July 27, 2018
By Ryan Porzl
A year ago, I wrote a "Where Are They Now?" on the participants of the WWE's 2016 Cruiserweight Classic. Since that time, the WWE has done several tournaments and one of them was the Mae Young Classic: a tournament for women from around the world much like how the Cruiserweight Classic was for cruiserweight wrestlers and named after a WWE Hall of Famer. Well, a year has gone by and with WWE about to do a second one, I figure it would be fun to look back at last year's tournament and see how little came of it by seeing what became of the participants with some having been under contract only to be released while a lot of great talent was not picked up.
I don't own the picture.
Kairi Sane
Current Status: Signed to the WWE and competing in NXT
After winning the MYC, Sane began appearing on NXT as a regular. Due to her winning, she was put in a fatal four way against Ember Moon, Peyton Royce, & Nikki Cross for the vacant NXT Women's Championship at NXT TakeOver: WarGames on November 18th but lost. She then appeared in the inaugural Women's Royal Rumble match in the 2018 Royal Rumble on January 28th but lost. Sane took on Shayna Baszler in a rematch from the finals on the February 28th NXT but also came up short. In April, Sane took part in the NXT Women's Title Invitational Tournament during Wrestlemania Axxess where she defeated Bianca Belair in the first round on April 5th but lost to Peyton Royce in the semifinals on April 7th. Sane then returned to the main roster to participate in the inaugural Wrestlemania Women's Battle Royal on April 8th but lost. During the spring, Sane began a rivalry with Lacey Evans with the two trading wins in tag matches at live events. Sane defeated Evans on the April 11th NXT, lost to Evans in a rematch on the May 23rd NXT, and then defeated Evans in a rubber match on the June 6th NXT. She defeated Candice LeRae & Nikki Cross in a NXT Women's Title number one contender's match on the July 18th NXT to earn a title shot at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV on August 18th.
Shayna Baszler
Current Status: Signed to the WWE and competing in NXT
After the tournament where Baszler was runner up, she eventually signed with the WWE on October 3rd and debuted on TV on the December 27th NXT attacking Kairi Sane. She made her in-ring debut on the January 10th NXT defeating Dakota Kai and began a rivalry with NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon after Moon stopped Baszler from attacking Kai. Baszler challenged for the NXT Women's Championship at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia on January 27th but came up short. Baszler was given a rematch at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans on April 7th and defeated Moon to win the title. The following day, Baszler successfully defended the title against Dakota Kai at Wrestlemania Axxess. Baszler would make successful title defenses over the next few months against Candice LeRae, Kairi Sane, & Dakota Kai. In the spring, Baszler feuded with Nikki Cross which ended at NXT TakeOver: Chicago II on June 16th with Baszler retaining the championship. On June 19th, Baszler retained the title against Toni Storm during the second day of the United Kingdom Championship event.
Toni Storm
Current Status: Signed to the WWE and competing in NXT UK
Storm was not originally signed by WWE and worked around the world including PROGRESS in the UK, WXW in Germany, Stardom in Japan, and Rise in the United States. In September, she wrestled in Stardom's 5Star Grand Prix tournament and emerged victorious by winning the tournament placing first in her block with 11 points during the round robin portion before defeating Yoko Brito in the finals. On January 20th, Storm won the WXW Women's Championship and currently holds it as of writing. On May 20th, Storm lost the PROGRESS Women's Title to 2018 Mae Young Classic participant Jinny. On June 9th, Storm lost the World of Stardom Championship to Kagetsu. In May, Storm signed with the WWE and defeated Isla Dawn & Killer Kelly to earn a title shot at the NXT Women's Title on June 18th. The following day, Storm challenged Shayna Baszler for the title but came up short.
Mercedes Martinez
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Despite being booked to go to the semifinals, Martinez would be one of the women WWE shockingly passed on. Martinez would appear twice on NXT as she appeared on the October 25th NXT where she competed in a qualifying battle royal for a shot at the NXT Women's Championship but lost as Nikki Cross won it & then lost to Ember Moon on the November 15th NXT. After that, Martinez returned to the indies mostly for all women's promotions like SHINE, SHIMMER, & RISE where she was the SHINE Tag Team Champion with Ivelisse as "Las Sicarias" while losing the SHIMMER Title to Nicole Savoy on November 12th. Martinez had a series of title matches with Tessa Blanchard including the WSU World Title on June 16th and the Phoenix of RISE Title on July 7th but lost both. On July 20th, Martinez was announced to be apart of the 2018 Mae Young Classic set for August 8-9th.
Abbey Laith
Current Status: Released by WWE
Laith would only make one TV appearance taking part in a number one contender NXT women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT which she lost. After this, Laith would never appear on TV again as she would spend the next several months only appearing at house shows mostly putting over other talent with her last match being on March 2nd losing to Vanessa Borne before being released days later. Since her release, she's returned to the independents under her more well known name "Kimber Lee" where she's competed in AAW & CHIKARA as well as women's promotions SHIMMER, SHINE, & RISE. She challenged Nicole Savoy for the SHIMMER Title on April 15th at SHIMMER Vol. 104 but lost and then challenged LuFisto for the SHINE Title on April 27th at SHINE 50 but won on disqualification. Laith defeated Jessicka Havok on April 25th for the AAW Women's Championship at AAW Take No Prisoners 2018. On June 21st, Laith challenged Shotzi Blackheart for the IWA Mid-South Women's Title at IWA Mid-South Revolution Strong Style Tournament 2018 but came up short. She retained the AAW Women's Title against Kylie Rae on June 23rd at AAW WRSTLING Rulz.
