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Cheree Georgina Crowley (born 6 May 1988) is a New Zealand-born professional wrestler. She is currently signed to WWE, where she performs on the Raw (WWE brand), Raw WWE brand extension, brand under the ring name Dakota Kai. She is a member of Damage CTRL and is one half of the current WWE Women's Tag Team Championship, WWE Women's Tag Team Champions with Io Shirai, Iyo Sky in their record-tying second reign. She is also known for her time in NXT (WWE brand), NXT, where she won the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic#2021 tournament, inaugural Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, and is a former two-time NXT Women's Tag Team Champion.
Prior to her signing with WWE, Crowley wrestled under the ring name Evie, and appeared for Impact Pro Wrestling (IPW) in her native New Zealand, Pro Wrestling Women's Alliance (PWA) in Australia, American promotions Shimmer Women Athletes and Shine Wrestling, as well as Japanese promotions Pro Wrestling Zero1 and World Wonder Ring Stardom.
Evie made her debut for the all-female American promotion Shimmer Women Athletes at ''Volume 53'' on 6 April 2013, participating in a five-way match which she lost to Christina Von Eerie and also included Yuu Yamagata, Kalamity, and Rhia O'Reilly. At ''Volume 54'', Evie defeated Kimber Lee to pick up her first win for the promotion, but she was defeated by Mia Yim the next day at ''Volume 56''. She competed in a losing effort against Hikaru Shida at Shimmer ''Volume 62'' in April 2014. At Volumes 63 and 64, Evie defeated Rhia O'Reilly and Nicole Matthews, respectively.
On 19 April 2013, Evie made her debut for Shine Wrestling at ''Shine 9'', in a losing effort against Mercedes Martinez. At the Shine 18 iPPV on 20 April 2014, Evie and Skater lost to defending champions the Lucha Sisters (Leva Bates and Mia Yim) for the Shine Tag Team Championship.
On 25 October 2017 episode of ''WWE NXT, NXT'', Kai returned to television, competing in a women's battle royal won by Nikki Cross. On 10 January 2018 episode of ''NXT'', Kai lost to the debuting Shayna Baszler by referee stoppage after Baszler stomped and injured her arm. After the match, Baszler attacked and locked her in the Kirifuda Clutch until NXT Women's Championship, NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon saved her. On 14 March episode of ''NXT'', Kai scored her first televised victory, defeating Lacey Evans. Kai made her WrestleMania debut at WrestleMania 34 on 8 April, competing in the WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal and becoming the first female New Zealander to compete at WrestleMania. Kai also participated in a WrestleMania Axxess tournament which she won, earning herself a match for the NXT Women's Championship, but was defeated by newly crowned champion Shayna Baszler. In May, Kai earned another shot at the title but was unsuccessful in winning it. Throughout the rest of the year, Kai racked up victories and losses against competitors like Santana Garrett, Bianca Belair, Lacey Evans and Aliyah (wrestler), Aliyah.
In parallel to her activities in NXT, Kai also appeared in the newly created ''NXT UK (WWE brand), NXT UK'' WWE brand extension, brand. At WWE Evolution, Evolution on 28 October, the first all women's pay-per-view, Kai unsuccessfully challenged Rhea Ripley (in a dark match) for the NXT UK Women's Championship. Before the match, Kai took part in a tournament (that was Broadcast delay, taped back in the summer but aired in November) for the vacant championship, defeating Nina Samuels in the first round but was eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual winner Ripley. After spending a few months away, Kai returned at NXT TakeOver: WarGames (2018), NXT TakeOver: WarGames on 17 November, where she and Io Shirai helped Kairi Sane during her match with Shayna Baszler by attacking Baszler's allies Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir. On 17 January 2019, Kai announced on her Twitter page that she sustained a torn Anterior cruciate ligament, ACL, during an NXT House show, live event in December, which would sideline her from in-ring competition for the next few months. Kai defeated Taynara Conti in her return match on 25 September episode of ''NXT''. Shortly after, Kai's long-time tag team partner Tegan Nox returned to NXT and the two reunited their Tag team (professional wrestling), tag team dubbed "Team Kick". On 30 October episode of ''NXT'', Team Kick unsuccessfully challenged The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka (wrestler), Asuka and Kairi Sane) for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship.
