Released by WWE in 2025, Dakota Kai addressed the possibility of a return on the latest edition of the Insight podcast.
“I would never want to burn bridges ever in any capacity. They always treated me well and gave me opportunities, so who knows, really? I would love to just be able to focus on me right now and doing what’s best for me. I’d never just take any contract right now for the sake of it. I’m at the point of my career where I want to do things with intention, and that doesn’t just mean doing it for the sake of doing it, you know what I mean?”
Kai also discussed taking nearly a year off after her release and the anxiety that built up during her time away.
“The longer I was out of wrestling, the more anxious I got. But having my first match back…the pressure building. And everyone thinks I’ve retired. And that’s the thing—people are so adamant on social media, which is why I don’t go there a lot, because I’m like, ‘Oh, you guys make things up.’ They’re like, ‘She’s definitely retired,’ blah blah blah. I’m not retired—yet. But with a year off, I can understand why people would think that way. But I wouldn’t leave people hanging—I’m going to give them a reason or something.”
She explained that her return was set up by Will Ospreay and led to a dream match with Kris Statlander.
“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.”
WWE has rehired released talent before, including R-Truth in 2025, though such returns remain rare.