Candice LeRae
Current Status: Signed to WWE and competing in NXT
LeRae wouldn't be signed at first but worked a number one contender NXT women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT. Afterwards, LeRae went back to the indies most notably for AAW where she entered the tournament to crown the inaugural AAW Women's Champion defeating Britt Baker on October 7th at AAW Seize The Day but eventually pulled out of the tournament. In January, she signed with WWE and began working in NXT. She first worked house shows doing mixed tags with husband Johnny Gargano against then NXT Champion Andrade Almas and Zelina Vega winning all of them. LeRae has largely appeared on TV as part of her husband's feud with former partner Tommaso Ciampa. On April 6th, LeRae took part in the NXT Women's Title Invitational Tournament but lost in the first round to Peyton Royce. Since then, LeRae has only wrestled a few times on TV and has mostly been used at house shows. On June 10th, she challenged Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women's Title on the third show of WWE NXT At Download 2018 but came up short. She then wrestled Kairi Sane & Nikki Cross in a number one contenders match for the NXT Women's Championship on the July 18th NXT but lost to Sane.
Dakota Kai
Current Status: Signed to WWE and competing in NXT
Kai was already signed before the tournament and began working in NXT afterwards. Kai has mostly been used at house shows with occasional appearances on TV. In April, she participated in the NXT Women's Championship Invitational Tournament and emerged victorious defeating Lacey Evans in the first round, Nikki Cross in the semifinals, and Peyton Royce in the finals. On April 8th at Wrestlemania Axxess, Kai earned a title shot due to her winning the NXT Women's Championship Invitational Tournament but lost to champion Shayna Baszler. That same day, she participated in the Wrestlemania Women's Battle Royal during the Wrestlemania 34 Kickoff but came up short. Kai then received another shot at Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women's Championship on the May 30th NXT but again lost. Since then, Kai has made TV appearances while getting title shots and number one contenders matches at house shows.
Piper Niven
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Niven was not picked up and returned to the UK where she's competed for ICW and women's only promotion Pro Wrestling EVE where she's reverted back to her name "Viper". On February 12th, Niven defeated Martina for the ICW Women's Championship and briefly held the PCW Women's Championship winning it on April 7th from Rhio but dropped it back the next day back to Rhio in a three way also involving Nightshade. She also returned to Japan for World Wonder Ring Stardom where she defeated Toni Storm on March 28th at Stardom Dream Slam in Tokyo to win the SWA Undisputed World Women's Championship in a title vs. title match with the ICW Women's Championship also being on the line. In the summer, she was announced to compete for the revival of World of Sport.
Rachel Evers
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Evers was not signed and returned to the indies. On July 22nd, she returned to WrestleCircus defending the Lady of the Ring Championship against Sideshow Champion Tessa Blanchard in a title vs. title match but came up short. In the fall, she entered a tournament to crown the inaugural AAW Women's Champion defeating Allysin Kay on October 7th at Seize The Day in the first round, then Kylie Rae in the semifinals at Rise of the Dragon on November 4th, but lost to Jessicka Havok in a three way final also involving Ivelisse at Legacy on December 2nd. Evers has continued to work in SHIMMER, RISE, and toured for Stardom where she challenged Io Shirai for the Wonder of Stardom Championship on January 13th but was unsuccessful.
Princesa Sugehit
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Sugehit was not picked up and has returned to CMLL in Mexico where she continues to compete. Shortly after the tournament, Sugehit lost her mask to 2018 Mae Young Classic participant Zeuxis in a two out of three falls mask vs. mask match at CMLL's 84th Anniversary Event on September 16th. She has made a few challenges for the CMLL World Women's Title but hasn't been able to win it.
Nicole Savoy
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Savoy would be one of many not picked up by WWE and returned to the indies. Since then, she's mostly competed for SHIMMER and RISE while touring for Stardom. On November 12th, Savoy defeated Mercedes Martinez for the SHIMMER Championship and continues to hold it as of writing while successfully defending against Deonna Purrazzo, Cheerleader Melissa, Kimber Lee, & Su Yung. From January to February, Savoy toured with Stardom and challenged Io Shirai for the Wonder of Stardom Championship on February 4th but lost.
Mia Yim
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Shockingly, Yim was one of the women not signed despite her success in the indies and Impact Wrestling where she was a top women's wrestler. Yim would return to the indies including SHIMMER before suffering a leg injury in November. Upon returning in April, she continued work in the indies and appeared for Japanese promotion Ice Ribbon. On July 20th, Yim was announced for the 2018 Mae Young Classic.