In November, Kai made her main roster debut as part of the NXT talent that were placed in an Glossary of professional wrestling terms#I, invasion angle with WWE Raw, Raw and WWE SmackDown, SmackDown as part of the Survivor Series (2019), Survivor Series pay-per-view. Mia Yim was chosen over Kai as part of Rhea Ripley's team for the first-ever women's WarGames match against Shayna Baszler's team. On 23 November at NXT TakeOver: WarGames (2019), NXT TakeOver: WarGames, just before the match took place, Kai replaced Yim, who was attacked backstage. However, before she entered the ring, Kai attacked her tag team partner, Tegan Nox, turning Heel (professional wrestling), heel for the first time in her career. Upon her return in December, Mia Yim revealed that Kai attacked Yim backstage and this led to a grudge match between the two, which Kai won. On 26 January 2020, at Royal Rumble (2020), Royal Rumble, Kai entered her first Royal Rumble match at #15, but was eliminated by Chelsea Green. On 29 January episode of ''NXT'', Kai lost to Nox after she used a knee brace following a distraction from Candice LeRae.
Professional wrestling career
New Zealand and Australian independent promotions (2007–2016)
Crowley made her professional wrestling debut on 15 December 2007 for Auckland based company Impact Pro Wrestling under the ring name Evie, a reference to her favourite List of Pokémon, Pokémon, Eevee. In September 2011, she debuted in Sydney, Australia-based Pro Wrestling Alliance Australia (PWA Australia) for their annual PWWA show, where defeating Kellie Skater. In August 2012, Evie became the first Impact Pro Wrestling NZ Women's Champion, defeating Britenay and Megan Fox in a Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches, triple threat match. A week later, she won the Interim PWWA Championship by defeating Billie Kay, Jessie McKay in the finals. After Impact Pro Wrestling returned after a few months from folding in mid-2013, all the previous title holders were stripped of their championships. Evie won the IPW Women's Championship back in December 2013 and aligned herself with a new heel faction called 'The Investment'. Evie began 2014 in Japan, working on a three-month contract awarded to her through Pro Wrestling Zero1, and becoming the first female to receive such a contract.American independent promotions (2013–2016)
Evie made her debut for the all-female American promotion Shimmer Women Athletes at ''Volume 53'' on 6 April 2013, participating in a five-way match which she lost to Christina Von Eerie and also included Yuu Yamagata, Kalamity, and Rhia O'Reilly. At ''Volume 54'', Evie defeated Kimber Lee to pick up her first win for the promotion, but she was defeated by Mia Yim the next day at ''Volume 56''. She competed in a losing effort against Hikaru Shida at Shimmer ''Volume 62'' in April 2014. At Volumes 63 and 64, Evie defeated Rhia O'Reilly and Nicole Matthews, respectively.
On 19 April 2013, Evie made her debut for Shine Wrestling at ''Shine 9'', in a losing effort against Mercedes Martinez. At the Shine 18 iPPV on 20 April 2014, Evie and Skater lost to defending champions the Lucha Sisters (Leva Bates and Mia Yim) for the Shine Tag Team Championship.
World Wonder Ring Stardom (2015–2016)
On 6 December 2015, Evie made her debut for the Japanese World Wonder Ring Stardom promotion. In her first match she won the vacant Artist of Stardom Championship alongside Hiroyo Matsumoto and Kellie Skater. They lost the title to Io Shirai, Kairi Sane, Kairi Hojo, and Mayu Iwatani in their third defense on 28 February 2016.WWE
Early appearances (2015–2017)
Crowley appeared on the 14 October 2015 episode of ''WWE NXT, NXT'' as Evie, losing to the debuting Nia Jax. On 15 December 2016, Crowley signed a contract with WWE, and a few months later she was announced as a participant in the upcoming Mae Young Classic (2017), Mae Young Classic under the new ring name Dakota Kai. According to Crowley, she wanted her new ring name to be something that sounded tomboyish but still reflected her Samoans, Samoan heritage. The word Kai means sea in the Polynesian language, indicating her journey to get to WWE, and contrary to popular belief, is not a reference to Leilani Kai. Kai entered the tournament on 13 July, defeating Kavita Devi (wrestler), Kavita Devi in the first round and Rhea Ripley in the second round, before being eliminated in the quarterfinals by Kairi Sane.Beginnings in NXT (2017–2020)
On 25 October 2017 episode of ''WWE NXT, NXT'', Kai returned to television, competing in a women's battle royal won by Nikki Cross. On 10 January 2018 episode of ''NXT'', Kai lost to the debuting Shayna Baszler by referee stoppage after Baszler stomped and injured her arm. After the match, Baszler attacked and locked her in the Kirifuda Clutch until NXT Women's Championship, NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon saved her. On 14 March episode of ''NXT'', Kai scored her first televised victory, defeating Lacey Evans. Kai made her WrestleMania debut at WrestleMania 34 on 8 April, competing in the WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal and becoming the first female New Zealander to compete at WrestleMania. Kai also participated in a WrestleMania Axxess tournament which she won, earning herself a match for the NXT Women's Championship, but was defeated by newly crowned champion Shayna Baszler. In May, Kai earned another shot at the title but was unsuccessful in winning it. Throughout the rest of the year, Kai racked up victories and losses against competitors like Santana Garrett, Bianca Belair, Lacey Evans and Aliyah (wrestler), Aliyah.
