NXT Superstar will have a second chance this summer to win the coveted Mae Young Classic Tournament as she was announced by WWE as the second participant of the competition, after former WWE Divas Champion Kaitlyn yesterday. 

Rhea Ripley, 21, had worked in many promotions in her native country of Australia from 2013 to 2017. She also worked in Japan and Mexico, before becoming a participant of the first-ever Mae Young Classic Tournament last summer. 

Under the ring name Rhea Ripley, she was the youngest competitor in the field of this first tournament. She eliminated Miranda Salinas in the first round. She advanced to the second rounds of the tournament where she was eliminated by Dakota Kai.  

She was quickly signed by WWE and sent to the Performance Center after the tournament. She made her debut in NXT a few weeks after, on August 25, in a three-on-three tag team match and wrestled her first NXT singles match a month after against Bianca Belair. Ever since she has been a steady presence in NXT live events and TV weekly shows. 

Ripley has yet to chase the NXT Women’s Championship, held by fellow Tournament participant Shayna Baszler. Winning this second edition could be the key to her upcoming success for the hard-hitting and striking wrestler. 

More names will be announced by WWE in the coming days and weeks. The Mae Young Classic 2018 Tournament tapings are taking place on August 8 and 9 at Full Sail Live in Orlando, Florida. The shows were sold out a few hours after the announcement of the tapings.