News

Released WWE Star Admits to Missing Wrestling

By Monika Thapa • Published Sep 08, 2025 10:17 EDT
wwe logo over dakota kai

Dakota Kai was released from WWE in May 2025. Her release was part of a broader wave of WWE talent cuts announced around May 2, 2025, which included several notable stars like Braun Strowman and Shayna Baszler.

Despite her strong in-ring performances and popularity, WWE appeared to consider her as a performer more suitable for shorter-term storylines rather than a long-term main attraction. Additionally, there were suggestions that her compensation was viewed as high relative to her role within WWE at the time.

Dakota Kai’s release was surprising to many fans, given her prominent role in the popular Damage CTRL faction and her status as a multiple-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion. Her Damage CTRL teammates have publicly supported her, acknowledging her contributions to the group.

Since her WWE departure, she has attracted interest from other promotions such as AEW and TNA Wrestling. With her non-compete clause expired, she is free to join any wrestling promotion when ready to resume her career.

Kai recently went live on her Twitch, where she confessed to missing being in action. She reassured her fans that she’ll get back in the ring after a much-needed break.

“I miss wrestling. We’re gonna get back into it, it’s just one of those things where it’s been nice to have a little bit of a break.” [H/T to WrestleTalk]

Real Reason Behind WWE Releasing Dakota Kai

Shortly after Dakota Kai was released, Dave Meltzer shared some intriguing information on Wrestling Observer Live regarding the reason for her release. Meltzer noted WWE intended to disband Damage CTRL. As a result, they decided to give IYO SKY a singles push while keeping Asuka and Kairi Sane as a tag team. Hence, they let Kai go, as it made more financial sense.

Dakota Kai was probably the biggest surprise, I would say. The story there is – and I don’t know if this is official – but I was told unofficially that Damage CTRL’s done. The group is done.

That probably means maybe Asuka and Kairi might come back as a tag team and IYO’s obviously a big singles star and maybe they just figured that Dakota, she’s not gonna be at the level of an IYO, she doesn’t have a partner, we don’t do a six-woman division so she got cut. But that one is surprising.