Injured WWE star 'so close' to in-ring return

At the 2024 WWE Royal Rumble, an amazing week for Damage CTRL was topped off by Bayley winning the women’s Rumble match, just a day following The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) became WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions on SmackDown (January 26).
With IYO SKY of course still reigning WWE Women’s Champion, the faction is currently on top of the world, however, there is one bidding piece from the puzzle; that being the in-ring return of Dakota Kai.
The New Zealand native tore her ACL back in May 2023 during a match on SmackDown and has not competed since.

While Kai has thankfully remained present on WWE TV throughout much of her absence, fans are more than ready to see her return to the ring.
Now, speaking to Instinct Culture’s Denise Salcedo, Kai noted that she was wearing heels for the first time since her injury, with Salcedo asking whether this meant she was one step closer to a return.

To which Kai responded:
“Yeah, one step. We’re so close. We’re so close, you guys.”

With a return potentially on the horizon, Kai was later asked what her goals were for the coming year; with a return being the number one aim.
Kai continued:
“The goal for me, honestly I’m just excited to get back in the ring. I loved watching the Rumble, and obviously Bayley winning, I can’t even explain the emotions.
“I was so overwhelmed with happiness. I want to get back in the ring so bad. Just watching them all fun, I’m like, ‘Oh god.’
“But we’re so close, so I just want to get back into the mix of things physically as a wrestler and just aim high.”

The average recovery time for a torn ACL is typically within six to nine months, so perhaps Kai’s comments are a prelude to a return in the near-future, however, nothing is known for sure at this time.
JJA Sport Studio will provide any updates on Kai’s return as/when they’re available.
A potential WrestleMania opponent of Damage CTRL’s Bayley has teased the return of a special stipulation for their not yet confirmed match in Philadelphia.