Bianca Belair
Current Status: Currently signed by WWE and competing in NXT
Belair was already signed before the tournament and continues to work in WWE. She took part in the number one contenders women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT but lost. Since then, she's only made a few TV appearances largely due to inexperience and has mostly appeared as live events. In December and February, she received shots at Ember Moon's NXT Women's Championship but came up short each time. On April 5th, Belair participated in the NXT Women's Championhip Invitational Tournament but was eliminated in the first round by Kairi Sane. On April 8th, she participated in the Wrestlemania Women's Battle Royal at the Wrestlemania 34 Kickoff show but was not successful. Belair scored the biggest win of her career to date when she defeated Candice LeRae on the May 2nd NXT.
Rhea Ripley
Current Status: Currently signed by WWE and competing in NXT
Ripley was already signed before the tournament and continues to work in NXT. She appeared at the number one contenders women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT but lost. She's since been working at live events. On July 12th, Ripley was announced as a participant for the 2018 Mae Young Classic.
Serena Deeb
Current Status: Currently signed by WWE as a trainer
After the tournament, Deeb hasn't wrestled since. On February 8th, she was signed on to be a trainer at the WWE Performance Center.
Lacey Evans
Current Status: Currently signed by WWE and competing in NXT
Evans was signed before the tournament and continued to compete in NXT afterwards. Evans entered the number one contenders women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT but came up short. She began appearing more on TV in January as she turned heel and trashed wrestlers like Nikki Cross, Ember Moon, & Kairi Sane on the mic. On April 5th, Evans participated in the NXT Women's Title Invitational but lost in the first round to Dakota Kai. On April 8th at Wrestlemania Axxess, Evans challenged Toni Storm for the PROGRESS Women's Championship but was unsuccessful. In the spring, she began a feud with Sane with the two taking part in attacks and trading wins on TV & house shows. Evans lost to Sane on the April 11th NXT, defeated Sane on the May 23rd NXT, but lost the rubber match on the June 6th NXT.
Jazzy Gabert
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
After the tournament, Gabert did a dark match at an NXT TV Taping on August 24th. On September 2nd, she returned to Germany where she entered the GWF Women's Title Tournament and made it to the finals. On September 8th, she won the SWE Queen's of Switzerland tournament while successfully defending the SWE Ladies Title. In December, Gabert revealed the WWE offered her a deal but it was rescinded after it they found during a physical that she had three herniated discs in her neck. In early 2018, she underwent surgery and hopes to head to the WWE after getting cleared.
Marti Belle
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Belle would not be picked up and went back to the indy circuit for SHIMMER and National Wrasslin' League, the latter of whom she's made most of her appearances.
Kay Lee Ray
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
After the tournament, Ray went back to England where's she's competed for promotions like SWE, EVE, and Defiant while also making appearances for SHIMMER, RISE, WXW, and ICW. In September, she toured for Stardom and entered their 5Star Grand Prix tournament where she placed third in her block with 8 points. On November 25th, Ray won SWE's Queen of the Ring tournament as well as the Queen of Southside Title. In January, she returned to Stardom and challenged Mary Apache for the High Speed Title on January 21st but wasn't able to win it. She was also the reigning Defiant Women's Champion and continued to make successful title defenses until losing the title to Millie McKenzie at Defiant Chain Reaction on February 18th. She's received title shots since then but hasn't been able to regain the title. She's since also gotten shots at the WXW Women's Championship and the IPW: UK Women's Championship.
Xia Li
Current Status: Currently signed to WWE and competing in NXT
Li was already signed to WWE before the tournament but has only wrestled sporatically since then at house shows due to her inexperience as the MYC was her in-ring debut.
Reina Gonzalez
Current Status: Currently signed to WWE and competing in NXT
Gonzalez was already signed before the Mae Young Classic and continues to work for WWE. Her only notable match since has been competing in the number one contenders women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT. Since then, she's only worked house shows due to inexperience. In July, it was announced she would return for the 2018 edition of the Mae Young Classic.
Renee Michelle
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Michelle was not picked up after the tournament. Since then, she's worked the indies including SHINE and QOC. On January 20th at QOC 20, she challenged for the QOC Tag Team Championship but lost. She's also won some indy titles including Fighting Evolution Wrestling's Flares Title and the RIOT Women's Title.
Sarah Logan
Current Status: Currently signed by WWE and competing on the RAW brand
Logan was already signed before the Classic and went back to NXT after it ended. Logan was another to enter the number one contender's women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT but was unsuccessful. She became the first MYC to make it to the main roster (not counting Serena Deeb's 2010 run) when she debuted on the Smackdown brand on the November 21st Smackdown as a member of the Riott Squad with Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan. Logan entered the first women's Royal Rumble on January 28th but was unable to win it. On April 8th, Logan entered the first Wrestlemania Women's Battle Royal but wasn't successful there either. Shortly afterward, Logan (along with the rest of the Riott Squad) were drafted to the RAW brand. For most of her time, she's mostly been in tag matches either teaming mostly with both Riott & Morgan in six women tag matches or just Morgan in standard tag matches while running interference in Riott's singles matches. Logan wrestled in two qualifying matches for the Women's Money In The Bank match on the May 21st and May 28th RAWs but lost both to Natalya and Sasha Banks, respectively. On the July 16th RAW, Logan scored the biggest win of her career to date be defeating former NXT champion Ember Moon.
