With the live tapings for the upcoming Mae Young Classic coming up this weekend (July 13 and 14) and only 15 of the 32 women announced by the WWE, it stands to reason we should be getting the finalized announcement sometime mid-week. But Squared Circle Sirens, one of the most reliable sources of info on women’s wrestling, has revealed that eleven women (and probably much more) are currently in Orlando getting medicals prior to inclusion in the tournament. According to the WWE’s website, all 32 names will be announced live during a Facebook “parade” at 6:30pm EST this Thursday.
First off, the 15 confirmed names by the WWE are: Kairi Sane (Kairi Hojo), Tessa Blanchard, Toni Storm, Abbey Laith (Princess Kimber Lee), Taynara Conti, Jazzy Gabert (Alpha Female), Kavita Devi, Princess Sugehit, Lacey Evans, Bianca BelAir (Bianca Blair), Sarah Logan (Crazy Mary Dobson), Piper Nevin (Viper), Dakota Kai (Evie), Rhea Ripley (Demi Bennett), and Sage Beckett (Andrea).
THE MEDICAL LIST
Here’s the list of eleven women currently undergoing medical tests in Orlando.
SHAYNA BASZLER
Former UFC fighter (part of Rhonda Rousey’s Four Horsewomen); current AIW Women’s Champion.
MARTI BELLE
Former Impact Knockout and part of the Dollhouse.
SANTANA GARRETT
One of the most decorated women’s champions of the past few years, with runs in SHIMMER, SHINE, Stardom and much more.
BARBI HAYDEN
Former NWA Women’s Champion; has appeared for QOC and SHINE
JESSICA JAMES
Held Inspire Pro XX Division title over 500 days; has worked for Ring of Honor, SHINE and SHIMMER
MERCEDES MARTINEZ
Current women’s champion for SHIMMER, wXw, WSU and NCW Femme Fatales, plus SHINE Tag Team Champion
RENEE MICHELLE
3x MCW Women’s Champion, current WXW Diamond Division Champion
MIRANDA
Works with Booker T’s ROW in Texas
NICOLE SAVOY
SHIMMER regular who has also competed for QOC and AIW amongst others.
LEI’D TAPA
Former TNA and GFW talent; niece of former WWE Superstar The Barbarian
TWO RECRUITS GET NXT NAMES
Squared Circle also reported that NXT recruit Julie Ho has been renamed Zeda and will be announced soon as part of the Mae Young, as well as Chinese recruit Zhao Xia has been renamed Xia Li, presumably joining as well.
MADUSA COMING TO MAE YOUNG
WWE Hall of Famer Madusa (aka Alundra Blayze) also announced on Instagram that she will be taking part in the Mae Young Classic event – while there’s a chance she could be a nostalgic competitor, it’s probably more likely she’s joining as a guest panelist, perhaps like what Corey Graves did during the Cruiserweight Classic, or even working as a producer or trainer.
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