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Damage CTRL has been on a roll ever since Iyo Sky won the WWE Women’s Championship. However, the heel faction is missing its member, Dakota Kai, who has been on the sidelines for months. Kai recently opened up about her future in wrestling and revealed when exactly she could run the ropes again. She also addressed the flak she has been getting due to her delayed return. 

Dakota Kai was one of the few superstars that Triple H helped bring back to WWE after getting released in 2021 due to budget cuts. Mere months after her return, she underwent knee surgery and remained out of action. So, when is Dakota Kai making her much-awaited return?

Dakota Kai predicts she will be ring-ready by the Royal Rumble season in January 2024

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As noted, Dakota Kai underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL. Despite being on the shelf, she made her surprise return at SummerSlam last month to celebrate Iyo Sky’s World Title win. Fans expected that Kai was ready for the ring; however, that was not the case. In fact, she later revealed during the press conference that she was still not 100 percent. 

While speaking on her Twitch stream, Dakota Kai laid bare the delay in her return. According to her, she still hasn’t learned how to run or jump after receiving treatment. She said, “I do think it’s funny that a lot of people are like, ‘she’s not injured at all, look at her walking around.’ ACL injury, I haven’t even learned how to start running and jumping again yet.”

Kai further added that she is on the road to recovery. She will start running this week. The 35-year-old star then revealed that she won’t be back in action until January 2024. In addition, she also defended herself against the criticism she has been receiving for her delayed return. She added, “If I was a desk worker or something like that, I’d be back in work properly — like fully now. But because it’s wrestling, I won’t be cleared until January.”

Since Kai sounded confident in his assessment of her return, it is very likely that we will catch her in action at the Royal Rumble 2024. Her return couldl coincide with the event. 

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Anyway, we will have to wait and see how long it actually takes for Dakota Kai to get back in form. Nonetheless, her return to SummerSlam was a full-circle moment. 

What was special about Dakota Kai’s special appearance at SummerSlam 2023?

Iyo Sky had been lurking in the shadows with her MITB briefcase to pounce on the winner of the Triple Threat match at SummerSlam. After Bianca Belair won the WWE Women’s Championship, Sky made her way to the ring, flanked by Bayley. 

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As expected, Sky successfully cashed the MITB briefcase on Belair, emerging as the new WWE Women’s Champion. As Sky celebrated, a returning Dakota Kai joined her. The moment was special because SummerSlam 2023 marked one year since the formation of the heel faction. 

At this point, it is clear that Kai’s return is not looming anytime soon. But it will be interesting to see if she enters the Royal Rumble 2024 as a surprise entrant. 

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Meanwhile, let us know what you think about Dakota Kai’s delayed return. Comment below!