Dakota Kai Says Her WWE Release Last Year Was ‘More Of A Shock’ Than 2022 Release

Dakota Kai reveals how her WWE release last year compared to her first time being cut.

On May 2, 2025, Dakota Kai was listed among those being released from WWE. This ended a nearly three-year run with the company having initially been cut from the roster in 2022 before being rehired just a few months later. Having recently made her return to the ring, Kai, now known as Charlie, has reflected on the differences between her two WWE releases.

Speaking to Chris Van Vliet on Insight, the former Dakota Kai said her 2025 release way ‘more of a shock’ than when she was let go the first time around.

“It’s so crazy because in 2022 I got re-signed with the company within three months. So that felt different. With this one here. It almost felt like I, especially with the IC Championship tournament, it felt like we were doing this, you know, I’m getting more opportunities. So it was more of a shock, I guess. But that’s kind of why I need to take the step back, just for me and emotionally and things like that. So, yeah, 2022 didn’t really even feel like it was that long at all. So I kind of forget that happened, because then SummerSlam came around and that was all last-minute.”

-Charlie

The New Zealander made her in-ring comeback at Pro Wrestling EVE’s Wrestle Queendom VIII in a match against AEW’s Kris Statlander. Happening on March 8, Charlie’s wrestling return came almost exactly a year since her last WWE outing, which came on the March 24, 2025, taping of Main Event, taking on Ivy Nile.

As of writing, Charlie has only competed in one more match following her clash with Statlander, taking place at House Of Glory Culture Clash 2026. Here, she unsuccessfully challenged Shotzi for the HOG Women’s Championship, someone who she said elsewhere in the interview was a dream opponent for her current run.

Unfortunately, releases remain common practice in WWE, and the company had their most recent round of cuts this past weekend. In terms of who was let go, fans were most surprised to see Kairi Sane let go in the midst of her role in the storyline between Asuka and IYO SKY. However, a new report has suggested why she was let go. You can read more about that here.

As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on Charlie as soon as we hear more.