WWE’s Reason For Releasing Dakota Kai

WWE

The reason behind WWE choosing to release Dakota Kai for a second time on May 2, 2025, has seemingly been revealed.

Dakota Kai was among a number of WWE stars who were released that day, with the other main roster names being Braun Strowman, Shayna Baszler, Kayden Carter and Katana Chance.

Further insight has now emerged regarding the rationale behind WWE’s decision to release Dakota Kai.

Dave Meltzer reports in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE sources indicated Kai was unlikely to have been used in the “top tier” of the women’s roster, and the belief was that her salary wasn’t worth it for her to be in the position of losing to others who would be pushed as bigger stars than herself.

He wrote:

“One person said that Kai still had use on a micro level on the main roster but was never going to be used in the top tier with the likes of Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill or others they see as the top women stars they see long-term.

“It was noted that she could have worked with Becky Lynch or Liv Morgan, who are also seen as top players, but it would only be a short-term thing.

“Aside from that they saw her future as just putting over the likes of Roxanne Perez and Giulia, who are the next ones with the idea of being pushed to stardom.

“The thought was that long-term, the salary they were paying her was not worth it to have her just lose to people on the way up.”

Dakota Kai was previously released in April 2022 although would return to WWE in July of that year.

Following her second release from WWE, Kai took to social media to share her thoughts via a GIF.

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