Dakota Kai

Biography

Born on May 6, 1988, in Auckland, New Zealand, Dakota Kai (real name Cheree Crowley) is an acclaimed professional wrestler who is currently signed to WWE, where she performs on the NXT brand. She is the first New Zealander to be signed to a full-time WWE contract.

Career History

Before joining WWE, Dakota Kai had a successful career on the independent circuit under the ring name Evie. She wrestled in various promotions around the world, including Shimmer Women Athletes, Pro Wrestling Women’s Alliance, and Impact Pro Wrestling.
Dakota signed with WWE in 2016 and started wrestling in NXT, WWE’s developmental brand. In 2017, she was part of the inaugural Mae Young Classic, where she reached the quarterfinals.

Career Evolution

Dakota Kai started her WWE career as a babyface (a wrestling term for a good guy), but her character significantly evolved in late 2019 when she turned heel (became a villain) by betraying her friend Tegan Nox at NXT TakeOver: WarGames. This character change marked a turning point in her career and led to one of her most significant rivalries. She is now fighting with Bayley and Iyo sky in the trio Damage CTRL.

Biggest Matches

Among her most memorable matches, Dakota Kai’s Street Fight against Tegan Nox at NXT TakeOver: Portland in 2020 stands out. It was a brutal, emotional contest that perfectly culminated their bitter rivalry. Her participation in the first-ever Women’s WarGames Match was also a significant highlight.

Titles Won

Dakota Kai has not won any championships in WWE. On the independent scene, she has held numerous titles, including the Impact Pro Wrestling NZ Women’s Championship.

Biggest Rivalries

Dakota Kai’s biggest rivalry in WWE has been with Tegan Nox. Their feud was a result of Kai’s heel turn at NXT TakeOver: WarGames. The two engaged in several brutal matches, with their feud being one of the most prominent in the NXT women’s division.

Tag Team Partners

Throughout her career, Dakota Kai has been part of several tag teams. In NXT, she frequently teamed up with Raquel González, with the two forming a formidable pair in the women’s division.

Sponsorships

As a WWE talent, Dakota Kai’s sponsorships are not explicitly detailed, as WWE generally handles talent sponsorships at the corporate level.

Family Life

Kai tends to keep her personal life private. There is little public information available regarding her family or relationships.

Finishing Move

Dakota Kai uses the “Go to Kick” (a modified GTS where Kai uses a kick instead of a knee strike) as her finishing move.

Clothing and Entrance Music

Dakota Kai’s wrestling attire typically consists of colorful, stylized wrestling gear that reflects her energetic personality and fighting style. She has been known to wear kick pads and wrestling boots as part of her in-ring attire.
Her entrance music is “Controlled Chaos” by CFO$, a dynamic track that echoes her intense in-ring style.

Conclusion

Dakota Kai is an accomplished professional wrestler, admired for her impressive skills, resiliency, and character work. Her career continues to evolve within WWE’s NXT brand, where she consistently delivers standout performances. Her dynamic in-ring style and compelling storytelling make her a talent to watch in the wrestling industry.