Ex-WWE Star Dakota Kai Makes In-Ring Return at Wrestle Queendom 8

Dakota Kai is officially back in the ring — and fans are already talking about her performance.

Kai made her in-ring return on March 8, 2026 at Wrestle Queendom 8, competing under the name Charlie in a championship match against AEW star Kris Statlander for the EVE International Championship. The bout marked her first match since being released from WWE in May 2025. The match took place at indigo at The O2 in London as part of Pro Wrestling: EVE’s Wrestle Queendom 8 event, which was held on International Women’s Day.

Despite the long time away from the ring, Charlie quickly reminded fans why she was considered one of the most talented performers in women’s wrestling. The match with Statlander turned into a physical battle filled with several intense spots.

During the bout, Charlie delivered a nasty backstabber on the apron and also connected with a Belly-to-Bayley, showing flashes of the aggressive style that made her stand out during her WWE run.

Statlander, however, ultimately managed to hold onto the EVE International Championship after delivering a brutal finishing sequence. Statlander picked up the win by hitting three piledrivers on Charlie to retain the title.

Even though Charlie came up short in her return match, fans in attendance and online were quick to praise her performance, with many impressed by how strong she looked in her first match back after nearly a year away from competition.

For Kai — now Charlie — the loss may not be what she expected. The bigger story is that she’s officially back in the ring and already proving she can still hang with some of the top names in women’s wrestling.

What did you think of Dakota Kai’s return as Charlie — should she be signed by a major promotion again after this performance? Let us know your thoughts