Shayna Baszler Joins WWE Performance Center

Shayna Baszler made it all the way to the finals of the Mae Young Classic, but unfortunately for Baszler she was defeated by Kairi Sane. Kairi will go on to challenge for the NXT Women’s Championship at NXT Takeover: Houston, and WWE has announced that Baszler has officially joined the WWE Performance Center.

In WWE’s official announcement Baszler described professional wrestling as “the next step” in her progression as a combat athlete.

“It’s very serious to me and, in some ways, a lot more important [than MMA] based on where I come from,” Baszler said. “Waving the banner of my coaches is a heavy flag to wield, so it’s something I take very serious. Because of that, I wanted to start at the beginning and show that I’m willing to start at the bottom and prove myself and work my way up, so there’s no excuse when I get here and I’m breaking these girls in half. I didn’t get any ‘gimmes.’”

Shayna Bazsler is a member of the MMA Four Horsewomen, and Ronda Rousey attended the Mae Young Classic tapings to show support for her friend.

It’s been rumored that WWE hopes to set up a Horsewomen vs. Horsewomen match, possibly at this year’s Survivor Series pay-per-view.