Former WWE star competes as Charlie in London showdown
Summary
– Dakota Kai returned to in-ring action at Wrestle Queendom 8 in London
– Competing as Charlie, she challenged Kris Statlander for the EVE International Championship
– Statlander retained the title after a hard-hitting championship match
Dakota Kai has officially stepped back into the wrestling ring after nearly a year away from competition.
The former WWE star made her return on March 8, 2026 at Wrestle Queendom 8, appearing under the name Charlie. The event took place at indigo at The O2 in London and was part of Pro Wrestling: EVE’s annual showcase held on International Women’s Day.
Charlie competed in a championship bout against AEW star Kris Statlander for the EVE International Championship. The match marked her first appearance since being released from WWE in May 2025.
Despite the lengthy break from in-ring action, Charlie quickly showed flashes of the skill and aggression that made her a standout performer during her WWE career. The match developed into a physical contest with several memorable moments.
One of the highlights came when Charlie delivered a backstabber on the ring apron. She also connected with a Belly-to-Bayley during the match, drawing strong reactions from the crowd.
Statlander ultimately managed to retain the championship. The AEW star sealed the victory after delivering a brutal finishing sequence that included three piledrivers to secure the pinfall.
Although Charlie did not walk away with the title, the performance quickly earned praise from fans both inside the venue and across social media. Many viewers noted how strong she looked in her first match back after such a long absence.
The result may not have gone her way, but the bigger story is that Dakota Kai is back in the ring and already showing she can compete with some of the top names in women’s wrestling.
Dakota Kai, Kris Statlander, Wrestle Queendom, Pro Wrestling EVE, women’s wrestling, indie wrestling, wrestling comeback
Yeah Charlie!!#WrestleQueendom pic.twitter.com/2QpG4XHwbp
— CrispyWrestling (@CrispyWrestlin) March 8, 2026
