WITH THE CONFIRMED ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE NEWLY NAMED MAE YOUNG CLASSIC, EVERYONE’S ATTENTION HAS TURNED TO THE TALENT THAT WILL MAKE UP THE FIELD OF 32 FOR THE SUMMER WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT.
We here are TWM have looked into our crystal ball, picked some of the hottest and best female talent from around the world and took a stab at guessing who might (and who might not) make the roster. To see which of our favourites can expect the call from HHH and those who will just have to wait for next time. This isn’t intended to be a definitive list of who is in and who is out. If we’ve missed off your favourite we’re sorry…and be sure to let us know!
And hey, if our informed guesswork proves to be wrong we can always fall back on the “Plans Changed” mantra…
Alpha Female
As the WWE have promised 17 different nationalities in the tournament there will be a few on this list that will see increased possibility of a spot on that basis alone. German star Alpha Female is fearsome (I still remember with a rare fondness the time at a show an in character Alpha told me to “f**k off” when I went up for my (paid for) meet n greet) and would bring an aura of menace and danger to the proceedings. With international wrestling and MMA commitments to consider though, there may not be a chance to make the schedules work.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * *
Awesome Kong/Kharma 
Speaking of monsters, Awesome Kong’s stint in the WWE as Kharma may not have set the world alight but her work in TNA still stands up and a slot in the new Netflix series about the GLOW promotion does mean that she has a higher profile than she has otherwise had recently. As a recognisable name she would bring eyes to the tournament, but would the WWE want to give Netflix any promotion for their series?
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * *
Bea Priestley
Well if it’s true that Triple H is “keeping an eye” on Will Ospreay, why wouldn’t there be a spot for the future “Mrs Ospreay”, Bea Priestley. As one of any number of up and coming British talents who have both the in-ring talent and the characterization to back it up, Bea would be a useful addition to the tournament and the WWE seemingly do like to put a spanner in the WCPW works whenever they can…
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * *
Beth Phoenix
Long since retired, but Beth’s 2017 Hall of Fame honour is fresh in the mind. If the WWE was looking for a former star to bring some name recognition to proceedings, Beth could be a shout. She’s obviously on good terms with the company and could well be tempted back into the ring on a special basis like this.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * *
Candice Le Rae 
Well the delightful Mrs Gargano has made a recent appearance on NXT and has the “family connections” to make her an obvious choice for the Tournament. As a super-popular “indy” star with her own devoted fan base, Candice would ensure lots of fans tuning in and her bubbly babyface personae could well see her advance to the latter stages at least. Perhaps more famous for her battles with the opposite sex, the Mae Young Classic could be a great opportunity for Candice to prove there’s a lot more to her than that.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * * * *
Christi Jaynes 
Another one to add to out “nationality” list, Christi Jaynes is certainly the only Brazilian I know who could make this tournament. It was a move to Austin, Texas however that first exposed Christi to the wrestling bug (and indeed she loved wrestling before she had even learned enough English to understand what was going on!). She’ll be spending part of June in the UK, working for the likes of BEW, PCW and Southside, but she’ll be back stateside by July and would seem a good bet to add some South American flair to the proceedings.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * *
Crazy Mary Dobson 
Or, as she’s now known in NXT world, Sarah Logan. Given that she’s been under a “developmental” contract since last October, only made a handful of on-screen appearances since and just recently been given a new name it would seem almost certain that the WWE have been “saving” her for the tournament. As a contracted name it would also seem highly unlikely that she’d be someone who went out in the first round.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * * * *
Evie 
Another one who has already signed a developmental deal with the WWE (having previously made a one-off appearance in NXT), New Zealand’s Evie has a wealth of international experience, including some stand out performances with Shimmer (who could almost be seen as the breeding ground for this tournament of sorts). If the WWE are looking to introduce Evie on the biggest stage with a bang, an impressive showing here could be just the way to do it.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * * * *
Jessica Havok
Having seemingly lost her chance in the WWE previously when old twitter posts came back to haunt her (although it is worth pointing out that the “outrage” from some people against them seems to be very misplaced), many others have previously seemed off the WWE radar only to re-appear down the line. As someone with international recognition in promotions like TNA, Shimmer and Stardom, Havok has a presence that would add a lot to the tournament.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * *
Ivelisse
Injury cost Ivelisse a spot on WWE’S Tough Enough programme but the company were impressed enough with her to hand her a development deal anyway. She seemed to be going somewhere in 2012 (defeating the likes of Paige and main roster star Natalya) but was unceremoniously fired. She has since claimed it may have been because she had made complaints about trainer Bill DeMott. Ivelisse went on to make a handful of appearances for TNA and become a two time Shine Champion, although her highest profile gig was in Lucha Underground. Undoubtedly a talent, but will the WWE still hold a grudge over the way she exited five years ago?
