Mae Young Classic Update: WWE Hall of Famer Joins Announce Team

WWE Hall of Famer Alundra Blayze (aka Madusa) announced on Instagram this week that she would indeed be involved in The Mae Young Classic in some capacity, but didn't go into specifics. Thankfully, Jim Ross confirmed on the latest edition of his Ross Report podcast that Blayze will be joining himself and fellow Hall of Famer Lita for commentary duties on the upcoming WWE Network event.

We're only days away from the taping of the Mae Young Classic, the WWE Network's first-ever women's tournament. But nearly half the field of 32 competitors still have yet to be revealed.

To kick off this historic event, the WWE will broadcast a "Parade of Champions" introducing all 32 competitors. This official unveiling will take place tomorrow, July 13th, airing live on Facebook at 6:30PM ET. Taping for the tournament commences the following day- Friday, July 14th- from Full Sail University.

Seventeen names have officially been released as participants in the tournament so far. Just today Kay Lee Ray and Ayesha Raymond were added to that list, joining the previously announced talents of Rhea Ripley, Sage Beckett, Kairi Sane, Sarah Logan, Bianca Belair, Lacey Evans, Princesa Sugehit, Toni Storm, Abbey Laith, Tessa Blanchard, Taynara Conti, Jazzy Gabert, Dakota Kai, Piper Niven and Kavita Devi.

Up Next: More Names Announced For Mae Young Classic Tournament

Like other recent WWE Network events The United Kingdom Tournament and Cruiser Weight Classic, the Mae Young Classic will be an opportunity to showcase an array of international stars not yet familiar to WWE fans, featuring some of the most talented women in sports entertainment from around the world.

It's likely we'll see several of the participants join WWE's developmental brand, NXT, and even possible the winner could advance straight to the main roster. According to Cageside Seats, the latest rumors suggest that the winner of the Mae Young Classic may even be awarded a brand new title belt created just for the history-making tournament.

More: Jim Ross and Lita to Announce WWE's Mae Young Classic

Blayze was inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame in 2015. She was known in her heyday for infamously throwing the WWF Women's Championship belt into the trash on live WCW television. At the time, she was blacklisted from WWE, and the incident was reportedly the seeds for the Montreal Screwjob.

But today Blayze is considered a huge pioneer in women's wrestling and an important part of WWE history. Her contributions should be heavily highlighted in the tournament. It's possible that she could have a big backstage producer's role for the event as well.

The Mae Young Classic tournament will commence taping from Full Sail University this Friday, July 14th, with the finals set to take place on September 12, in Las Vegas, Nevada.