AEW tease debut of former WWE star Dakota Kai on Dynamite next week

Dakota Kai was a big part of the WWE roster before her release

Speculation over Dakota Kai’s next move in professional wrestling heated up this week following a promo from AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Mone. On Dynamite, Mone revealed she will defend her title at AEW Homecoming: Title Tuesday in Jacksonville, Florida, against a Florida native who has never wrestled at Daily’s Place.

The tease immediately led fans to wonder if former WWE star Dakota Kai was set to make her debut. Kai lives in Florida, has never wrestled at the venue, and is currently a free agent following her WWE release earlier this year. The timing made her a natural fit for Mone’s mystery opponent.

Billie Starkz responds to Mercedes Mone’s challenge

However, the speculation cooled when Billie Starkz responded online shortly after the segment. The 20-year-old former ROH Women’s World Television Champion pointed out that she also lives in Florida, teasing herself as Mone’s challenger.

Starkz and Mone already have history, with the two meeting on Dynamite #285 in a TBS Title match that Mone successfully defended. A rematch on Title Tuesday would continue their rivalry, and it would fit Mone’s goal of creating history at AEW’s home base in Jacksonville.

Still, the buzz around Dakota Kai shows just how much anticipation surrounds her comeback. With her non-compete clause expired, she can sign with any promotion, and AEW is seen as a strong possibility.

Dakota Kai opens up about her WWE exit

Adding to the intrigue, Kai recently addressed her wrestling future during a live stream. The former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion admitted that while she has enjoyed stepping away from the grind, she misses performing and plans to return when the timing feels right.

“I miss wrestling, you guys! I got to get back into it,” Kai said. “It’s just one of those things where it has been nice to have a little bit of a break… but I really do miss it.”

Kai’s resume speaks for itself. She became the first-ever two-time NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion during the black-and-gold era and later captured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles twice alongside IYO SKY as part of the “Damage CTRL” faction. Her release in early 2025 was viewed as a surprise, given her active role on television.

Since then, Kai has been one of the most sought-after free agents in wrestling, with AEW and TNA Wrestling both expressing interest. Her close ties with Bayley and IYO SKY, who continue to praise her, have only fueled speculation about her next chapter.

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