Dakota Kai, known now as Charlie, is set to return to the ring on March 8, 2026, at Pro Wrestling Eve’s Wrestle Queendom 8 event in London, England. She will face AEW Women’s Champion Kris Statlander in what marks her first match since leaving WWE in May 2025. This significant booking involved Will Ospreay’s direct efforts to make the matchup possible, with the promotion hosting the bout at The O2 venue.
How Will Ospreay Helped Arrange the Match
Will Ospreay recently revealed in an interview with Grapple Theory that he sought fighters not affiliated with major companies and considered Dakota Kai’s availability. He noted the challenge of reaching out given her low social media presence but succeeded through a message on her Twitch channel.
“I wanted to try and find a wrestler that wasn’t attached to any other major company. I just had this moment, ‘Dakota Kai doesn’t work there now. I wonder if she’s free.’ I didn’t see anything because she doesn’t really post that much,”
Ospreay said.
“I think she has a Twitch stream. I just dropped her a message and said, ‘What are the chances of making this happen?’ She got back to me right away. Super eager to do it. The back and forth between us was so good. She really wants to come to EVE and celebrate this huge show and really wanting to wrestle Kris Statlander.”
– Will Ospreay
Kai’s Activities During Wrestling Hiatus
Since her WWE release, Kai has taken a break from in-ring competition but remained active in related communities. Alongside maintaining a Twitch streaming channel, she hosts a podcast with fellow WWE alum Zelina Vega, engaging with wrestling fans through these platforms while preparing for her return.
Significance of the Upcoming Match at Wrestle Queendom 8
The scheduled bout between Kai and Statlander at Wrestle Queendom 8 represents a major moment in women’s wrestling, bringing together an established AEW champion and a recently returned talent. The event’s location in London at The O2 adds prestige, and the match is expected to be a highlight of the show, attracting international attention within the wrestling scene. Fans are watching closely as Kai’s wrestling return unfolds under the guidance of Ospreay and Pro Wrestling Eve’s promotion.
