal matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  27. 1 2 3 4 Powell, Jason (September 26, 2018). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic 2018 Ep. 4 Review: Io Shirai vs. Xia Brookside, Rachel Evers vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto, Jessie Elaban vs. Taynara Conti, Isla Dawn vs. Nicole Matthews in the final first round matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  28. 1 2 Powell, Jason (26 October 2018). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic 2018 Ep. 8 Review: Toni Storm vs. Meiko Satomura, and Rhea Ripley vs. Io Shirai in semifinal matches to determine the finals at WWE Evolution". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  29. 1 2 3 4 Powell, Jason (20 September 2018). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic 2018 Ep. 3 Review: Kaitlyn vs. Kavita Devi, Toni Storm vs. Jinny, Karen Q vs. Xia Li, and Mia Yim vs. Allysin Kay in first round matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  30. 1 2 3 4 Powell, Jason (11 October 2018). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic 2018 Ep. 6 Review: Kaitlyn vs. Mia Yim, Io Shirai vs. Zeuxis, Deonna Purrazzo vs. Xia Li, and Tegan Nox vs. Nicole Matthews in the final second round matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  31. ↑ Powell, Jason (28 October 2018). "Powell's WWE Evolution live review: Ronda Rousey vs. Nikki Bella for the Raw Women's Championship, Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair in a Last Woman Standing match for the Smackdown Women's Championship, Mae Young Classic Finals". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  32. ↑ Trionfo, Richard (28 November 2018). "WWE NXT UK EPISODE 12 REPORT: THE FIRST NXT UK WOMEN'S CHAMPION IS CROWNED AND MORE". PWInsider.
  33. ↑ "Matt Riddle, Mia Yim, Chelsea Green among WWE Performance Center's newest recruits". WWE. October 18, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
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