Dakota Kai Opens Up On Whether She’s Looking To Get Signed After Return To The Indies

Charlie (FKA Dakota Kai) has revealed her current future plans.

Having been released by WWE in May 2025, Dakota Kai was absent from professional wrestling for almost an entire year. But, at EVE’s Wrestle Queendom VIII on March 8, the star made her return to competition under the name ‘Charlie’. Having faced Kris Statlander and Shotzi since making a comeback to the ring, the New Zealander has now opened up on whether she’s aiming to get signed to a major company again soon.

Speaking to Chris Van Vliet on Insight, Charlie left the door open for something to happen with regard to getting signed, but acknowledged that her current path is independent bookings to have fun and wrestle.

“If that happens and everything works out, that would be awesome. But I think at the moment, I think my path right now is just indie bookings here and there and just wrestle. Just have fun and wrestle. [On if she’s had conversations with AEW or TNA] Not necessarily like on that level. Nothing too crazy, but also, I took the time off. So I think getting back into it, they might happen, who knows? But at the moment, I just want to focus on me and just do fun matches and shows here and there. Have fun with it.”

-Charlie

Following her WWE departure, many immediately linked Charlie with a move to AEW, or perhaps a return to STARDOM. Although she took a year away from wrestling, these options remain on the table for her moving forward, with many still keen to see her become ‘All Elite’.

Plus, after her return came for EVE, a company Will Ospreay is very involved in, there remains a clear path to Tony Khan’s promotion should they express interest. For now, though, the former Dakota Kai remains focused on independent bookings.

After her comeback match against AEW’s Kris Statlander in London last month, Charlie had her second match since returning to the indies against fellow former WWE star Shotzi at House Of Glory’s Culture Clash on April 16. This allowed her to tick off one of her dream opponents for her current run on the independent scene. You can find out who else Charlie hopes to step into the ring with by clicking here.

Elsewhere in the interview, Charlie reflected on her time in NXT, discussing her shocking heel turn on Tegan Nox in 2019. You can read more about that here.