Dakota Kai Explains Taking a One-Year Hiatus From Wrestling, Discusses Potentially Signing With TNA or AEW

During a recent interview with Insight with Chris Van Vliet, former WWE Superstar Charlie (aka Dakota Kai) discussed her recent in-ring return after taking a one-year hiatus. She also discussed her interest in possibly signing with another promotion again, including TNA Wrestling or AEW. Below are some highlights from Insight:

Charlie on Returning to the Ring After a One-Year Hiatus

“I took almost a year off. I don’t know, I think after leaving WWE, I didn’t want to necessarily rush back into anything. I wanted to get back into wrestling on my terms and just find that passion and that love for it and just do it for fun. Basically, I wanted to do it for fun, and it was just a matter of the perfect time. Then, when Will Ospreay hit me up. He’s basically like, we’d love to have you on the show. Here’s what it is. When I found out, I’m like wrestling Kris Statlander, I’m like, oh my god, perfect. She’s been on my bucket list for years, literal years. So it just worked out. It was weird because during that time off, the longer I was away from wrestling, which was needed for me, personally, just mentally and emotionally, it was like the thought of wrestling again was looming over me. I have very severe performance anxiety, so the longer I was away, the more anxious I got about it. But then she made it so easy, she’s the best.”

On If She Planned on How Long Her Hiatus Would Be

“There was no real time limit of I want to be away for this amount. It was just more of a feeling, I guess. As soon as the opportunity came up that it was going to be there at that show on the big Wrestle Queendom show against Kris, I was like, Ah, this was meant to be. Yeah, it was cool. I mean, I just really needed to take a step back for me in terms of just finding the passion and the love for it again. I didn’t mean for it to be a year. I know everyone was like, Why did you take a year off? I’m like, I didn’t mean to, and for that to be that amount of time, I just kind of took the time I needed. Then, when the opportunity came up to be against Kris, it was perfect.”

If Returning to the Ring Was Always Her Goal

“100% I always wanted to get back. It was so funny too, because I wasn’t really saying much of anything, because I’m not on social media a lot, especially during that time off, I wasn’t posting. Not for any reason, I just didn’t know anything to talk about. There was no reason for it. So, yeah, I don’t know, it was just needed.”

Charlie on Potentially Getting Signed Somewhere Again

“If that happens and everything works out, that would be awesome. But I think at the moment my path right now is just indie bookings here and there, just have fun and wrestle.”

On If She’s Had Conversations With TNA or AEW

“Not necessarily on that level. Yeah, 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, like, focus on me and just, do you know, fun matches and shows here and there. Yeah, have fun with it.”

Charlie recently returned to the ring against a top AEW star, Kris Statlander, last month at Pro Wrestling EVE: Wrestle Queendom VIII. Statlander retained her EVE International Title in the bout. Earlier this month, she faced Shotzi Blackheart for the HOG Women’s Title at HOG Culture Clash, where Shotzi picked up the win.