Dakota Kai Was Awesome

[knsffa]

Been writing Part 1 of a look back at her WWE run today I may post here tomorrow if I feel brave. One take away I got from thinking about her WWE run was she was too selfless and good for WWE. If she was more like others who politic and don't put people over she might have gone farther, however she would not be getting the respect and love she got this weekend from the industry, friends and co-workers and fans. It's a sad reflection on the WWE (and maybe just big business) way. 

[gl83]

[A Platypus Rave]

Do wonder what she's going to wrestle under now.

She said that "Evie" is a name she came up with at 17 and that chapter is closed...

Dakota is a pretty easy thing to do file the serial numbers off of if she wants to go that route.

[häšhtå.gdālėÿ]

May 1, 2022 0:37:35 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave said:

Do wonder what she's going to wrestle under now.

She said that "Evie" is a name she came up with at 17 and that chapter is closed...

Dakota is a pretty easy thing to do file the serial numbers off of if she wants to go that route.

Go with the King Kota nickname she called herself.

[Hypnosis]

May 1, 2022 11:44:06 GMT -5 häšhtå.gdālėÿ said:

May 1, 2022 0:37:35 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave said:

Do wonder what she's going to wrestle under now.

She said that "Evie" is a name she came up with at 17 and that chapter is closed...

Dakota is a pretty easy thing to do file the serial numbers off of if she wants to go that route.

Go with the King Kota nickname she called herself.

Wouldn't "Queen Kota" make more sense?

[Dr. Bolty, Disaster Enby]

May 1, 2022 11:44:06 GMT -5 häšhtå.gdālėÿ said:

May 1, 2022 0:37:35 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave said:

Do wonder what she's going to wrestle under now.

She said that "Evie" is a name she came up with at 17 and that chapter is closed...

Dakota is a pretty easy thing to do file the serial numbers off of if she wants to go that route.

Go with the King Kota nickname she called herself.

Might be a tricky name to go with, especially given there are quite a few "Kings" to go around, and there's one very specific person wrestling fandom thinks of when you say "Kota."

"Kody" with a Samoan last name might work (I've known a Dakota who went by Cody), but "Cody" is another loaded name in wrestling at the moment.

[knsffa]

I wrote this for The Tales of Dakota Kai blog I run. It's Part 1 of 2 and looks at Dakota's WWE run. This one focuses on the positive. For Part 2 it will be a bit critical of WWE creative. 

 

Selfless: Reflecting on Cap's Work as Dakota Kai Part 1 by KNS

On Friday April 29th 2022 Cheree “Charlie” Crowley was released from her WWE contract with a 30-day non-compete clause. This is Part 1 of a 2 part article that will reflect back on her work as Dakota Kai since 2017 and think about what could be next. For this part I’m going to focus on some of her best matches and moments in WWE NXT.

A regret I have as a fan of the NXT Black & Gold Era is that I was never able to attend any of the famous Coconut Loop house shows since I don’t live in Florida. At many of those shows Dakota Kai teamed up with Tegan Nox as Team Fly-Kicks. Although the name Evie rang a bell, my first notice of Cap’s work was as Dakota Kai. To be specific her intro for the Mae Young Classic. I confess I had a crush. But moving on, there was an instant likeableness about her. She was the nice girl next door with a smile, however she would kick someone’s head off. The footage of her whooping ass from the independents, including a kick that sounded like the nastiest WALTER chop, was the glue. It didn’t take long for Dakota Kai to become one of my favorites.

Her quick, striking style made her an exciting wrestler to watch and get behind. She was the plucky underdog who I’ll say really wasn’t an underdog. She was all smiles, hugs and hand slaps when she made her way to the ring. But once the bell rang, she showed no mercy to her opponents. Her kryptonite was NXT Women’s Champion at the time Shayna Baszler, whose bully antics Kai struggled to overcome. Prior to suffering a legit injury at the end of 2018, Dakota had a run in NXT UK during its launch, having what I thought was one of the best in her series over the years against Rhea Ripley.

Had it not been for her injury, many feel Dakota Kai would have been the one to end Shayna Baszler’s reign of terror in 2019. Just imagine the amazing Takeover: New York card over WrestleMania Weekend also having Dakota finally overcoming Shayna to win the NXT Women’s Title! When Dakota did return in September 2019 we got to see Team Fly-Kicks come together on television for the first time. Not only were Tegan and Dakota besties in kayfabe, they were very much besties in real life. From their humorous Christmas Adventures in onsies to the story about them learning to drive together Dakota promised to someday tell. They gave us all tons of entertainment outside the ring as well as in it.

