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Browsing: Dakota
 
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Former WWE Women’s Tag Champion Dakota Kai was released from the company in April, among others. The former Damage CTRL member has been fairly quiet since then, outside of an initial response to her release. She hasn’t wrestled since her last bout for WWE, which took place in March on an episode of “WWE Main Event.” However, a story on Instagram might shed some light on her future.
According to an Instagram story from Wicked Lester Clothing, the wrestling gear designer is hard at work on some kind of outfit for Kai, sharing a video of chiffon pink material, and other athletic material.
“Under construction for @Iamkingkota,” Wicked Lester Clothing wrote, tagging the former WWE NXT Women’s Tag Champion in the post. Wicked Lester has made gear for the likes of Shotzi Blackheart, Rhea Ripley, and other stars. Her most recent Instagram post even hyped up gear she hand-painted for Ivy Nile.
There is no word on what Kai’s next move is, but based on the gear material, she is not done with wrestling. Kai had a long career on the independent scene as Evie before joining WWE in 2016, including work in promotions like Shimmer and World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she was the Artist of Stardom Champion alongside Hiroyo Matsumoto and Kellie Skater, the Stardom equivalent of a trios championship. April was not Kai’s first release from WWE, as she was initially released in 2022, following the expiration of her contract, but was brought back just months later.
Chris Tanev was placed on injured reserve on Thursday, the team announced. Fellow blue-liner Dakota Mermis was recalled from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies in a corresponding move.
Tanev, 35, suffered an upper-body injury during Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils.
The shot-blocking specialist left the ice early in the second period after an inadvertent hit to the head by Devils forward Dawson Mercer. The back of Mercer’s head appeared to collide with Tanev’s face during a net-front battle.
Tanev stayed down on the ice for a few moments before skating off with the help of defence partner Jake McCabe and a team trainer.
Tanev is in the midst of his second season in Toronto after signing a six-year, $27-million deal prior to the 2024-25 campaign.
In 75 games last year, the rugged blue-liner notched three goals and 15 assists while blocking a whopping 189 shots — good for the sixth-most in the league — while averaging nearly 20 minutes of ice time per night.
Tanev has one assist through seven contests this season.
Mermis, 31, played four NHL games last season with the Maple Leafs and Utah, recording one assist.
For his career, the six-foot left-shot defenceman has appeared in 78 games with four goals and nine assists. He has also suited up for the Arizona Coyotes, New Jersey Devils and Minnesota Wild.
The Leafs’ next game is Friday in Buffalo against the Sabres (Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet+, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT).
Dakota Kai’s time with WWE came to an end in early 2025, ending the Kiwi Superstar’s second run as part…