The women’s wrestling scene is deeper in 2018 than it ever has been. A quick look indicates that WWE has 35 contracted women wrestling on their three brands. On top of that, we have 32 women taking part in the second Mae Young Classic, as we’ll see tonight on the Bracketology special at 9pm tonight. Despite this, the scene remains chock full of talent and there is enough to run another Mae Young Classic full of non-WWE talent. Here’s a look at 32 other women who could quite easily substitute for the 32 announced women in an “alternative” Mae Young Classic. EDITOR’S NOTE: This list is purely subjective, and there is countless other women’s wrestlers who could be added to this list. If you think of someone else who could be added, let us know in the comments below!
Command Bolshoi
If the Mae Young Classic can get Meiko Satomura then we can have another Joshi legend in Command Bolshoi. The 27-year veteran is has had almost 1000 matches in her career and is a 6-time JWP Tag Team Championas well as a 4-time Daily Sport Tag Team Champion,a former ICExInfinity Champion, Reina-CMLL International Championand 2-time JWP Openweight Champion. Bolshoi has also wrestled for some of the biggest companies in the world including New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), Consejo Mundial De Lucha Libre (CMLL), AAA Worldwide, Japanese Women Pro-Wrestling Project (JWP), All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling (AJW), and Frontier Martial-arts Wrestling (FMW) as well as almost every major Joshi company in the last 20 years.
Viper
The 27-year-old Scottish native was a competitor in the first ever Mae Young Classic as Piper Niven. She is one of the best independent wrestlers in the world and has been a champion almost everywhere she went. A 2x ICW Women’s Champion, Fierce Females Championfor over three years, former Artist Of Stardom champion and has won many smaller titles all over Scotland. Her spot in the World Of Sport women’s division ensures she will become a big star in the UK.
Kay Lee Ray
Another former Mae Young Classic Competitor and a legendary figure in Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW) as one of the pivotal figures of their rise to fame. She is another elite in-ring wrestler who has had classic matches in ICW and tore the house down against Meiko Satomura at Wrestle Queendom, the biggest all women’s show in European wrestling history. She will go down in history as the first ever WOS Women’s champion, is a former 2x ICW women’s champion and is a former Defiant Women’s Champion.
Marcela
A 33-year wrestling veteran Marcela would join Bolshoi as one of the biggest and veterans in the tournament. Has wrestled over 1000 matches and spent her entire career with Lucha giants CMLL. Also wrestled for other promotions like JWP, AJWP, and Big Japan Wrestling as well as various appearances at Mexican indies. She is notably a 4x CMLL World Women’s Champion and is undefeated in Luchas de Apuestas matches.
Keyra
At just 22 years old, Keyra is one of the biggest prospects in Mexican wrestling. Debuting in 2009, she has already wrestled hundreds of matches and is already a seasoned in-ring competitor at just 22. Mainly wrestles all over the Mexican independent scene including companies like The Crash and Lucha Libre Elite, as well as competing for AAA occasionally. Former The Crash Femenil Champion and current AULL Women’s Champion for over a year.
Mayu Iwatani
The MYC gets former ace Io Shirai, so we will get current ace Mayu Iwatani. At 25, she has spent her entire career with Stardom, making very rare appearances in other Joshi companies. Already has a very long list of title reigns being a former World Of Stardomchampion, 2x Goddesses Of Stardom champion, 3x Artist Of Stardom and former High Speed Champion for over 500 days. The highly decorated ace will only add to her list of accolades as her career goes on.
Chelsea Green
Heavily rumored to be on her way to the WWE but still available for our tournament. Had the best run of her career as Laurel Van Ness in IMPACT Wrestling where her character work really shone through. A student of Lance Storm, a former contest with WWE Tough Enough, Chelsea Green is one of the biggest stars in the indie scene, and will be working this weekend in Chicago, fighting at All In.
