Pro wrestling has always been filled with ups and downs - but perhaps nobody has ridden the rollercoaster more than WWE star Dakota Kai over the past 18 months.
After cementing herself as one of the company's most promising performers on the developmental brand since signing with WWE, the 35-year-old Kiwi star was released from her contract in April 2022.
While many wrestlers in that position would panic, Kai - real name Cheree Crowley - went in the opposite direction, stepping away from the business for a number of months and reflecting on her journey from New Zealand to date.
But when the phone call came from Paul 'Triple H' Levesque just days out from the SummerSlam premium live event in August of last year, Kai was more than willing to take the call.
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Since returning, Kai has aligned herself with two of the best female wrestlers in the world - Bayley and Iyo Sky - to form the Damage CTRL faction, winning championship gold within WWE and dominating on a week-to-week basis.
The trio would hit new heights in April 2023 - a year after Kai was initially let go by WWE - featuring on the WrestleMania 39 card at SoFi Stadium against the legendary group of Becky Lynch, Trish Stratus and Lita.
Unfortunately, just as Damage CTRL were hitting their straps, Kai would suffer a devastating ACL injury for the second time in her career, sidelining her for an extended period in a major blow for the company.
In an exclusive interview with The Sporting News, Kai reflected on her initial exit from WWE, her whirlwind journey back to the top and when she is hoping to return to the squared circle.
“When it [being released] initially happened, it didn’t come as a surprise to me, even though it was still shocking in a sense... I accepted it and I took some time away from wrestling in general," she said.
"Those months off really helped me… it was almost like it was meant to be, in a weird way.
“Rehab is going good - since the day after surgery, I’ve been ahead of schedule... I'm hopefully looking at an early-2024 return in-ring. I’m a lot better this time around in my mental, but also physically I feel a lot stronger.
"I’ve gone through it before and I know I have to do things a lot more efficient this time around, to make sure that this doesn’t happen again. I feel like I’m in a much better space.
“Since we returned at SummerSlam last year, it really had been go, go, go and non-stop. It was hard to take a step back, because when you’re in it… we didn’t really get an opportunity to look at everything we’ve done.
"Since the injury, it’s been cool to look back at what we’ve accomplished and be proud. When you’re in it, there’s not a chance to do that."
Dakota Kai proud to fly the flag for New Zealand in WWE
Over the years, you could genuinely count on one hand the amount of wrestlers on the global stage who hailed from New Zealand or Australia.
But in a true boom period for the sport, there are a litany of stars who are flying the flag for the region.
Kai is a proud Kiwi-born athlete with Samoan roots - an anomaly within the history of the company - while the emergence of Jay White as a bonafide main event star in AEW is another boost for the country.
“The pride that Kiwis have for their country and their people is so strong," she said.
“When I was back in Auckland and working on Australian and New Zealand shows, it seemed a bit unattainable this dream. I don’t know if it was because there were hardly ever any Kiwis or Aussies in these big companies.
"The fact that a whole bunch of us kept working at it and doing independent shows all over the place in Japan and here in the States, I think having a love for it really helped – it never felt like work.
"It is cool to think that there is a group of us flying the flag, because it really is an attainable dream – it’s not as far-fetched as you might think. It’s 100 per cent attainable and there’s a group of us that have shown that.
“I don’t know why it’s very weird to see myself in that light and I’m not sure why that is – but I know there’s a lot of people out there that look to me in terms of flying the flag in that capacity.
"We’re a very strong sporting nation, my granddad was an All Black back in the day, so I think it’s something that very much runs in our blood."
With the emergence of both Kai and White as worldwide sensations to represent New Zealand in the pro wrestling landscape, it's only a matter of time before more talents get their shot on the global stage.
Dakota Kai hopeful of WWE return in time for Perth 2024 event
Kai's knee injury has left a massive hole in the women's roster in WWE, but there's also a light at the end of the tunnel in the form of next February's blockbuster Elimination Chamber event in Perth, Australia.
Grayson Waller, Rhea Ripley and Bronson Reed are all expected to be featured as the Aussie contingent on the card, but Kai is praying to be back in action in time to compete in a dream scenario.
“I was in shock, I almost didn’t believe it – I thought it was a fan edit," she said of the event announcement.
"Performing at a big event like that, especially one so close to New Zealand and my home, it’s such a bucket list thing. Australia is like a second home to me and I know there will be a lot of Kiwis there as well.
"I hope we can make it happen."
