Dakota Kai, now wrestling under the name Charlie, stepped back into the ring for the first time since March last year, competing at EVE Wrestle Queendom VIII held at Indigo at The O2 in London. Despite her loss to former AEW Women’s Champion Kris Statlander, Kai’s appearance has sparked significant buzz among wrestling fans, especially with WWE star Bayley—known as The Role Model—sharing her support during the event. The match and Bayley’s visible encouragement have reignited conversations about Dakota Kai’s future in the wrestling scene.
Bayley Publicly Supports Dakota Kai During Her Return
Bayley caught the attention of WWE fans by posting an Instagram story showing her watching Charlie’s entrance on YouTube from her laptop. Alongside tagging her friend, she accompanied the post with a heart, hugging, and crying face emojis, signaling a deeply emotional connection and solidarity with Kai during this important moment. Bayley’s gesture highlights the close bond shared among the two wrestlers, both former members of Damage CTRL in WWE, and underscores the significance of Kai’s return.
Intense Match Features Signature Move Passed from Bayley to Charlie
In the match against Kris Statlander, Charlie showcased notable technical skill by executing a move famously used by Bayley during her babyface run, called the Bayley-to-Belly finisher. After evading a clothesline and blocking a counterattack with a kick, Charlie wrapped Statlander in a belly-to-belly suplex reminiscent of Bayley’s own style. Although Statlander kicked out, the move’s flawless execution demonstrated Charlie’s seamless assimilation of her mentor’s signature technique, adding emotional weight to her comeback performance.
Friendships and Past Connections Add Emotional Layers to the Event
Bayley’s relationship with both Dakota Kai and Kris Statlander complicates her cheering loyalties, but her visible support for Charlie reveals the depth of their friendship beyond their wrestling careers. The emotional connection, combined with Charlie’s sincere return to wrestling after a long hiatus, makes this event particularly significant for fans of WWE and AEW alike. This bout may serve as a catalyst for more appearances from Dakota Kai in the near future, as fans eagerly await how she will rebuild her wrestling trajectory.
Bayley watching Charlie make her in-ring return at #WrestleQueendom ❤️
(IG) pic.twitter.com/z1vO06mrtz
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) March 8, 2026