Dakota Kai’s heel turn proved she was just as capable of portraying a villainess as she was a heroine. There were times early on in her heel run where she made it easy to hate her as she showed a cruelty toward Tegan. As her heel run progressed, there reached a point where I felt she gained a grey area, an empathetic edge during her fallout and feud with Raquel. I thought she did a good job bringing the unhinged character to life. Such a role can be trying on the performer, but she did well and it led to her journey back to being a face for her final WWE months. Whether it was as a heroine, a villainess or someone caught between I thought Cap always killed it.

Something she has always been able to do is make people feel for her during her matches. Often getting ragdolled around due to her petite size. Getting slammed on the apron. Knocked inside out by the top of the commentary table. Nearly smashed through a wall. Or beaten up by Rhea Ripley for close to ten minutes before even getting minor offense in. Even if at times some might feel her character deserved it during her heel days, it’s easy to still feel for her seeing her bump and sell as she does. Dakota is very durable and physical, be it when taking a pounding or unleashing hell on her opponents with her offense. Though much of her offense is strikes and high impact, she’s added some submission holds in over the years. Word is she learned from one of the best submission specialists. Some Queen of Spades.

There are five NXT matches in particular I’d check out if you’ve not followed her work or just to relive it. I consider these five of her best matches in WWE. The first is versus Io Shirai from Takeover 30. The second is her Takeover: Portland street fight against Tegan Nox. For her third the 2020 WarGames match. The fourth is the Ladder Match versus Kay Lee Ray from NXT 11/30/21. The fifth is Team Fly-Kicks versus Asuka & Kairi from NXT 10/30/19.

I’d also suggest checking out WarGames 2019 for her incredible heel turn. A fun match to catch too is Dakota versus Sarray from NXT 8/10/21. Not only is it a great match, there’s also a fun chant battle between the Dakota Section and not-Dakota fans. Cap can’t help but grin a bit that she’s got her support even as a heel. The recent face turn had a lot of fun segments with Wendy Choo and all three 2022 Dusty Cup matches. Her NXT Women’s Tag Team Title victory from Stand & Deliver 2022 is a fun one with a feel good ending. Lastly, from NXT 3/03/21 the Women’s Tag Team Title Match is worth a watch to see Dakota work quasi-face or tweener alongside Raquel versus main roster invaders Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax. Seeing Dakota finally able to stand up to Shayna was nice progression in their ongoing rivalry that sadly won’t get a finish now.

Dakota Kai is someone who always delivers her best and is selfless with her opponents, making sure they get a chance to get in their shine. Some great examples recently were her matches against Yulisa Leon and Cora Jade. She made sure the first match with Cora wasn’t a squash, ensuring Cora got offense in. Dakota made sure Leon was able to showcase a lot of her offense, presenting a story where the less experienced Leon proved she could hang with a veteran. Dakota elevates her opponents as others once no doubt did for her.

I often use the expression: She fights her heart out. What does that mean? Some might wonder since I’ve used it at times when she is getting pummeled. In regards to Dakota Kai it’s that there is something about her work, the heart she puts into it whether it’s delivering offense or bumping and selling for her opponents. Dakota was called the glue of the NXT Women’s Division for a reason.

The girl next door who fell from grace. The unhinged to-me-tweener I related to because of my own struggles with my health. And finally, the girl next door heroine I missed returning to give Dakota Kai’s story some closure. In her final months she got a slow burn face turn, a brief tag team title run, actual character development and the lovely friendship with Wendy Choo. Cap may have lost her final match as Dakota, however it took three persons and a V-Trigger smashing the belt into her face to put her down. I’d say she got the last laugh.

In the second part I’ll discuss what I feel were some missed opportunities by the creative forces. I’ll also look a bit at the future. The Cap & Nixon Newell Team Kick reunion tour? Maybe even at times a trio with Ruby Soho? That list of matches I’d love to see Cap have. Maybe even some stuff outside wrestling. Check back 5/06 for Top 25 matches and 5/10 for Part 2.

[sportatorium]

She is that piece that can really elevate AEW's division. I always thought she was the perfect babyface worker. Sells like a champ, draws you in to all the hope spots and teases with comebacks until the big one. I wasn't a fan of them turning her heel, but she made it work and then some. She went from underdog battling babyface to nasty heel without a conscience. This is one that WWE will regret. One of the best around IMO.

