Charlie, the wrestler formerly known as Dakota Kai, is preparing for her in-ring return against Kris Statlander on March 8, 2026, at Pro Wrestling EVE’s Wrestle Queendom VIII in London, England. The event, held at the Indigo at the O2, is sold out, with other scheduled competitors including Willow Nightingale, Harley Cameron, and Rhio.
The match marks Charlie’s first bout in nearly a year, a period she described as necessary for personal and professional rebuilding. Speaking on “Busted Open Radio,” Charlie explained the need to step away from wrestling after her time in WWE. “I definitely needed to accept that sort of step back from it,” she said, according to a transcription provided by Wrestling Inc. “I was incredibly grateful for my time at WWE, you know? Everyone I met there and worked with, … The locker room especially [has] such a big part of my heart. I loved that time, but I think I just really needed to take a step back and sort of rebuild myself in terms of confidence and what I thought about myself as a wrestler in this world. I didn’t really know if I still had a place in this world, you know?”
Charlie acknowledged a sense of limitation within WWE, describing what she perceived as a “glass ceiling” on potential advancement. Her departure from the company coincided with its acquisition by TKO, a period marked by budget reductions. Even as she admitted surprise at her release, particularly after participating in a televised singles tournament, she believes her injuries were a contributing factor in the decision. She emphasized, though, that the decision didn’t sense personal.
The upcoming match against Statlander represents a significant opportunity for Charlie as she re-establishes herself in the wrestling world. Wrestle Queendom VIII has garnered attention as a historic sellout event for EVE, signaling a growing momentum for the promotion.
