Why Was Madison Rayne The Only Competitor Not Allowed To Use Her Previous Ring Name In The Mae Young Classic?

Former IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Champion Madison Rayne recently lost her title at this year’s Slammiversary PPV last month, and is now competing in the second annual WWE Mae Young Classic.

When it was announced that she would be participating in this year’s tournament it was noted that WWE decided to call the former Knockouts Champion “Ashley” Rayne instead of Madison. This was odd being that she was the only competitor in the tournament who was not allowed to use her previous ring name.

On the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed Rayne’s appearance in the 2018 Mae Young Classic and noted that WWE’s decision to change her ring name more than likely had something to do with where she was featured previously on TV and how her character was handled on the air. Regarding WWE calling her Ashley, Meltzer said:

“I think the reason they made Madison Rayne changed her name is because they didn’t want to have someone who was on Impact a week ago. So that’s why I think they changed her name. She was the only one that changed her name.”

Rayne’s real name is Ashley Simmons, and is married for former WWE On-Air Personality Josh Mathews, who now is the lead announcer for IMPACT Wrestling.

If you don’t want any spoiler’s then do not read below here.

[Mae Young Classic SPOILER:]

It should also be noted that her showing in this year’s Mae Young Classic wasn’t all that great, as she lost her opening round match.

 
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(H/T our friends at Ringsidenews.com for the transcriptions.)