Zeda
Current Status: Released by WWE
Zeda was already signed before the Mae Young Classic. Zeda eventually made only two more TV appearances which was a loss to Sonya Deville on the September 5th NXT and participating in the number one contenders women's battle royal on the October 4th NXT. She only then had a handful of house show matches from October to March with her last match being on March 3rd in a loss to Sage Beckett. After several months of no appearances, Zeda was released in June. Since then, she's made appearances on the indy circuit.
Tessa Blanchard
Current Status: Not signed by WWE and currently wrestling in Impact Wrestling
Blanchard was yet another one who was shockingly passed over by WWE and returned to the indy circuit. Blanchard has enjoyed some of the biggest success since then as she continued to work for WrestleCircus where she is the Sideshow Champion and defeated Rachel Ellering in a title vs. title match for the Lady of the Ring championship at the Squared Ring Circus on July 22nd. She also continues to work in SHIMMER where she was one half of the reigning SHIMMER Tag Team Champions with Vanessa Kraven but lost the belts on November 11th at SHIMMER Vol. 97 to Delilah Doom & Leva Bates and later failed to win the Heart of SHIMMER Title from Shazza McKenzie at SHIMMER Vol. 100 on April 7th. She toured Australia in November for WSW where she successfully defended the Lady of the Ring Championship. She made appearances for QOC where she challenged Su Yung for the QOC Title but lost. She then appeared for CZW on April 14th participating in their Best of the Best tournament where she made it to the semifinals but lost to eventual winner David Starr. Blanchard debuted for Impact Wrestling on April 22nd doing guest commentary at their Redemption Pay-Per-View. She originally signed a short term deal but since signed a longer term deal and has engaged in rivalries with former Knockouts Champions Madison Rayne & Allie. On June 16th, Blanchard defeated Mercedes Martinez for the WSU World Title at WSU Breaking Barriers 5. She added to her trophy case in July when she won the vacant Phoenix of RISE Championship by defeated Martinez at RISE 9: RISE of the Knockouts on July 7th and then defeated Lacey Lane in a three way also involving Santana Garrett to win the Crash Femenil Title in the Mexican promotion The Crash on July 14th.
Sage Beckett
Current Status: Released by WWE
Beckett was already signed to WWE but her only TV appearance afterwards was wrestling the number one contenders women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT which she lost. Since then, she only appeared at house shows with her last match being a win over Zeda at a house show on March 3rd. Days later on March 8th, Beckett was released by WWE and hasn't wrestled since.
Kavita Devi
Current Status: Currently signed to WWE and competing in NXT
Originally not signed, Devi was signed to a contract at the end of 2017 and began training at the WWE Performance Center in January 2018. She's only wrestled a few house shows due to inexperience with her only televised appearance being a participant in the Wrestlemania Women's Battle Royal on April 8th but lost. In July, she was announced to be a participant in the 2018 MYC.
Maranda Salinas
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Salinas was not signed and went back to the indies. Salinas has mostly competed in SHIMMER and RISE. From January to February, Salinas toured Stardom and challenged Toni Storm for SWA Undisputed World Women's Title but failed to win it. On July 7th, Salinas teamed with Kylie Rae in a four way for the vacant Guardians of RISE Title at RISE 9: RISE of the Knockouts but lost to Dust & Raven's Ash.
Vanessa Borne
Current Status: Currently signed to WWE and competing in NXT
Borne was already under contract before the Classic. Borne also participated in the number one contenders women's battle royal from the October 25th NXT. Borne's largely done live events since while getting TV matches with Dakota Kai & Kairi Sane. In July, she lost to Taynara Conti in a Mae Young Classic qualifying match.
Santana Garrett
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Garrett was another one the WWE shockingly didn't sign after the tournament. In September, Garrett wrestled for Revolution Championship Wrestling where she was the RCW Women's Champion successfully defending the title against Chelsea Green on September 2nd at Women's World Cup 2017 but lost the title Sammii Jayne on September 3rd at Greetings From Calpe. She returned to NXT to compete in the number one contenders women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT but lost. In October, she challenged Priscilla Kelly for the SHINE Nova Championship at SHINE 46 on October 20th but lost and then entered ECWA's Super 8 ChickFight Tournament where she made it to the finals before falling to Karen Q. She continued to work indy dates into 2018 for SHINE and the revived MLW. She again challenged for the SHINE Nova Championship at SHINE 51 on June 9th against champion Candy Cartwright but lost again. She returned to NXT on the July 4th NXT losing to Dakota Kai. She competed for The Crash and challenged for the Crash Femenil Title in a three way against champion Lacey Lane and Tessa Blanchard but lost to Blanchard.
Taynara Conti
Current Status: Currently signed to WWE and competing in NXT
Conti was already signed before the tournament. Conti took part in the number one contenders women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT but came up short. Conti has mostly worked house shows due to inexperienced. On April 8th, she participated in the Wrestlemania Women's Battle Royal but lost. In July, she defeated Vanessa Borne in a Mae Young Classic Qualifying match to qualify for the 2018 Mae Young Classic.
Ayesha Raymond
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Raymond wasn't picked up and returned to her native England where she's competed in the UK for promotions like IPW UK and Reckless Intent Wrestling. On September 9th, she won and then lost the Reckless Intent Hardcore Championship on the same night. On April 7th, she entered a battle royal for the Rackless Intent Heavyweight Championship but lost. On April 27th, she entered IPW UK Women's Championship Number One Contenders Tournament where she was a runner up before losing to Chakara. On May 5th, Raymond competed in a four way for the GWF Women's Title but lost to champion Katey Harvey. In July, she toured for SEAdLINNING in Japan.