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * *
Jinny
As one half of the first ever Progress Chapter Women’s match, Jinny was the first female “graduate” from their training school and in the past two years or so has really made a name for herself on the UK scene. Arguably one of the best heels on the Progress roster (regardless of gender) her promo work is even better than her in-ring efforts. With the WWE’s relationship with Progress, The Fashionista could well be one that makes her way across the pond.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * *
Kairi Hojo & Io Shirai 
The standout performers (alongside Mayu Iwatani) from the Stardom Wrestling promotion in Japan, Kairi & Io are two of the best workers in the world, period. Both were rumoured to have been on the WWE’s radar last year (Shirai was seen attending a WWE tryout but her name was quietly airbrushed out of reports at a later date) but both now have been said to have signed deals with the company (with Kairi having already announced her impeding departure from Stardom).
If both can finish their Japanese commitments in time for the Tournament you would imagine that they would be amongst the first names down on the list. Knowing how good they are it would be a decent bet to say that at least one of them could go a very long way into the tournament, especially if the Women’s Tournament follows the example of the Cruiserweight Classic and places the emphasis on action.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * * * (for at least one)
Katey Harvey
Success in Irish promotions like Celtic Championship Wrestling and OTT has been followed by more exposure in the rest of the UK over the past few years, as Katey’s hard work and abilities have put her in prime position to benefit from the huge upswing in fortunes for the UK indy scene over that time with matches and appearances all across Europe regularly being added to her résumé. With such a full schedule, Katey may not need the Mae Young Classic to keep making a name for herself, but the Mae Young Classic might need her skills nevertheless.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * *
Kay Lee Ray 
So we can add a Scottish name to the list. A Scot who has found prominence in UK indy’s like PCW, Southside and Pro Wrestling Eve and starred in Progress and Insane Championship Wrestling (who both have a relationship of sorts with the WWE) as well as hitting the highspots in Shine and Shimmer in the USA and wowing crowds in Japan with Stardom. And that’s before we mention her stint on TNA British Bootcamp and one-off appearance on NXT. Is there anywhere else left for KLR to really make it other than the big bad world of WWE?
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * * *
Kira 
That at a mere 20 years of age Norwegian Kira has already made enough waves on the European scene to earn her spot at a WWE tryout should tell you what a talent she is. Most famous for her work in Saraya Knight’s Betllatrix Female Warriors and in the German Wrestling Federation, Kira might well be one more for the future but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her add to her résumé with a coveted spot in the Mae Young Classic.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * *
Leva Bates 
With a history in NXT, Leva “Blue Pants” Bates would be a popular addition to the Mae Young Classic. That she took a part-time “jobber” gig there and turned it into an opportunity to get super over shows that she is indeed a talent. The pop for her surprise appearance at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn got a huge reaction and she would be very useful as a name that fans who don’t venture outside of the WWE Network bubble would be drawn to.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * * *
Leah Vaughan 
The former Leah Von Dutch would be well placed to represent Canada in the field and her appearances against WWE Trainer Sara Del Ray for Chikara would certainly mean that those backstage will know of here. As recently as September of last year she made an appearance for NXT (losing to Ember Moon) and she’s another with extensive experience in Shine, Shimmer, Ring of Honor and Stardom. Interestingly part of her training was “won” through as essay contest that WWE Hall of Famer Edge arranged, where the prize was a scholarship for training at Squared Circle in Toronto. Which is apropos of nothing in particular but is a nice piece of trivia.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * * *
LuFisto
French-Canadian LuFisto has done a lot in her 20 year career. In 2006 she even pinned current WWE Superstar Kevin “Steen” Owens to win the Combat Zone Wrestling Iron Man Championship. That year she also won the Stranglehold Wresting Death Match Tournament as well, defeating Necro Butcher in the final. But before you label her a one-trick act, consider her success in AAA, Shimmer, Shine and Womens Superstars Uncensored as well. She’s wrestled all over the world and who could argue against her deserving a spot in this tournament?