Jordynne Grace
The 22-year-oldd debuted in 2012 and is already one of the best women’s wrestlers in the North American independent scene. The “Last Pure Athlete” is a powerhouse in the ring. Currently holds three major titles as the Women Superstars Uncensored (WSU) Spirit Champion, Pro Wrestling Magic (PWM) Women’s Champion and Black Label Pro (BLP) Champion. She has also been to Europe where she has had classic matches with the likes of Viper, Livvii Grace and DASH Chisako, which is a free match offered by Over The Top Wrestling.
Sweet Saraya
The matriarch of the Knight family, she’s also famous for being mum to WWE Superstar Paige. While Paige can no longer wrestle, her mother is a veteran and was the one that trained Paige. A wrestler since 1990, Saraya is a cult legend of the UK scene. Has wrestled for almost every company in the European scene including International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom (IPW:UK), German Wrestling Federation (GWF), Preston City Wrestling (PCW), All-Star Wrestling (ASW), Pro Wrestling EVE, and has competed for SHINE and SHIMMER in the US. Saraya has captured fourteen different titles in her career across seventeen reigns and co-founded World Association of Wrestling (WAW) with her husband, Ricky Knight.
Melanie Gray
Before there was Killer Kelly in Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw), there was Melanie Gray. A veteran of the German wrestling scene and for a long time one of the only German women featured on a big stage. Has charisma and character as well as solid in-ring work.
LuFisto
Debuting in 1997, LuFisto has been an ever present in the North American indie scene for two decades. She is tough as nails and has featured in some crazy death matches. A regular performer for SHIMMER, Shine, Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) and Beyond Wrestling, she has popped up in AAA and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) as well. She is the current JAPW Women’s Champion, former Shine Champion and has captured numerous other independent titles over the years.
Madison Eagles
Debuting in 2001, Madison Eagles is an Australian veteran who stands at 6’1″, making her a bit of a tough task for other performers to overcome. Despite her size, she does not wrestle like a typical “big woman”. Eagles is a great pure wrestler who is one of the better technical wrestlers in the women’s scene. Her 539-day SHIMMER title reign in 2010/2011 is considered the best in the promotion’s history, as she defended the title against a who’s who of women’s wrestling names.
Shazza McKenzie
Another product of Australia, McKenzie is a 10-year veteran who went from just a comedy act to a competent wrestler. The current and 2x PWA Women’s Champion and is a former Heart of SHIMMER champion, McKenzie is a mainstay in the Australian scene and regularly features for SHIMMERand RISE Wrestling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuoZl8V1LTE
Kiera Hogan
Hogan is one of the top prospects in the US scene. At just 23, is already a regular in IMPACT and is highly thought of by IMPACT management. Has already had a 490-day reign as WSU Spirit Champion and competes for some of the elite women’s promotions in the US like Shine and SHIMMER.
Ivelisse
Ivelisse is a woman with unmatched charisma. She is a real badass who looks and plays the part, often going to war with men as well as women she is no stranger to a fight. Ivelisse is probably most known for her run on Lucha Underground as a former 2x Trios Champion along with Son Of Havoc and Angelico. The underdog trio were a huge part of the early run of the show with Ivelisse standing out as the coolest member. She is also a former 2x Shine Champion and Shine Tag Team Champion.
Aja Perera
An upcoming Brazilian star who has shown great potential. A performer for Shine, Queens Of Combat (QOC), Lucha Libre Femenil and RISE, she has yet to capture major gold yet but is a name to watch out for
Aspyn Rose
Another prospect from the US indie scene. Rose can mostly be found on Carolina Wrestling Federation (CWF) Mid-Atlantic and has wrestled for NOVA, SHINE, QOC and ACW. She wrestles in most Florida indies and at 22 has all the potential in the world.
Metalica (aka Felina Metalica)
Another Luchadora and a younger one than Marcela, Metalica was trained by Justiciero, Negro Navarro, Robin Maravilla, Rocky Santana, Sadico, and Terrorista. The 9-year veteran is a regular for CMLL and has competed around the Mexican indies including Desastre Total Ultraviolento (DTU), a Lucha Extrema company.
