This past Sunday in London, Dakota Kai, now competing as Charlie, marked her much-anticipated return to wrestling after being released from WWE ten months ago. In a high-profile match at EVE Wrestle Queendom 8, Charlie faced off against Kris Statlander, the reigning EVE International Champion and former AEW Women’s World Champion, showcasing her determination to reestablish herself in the wrestling scene.
Match Highlights and Outcome
During the match, Charlie gained early momentum, applying pressure on Statlander. However, despite her efforts, Kris Statlander, often referred to as Big Stat Daddy, successfully defended her title by delivering three consecutive Saturday Night Fever tombstone piledrivers. Though Charlie did not capture the championship, the energetic response and encouragement from fellow wrestlers made a memorable impact on her, reinforcing her status as a valued competitor.
Support and Encouragement from Prominent Wrestlers
Following the match, Charlie received several uplifting messages from respected figures in the wrestling community. Bianca Belair, a former two-time WWE Women’s Champion, expressed heartfelt support saying,
“So happy you’re back in the ring! Wrestling needs you! [kissing emoji].”
Additionally, Will Ospreay, a former two-time AEW International Champion and a key creative and production figure at EVE, indirectly endorsed her future opportunities by responding affirmatively to a query about Charlie joining AEW’s women’s division.
Yes https://t.co/hv7ZPPOO98
— Will Ospreay • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) March 9, 2026
Background on Charlie’s WWE Career and Future Prospects
Charlie was among several wrestlers released by WWE in May 2025, ending her second three-year stint with the company. She initially returned to prominence at SummerSlam 2022 as part of Damage CTRL alongside Bayley and IYO SKY. While she never secured a singles women’s championship, Charlie achieved notable success as a tag team competitor, winning the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships twice on the main roster and twice during her time in WWE NXT. Alongside Raquel Rodriguez, she made history by becoming one of the first teams to win the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship exactly five years ago on March 10, 2021.
Anticipating the Next Chapter in Charlie’s Wrestling Journey
As of now, Charlie has not signed with any major wrestling promotion beyond WWE. However, her impressive return against a top-tier talent like Kris Statlander, combined with public endorsements from notable industry figures such as Bianca Belair and Will Ospreay, suggests exciting possibilities ahead. The wrestling world is watching closely to see where Dakota Kai’s next move will lead, highlighting the significance of this comeback in reigniting her career momentum.
— Will Ospreay • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) March 9, 2026