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * *
Marti Belle
Heavily featured in TNA’s Knockout Division in 2015/16, the cost-cutting measures in that company saw her contract expire in early 2017, not to be renewed. Another with extensive Shine and Shimmer experience, Marti Belle is a great wrestler who would bring some name recognition to proceedings.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * * *
Melina
Along the lines of the Beth Phoenix suggestion, Melina is a former WWE Superstar who has actually taken some steps back into the ring in the past twelve months ago. Her “difficult reputation” may count against her (though it’s worth pointing out that every time your writer has met her, she has been delightful) and a recent injury from a Southside Wrestling show in the UK may not be fully healed. Perhaps one of those “interesting but unlikely” ideas.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: *
Mia Yim/Jade
As perhaps the highest profile “free agent” on the market at the moment, former TNA star Jade (aka Mia Yim) would be a very marketable addition to the tournament roster. Having had some of the Knockout Division’s best matches during her time there her already stellar reputation from the Indy scene was proved to be no false praise. Given Bobby Roode’s presence as NXT’s main man shows that “TNA star” is not necessarily the stigma it may once have been (not to mention AJ Styles on the main roster) Mia Yim would be a good bet to go all the way if she does make it onto the tournament list.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * * * *
Nicole Savoy
As far back as 2016’s WrestleMania weekend festivities, Nicole Savoy was rumoured to be on the WWE’s radar after her impressive victory in the Heart Of Shimmer Tournament (defeating Candice Le Rae and Heidi “Ruby Riot” Lovelace in the final). Defenses against a wide range of talent showed how good she is and it’s definitely easy to imagine her adding a bit of steel to the tournament roster.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * *
Nixon Newell 
Wales’ Shiniest Wizard is perhaps my favourite female wrestler to come from these shores simply for the fact that anyone who uses C’est La Vie by B*Witched as their theme music has to be amazing. Of course we won’t here that here (though we might hear a dodgy approximation, a la Tyler Bate’s Sledgehammer knock off in the WWE UK Tournament) but given that Nixon has signed off from UK duties and has that development contract in the bag you would have to expect her to show up in the Mae Young Classic. She would be a decent bet to go all the way too.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * * * *
Sara Del Ray
Long since retired, Shimmer legend Sara Del Ray was leading the North American charge for females to be acknowledged as just as good as their male counterparts long before The Four Horsewomen tore up our screens. Of course she is now the lead female trainer at the Performance Centre but that wouldn’t necessarily preclude her from getting back in the ring for this tournament. She will still be in ring-shape due to her training duties and it would be a feel-good story to see her back in action. As well as possibly providing a lot of heat/exposure for the person who beat her!