Sanely
Another Luchadora and another CMLL regular. Sanely is one of the best luchadoras on the CMLL roster despite only debuting in 2015. Trained by awesome wrestlers like Black Warrior, Shocker and Ultimo Guerrero, you can be sure Sanely is extremely talented.
Lisa Marie Varon (aka Victoria/Tara)
The Mae Young Classic has featured one comeback each time. If there is one former WWE Superstar that would be welcome in a MYC it is Victoria. The 47-year-old was always a step above most women on the roster when she was one of the only experienced wrestlers left. She will always be remembered for her crazy characters which she played so well. A 2x WWE Women’s champion who went on to have an amazing run in IMPACT. As Tara, she became a 5x Knockouts Champion, main evented IMPACT in a cage match against Mickie James and was a cornerstone of the Knockouts division at its peak.
Tessa Blanchard
Tessa Blanchard is, of course, the daughter of legend Tully Blanchard. She has on occasion flirted with the WWE, and she would not be out of place in a WWE ring, but she is currently signed to IMPACT Wrestling where she is set to make her mark for years to come. She is a powerhouse of the US indie scene currently holding 6 major titles. The current PCW ULTRA Women’s Champion, WrestleCircus Lady Of The Ring Champion, Zelo Pro Women’s Champion, WSU Women’s Champion, The Crash Femenil Champion and Phoeninx of RISE Champion is as deserving as anyone of a spot in the alternate Mae Young Classic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itbdZuduPCU
Taya Valkyrie
“Lucha Royalty” Taya Valkyrie is one of the best heels in Lucha Libre. Trained by legendary grappler Lance Storm, she is solid in the ring, but it is her character work that wins you over. Whether it’s in AAA or Lucha Underground she adds so much to partner Johnny Mundo‘s act. The former 2x AAA Reina de Reinas champion was one of the most featured women in both AAA and LU and is starting to make waves with IMPACT Wrestling.
Sammii Jayne
The main event empress is on the comeback trail from a horrific injury suffered against Viper. She has wrestled all over Scotland for promotions such as ICW, DiscoverY Wrestling, Fierce Femalesand early in her career started out in Scottish Wrestling Entertainment. Branching out to Pro Wrestling EVE in 2017, she set off on a near year-long reign as champion. Her heel run culminated in her main eventing the biggest Women’s wrestling show in European history at WrestleQueendom. Her success in EVE has bee emulated around the UK as she is now the holder of 5 titles. The RCW, OTT, DW, MEW and 3CW women’s champion will be a big star in the UK scene soon enough.
Tenille Dashwood (aka Emma)
Dashwood’s WWE release was met with much disappointment for WWE fans who had seen her two NXT runs. First as the bubbly babyface with a great theme song, she laid the foundations of the women’s evolution alongside Paige. When her first call-up didn’t work out, she returned to NXT and wowed Full Sail again as a heel. The main roster couldn’t find use for her talents and after a failed repackaging to Emmalina, she became a background player. Her sudden release shocked fans as she had just put on great matches with a debuting Asuka. Since her release, she has shown what the WWE missed becoming a big part of Women of Honor and is a draw for any US indie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLltZR-Uge0
Harlow O’Hara
“The Priestess” Harlow O’Hara uses her real-life experience as a Hairdresser and Makeup Artist to make her character come to fruition. Also known as “The Deliverer of the Dark Rites”, O’Hara has a gothic character that makes her a unique addition to any tournament.
Allie
The character of Allie has become one of IMPACT’s recognizable names. At first, she was the smiling, slightly annoying assistant to Maria Kanelis. Due to the mistreatment she suffered at the hands of her boss she got over with fans who wanted to see her snap. Since then her character has evolved into a great wrestler and one of the key women in the Knockouts division. A former SHIMMER and Shine tag team champion as part of the Kimber Bombs, a former WSU World Champion, a title she held for 644 days, and a 2x Knockouts champion. One of the most easily recognizable women’s wrestlers outside of the WWE and a great wrestler to boot.
