My Picks for the 2nd Annual Mae Young Classic

My Picks for the 2nd Annual Mae Young Classic

As you all know, it was recently announced that there would be another Mae Young Classic tournament this year. Seeing as last year's was a big hit, I am very excited for this next one. Today's post is to share with you (in no particular order) new women that I'd like to see in the tournament this year. At the end, I will tell you which women I'd like to see return.

Chelsea Green

Why not start off the list with Chelsea Green, formerly known in Impact Wrestling as Laurel Van Ness. To be honest,  I did not like her when she appeared on WWE Tough Enough in 2015. However, that opinion has changed over the past couple of years. She became a one-time Impact Knockouts Champion under her psycho gimmick during her time with Impact Wrestling. She currently wrestles for Lucha Underground and still works the independent circuit. I would love to see "Hot Mess" Chelsea Green make an appearance this year, possibly leading to a run in WWE.

Laurel Van Ness (Chelsea Green) vs Kiera Hogan

Leva Bates

Whether you know her as Leva Bates or Blue Pants, there's no doubt that this woman has made a name for herself. She has been giving the nickname "The Queen of Cosplay" because of her amazing ability to accurately cosplay other wrestlers and characters. As well as working the indies, Bates wrestles for Shine Wrestling and SHIMMER Women Athletes. I think a return to the WWE by participating in the Mae Young Classic would be great for her, the tournament, and the company. Also, if you enjoy video games, follow her on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/wrestlingleva.

Bates as LevaTaker and Other Cosplays

Leva Bates vs Amber Nova 

Jessicka Havok

Jessicka Havok has proven herself to be a dominant force in pro wrestling. I recently discovered the first, and only, AAW Women's Champion a few months ago. She's one of the most down-to-earth people outside of the ring. However, inside the ring, she's not someone you want to mess with. It's not surprising that she's won numerous championships during her career. I truly believe "The Havok Death Machine" would be a great addition to the tournament. You can also check her out on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/jessickahavok.

Jessicka Havok vs Samantha Heights

Saraya Knight

If the name and face sounds familiar, then you're probably right about who you think this is. Saraya Knight is the mother of WWE's Paige. This tournament deserves a long-time veteran and Saraya Knight is the one. Age has not slowed her down one bit. She's won championships across the world and is an active roster member of World Association of Women's Wrestling (WAWW), SHIMMER, and Shine Wrestling. It would be a great moment to see Saraya wrestling with Paige cheering her on in the front row.

Sweet Saraya Knight vs Lizzy Styles

Nicole Matthews

Nicole Matthews is a Canadian professional wrestler who has made a name for herself throughout the world. She has spent her career wrestling for independent promotions such as Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling (ECCW) and SHIMMER. She served as a fill-in for last year's MYC tournament just in case anyone got hurt. I believe that she was earned a spot to actually be in it this year. She's good in the ring and on the mic, and those are two key factors to becoming a major star in the WWE. Whether she wins or not, I would love to see her signed with the company after the tournament. 

Nicole Matthews vs Cat Power

Aerial Monroe

Aerial Monroe is well known in the southern female independent scene, as well as other promotions. The more well-known promotions that she competes in are Shine and Queens of Combat. She was trained by her fiancée, Cedric Alexander. On top of that, Monroe's got a great physique and could easily work the tournament as a heel or babyface. Oh, and if her face looks familiar, you probably remember her as one of the jobbers that Nia Jax faced back in 2016. 

Aerial Monroe vs Red Velvett

Delilah Doom

Delilah Doom is another well-known star in the independent circuit. You may also remember her being featured in a squash match with Nia Jax in 2016 and with Carmella in 2017. She is currently holding the SHIMMER Tag Team Championship alongside Leva Bates. She is very exciting to watch and I think she would go over well with the crowd at Full Sail during the tournament. She's another one that I'd be very interested to see the company sign to NXT after the tournament. 