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * *
Saraya Knight 
Well Paige might be in the bad books on the main roster, but is it beyond the realms of possibility that her mum might show up at the Mae Young Classic? It would certainly bring an element of danger to proceedings, as any fan who has been unfortunate enough to incur her wrath at British shows could testify to. She has got American experience with Shimmer too.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * *
Santana Garrett 
4th in the PWI Female 50 in 2015, Santana Garrett has been around the world honing her craft. As far back as 2013 she made a WWE tryout and had three (losing) appearances in NXT in 2016. With experience in the holy trinity of Shimmer, Shine and Stardom as well as a couple of TNA stints under her belt, Garrett is accomplished enough to make waves in the tournament if she can wrangle a spot.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * *
Session Moth Martina 
Would the WWE really put the woman who “set back women’s wresting back five years” into their tournament? Well they would if they had any sense. If wrestling is about getting over and putting bums on seats, Northern Ireland’s Martina has a head start on a lot. Of course the one problem we may not be able to overcome is the, presumably, “PG” nature of the tournament…
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: *
Shanna 
If only on the basis that I don’t know any other Portuguese female wrestlers, Shanna would be a shoe-in for the tournament to bump up the number of different nationalities. That she also happens to be a fantastic wrestler, with extensive experience not only in Europe but with Stardom in Japan as well, makes it even more of a no brainer in our eyes.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * *
Shotzi Blackheart 
Another wrestler who went through the Tough Enough experience only to have to drop out through injury, Shotzi Blackheart. The improvement she’s made in such a short time of her career suggests that she is destined to make it back to the WWE one day. With a unique look, great in-ring ability and eye-catching promo’s and Philippines heritage she would be a catch for the tournament.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * * *
Su Yung
Her stint in Florida Championship Wrestling (prior to that morphing into the NXT we know now) as Sonia isn’t exactly remembered by many. Her good girl gimmick being transplanted to Shimmer and Shine didn’t really make many waves either. It was only when this gimmick turned sour and she morphed into the demonic anti-hero who is possessed by something unknown that she really began to make a name for herself. Rumours abound that she has been removed from the Shine roster and her status as Mrs Rich Swann certainly would suggest she would be someone the WWE would have knowledge of to go with her previous stint there. There’s nothing quite like a Su Yung entrance in female wrestling and it would be sure to add a unique flavour if she made the cut.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * * *
Tessa Blanchard
As the daughter of the legendary Four Horsemen member Tully Blanchard, Tessa already has her “in” as far as a WWE career goes; that she’s also made appearances for NXT before AND handled the wrestling part’s for the film being shot about WWE star Paige certainly increases the chances of her grabbing one of the prize spots in the Mae Young Classic. At one point there may have been validity in the claims that she was only getting where she was at because of the family name. No-one would say that now, as not only has Tessa massively improved in the ring she has shown that she has the fire and character that made her dad such a compelling promo too.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * * *
Thea Trinidad
Formerly known as Rosita in TNA, Thea Trinidad (like Tessa Blanchard above) has been working on the film based on the life and career of Paige. On that basis alone, she seems a sure fire name for the list.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * * * *
Toni Storm 
If there’s one woman on this list who seemingly has EVERYTHING that the WWE looks for in a female performer in 2017 it might well be Toni Storm. She has had a couple of tryouts previously with the WWE but since then she has improved exponentially. She was also part of the Progress matches that were put on during Axxess this year (and, spoiler alert, recently became the Progress Women’s Champion). The only potential cloud on the horizon is the fact that Storm wrestles for a number of high profile indy’s and may have commitments to Stardom that would preclude (where she is the current SWA World Champion) either a tournament appearance or a longer-term deal.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * *
Veda Scott 
Trained by Ring of Honor’s Daizee Haze and Delirious, Veda Scott has had extensive experience in the likes of Shine, Shimmer and Ring of Honor itself over a six year career. As well as being a wrestler and manager, Scott has also provided colour commentary (most famously for Shimmer) and as such could be a very worthwhile addition to the tournament. Having requested (and being granted) a release from her Ring of Honor contract in late 2016, she is currently a free agent.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * *
Velvet Sky 
Velvet might seem an incongruous suggestion, considering that we’ve spent most of this run-down focussing on the idea that in-ring talent is the be all and end all. That’s not to say the delightful Velvet is useless when she gets into the ring, but it would be fair to say that many TNA fans are more likely to remember the way she got into the ring rather than what happened once she was there. Still. She’s a recognisable name, presumably has good contacts (even though Bully Ray is no longer with the WWE) and would be an entertaining addition to the tournament roster. We wouldn’t back on her getting to far into it though.
CHANCES OF AN MYC APPEARANCE: * * * *
Viper
As it’s debatable whether or not the World Of Sport “Brand” has any future, maybe there could be space for the Scottish monster Viper in the Mae Young Classic. A throwback to the “monster era” but with the talent to back up the look. Has made appearances in America in the past twelve months or so for both Shine and Shimmer (with a particularly impressive response to her at the former) and if we’re adding brute force to the proceedings, Viper would be a great place to start. It would all be a question of that WoS contract though…
CHANCES OF A MYC APPEARANCE: ***
Are we right with our choices, or our opinions with who will and won’t make it to the tournament? Be sure to let us know what you think!