Rosemary
“The Demon Assasin” Rosemary is another IMPACT star in this tournament. Her background in acting makes her performance even better. Her time with the Decay stable in IMPACT saw her become one of the company’s most prominent acts. She had her part in feuds with the Broken Hardy’s and Jade (Mia Yim) where her dark character got to show off all the layers. Between that and Demon Bunny, Rosemary has shown to be more than your typical “crazy” or “Dark” character. Before her IMPACT days, Courtney Rush was an accomplished wrestler on the Indie scene primarily in Canada and had a standout feud with Cherry Bomb (Allie) that lead to the creation of Rosemary.
Jessica Havok
Havok is one of the coolest women on the indies. Her whole aesthetic screams IDGAF and she looks like she would legitimately kill you if she had the chance. “The Havok Death Machine” was a big star in WSU, winning every title in the company at least once. She also has a run as TNA Knockouts Champion back in 2014, before a series of matches with the returning Awesome Kong saw her put the legend over before she left. Since then she has been on WWE’s radar and become one of the main women’s’ wrestlers booked for higher level indies like DEFY and AAW as well as the main women’s promotions like Shine, SHIMMER, and RISE.
Kellyanne
Kellyanne has been training since she was 15. She was trained by the best in Australia, including the likes of Tenille Dashwood. She also went to Canada to train at the Lance Storm Academy before heading to Mexico to train with Gran Apache. Kellyanne has shown tonnes of initiative in training in many styles, she was also offered an AAA developmental deal and is on the WWE radar. A breakout is all she needs to become a big indie name.
Zoe Lucas
Lucas has quickly burst onto the scene. With NXT UK snapping up women’s talents, Lucas will get a chance to shine in the UK if she chooses to settle here. Lucas was part of the RevPro women’s division before it even had a title, and she has also wrestled for PROGRESS, EVE, IPW:UK and 5 Star Wrestling. Lucas has not just wrestled in the UK, she has been touring Stardom since 2017 and has had a few matches in SHIMMER. Zoe Lucas is a great talent who tours the world improving her already good in-ring work and she will definitely be a future champion in either RevPro or PROGRESS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6zHlYbz5pk
Katey Harvey
The Queen of Irish wrestling Katey Harvey. She was a women’s wrestler in Ireland before women’s wrestling really existed. With the Irish wrestling boom, she has been able to see the growth of women’s wrestling and has spearheaded at least 3 women’s divisions in Ireland. Harvey has also had her talents recognized outside of Europe. She is the current GWF Women’s Champion and frequently wrestles for Flemish Wrestling Force in Belgium. Harvey has wrestled all over Ireland for every company in the country be it Celtic Championship Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Ulster (where she is a 2-Time women’s champion), Fight Factory Pro Wrestling and of course OTT where her feud with Session Moth Martina over the OTT Women’s championship made the two Irish wrestling legends.
Jetta
“Coventry’s Loudest” and a self-proclaimed “British Legend”, Jetta has been part of the UK wrestling scene since 2002. Her 16 years of experience have made her razor sharp on a microphone and one of the most polished workers in the UK. She is a former 2x Bellatrix (WAW) British Champion, former IPW:UK Women’s Champion and former Celtic Crown Women’s Champion. Over the last few years, Jetta has mainly plied her trade in EVE and has yet to appear for any of the major companies. Despite this Jetta is more than deserving of a spot due to her years of experience and fantastic heel work. She recently crashed the set of UK pop star Kate Nash (aka Brittanica on the Netflix series GLOW) at last week’s Reading Festival causing great disturbance.
32 women later and we have an awesome line up with a mix of talents. It would have been easy to copy and paste the Stardom roster, it would have been easy to just talk about the Shine and SHIMMER rosters. But we wanted an international appeal, we wanted to add talent from all over the world and we wanted to mix characters with veterans with prospects. We have added Full, free and completely legal matches where possible to allow you to watch wrestlers that you aren’t familiar with. Despite the number of talent signed to the WWE and Mae Young Classic, we have a lineup of 32 women that could put on a fantastic tournament to rival the Mae Young Classic and we are sure that if needs be we could find 32 more because women’s wrestling is chock full of talent these days.