Kairi Sane
Current Status: Signed to the WWE and competing in NXT
After winning the MYC, Sane began appearing on NXT as a regular. Due to her winning, she was put in a fatal four way against Ember Moon, Peyton Royce, & Nikki Cross for the vacant NXT Women's Championship at NXT TakeOver: WarGames on November 18th but lost. She then appeared in the inaugural Women's Royal Rumble match in the 2018 Royal Rumble on January 28th but lost. Sane took on Shayna Baszler in a rematch from the finals on the February 28th NXT but also came up short. In April, Sane took part in the NXT Women's Title Invitational Tournament during Wrestlemania Axxess where she defeated Bianca Belair in the first round on April 5th but lost to Peyton Royce in the semifinals on April 7th. Sane then returned to the main roster to participate in the inaugural Wrestlemania Women's Battle Royal on April 8th but lost. During the spring, Sane began a rivalry with Lacey Evans with the two trading wins in tag matches at live events. Sane defeated Evans on the April 11th NXT, lost to Evans in a rematch on the May 23rd NXT, and then defeated Evans in a rubber match on the June 6th NXT. She defeated Candice LeRae & Nikki Cross in a NXT Women's Title number one contender's match on the July 18th NXT to earn a title shot at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV on August 18th.
Shayna Baszler
Current Status: Signed to the WWE and competing in NXT
After the tournament where Baszler was runner up, she eventually signed with the WWE on October 3rd and debuted on TV on the December 27th NXT attacking Kairi Sane. She made her in-ring debut on the January 10th NXT defeating Dakota Kai and began a rivalry with NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon after Moon stopped Baszler from attacking Kai. Baszler challenged for the NXT Women's Championship at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia on January 27th but came up short. Baszler was given a rematch at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans on April 7th and defeated Moon to win the title. The following day, Baszler successfully defended the title against Dakota Kai at Wrestlemania Axxess. Baszler would make successful title defenses over the next few months against Candice LeRae, Kairi Sane, & Dakota Kai. In the spring, Baszler feuded with Nikki Cross which ended at NXT TakeOver: Chicago II on June 16th with Baszler retaining the championship. On June 19th, Baszler retained the title against Toni Storm during the second day of the United Kingdom Championship event.
Toni Storm
Current Status: Signed to the WWE and competing in NXT UK
Storm was not originally signed by WWE and worked around the world including PROGRESS in the UK, WXW in Germany, Stardom in Japan, and Rise in the United States. In September, she wrestled in Stardom's 5Star Grand Prix tournament and emerged victorious by winning the tournament placing first in her block with 11 points during the round robin portion before defeating Yoko Brito in the finals. On January 20th, Storm won the WXW Women's Championship and currently holds it as of writing. On May 20th, Storm lost the PROGRESS Women's Title to 2018 Mae Young Classic participant Jinny. On June 9th, Storm lost the World of Stardom Championship to Kagetsu. In May, Storm signed with the WWE and defeated Isla Dawn & Killer Kelly to earn a title shot at the NXT Women's Title on June 18th. The following day, Storm challenged Shayna Baszler for the title but came up short.
Mercedes Martinez
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Despite being booked to go to the semifinals, Martinez would be one of the women WWE shockingly passed on. Martinez would appear twice on NXT as she appeared on the October 25th NXT where she competed in a qualifying battle royal for a shot at the NXT Women's Championship but lost as Nikki Cross won it & then lost to Ember Moon on the November 15th NXT. After that, Martinez returned to the indies mostly for all women's promotions like SHINE, SHIMMER, & RISE where she was the SHINE Tag Team Champion with Ivelisse as "Las Sicarias" while losing the SHIMMER Title to Nicole Savoy on November 12th. Martinez had a series of title matches with Tessa Blanchard including the WSU World Title on June 16th and the Phoenix of RISE Title on July 7th but lost both. On July 20th, Martinez was announced to be apart of the 2018 Mae Young Classic set for August 8-9th.
Abbey Laith
Current Status: Released by WWE
Laith would only make one TV appearance taking part in a number one contender NXT women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT which she lost. After this, Laith would never appear on TV again as she would spend the next several months only appearing at house shows mostly putting over other talent with her last match being on March 2nd losing to Vanessa Borne before being released days later. Since her release, she's returned to the independents under her more well known name "Kimber Lee" where she's competed in AAW & CHIKARA as well as women's promotions SHIMMER, SHINE, & RISE. She challenged Nicole Savoy for the SHIMMER Title on April 15th at SHIMMER Vol. 104 but lost and then challenged LuFisto for the SHINE Title on April 27th at SHINE 50 but won on disqualification. Laith defeated Jessicka Havok on April 25th for the AAW Women's Championship at AAW Take No Prisoners 2018. On June 21st, Laith challenged Shotzi Blackheart for the IWA Mid-South Women's Title at IWA Mid-South Revolution Strong Style Tournament 2018 but came up short. She retained the AAW Women's Title against Kylie Rae on June 23rd at AAW WRSTLING Rulz.
