Dakota Kai, one of WWE's most resilient and dynamic performers, is once again on the injured list following a tag team match on the January 20th episode of Raw. Teaming with IYO SKY against Zoey Stark and Shayna Baszler, Kai reportedly suffered an injury during the bout.
According to PWInsider.com, Kai was "hurt" during the match, with one source speculating that the issue may have stemmed from a rough bump taken on a missile dropkick. It was later confirmed to be a concussion. Kai has been pulled from WWE programming and was notably absent from this week’s Raw.
As of now, it’s unclear whether this injury will prevent Dakota Kai from participating in the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble, which is set to take place this weekend. Kai’s potential absence would be a significant blow to both her and her faction, Damage CTRL, as the group has been a prominent force in WWE’s women’s division.
Kai’s latest setback is part of an unfortunate pattern in her career, as she has dealt with multiple significant injuries over the years:
- Right ACL Tear – December 2018
- Kai tore her ACL in her right knee during an NXT live event in Green Bay, Wisconsin. This injury sidelined her for over nine months, costing her a spot in the inaugural Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament.
- Shoulder Injury – Late 2020
- During her NXT run, Kai suffered a shoulder injury that briefly removed her from active competition. While not severe, it slowed her momentum during her growing partnership with Raquel González.
- Left ACL Tear – May 2023
- In a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match on SmackDown, Kai suffered a torn ACL in her left knee after a botched top-rope move. The injury required surgery and kept her out for 9–12 months, sidelining her for the remainder of 2023.