5 Years Later: the Inaugural Mae Young Classic Participants

Where are they now?

also posted on NoDQ.com in Features

5 years ago today, the Mae Young Classic tournament final match aired live from the Thomas & Mack Center in Paradise, Nevada on the WWE Network. The tournament began with 32 wrestlers from WWE's NXT brand and independent circuit wrestlers that consisted of complete unknowns, indie darlings and even a former UFC fighter. The winner of the inaugural tournament was Kairi Sane.

The Mae Young Classic has provided many people with great opportunities since its inception in 2017. The classic has helped build current stars or ones that are on the come up. Then there are some who were never able to use the classic to obtain success. Here’s a look at where all 32 participants are now 5 years later.

Participants

1. Abbey Laith: free agent on the independent circuit

2. Ayesha Raymond: SEAdLINNNG (Japan)

3. Bianca Belair: WWE Raw Women’s Champion

4. Candice LeRae: free agent

5. Dakota Kai: WWE Raw. Part of Damage CTRL alongside Bayley and Iyo Sky

6. Jazzy Gabert: SIRIUS Sports Entertainment

7. Kairi Sane: World Wonder Ring Stardom

8. Kavita Devi: free agent

9. Kay Lee Ray: now known as Alba Fyre. WWE NXT

10. Lacey Evans: WWE Smackdown

11. Marti Belle: National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)

12. Mercedes Martinez: AEW. ROH Women’s World Champion

13. Mia Yim: Impact Wrestling

14. Miranda Salinas: now known as Miranda Alize. Ultimate Woman of Wrestling (UWW). Hurricane Pro Cruiserweight Champion

15. Nicole Savoy: Major League Wrestling

16. Piper Niven: now known as Doudrop. WWE Raw

17. Princesa Sugehit: Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL)

18. Rachel Evers: free agent

19. Reina González: now known as Raquel Rodriguez. WWE Smackdown. Women’s Tag Team Champion with Aliyah

20. Renee Michelle: free agent

21. Rhea Ripley: WWE Raw. Part of The Judgement Day with Finn Balor, Damien Priest and Dominik Mysterio

22. Sage Beckett: free agent

23. Santana Garrett: coach for WWE Performance Center

24. Sarah Logan: free agent. CYN and WWE recent appearances

25. Serena Deeb: AEW

26. Shayna Baszler: WWE Smackdown

27. Taynara Conti: now known as Tay Melo. AEW and part of the Jericho Appreciation Society

28. Tessa Blanchard: Ultimate Woman of Wrestling (UWW)

29. Toni Storm: interim AEW Women’s World Champion

30. Vanessa Borne: free agent

31. Xia Li: WWE Smackdown

32. Zeda: now known as Zeda Zhang. Ultimate Woman of Wrestling (UWW)

Honorable Mentions:

1. Aliyah: (lost to Bianca in Qualifying Match) WWE Smackdown. Women’s Tag Team Champion with Raquel Rodriguez

2. Jessika Carr: was a referee in this tournament and since has gone on to referee full-time on Smackdown.

Final Thoughts

I can not guarantee the complete accuracy of this list, but I have done a good amount of research in finding current status of the lesser knowns. If you have any information that is different or more updated, I would be grateful if you would pass along in the comments.

Does any of the surprise you?