[gl83]

[Non Banjoble Tokens]

Thought her last look she had before she left NXT was super cute. With all the pink.

[knsffa]

My Top 25 Recommended Dakota Kai Matches + Two More Bonus If You Want Use as a Watchlist. Attempted humor warning. Part 2 of the Reflections Article coming next week. 

 

Tegan Nox vs Dakota Kai - Street Fight at Takeover: Portland 2020
Beautiful violence unleashed. Cap is offense, bumps & sells. It feels a lifetime ago, however this match is forever awesome.

Io Shirai vs Dakota Kai - NXT Women's Title Match at Takeover 30
Dakota & Io are no doubt two of the greatest ever and this is one of the best matches Cap had during her entire WWE tenure.

Kay Lee Ray vs Dakota Kai - Ladder Match on NXT 2.0 11/30/21
Black & Gold Era feels in this brutalizer. Mick Foley endorsed.

The Women's WarGames Match - Takeover: WarGames 2020
This one proves at heart Dakota Kai is no cowardly heel. However, she does get pretty hammered by the end of it.

Team Fly-Kicks vs Asuka & Kairi Sane - Tag Titles on NXT 10/30/19
Dakota & Tegan have a banger with two Japanese icons.

Kairi Sane vs Dakota Kai - Mae Young Classic Episode 1.07 9/04/17
This banger of a semi-finals tournament match delivers.

Jinny vs Dakota Kai - Women's Title Match at Progress: Chapter 71
Come for the opening Team Fly-Kicks segment. Match is a bonus.

Rhea Ripley vs Dakota Kai - Semifinals Match on NXT UK 11/23/18
My favorite of their matches. Release the Evolution dark match!

Shayna Baszler vs Dakota Kai - Super Grudge Match on NXT 12/05/18
Dakota comes a tad closer to overcoming her rival in this sprint.

Shayna Baszler vs Dakota Kai - Impress Rhea Match NXT 11/06/19
The match is good. The backstage after is heartbreaking.

First Ever Women's WarGames Match - Takeover: WarGames 2019
Great match with the incredible, sadistic Dakota Kai heel turn.

Tegan Nox vs Dakota Kai - Steel Cage Showdown on NXT 3/04/20
Fun cage match from the final Full Sail NXT show with fans.

Six Way #1 Contender Ladder Match - Takeover: Tampa NXT 4/15/20
Dakota's sins come to roost. Someone plummets into a ladder.

#1 Contender Elimination Match - Great American Bash 2020 Night 1
Tegan Nox & Dakota Kai have a banger of a homestretch.

Ember Moon vs Dakota Kai - Get That Receipt on NXT 11/04/20
My favorite of the 2020-2021 series of matches they had.

Women's Dusty Classic Finals at Takeover: Vengeance Day 2021
Dakota & Raquel enter The Ball Pit and fight to survive. My favorite of their various tags against Ember & Shotzi.

Dakota & Raquel vs Baszler & Jax - Women's Tag Titles NXT 3/03/21
Tweener Dakota in a no sh-ts given mood against Shayna.

Sarray vs Dakota Kai - Warrior of the Sun vs Captain on NXT 8/10/21
Fun match with vocal dueling crowd chants. Da-ko-ta! Da-ko-ta!

Raquel Gonzalez vs Dakota Kai - NXT Women's Title Match at Takeover 36
The Captain with Team Kick cheering her on gives the fight of her life.

 

Raquel Gonzalez vs Dakota Kai - Street Fight on NXT 2.0 12/21/21
Dakota delivers violence, bumps and sells like only she can.

Yulisa Leon vs Dakota Kai - Singles Match on NXT 2.0 1/18/22
This match is a great example of our Captain being selfless.

Team Kick-Sleep vs Persia & Indi - Dusty Quarter on NXT 2.0 3/01/22
Choo & Kai jell immediately as a team. Dakota is officially babyface again. Daffney was smiling down at that scream.

Team Kick-Sleep vs Raquel & Cora - Dusty Semi at Roadblock 2022
This semi-final is a good mix of in-ring action & storytelling.

Team Kick-Sleep vs Shirai & KLR - Dusty Finals on NXT 2.0 3/22/22
Exciting match. Fitting end to an expect-the-unexpected tourny.

Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez versus Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne for NXT Women's Tag Team Titles at Stand & Deliver 2022
Raquel and Dakota reunite for a fun feel good match and victory.

