Why WWE Changed Madison Rayne’s Name For This Year’s Mae Young Classic

It’s becoming more and more common for former Impact Wrestling stars to work with WWE, and former Impact Knockouts Champion Madison Rayne was recently announced for this year’s Mae Young Classic.

But fans immediately noticed that Madison Rayne was not listed as Madison Rayne, but Ashley Rayne instead.

Former Impact stars such as Bobby Roode, Samoa Joe and AJ Styles have been able to keep their names, but there was also a pretty solid gap between the time they left Impact and eventually debuted with WWE.

Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE likely changed her name because she just recently worked with Impact (via Ringside News).

“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.”

Do you think WWE should have just let her join the tournament as Madison Rayne? Sound off in the comments below.