To date, there have only been two tournaments. The first was held in the summer of 2017 and was won byKairi Sane. The second was held in 2018 and was won byToni Storm—the final of the second tournament was held at WWE's first all femalepay-per-view,Evolution. As a result of both tournaments, many competitors from the independent circuit were signed by WWE to compete on their NXT brand, with some from the second tournament being signed to the upstartNXT UK brand. A 2019 tournament was planned but fell through.
At a press conference during the weekend ofWrestleMania 33, the Americanprofessional wrestling promotionWWE announced that a women's tournament would be taking place in the summer of 2017, with a total of 32 wrestlers competing. It was also announced that the tournament would be involve wrestlers from WWE'sNXTbrand and wrestlers from theindependent circuit and would air on the company's online streaming service, theWWE Network. The event was named in honor ofMae Young, aWWE Hall of Famer who is considered one of the pioneers of women's professional wrestling.[1] The inaugural tournament was won byKairi Sane.[2]
In April 2018, a second tournament was announced, and like the first, it also featured wrestlers from WWE's NXT brand and those from the independent circuit and also aired on the WWE Network.[3] It was also held in the summer, but the final was scheduled for WWE's first all femalepay-per-view,Evolution on October 28. The winner of the second tournament wasToni Storm.[4]
In August 2019, WWE executive and NXT headTriple H confirmed that a 2019 edition of the Mae Young Classic was being planned.[5] In October, WWE listed tickets for sale for November 2–3; however, the posting was later removed and the 2019 tournament never happened.[6]
The winner of the Mae Young Classic was awarded the Mae Young Classic Trophy, made in the likeness of the event's logo for that respective year. Kairi Sane was also awarded a match for theNXT Women's Championship for winning the 2017 tournament;[2] however, Toni Storm did not receive a championship match for winning the 2018 tournament.[4]