Bianca Belair vs Dakota Kai - NXT Takeover Fallout 6/20/18
This was Cap's first match in front of a Takeover crowd. She's not on her own against a wall. But she's the kickEST.

Dakota Kai faces Mandy Rose for the NXT Women's Title on NXT 2.0 on Tuesday Night April 12th 2022
The Last & Forever Knight reps the NXT OG's one final time. 

[gl83]

[Timeless Hayterade]

Dakota Kai is perfection. She should have gotten as much out of her time in NXT as she put in.

[ayumidah]

[knsffa]

This is the final part of My Dakota Kai Retrospective from The Tales of Dakota Kai. Despite being one of the most underused performers in NXT history, did she still have a good run? This article delves into that and some musing about the future.

Props to asuka007 for her post that inspired the first sentence of paragraph 2.

'Selfless: Reflecting on Cap's Work as Dakota Kai Part 2'


Cap is a selfless person. That is undeniable from the solidarity of support her friends and colleagues have shown her since April 29th. But the world already knew she was from the way she’s carried herself over the years. Being selfless is never bad. In pro-wrestling it ensures that your opponent even in defeat comes out looking good. Unfortunately, it doesn’t ensure someone championship wins or evading poor choices made by the creative forces. I don’t think her selflessness worked against her. Rather, I think it made her one of the most respected and valued members of the team. That doesn’t mean she didn’t have her share of missed opportunities.

Some say Dakota Kai will go down as one of the most underused performers in NXT and even WWE history relative to her talent level. I can’t say I disagree taking into account she never got to have a run with the NXT Women’s Title or run on the main roster. However, I don’t want that to take away from the fact she still had a good run. Since her formal NXT debut in January 2018 she was often in a short-term or long-term storyline. She always elevated her opponents in some manner. Most weeks she had a television presence. She got to participate in a few main roster matches including two Royal Rumbles. Dakota Kai faced Rhea Ripley in the WWE Evolution dark match, therefore competed in the first match at the historic event. Her tenure ended with her as a top player in NXT. All that doesn’t mean at times she wasn’t still underused.

There were some missed opportunities for sure. The first initially was unavoidable since a legit injury kept her out of action for much of 2019. Had it not been for the injury, it’s possible Dakota might have ended Shayna Baszler’s reign as NXT Women’s Champion. If that was the plan, it’s unfortunate they didn’t go that route after she returned in September 2019. I liked the story of the rise of Rhea Ripley, however reflecting back I wish Dakota would have been the one to dethrone Shayna. That doesn’t mean Dakota didn’t kill it with her heel turn because she did, proving her versatility and rising her stock. Her heel turn was one of those things I enjoyed, however I will admit I wouldn’t have missed it had it never happened.


The alternate to the heel turn might have been Dakota defeating Shayna. Another route could have been Team Fly-Kicks winning the Women’s Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania 36 from Asuka and Kairi Sane. Tegan Nox and Dakota winning the titles at the Performance Center – a place where they met, bonded and recovered from injury together – would have been a welcome feel good story especially in April 2020. Imagine a summer of Team Fly-Kicks facing Sasha Banks and Bayley, Asuka and Kairi Sane, The IIconics, Twisted Bliss and The Riott Squad.

I’ve always felt Dakota (heel) and Raquel (face) were miscast during their story in 2021. The reverse would have been the better story; the seeds planted starting with WarGames 2020 could have gone either way. Nevertheless, by the time they had their first match at Takeover 36, it felt both were unofficially tweeners with the crowd mostly behind Dakota. An underappreciated bit of storytelling I wanted to mention about their reunion was how Raquel now came out first and Dakota second; the opposite of how their entrance was before. It read as Raquel showing Dakota respect; wanting her to feel her equal, quelling the thought that she was ever her sidekick.

There was another nice bit of underappreciated storytelling from their March 8th Dusty Cup Match. Dakota shows conflict when revving up to Kaio-Kick Raquel. In turn Raquel shows her no such mercy, planting her down hard even if she can’t get the full impact due to injury. Dakota returns the favor, showing Raquel no mercy as she now takes her out with the Kaio-Kick. It read as Dakota realizing Raquel was not going to show her any mercy – like they never did to others when they were a team – so she was now fine putting Raquel down out of respect for their past. Dakota is finally able to bury her past with Raquel, just not in the vengeful manner she once sought. Their now clean slate offers extra perspective why they swiftly reunite a few weeks later. Obviously, there is already their mutual dislike of Toxic Attraction, however the clean slate offers more depth to their reunion. Their NXT Women’s Tag Team Title victory over Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jane at Stand & Deliver was a fun feel good match and moment.


