Dakota Kai was released from WWE this week in what seems to be the biggest loss in the NXT Women’s Division in recent memory. She reportedly was not planning to renew her WWE contract, so she can go to another company that will appreciate her value both in the ring and on the mic after her 90-day non-compete clause expires. While it is exciting to see what she does next in her pro wrestling journey, it is also important to take a retrospective look at what she has accomplished in the WWE. The following will identify and expound on Dakota Kai’s defining moments on WWE NXT 2.0.
5.) Mae Young Classic 2017 Quarterfinalist
Dakota Kai defeated Kavita Devi and Rhea Ripley in the first two rounds of the Mae Young Classic Tournament before losing to the winner of that tournament, Kairi Sane, in the quarter finals. This was Kai’s opportunity to introduce her character and in-ring abilities to the WWE Universe. Although she did not win the tournament, she connected with the fans on a wholesome level to the point that she was an undeniable babyface in the NXT Women’s Division. However, her momentum was halted once she experienced a debilitating ACL injury.
4.) Emotional Return From Debilitating ACL Injury
Dakota Kai was eminently missed by the WWE Universe after she got injured in December 2018. She suffered a torn ACL during a match at an NXT live event and underwent surgery to repair her knee. When she returned in September 2019, it was believed by many that she would become a future NXT Women’s Champion as a top babyface. She had some key title matches along the way and was one of the most loved and natural babyfaces on the roster. However, stop-and start pushes and the honeymoon phase from her return died off. That’s when she snapped, turned heel, and changed the game.
3.) War Games Heel Turn on Tegan Nox
Dakota Kai turned heel on her Team Kick tag team partner, Tegan Nox, after replacing Mia Yim in the first ever Women’s War Games match at NXT Takeover War Games 2019. Her heel turn was a key turning point in her career because it led to a memorable street fight victory against Nox with help from her new protege/muscle, Raquel Gonzalez, as well as the accomplishment of Future Star of the Year (2020). Due to this momentum, it seemed even more promising that Kai would be a future NXT Women’s Champion in every sense of the word. However, her alliance with Gonzalez led to tag team gold instead.
2.) First Ever & 2x NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion
Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez became the first ever NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions in what should be considered a groundbreaking accomplishment. However, they lost those titles on the same night they won it, which was absolutely ridiculous booking. After losing the titles, Raquel Gonzalez went on to win the NXT Women’s Title whilst Kai was left in her shadow. Clearly, Kai now had a chip on her shoulder because she took Gonzalez under her wing and did not get to achieve her own success while Gonzalez surpassed her in the pecking order. Her betrayal of Gonzalez was thereby inevitable.
1.) Inevitable Betrayal of Raquel Gonzalez
Dakota Kai planted all the seeds necessary to betray Raquel Gonzalez and battle her for the NXT Women’s Championship. This was her moment to finally grab that imaginary brass ring. However, she surprisingly lost and never saw the light of day again. The launch of NXT 2.0 began and she became an afterthought due to flawed booking. WWE reunited her with Gonzalez for some peculiar reason and they won the Women’s Tag Team Titles again just to lose it within the same week. It was like deja vu and a reminder of WWE’s lack of appreciation for one of the greatest NXT superstars of all time.
Conclusion
Dakota Kai’s career in NXT was like a seesaw. It had its ups and downs, but WWE once again failed to follow though with a superstar who deserved so much more. Kai was used as a utility superstar/hand when she should have been booked like a main event player. She had the ability to elevate the roster in insurmountable ways, and there’s hope that she will be appreciated wherever she goes. She would be a perfect fit for the AEW Women’s Division, which really needs someone like her because they are lacking in top women who can move the needle like Dakota Kai.
