Former WWE standout Dakota Kai is officially stepping back into the ring next year — and her return comes with a brand-new name and a huge championship opportunity.

Kai, released by WWE in May, has been announced for Pro-Wrestling: EVE’s biggest event of the year, Wrestle Queendom 8, taking place March 8, 2026, at the O2 in London. The news was revealed by Will Ospreay, who is currently part of EVE’s creative team.

Going forward, Kai will compete under the ring name Charlie, and her first assignment is massive: she’ll challenge Kris Statlander for the EVE International Championship. It will also mark the first-ever singles meeting between the two.

Despite plenty of chatter linking Kai to AEW after her release, the former two-time NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion hasn’t signed with or appeared for any promotion since leaving WWE. Her last non-WWE-affiliated match came all the way back in 2017 for PROGRESS.

Statlander, meanwhile, has been a busy dual champion. She captured the EVE International Title from Anita Vaughan in July and has already racked up two defenses — against Nina Samuels in September and in a four-way against Vaughan, Alex Windsor and Yuu in November. On top of her UK gold, Statlander also holds the AEW Women’s World Championship, making this showdown even more intriguing.

Wrestle Queendom 8 now has a marquee matchup locked in:
Charlie vs. Kris Statlander — first time ever — for the EVE International Championship.