What Happened to Dakota Kai? How Did She Get Injured?
by Ushapriyanga
Updated Jul 01, 2023
Who is Dakota Kai?
Cheree Georgina Crowley is a professional wrestler from New Zealand who is currently associated with WWE. Within WWE, she competes on the SmackDown brand using the ring name Dakota Kai. She is a member of the faction called Damage CTRL and has achieved success as a two-time WWE Women's Tag Team Champion alongside Iyo Sky.
Dakota Kai gained recognition during her time in NXT (WWE's developmental brand) where she won the inaugural Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament. Additionally, she held the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship twice. However, her current tenure in WWE has been put on hold due to an injury, rendering her inactive.
Before joining WWE, Crowley wrestled under the ring name Evie. She competed in various wrestling promotions such as Impact Pro Wrestling (IPW) in her home country of New Zealand, Pro Wrestling Women's Alliance (PWA) in Australia, and prominent American promotions like Shimmer Women Athletes and Shine Wrestling. She also showcased her skills in Japanese promotions including Pro Wrestling Zero1 and World Wonder Ring Stardom.
Dakota Kai's journey in professional wrestling has taken her across different continents, where she has honed her craft and established herself as a talented competitor. While she is currently sidelined due to an injury, her contributions to WWE and the wrestling industry as a whole have left an impact on fans worldwide
What Happened to Dakota Kai?
In 2022, Dakota Kai made a surprising return to WWE at SummerSlam after being released from the company a few months earlier. Upon her return, she formed an alliance with Bayley and Iyo Sky, who were also making their comebacks to WWE. Together, they formed a faction called Damage CTRL.
Their goal was to capture the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships for the third time. Dakota Kai and Bayley formed a tag team and faced the reigning champions, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez, on the May 12, 2023, episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
During the match, Liv Morgan suffered a shoulder injury. Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer reported that Morgan's injury occurred before Kai's knee injury. It was noted that Kai was trying to protect Morgan during the match, knowing that she was already hurt.
A few days later, it was revealed that Dakota Kai had torn her ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). ACL injuries are considered severe and can require a lengthy recovery period. Wrestletalk reported that Kai underwent surgery for her injury. They estimated that she would be out of action for approximately six months to a year, based on similar injuries and recovery timelines in the past.
This unfortunate turn of events disrupted Damage CTRL's pursuit of the Women's Tag Team Championships and left Dakota Kai sidelined for an extended period. The injuries to Liv Morgan and Dakota Kai serve as reminders of the physical risks and challenges that professional wrestlers face in their pursuit of entertaining the audience.
How Did Liv Morgan And Dakota Kai Get Injured?
Dakota Kai and Bayley teamed up to challenge the reigning WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan. Unfortunately, their attempt to capture the championships was unsuccessful. However, the match took a toll on both teams.
According to wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer, Liv Morgan sustained a shoulder injury during the match. It was reported that Dakota Kai's injury occurred as a result of her trying to protect Morgan from further harm. In professional wrestling, performers often prioritize their opponent's safety and well-being, and it seems that Kai's actions in this match were in line with that ethos.
While specific details about the nature of Dakota Kai's injury were not provided, it can be inferred that her injury, possibly involving her knee, was a consequence of the physicality and the dynamics of the match. In the world of professional wrestling, injuries are an unfortunate risk due to the physically demanding nature of the sport.
The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges and sacrifices that professional wrestlers face in their pursuit of entertaining the audience. Their commitment to delivering an engaging performance often involves putting their bodies on the line, and injuries can occur despite their best efforts to protect themselves and their opponents.
It is important to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of wrestlers like Dakota Kai, who prioritize the safety of their fellow competitors while continuing to perform at a high level. Their commitment to their craft and the well-being of their peers is an integral part of the wrestling industry.
WWE Confirms Dakota Kai is Injured
On May 22, sports journalist Dave Meltzer provided confirmation that Dakota Kai had suffered a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). Meltzer's report indicated that the injury occurred after Liv Morgan had already sustained her shoulder injury during the match. Meltzer further stated that Dakota's knee injury happened at a specific moment when she was aware of Liv Morgan's pre-existing injury and was attempting to safeguard her teammate.
Following the injury, Dakota Kai underwent surgery on Tuesday, May 23, to address the torn ACL. ACL tears are considered to be severe injuries in the realm of sports, including professional wrestling. They typically require surgical intervention and an extensive recovery period to rehabilitate the affected knee.
The details surrounding the exact circumstances of the injury, such as the specific move or maneuver that led to Dakota Kai's ACL tear, were not specified in the provided information. However, it can be inferred that the nature of the injury likely resulted from the physically demanding nature of professional wrestling and the unpredictable nature of in-ring competition.
Dakota Kai's injury and subsequent surgery highlight the potential risks and challenges faced by professional wrestlers in their pursuit of entertaining the audience. Despite their best efforts to protect themselves and their opponents, injuries can occur due to the high-impact nature of the sport.
It is important to acknowledge the dedication and resilience of wrestlers like Dakota Kai, who undergo surgery and commit to a rigorous rehabilitation process in order to return to the ring. The recovery timeline for ACL injuries can vary, but it often requires months of rehabilitation and physical therapy before a wrestler can resume their in-ring activities at full capacity.
What Happened to Dakota Kai-FAQs
Dakota Kai suffered from torn ACL.
Dakota Kai, whose real name is Cheree Georgina Crowley, is a professional wrestler from New Zealand. She is currently signed to WWE and competes on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Dakota Kai.
Prior to joining WWE, Dakota Kai wrestled under the ring name Evie. She competed for Impact Pro Wrestling (IPW) in New Zealand, Pro Wrestling Women's Alliance (PWA) in Australia, as well as American promotions such as Shimmer Women Athletes and Shine Wrestling. She also wrestled for Japanese promotions including Pro Wrestling Zero1 and World Wonder Ring Stardom.
Dakota Kai underwent surgery for her torn ACL on Tuesday, May 23. The surgery was necessary to address the injury and begin the recovery process.
Based on similar injuries and recovery timelines, it is estimated that Dakota Kai will be out of action for approximately six months to a year following her ACL surgery.