Dakota mending her friendship with Tegan Nox would have been the ideal redemption story. Had Nixon Newell not been released perhaps the creative forces would have gone the Team Fly-Kicks reunion route. But with Tegan only there in spirit, Wendy Choo was the perfect new best friend. She saw through her childlike eyes the good still within Dakota and gave her a chance when no one else would. Team Kick-Sleep was the friendship we never knew we needed.

The following should have been stressed more in Part 1 so I’ll add it here. I was very glad to see Dakota Kai get to be a babyface again. The slow burn turn since last year was well executed and enjoyable to watch unfold. It was nice to see her at peace and happy again. I liked her heel work, however babyface Dakota Kai always felt like the truest Dakota Kai to me. At her core she’s the heroine you want to cheer for. Her heel days were a valuable chapter to her overall story, but eventually she was destined to return to her core. Her face turn made a lot of fans including me very happy. I’ll always be grateful for Dakota Kai’s face turn.

Dakota having some matches in NXT UK felt a low key missed opportunity once pandemic travel restrictions loosened. There would have been plenty of fresh and exciting opponents awaiting her there. Just to name a few: NXT UK Women’s Champion Meiko Satomura, Emilia McKenzie, Isla Dawn, Amale, Xia Brookside, Stevie Turner, Jinny and Aoife Valkyrie.

Mandy Rose versus Dakota Kai took place yet was still a missed opportunity. The backstory from last fall shouldn’t have been ignored. As well, Dakota was the last Black & Gold Era OG Mandy hadn’t defeated. At the very least their match deserved a few weeks of hype and additional build. More build and hype would have made Mandy’s victory feel more important. The best story, however, would have been Dakota ending Mandy’s reign. The long-term could have led to a babyface versus babyface match in a few months where Cora Jade or Roxanne Perez wins the title and Dakota passes on the top NXT babyface torch to Jade or Perez. After that Dakota could have been brought up to the main roster in the draft and hopefully had a fruitful run.


Of course some of the last paragraph would have depended on Cap not being released. WWE made a mistake releasing one of the best on the overall roster: The selfless hard-working 14 year veteran who could have become the next top babyface on RAW or Smackdown. Her never getting a chance on the main roster was mind-boggling. So many wrestlers have said as much. Following her release, most the wrestling community agrees even though Cap deserved more from her time in WWE she always made the most of what she was given. She brought Dakota Kai to life, showing versatility with the character as it evolved. Although I look forward to what she does in the future, that does not change that I think she had so much more to offer WWE. Her departure also leaves NXT 2.0 with only Io Shirai and Kay Lee Ray (Alba Fyre) as tenured, experienced veterans to work with a barrage of inexperienced persons. Missed opportunities aside, Cap still had a pretty good WWE run.

The Tale of Dakota Kai has ended. What comes next? Cap said on Twitter that Evie is a closed chapter. She isn’t sure what comes next though made it clear she’s far from done. Wrestling. Streaming. Content creation. Podcaster. Just some predictions. The Christmas Adventure videos Nixon Newell and Cap did a few years back got me hoping maybe they do some more video content in the future. A guilty pleasure would be them doing something along the lines of The X-Files or Supernatural. When Cap gets some new merchandise, I’m hoping there will be shirts for both humans and pets. My chocolate labrador Hershee is disappointed WWE Shop never released the Dakota Kai shirt with doggies in mind.

The wrestling world is a wide-open door for Cap now. Just to name a few wrestlers I’d love to see her have matches with: Hikaru Shida, Kanji, Laura Di Matteo, Serena Deeb, Thunder Rosa, Leyla Hirsch, Kris Statlander, Tay Conti, Gisele Shaw, Alexxis Falcon, Raven Creed, Mercedez Blaze, Deonna Purrazzo, Trish Adora, Alex Windsor and Charlie Morgan. Those are wrestlers I’m familiar with from seeing their work. However, the ultimate treasure trove of the wide-open door is getting to discover new wrestlers whose work I’m not familiar with and/or never heard of if/when Cap has matches with them. Speaking of doors. If there ever was a Forbidden Door match possible between someone in WWE and Cap at some point it would be poetic to be against someone who knows a bit about doors...