Candice LeRae
Current Status: Signed to WWE and competing in NXT
LeRae wouldn't be signed at first but worked a number one contender NXT women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT. Afterwards, LeRae went back to the indies most notably for AAW where she entered the tournament to crown the inaugural AAW Women's Champion defeating Britt Baker on October 7th at AAW Seize The Day but eventually pulled out of the tournament. In January, she signed with WWE and began working in NXT. She first worked house shows doing mixed tags with husband Johnny Gargano against then NXT Champion Andrade Almas and Zelina Vega winning all of them. LeRae has largely appeared on TV as part of her husband's feud with former partner Tommaso Ciampa. On April 6th, LeRae took part in the NXT Women's Title Invitational Tournament but lost in the first round to Peyton Royce. Since then, LeRae has only wrestled a few times on TV and has mostly been used at house shows. On June 10th, she challenged Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women's Title on the third show of WWE NXT At Download 2018 but came up short. She then wrestled Kairi Sane & Nikki Cross in a number one contenders match for the NXT Women's Championship on the July 18th NXT but lost to Sane.
Dakota Kai
Current Status: Signed to WWE and competing in NXT
Kai was already signed before the tournament and began working in NXT afterwards. Kai has mostly been used at house shows with occasional appearances on TV. In April, she participated in the NXT Women's Championship Invitational Tournament and emerged victorious defeating Lacey Evans in the first round, Nikki Cross in the semifinals, and Peyton Royce in the finals. On April 8th at Wrestlemania Axxess, Kai earned a title shot due to her winning the NXT Women's Championship Invitational Tournament but lost to champion Shayna Baszler. That same day, she participated in the Wrestlemania Women's Battle Royal during the Wrestlemania 34 Kickoff but came up short. Kai then received another shot at Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women's Championship on the May 30th NXT but again lost. Since then, Kai has made TV appearances while getting title shots and number one contenders matches at house shows.
Piper Niven
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Niven was not picked up and returned to the UK where she's competed for ICW and women's only promotion Pro Wrestling EVE where she's reverted back to her name "Viper". On February 12th, Niven defeated Martina for the ICW Women's Championship and briefly held the PCW Women's Championship winning it on April 7th from Rhio but dropped it back the next day back to Rhio in a three way also involving Nightshade. She also returned to Japan for World Wonder Ring Stardom where she defeated Toni Storm on March 28th at Stardom Dream Slam in Tokyo to win the SWA Undisputed World Women's Championship in a title vs. title match with the ICW Women's Championship also being on the line. In the summer, she was announced to compete for the revival of World of Sport.
Rachel Evers
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Evers was not signed and returned to the indies. On July 22nd, she returned to WrestleCircus defending the Lady of the Ring Championship against Sideshow Champion Tessa Blanchard in a title vs. title match but came up short. In the fall, she entered a tournament to crown the inaugural AAW Women's Champion defeating Allysin Kay on October 7th at Seize The Day in the first round, then Kylie Rae in the semifinals at Rise of the Dragon on November 4th, but lost to Jessicka Havok in a three way final also involving Ivelisse at Legacy on December 2nd. Evers has continued to work in SHIMMER, RISE, and toured for Stardom where she challenged Io Shirai for the Wonder of Stardom Championship on January 13th but was unsuccessful.
Princesa Sugehit
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Sugehit was not picked up and has returned to CMLL in Mexico where she continues to compete. Shortly after the tournament, Sugehit lost her mask to 2018 Mae Young Classic participant Zeuxis in a two out of three falls mask vs. mask match at CMLL's 84th Anniversary Event on September 16th. She has made a few challenges for the CMLL World Women's Title but hasn't been able to win it.
Nicole Savoy
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Savoy would be one of many not picked up by WWE and returned to the indies. Since then, she's mostly competed for SHIMMER and RISE while touring for Stardom. On November 12th, Savoy defeated Mercedes Martinez for the SHIMMER Championship and continues to hold it as of writing while successfully defending against Deonna Purrazzo, Cheerleader Melissa, Kimber Lee, & Su Yung. From January to February, Savoy toured with Stardom and challenged Io Shirai for the Wonder of Stardom Championship on February 4th but lost.
Mia Yim
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Shockingly, Yim was one of the women not signed despite her success in the indies and Impact Wrestling where she was a top women's wrestler. Yim would return to the indies including SHIMMER before suffering a leg injury in November. Upon returning in April, she continued work in the indies and appeared for Japanese promotion Ice Ribbon. On July 20th, Yim was announced for the 2018 Mae Young Classic.
Bianca Belair
Current Status: Currently signed by WWE and competing in NXT
Belair was already signed before the tournament and continues to work in WWE. She took part in the number one contenders women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT but lost. Since then, she's only made a few TV appearances largely due to inexperience and has mostly appeared as live events. In December and February, she received shots at Ember Moon's NXT Women's Championship but came up short each time. On April 5th, Belair participated in the NXT Women's Championhip Invitational Tournament but was eliminated in the first round by Kairi Sane. On April 8th, she participated in the Wrestlemania Women's Battle Royal at the Wrestlemania 34 Kickoff show but was not successful. Belair scored the biggest win of her career to date when she defeated Candice LeRae on the May 2nd NXT.