Delilah Doom vs Machiko

Nixon Newell

Nixon Newell is a current member of the NXT women's roster. Before signing with WWE in 2017, she wrestled in the independent circuit and for several other promotions. She was scheduled to participate in last year's MYC tournament, but was replaced due to injury. Thankfully, she has recently returned from injury. Participating in the tournament would be a great opportunity for her. It would allow "The Girl with the Shiniest Wizard" to become more well-known throughout the WWE.

Nixon Newell vs Bea Priestly 

Veda Scott

Veda Scott currently works the American independent circuit. She has wrestled for major promotions such as Ring of Honor, TNA, SHIMMER, and Shine Wrestling. Scott has solid mic skills and I would say part of that is due to her having gone to law school. Every tournament needs some underdogs, and if it was up to me, Scott would be my pick for one. She is definitely someone that the crowd can get behind. I definitely hope to see her in the tournament this year.

Veda Scott vs Kay Lee Ray

Indi Hartwell

  

Indi Hartwell is only 21-years old and has already made a name for herself and has received a WWE tryout. Also, she is one of the top female pro wrestlers to come from Australia. All of that is very impressive for someone that has only been wrestling for two years. Not too long ago she did a tour in the United States and was able to train at Booker T's gym and train with Tessa Blanchard. Despite only being in the business for a two years, it's not hard to see that Hartwell has the ability to be a major star one day. 

Indi Hartwell vs Tessa Blanchard

Shotzi Blackheart

Shotzi Blackheart is another one on the list that works with SHIMMER, as well as, RISE Wrestling. Back in 2015, she made it to the final 14 on WWE Tough Enough, but had to be cut due to medical reasons. Since she's only been wrestling for a few years, this tournament would help her to excel in her career. Her punk rock gimmick helps bring a lot of charisma to her character, which makes her very fun to watch. Blackheart has great potential and I hope she gets a chance to showcase it in this year's MYC tournament. 

Shotzi Blackheart vs Thunder Rosa

Rachel Bostic

Rachel Bostic, aka Ray Lyn, currently wrestles for OVW and in the independent circuit. She's another one that Nia Jax destroyed during her run of squash matches in 2016. Throughout her career, Bostic has monikered herself as a major heel; alongside her husband Dylan Bostic. She's great at working the crowd, which is a big part of being a heel. I've followed her career through Twitter the past few years and I can tell you that she can be one of the top female heel pro wrestlers if given the chance.  

Ray Lyn vs Heather Monroe

Shazza McKenzie

Though she is only 29, Shazza McKenzie has been wrestling for 13 years. Back in 2015, she was featured on a taping of NXT having a match with Emma. She has wrestled for several promotions in Australia (where she's from) and in the United States. However, currently, she is an active member of the SHIMMER roster. McKenzie's already got years of experience under her belt, so she could definitely be a great asset to the tournament. 

Shazza McKenzie vs Santana Garrett 

Aliyah

As many of you know, Aliyah is currently part of the NXT women's division. She hasn't had many opportunities to make a name for herself yet. So, I think this tournament would be a great start for her. From what we have seen from her on NXT, she is continuing to get better and better. This tournament could help give her the exposure that she needs in order to make it in NXT. She was not in it last year, so I'm hoping that they give her a shot at it this year.

Aliyah vs Lacey Evans

So, in this post, I have you given you fourteen names to be in this year's Mae Young Classic. None of these women were in it last year, and I believe that they should be in it this year. 

Here are the women that I would like to see return for the tournament:

Kavita Devi

Kay Lee Ray

Mercedez Martinez

Mia Yim (who would be my pick to win it all)

Nicole Savoy

Piper Niven

Santana Garrett

Taynara Conti

Toni Storm

Vanessa Borne

Zeda

In total, I have shared with you my 25 picks for the tournament. That leaves 7 spots open in the 32-woman tournament. Let me know who you would like to see in the 2nd Annual Mae Young Classic in the comment section below!