The former Dakota Kai, now wrestling as Charlie on the independent circuit, has addressed the long-running speculation that she was originally planned to win the inaugural WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship before the plans were changed to favor Lyra Valkyria.
Charlie spent close to ten years wrestling for WWE, winning championships in NXT and on the main roster. Her biggest championship win never came to pass. In January 2025, in what could have been the biggest match of her career, Kai faced Lyra Valkyria in the finals of a tournament to crown the inaugural WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion.
The match aired on the second episode of Monday Night Raw on Netflix. Kai was reportedly at one point planned to win the match. Instead, Valkyria won and held the championship for 144 days. Kai lost the match, never won gold with WWE again, and was released from her contract in March 2025.
Charlie addressed the situation in a conversation with D.S. Shin of Ring The Belle.
“She’s awesome too. We had such good chemistry and we never wrestled each other before — I don’t think any singles capacity at least. But, she’s amazing. She’s insane. Everything she did was awesome.”
She addressed the rumored title plans directly.
“Things change all the time, you know what I mean? Like last minute and I get that too but, I don’t know. I’m so happy for her.”
Since her release from WWE in March 2025, Charlie has worked extensively on the independent circuit. Charlie also hosts a show with the former Zelina Vega (now known as ZELVX) on YouTube.
If you use quotes from this article, please credit Ring The Belle and include a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
