WWE has announced that the 2018 Mae Young Classic will kick off on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 from Full Sail University. The Mae Young Classic tournament will air on the WWE Network some time this summer, although no premiere date has been announced at this time.

WWE confirmed the Mae Young Classic will once again be a 32-woman single-elimination tournament. This year’s field of competitors will feature talent from 12 countries.

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“We are thrilled to once again present the Mae Young Classic and provide a global showcase for 32 of the top female talent from around the world,” said Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative. “Last year’s event was a significant milestone in WWE’s Women’s Evolution, and I am confident this year’s event will break even more barriers.”

Last year’s inaugural Mae Young Classic saw Kairi Sane defeat reigning NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler in the finals. Many of the participants in the first Mae Young Classic are now under contract to WWE. In addition to Sane and Baszler, Candice LaRae, Deonna Purrazzo, Bianca Belair and Lacey Evans are among the other signees.

Discussion: What female wrestlers from the independent scene would you want to see in this year’s Mae Young Classic?