I saved the best for last. That thing. You know the one. That thing I think most, if not all of us, hope to see someday: Team Fly-Kicks reunion. Nixon Newell and Cap teaming up again in the ring. Speaking of reunions, let us not forget about Ruby Soho and Cap. There is no reason the world can’t have both Team Fly-Kicks and Team Slap Happy. Maybe Nixon and Cap could even sometimes be a trio with Ruby? Whether those in ring reunions are on the horizon or not only time will tell.

Whatever Cap does in the future I know she will do it well. I look forward to whatever the next journey is when she reveals it to the world. Cap is my favorite so I end with these final thoughts. She was not just the glue of the NXT Women’s Division; Cap was invaluable to the NXT brand. The industry and fans standing in solidarity showing respect and love for Cap may very well be greater than any championship she could have ever won. Selfless and kind-hearted in a world that isn’t always so. That’s Our Captain.

PS: If you're a Dakota Kai fan and can offer some advice please read this I need some.

[Big DSR Energy]

May 1, 2022 12:24:34 GMT -5 Dr. Bolty, Disaster Enby said:

May 1, 2022 11:44:06 GMT -5 häšhtå.gdālėÿ said:

Go with the King Kota nickname she called herself.

Might be a tricky name to go with, especially given there are quite a few "Kings" to go around, and there's one very specific person wrestling fandom thinks of when you say "Kota."

"Kody" with a Samoan last name might work (I've known a Dakota who went by Cody), but "Cody" is another loaded name in wrestling at the moment.

It's almost like wrestling has more than one royal family or something.

[Dr. Bolty, Disaster Enby]

May 10, 2022 14:50:17 GMT -5 Big DSR Energy said:

May 1, 2022 12:24:34 GMT -5 Dr. Bolty, Disaster Enby said:

Might be a tricky name to go with, especially given there are quite a few "Kings" to go around, and there's one very specific person wrestling fandom thinks of when you say "Kota."

"Kody" with a Samoan last name might work (I've known a Dakota who went by Cody), but "Cody" is another loaded name in wrestling at the moment.

It's almost like wrestling has more than one royal family or something.

WILL YOU STOP

(Actually do not stop)

[Bo Rida]

Good to see the nice tweets about her. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Khan knows the cost of everything but not the value. Sounds like she was the type to make it a better work environment.

I'd largely drifted away from NXT during her run but even from what I saw (mostly during the takeovers) she stood out as someone who deserves more.

[gl83]

May 10, 2022 14:58:48 GMT -5 Bo Rida said:

Good to see the nice tweets about her. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Khan knows the cost of everything but not the value. Sounds like she was the type to make it a better work environment.

I'd largely drifted away from NXT during her run but even from what I saw (mostly during the takeovers) she stood out as someone who deserves more.

The higher-ups were not going to call Dakota up for whatever reason. So, Dakota refusing to re-sign makes sense. She'd realistically just be wasting the next 3 years or so. But, while she was there she had no problem helping out the new girls as much as she can as evidenced by all the support she's received from the likes of Cora Jade, Jacy Jayne and Ivy Niles. Which is quite the contrast to the Ember Moon interview, where it felt like she was condescending towards the new girls and wasn't willing to help them. Which I think plays into what knsffa says about Dakota, about how selfless and giving she was.

[Deleted]

May 10, 2022 15:31:31 GMT -5 gl83 said:

May 10, 2022 14:58:48 GMT -5 Bo Rida said:

Good to see the nice tweets about her. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Khan knows the cost of everything but not the value. Sounds like she was the type to make it a better work environment.

I'd largely drifted away from NXT during her run but even from what I saw (mostly during the takeovers) she stood out as someone who deserves more.

The higher-ups were not going to call Dakota up for whatever reason. So, Dakota refusing to re-sign makes sense. She'd realistically just be wasting the next 3 years or so. But, while she was there she had no problem helping out the new girls as much as she can as evidenced by all the support she's received from the likes of Cora Jade, Jacy Jayne and Ivy Niles. Which is quite the contrast to the Ember Moon interview, where it felt like she was condescending towards the new girls and wasn't willing to help them. Which I think plays into what knsffa says about Dakota, about how selfless and giving she was.

The thing with Ember was she had no problem helping the younger talent along she even says so in the interview but where IMO her anger and resenment stems from is them pushing her out and into a trainer role like she was some over the hill talent with nothing left to offer (her matches since with Thunder Rosa and Taya prove otherwise) and for that atleast from pov I do not blame her one bit.

And I would not be the least bit surprised if that is partially what they tried to do to Dakota was atleast part of why she chose to leave.