In parallel to her activities in NXT, Kai also appeared in the newly created ''NXT UK (WWE brand), NXT UK'' WWE brand extension, brand. At WWE Evolution, Evolution on 28 October, the first all women's pay-per-view, Kai unsuccessfully challenged Rhea Ripley (in a dark match) for the NXT UK Women's Championship. Before the match, Kai took part in a tournament (that was Broadcast delay, taped back in the summer but aired in November) for the vacant championship, defeating Nina Samuels in the first round but was eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual winner Ripley. After spending a few months away, Kai returned at NXT TakeOver: WarGames (2018), NXT TakeOver: WarGames on 17 November, where she and Io Shirai helped Kairi Sane during her match with Shayna Baszler by attacking Baszler's allies Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir. On 17 January 2019, Kai announced on her Twitter page that she sustained a torn Anterior cruciate ligament, ACL, during an NXT House show, live event in December, which would sideline her from in-ring competition for the next few months. Kai defeated Taynara Conti in her return match on 25 September episode of ''NXT''. Shortly after, Kai's long-time tag team partner Tegan Nox returned to NXT and the two reunited their Tag team (professional wrestling), tag team dubbed "Team Kick". On 30 October episode of ''NXT'', Team Kick unsuccessfully challenged The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka (wrestler), Asuka and Kairi Sane) for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship.
In November, Kai made her main roster debut as part of the NXT talent that were placed in an Glossary of professional wrestling terms#I, invasion angle with WWE Raw, Raw and WWE SmackDown, SmackDown as part of the Survivor Series (2019), Survivor Series pay-per-view. Mia Yim was chosen over Kai as part of Rhea Ripley's team for the first-ever women's WarGames match against Shayna Baszler's team. On 23 November at NXT TakeOver: WarGames (2019), NXT TakeOver: WarGames, just before the match took place, Kai replaced Yim, who was attacked backstage. However, before she entered the ring, Kai attacked her tag team partner, Tegan Nox, turning Heel (professional wrestling), heel for the first time in her career. Upon her return in December, Mia Yim revealed that Kai attacked Yim backstage and this led to a grudge match between the two, which Kai won. On 26 January 2020, at Royal Rumble (2020), Royal Rumble, Kai entered her first Royal Rumble match at #15, but was eliminated by Chelsea Green. On 29 January episode of ''NXT'', Kai lost to Nox after she used a knee brace following a distraction from Candice LeRae.
Storyline with Raquel González (2020–2022)
Kai defeated Nox twice: first at NXT Takeover: Portland, NXT TakeOver: Portland in a street fight, and second in a steel cage match, both after interferences from González. On 7 June at NXT TakeOver: In Your House (2020), TakeOver: In Your House, Kai, González and Candice LeRae lost to Nox, Mia Yim and Shotzi Blackheart. At NXT TakeOver XXX, she failed to win the Women's title against Io Shirai. Kai and González soon aligned with LeRae and Toni Storm, resulting in a WarGames match against Blackheart, Athena (wrestler), Ember Moon, Shirai, and Ripley at NXT TakeOver: WarGames (2020), WarGames on 6 December, which her team won. Kai and González won the first ever Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, when she defeated Blackheart and Moon in the finals at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day, Vengeance Day. With this win, they earned a shot at WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler, a match that would end in controversy on 3 March episode of ''NXT'', after Kai was submitted by Baszler despite not being the legal competitor in the match. The following week, they were awarded the newly created NXT Women's Tag Team Championship by General Manager William Regal, marking Kai's first championship in the WWE. However, the two lost the titles to Blackheart and Moon that night. After González won the NXT Women's Championship at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver on 7 April, tension began to show between the two as González began displaying more face tactics. On 27 July episode of ''NXT'', Kai turned on González, ending their alliance. At NXT TakeOver 36 on 22 August, Kai unsuccessfully challenged González for the title. On 26 October at NXT: Halloween Havoc (2021), Halloween Havoc, she returned as the mysterious person to cost González the title to Mandy Rose in a Trick or Street Fight. On 5 December at NXT WarGames (2021), WarGames, Kai and Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin, Jacy Jayne, and Rose) lost to González, Shirai, Cora Jade, and Kay Lee Ray in a WarGames match. Kai then competed in the Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic with Wendy Choo, defeating Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta in the first round, González and Jade in the semi-finals on 8 March 2022 at NXT Roadblock (2022), Roadblock, but lost to Shirai and Kay Lee Ray in the finals. On 29 March episode of ''NXT 2.0'', after Toxic Attraction took out Wendy Choo, Kai attacked the group and was assisted by a returning Raquel González, whom Kai embraced afterwards, turning Face (professional wrestling), face for the first time since 2019. It was then announced that Kai and González would face Toxic Attraction members Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne for the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship during the pre-show of NXT Stand & Deliver (2022), NXT Stand & Deliver on 2 April, in which they were successful in winning the titles. Their first title defense was scheduled for the following episode of ''NXT'', losing the titles back to Toxic Attraction due to Mandy Rose’s interference. The following week, Kai unsuccessfully challenged Rose for the NXT Women's Championship in what would be her final appearance in NXT. On 29 April 2022, Kai was released from her WWE contract. She had reportedly expressed to the company that she was not planning on renewing her contract prior to her release.Damage CTRL (2022–present)
