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Damage CTRL's Reported Fate Following Dakota Kai's WWE Release

Dakota Kai's departure from WWE has reportedly signaled the end of Damage CTRL.
Rick Ucchino|
Dakota Kai returns on Raw
Dakota Kai returns on Raw | IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

If fans were holding out hope that Damage CTRL would live on in some form without Dakota Kai, a new report will leave you disappointed.

Over a dozen WWE Superstars were released from their contracts, or were informed that their contracts would not be renewed, this past Friday evening ahead of SmackDown. Kai was among the more surprising releases given her popularity and involvement with reigning Women's World Champion IYO SKY.

The two of them, along with the Kabuki Warriors, made up the latest iteration of Damage CTRL. The group was first assembled by Bayley alongside original members SKY and Kai at SummerSlam 2022. On the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez said the word is that the faction has quietly been disbanded after nearly three years together.

“I don’t know what the story is there other than – and I don’t know if this is ‘official’ – but I was kind of told unofficially that Damage CTRL’s done. The group is done."

Both Asuka and Kairi Sane are still working their way back from injury, but it's unclear if they'll still be affiliated with IYO SKY in some way when they return to television. Alvarez speculates that Kai's departure may have resulted from her being the odd woman out, creatively speaking.

"Asuka and Kairi might come back as a tag team, and IYO’s obviously a big singles star, and maybe they just figured that Dakota, she’s not gonna be at the level of an IYO, doesn’t have a partner, we don’t do a six-woman division, so she got cut. But that one is surprising.”

With Asuka and Kairi still on injured reserve, SKY was the victim of a 2-on-1 assault by Roxanne Perez and Giulia on Monday's episode of Raw. Rhea Ripley was unable to help her out as she was in Australia doing media for WWE's upcoming return to Perth for Crown Jewel.

Ripley will be back next Monday night. She and SKY will face Roxanne and Giulia in a tag team match on the first Raw after Backlash.

Damage CTRL
Damage CTRL at WrestleMania XL | WWE.com

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Rick Ucchino
RICK UCCHINO

Rick Ucchino is the Assistant Editor & Content Coordinator for The Takedown on SI. He also works full-time for 700WLW Radio in Cincinnati, Ohio as a local news and sports anchor, in addition to his time covering the Cincinnati Bengals for Sirius XM. Rick has been on the professional wrestling beat since 2019, having provided coverage for a number of outlets, including Fightful, SB Nation’s Cageside Seats and the Bleav Podcast Network. With an educational background in theater, creative writing and journalism, Rick focuses primarily on the storytelling aspect of pro wrestling, but he’s no stranger to the squared circle himself. He had the privilege of training with former WWE & WCW cruiserweight Jimmy Wang Yang for nearly two years and retired early due to back issues with a perfect 1-0 record in singles competition. Rick is a married father of two incredibly adorable children, who are budding pro wrestling fans themselves. Much to the chagrin of their mother. You can reach Rick at rwucchino@gmail.com

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