Rhea Ripley
Current Status: Currently signed by WWE and competing in NXT
Ripley was already signed before the tournament and continues to work in NXT. She appeared at the number one contenders women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT but lost. She's since been working at live events. On July 12th, Ripley was announced as a participant for the 2018 Mae Young Classic.
Serena Deeb
Current Status: Currently signed by WWE as a trainer
After the tournament, Deeb hasn't wrestled since. On February 8th, she was signed on to be a trainer at the WWE Performance Center.
Lacey Evans
Current Status: Currently signed by WWE and competing in NXT
Evans was signed before the tournament and continued to compete in NXT afterwards. Evans entered the number one contenders women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT but came up short. She began appearing more on TV in January as she turned heel and trashed wrestlers like Nikki Cross, Ember Moon, & Kairi Sane on the mic. On April 5th, Evans participated in the NXT Women's Title Invitational but lost in the first round to Dakota Kai. On April 8th at Wrestlemania Axxess, Evans challenged Toni Storm for the PROGRESS Women's Championship but was unsuccessful. In the spring, she began a feud with Sane with the two taking part in attacks and trading wins on TV & house shows. Evans lost to Sane on the April 11th NXT, defeated Sane on the May 23rd NXT, but lost the rubber match on the June 6th NXT.
Jazzy Gabert
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
After the tournament, Gabert did a dark match at an NXT TV Taping on August 24th. On September 2nd, she returned to Germany where she entered the GWF Women's Title Tournament and made it to the finals. On September 8th, she won the SWE Queen's of Switzerland tournament while successfully defending the SWE Ladies Title. In December, Gabert revealed the WWE offered her a deal but it was rescinded after it they found during a physical that she had three herniated discs in her neck. In early 2018, she underwent surgery and hopes to head to the WWE after getting cleared.
Marti Belle
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Belle would not be picked up and went back to the indy circuit for SHIMMER and National Wrasslin' League, the latter of whom she's made most of her appearances.
Kay Lee Ray
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
After the tournament, Ray went back to England where's she's competed for promotions like SWE, EVE, and Defiant while also making appearances for SHIMMER, RISE, WXW, and ICW. In September, she toured for Stardom and entered their 5Star Grand Prix tournament where she placed third in her block with 8 points. On November 25th, Ray won SWE's Queen of the Ring tournament as well as the Queen of Southside Title. In January, she returned to Stardom and challenged Mary Apache for the High Speed Title on January 21st but wasn't able to win it. She was also the reigning Defiant Women's Champion and continued to make successful title defenses until losing the title to Millie McKenzie at Defiant Chain Reaction on February 18th. She's received title shots since then but hasn't been able to regain the title. She's since also gotten shots at the WXW Women's Championship and the IPW: UK Women's Championship.
Xia Li
Current Status: Currently signed to WWE and competing in NXT
Li was already signed to WWE before the tournament but has only wrestled sporatically since then at house shows due to her inexperience as the MYC was her in-ring debut.
Reina Gonzalez
Current Status: Currently signed to WWE and competing in NXT
Gonzalez was already signed before the Mae Young Classic and continues to work for WWE. Her only notable match since has been competing in the number one contenders women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT. Since then, she's only worked house shows due to inexperience. In July, it was announced she would return for the 2018 edition of the Mae Young Classic.
Renee Michelle
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Michelle was not picked up after the tournament. Since then, she's worked the indies including SHINE and QOC. On January 20th at QOC 20, she challenged for the QOC Tag Team Championship but lost. She's also won some indy titles including Fighting Evolution Wrestling's Flares Title and the RIOT Women's Title.
Sarah Logan
Current Status: Currently signed by WWE and competing on the RAW brand
Logan was already signed before the Classic and went back to NXT after it ended. Logan was another to enter the number one contender's women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT but was unsuccessful. She became the first MYC to make it to the main roster (not counting Serena Deeb's 2010 run) when she debuted on the Smackdown brand on the November 21st Smackdown as a member of the Riott Squad with Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan. Logan entered the first women's Royal Rumble on January 28th but was unable to win it. On April 8th, Logan entered the first Wrestlemania Women's Battle Royal but wasn't successful there either. Shortly afterward, Logan (along with the rest of the Riott Squad) were drafted to the RAW brand. For most of her time, she's mostly been in tag matches either teaming mostly with both Riott & Morgan in six women tag matches or just Morgan in standard tag matches while running interference in Riott's singles matches. Logan wrestled in two qualifying matches for the Women's Money In The Bank match on the May 21st and May 28th RAWs but lost both to Natalya and Sasha Banks, respectively. On the July 16th RAW, Logan scored the biggest win of her career to date be defeating former NXT champion Ember Moon.
Zeda
Current Status: Released by WWE
Zeda was already signed before the Mae Young Classic. Zeda eventually made only two more TV appearances which was a loss to Sonya Deville on the September 5th NXT and participating in the number one contenders women's battle royal on the October 4th NXT. She only then had a handful of house show matches from October to March with her last match being on March 3rd in a loss to Sage Beckett. After several months of no appearances, Zeda was released in June. Since then, she's made appearances on the indy circuit.