On 30 July 2022, Kai re-signed with WWE and returned at SummerSlam (2022), SummerSlam alongside Bayley (wrestler), Bayley and Iyo Sky (formerly known as Io Shirai). She officially joined the Raw (WWE brand), Raw WWE brand extension, brand as a Heel (professional wrestling), heel and made her debut for the brand the following night. Throughout the summer, the trio became known as Damage CTRL and they started a Feud (professional wrestling), feud with Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss, and Asuka (wrestler), Asuka that led to various singles and tag team matches, with the most notable of all being a six-woman tag team match at Clash at the Castle (2022), Clash at the Castle), where Damage CTRL were victorious. At the same time, Kai and Sky entered a tournament for the vacant WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. The two made it to the finals where they lost to Aliyah (wrestler), Aliyah and Raquel González (wrestler), Raquel Rodriguez after Aliyah pinned Dakota even though she was not the legal competitor. This set up a rematch between the two teams, in which Kai and Sky defeated Aliyah and Rodriguez on the 12 September episode of ''Raw'' to win the Women's Tag Team Championship for the first time. Kai and Sky lost the titles on the 31 October episode of ''Raw'' to Bliss and Asuka and went on to regain them five days later Crown Jewel (2022), Crown Jewel, which also marked the first time a women's championship changed hands in the Middle East. The rivalry between the two trios ended at Survivor Series WarGames on 26 November, where Damage CTRL, Rhea Ripley, and Nikki Cross lost to Belair, Asuka, Bliss, Mia Yim, and Becky Lynch in a WarGames match.Other media
In September 2009, Crowley starred in the music video for "Sweet December" by Auckland band These Four Walls. In the summer of 2013, as Evie, she was profiled on the Māori Television sports show ''Code''. As Dakota Kai, she is a playable character in the video games ''WWE 2K19'', ''WWE 2K20'', and ''WWE 2K22''. Crowley currently streams on Twitch (service), Twitch under the username "Charliegirl".Personal life
Crowley is of Irish people, Irish and Samoans, Samoan descent. Her mother is originally from the Samoan village of Lepea on the island of Upolu. She has two younger siblings: her sister Nyrene is a Mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist, and her brother Earl is a DJ. Her grandfather Pat Crowley (rugby union), Pat Crowley represented New Zealand as a member of the New Zealand national rugby union team, All Blacks in 1949 and 1950. Crowley is close friends with Shayna Baszler, Mia Yim, and Jessamyn Duke, and currently shares a house with Baszler in Florida.Championships and accomplishments
* Pro Wrestling Women's Alliance ** PWWA Championship (1 time) ** PWWA Interim Championship (1 time) ** PWWA Interim Championship Tournament (2012) * Impact Pro Wrestling ** IPW Women's Championship (3 times) * ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' ** Ranked No. 21 of the top 50 female wrestlers in the ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated#PWI Female 50, PWI Female 50'' in 2016 * Shimmer Women Athletes ** Shimmer Tag Team Championship (Shimmer Tag Team Championship#Title history, 1 time) – with Ruby Riott, Heidi Lovelace * World Wonder Ring Stardom ** Artist of Stardom Championship (Artist of Stardom Championship#Title history, 1 time) – with Hiroyo Matsumoto and Kellie Skater * WWE **WWE Women's Tag Team Championship (WWE Women's Tag Team Championship#Reigns, 2 times, current) – with Io Shirai, Iyo Sky ** NXT Women's Tag Team Championship (List of NXT Women's Tag Team Champions, 2 times) – with Raquel González (wrestler), Raquel González ** WWE tournaments#NXT Women's Championship Invitational, NXT Women's Championship Invitational (2018) ** Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic (NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day, 2021) – with Raquel González ** NXT Year-End Award (1 time) *** Future Star of NXT (2019)References
External links
* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Kai, Dakota 1988 births Expatriate professional wrestlers Living people New Zealand expatriate sportspeople in the United States New Zealand female professional wrestlers New Zealand people of Irish descent New Zealand sportspeople of Samoan descent NXT Women's Tag Team Champions Sportspeople from Auckland Twitch (service) streamers Women graphic designers 21st-century professional wrestlers Artist of Stardom Champions WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Shimmer Tag Team Champions