The Mae Young Classic is reportedly a hit for WWE Network

The Mae Young Classic (MYC) was innovative programming for WWE Network for a couple of reasons.

Obviously, a series focused on women’s wrestling was new for Vince McMahon’s company, and even in the “Women’s Evolution” era, a tournament which largely built drama through competition was a big step in WWE’s depiction of performers they called “Divas” until recently.

Also, the release of the MYC was something new for the streaming service - at least for in-ring product. Making four episodes available all at once on consecutive Monday mornings was presented by executives like Triple H as an experiment, while some critics wondered if it was politically-motivated sabotage.

According to viewership information published in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscription required but recommended), either the experiment’s yielded promising results or the sabotage failed, because the eight episodes of the MYC were the most viewed shows on WWE Network this week.

Episodes 1 - 4 were released on Aug. 28 and still charted. Episode 5 - 8 dropped this past Monday, Sept. 4.

Here’s the top ten most viewed programs, per The Observer:

1. Mae Young Classic, ep. 5
2. Mae Young Classic, ep. 6
3. Mae Young Classic, ep. 7
4. Mae Young Classic, ep. 8
5. Mae Young Classic, ep. 4
6. Mae Young Classic, ep. 3
7. Mae Young Classic, ep. 1
8. Mae Young Classic, ep. 2
9. 205 Live - Sept. 5
10. SummerSlam 2017

Encouraging news heading into next Tuesday’s final between Shayna Baszler and Kairi Sane, which will air live from Las Vegas where it will happen after SmackDown LIVE.

Keep up with all the happenings, discussion and results of the MYC with Cageside Seats here.