Tessa Blanchard
Current Status: Not signed by WWE and currently wrestling in Impact Wrestling
Blanchard was yet another one who was shockingly passed over by WWE and returned to the indy circuit. Blanchard has enjoyed some of the biggest success since then as she continued to work for WrestleCircus where she is the Sideshow Champion and defeated Rachel Ellering in a title vs. title match for the Lady of the Ring championship at the Squared Ring Circus on July 22nd. She also continues to work in SHIMMER where she was one half of the reigning SHIMMER Tag Team Champions with Vanessa Kraven but lost the belts on November 11th at SHIMMER Vol. 97 to Delilah Doom & Leva Bates and later failed to win the Heart of SHIMMER Title from Shazza McKenzie at SHIMMER Vol. 100 on April 7th. She toured Australia in November for WSW where she successfully defended the Lady of the Ring Championship. She made appearances for QOC where she challenged Su Yung for the QOC Title but lost. She then appeared for CZW on April 14th participating in their Best of the Best tournament where she made it to the semifinals but lost to eventual winner David Starr. Blanchard debuted for Impact Wrestling on April 22nd doing guest commentary at their Redemption Pay-Per-View. She originally signed a short term deal but since signed a longer term deal and has engaged in rivalries with former Knockouts Champions Madison Rayne & Allie. On June 16th, Blanchard defeated Mercedes Martinez for the WSU World Title at WSU Breaking Barriers 5. She added to her trophy case in July when she won the vacant Phoenix of RISE Championship by defeated Martinez at RISE 9: RISE of the Knockouts on July 7th and then defeated Lacey Lane in a three way also involving Santana Garrett to win the Crash Femenil Title in the Mexican promotion The Crash on July 14th.
Sage Beckett
Current Status: Released by WWE
Beckett was already signed to WWE but her only TV appearance afterwards was wrestling the number one contenders women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT which she lost. Since then, she only appeared at house shows with her last match being a win over Zeda at a house show on March 3rd. Days later on March 8th, Beckett was released by WWE and hasn't wrestled since.
Kavita Devi
Current Status: Currently signed to WWE and competing in NXT
Originally not signed, Devi was signed to a contract at the end of 2017 and began training at the WWE Performance Center in January 2018. She's only wrestled a few house shows due to inexperience with her only televised appearance being a participant in the Wrestlemania Women's Battle Royal on April 8th but lost. In July, she was announced to be a participant in the 2018 MYC.
Maranda Salinas
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Salinas was not signed and went back to the indies. Salinas has mostly competed in SHIMMER and RISE. From January to February, Salinas toured Stardom and challenged Toni Storm for SWA Undisputed World Women's Title but failed to win it. On July 7th, Salinas teamed with Kylie Rae in a four way for the vacant Guardians of RISE Title at RISE 9: RISE of the Knockouts but lost to Dust & Raven's Ash.
Vanessa Borne
Current Status: Currently signed to WWE and competing in NXT
Borne was already under contract before the Classic. Borne also participated in the number one contenders women's battle royal from the October 25th NXT. Borne's largely done live events since while getting TV matches with Dakota Kai & Kairi Sane. In July, she lost to Taynara Conti in a Mae Young Classic qualifying match.
Santana Garrett
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Garrett was another one the WWE shockingly didn't sign after the tournament. In September, Garrett wrestled for Revolution Championship Wrestling where she was the RCW Women's Champion successfully defending the title against Chelsea Green on September 2nd at Women's World Cup 2017 but lost the title Sammii Jayne on September 3rd at Greetings From Calpe. She returned to NXT to compete in the number one contenders women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT but lost. In October, she challenged Priscilla Kelly for the SHINE Nova Championship at SHINE 46 on October 20th but lost and then entered ECWA's Super 8 ChickFight Tournament where she made it to the finals before falling to Karen Q. She continued to work indy dates into 2018 for SHINE and the revived MLW. She again challenged for the SHINE Nova Championship at SHINE 51 on June 9th against champion Candy Cartwright but lost again. She returned to NXT on the July 4th NXT losing to Dakota Kai. She competed for The Crash and challenged for the Crash Femenil Title in a three way against champion Lacey Lane and Tessa Blanchard but lost to Blanchard.
Taynara Conti
Current Status: Currently signed to WWE and competing in NXT
Conti was already signed before the tournament. Conti took part in the number one contenders women's battle royal on the October 25th NXT but came up short. Conti has mostly worked house shows due to inexperienced. On April 8th, she participated in the Wrestlemania Women's Battle Royal but lost. In July, she defeated Vanessa Borne in a Mae Young Classic Qualifying match to qualify for the 2018 Mae Young Classic.
Ayesha Raymond
Current Status: Not signed by WWE
Raymond wasn't picked up and returned to her native England where she's competed in the UK for promotions like IPW UK and Reckless Intent Wrestling. On September 9th, she won and then lost the Reckless Intent Hardcore Championship on the same night. On April 7th, she entered a battle royal for the Rackless Intent Heavyweight Championship but lost. On April 27th, she entered IPW UK Women's Championship Number One Contenders Tournament where she was a runner up before losing to Chakara. On May 5th, Raymond competed in a four way for the GWF Women's Title but lost to champion Katey Harvey. In July, she toured for SEAdLINNING in Japan.
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