Three women from Australasia enter one of WWE’s most dangerous matches this afternoon.
Dakota Kai, Rhea Ripley, and Toni Storm will be part of the annual WarGames Match headlining NXT TakeOver at the Capitol Wrestling Center in Orlando, Florida.
Kai and Storm unite on Team Candice LeRae, alongside Kai’s regular partner Raquel Gonzalez. Ripley stands opposite them on Team Shotzi Blackheart, backed up by Ember Moon and NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai.
The return of WarGames marks one year of a new attitude for Dakota Kai.
The kick-happy Kiwi was scheduled to be part of WarGames in November 2019 before turning her back on teammate Tegan Nox to unleash a new, brutal side of herself – one she has grown into over the course of 2020.
“I was really hesitant when they pitched it to me, but they were right,” Kai told Newshub.
“It’s been so much fun to dive into something I haven’t really done before. I mean, I’ve never been a bad guy, but it’s helped me grow as a character and, more importantly, shown the fans an edgier Dakota Kai.
“I’m no longer that fun-loving cool chick. Now I’m a bad-ass cool chick.”
WarGames consists of a steel cage surrounding two rings. Two women will begin the match, with others entering at predetermined intervals – alternating between Team Shotzi and Team Candice. The match can only be won once all eight women have entered the ring.
WWE NXT TakeOver: WarGames streams live from 1pm (NZDT) on WWE Network.
WWE NXT TakeOver: WarGames Card:
- WarGames Match:
Danny Burch, Pat McAfee, Pete Dunne & Oney Lorcan vs. The Undisputed Era - WarGames Match:
Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez & Toni Storm vs. Ember Moon, Io Shirai, Rhea Ripley & Shotzi Blackheart - North American Championship:
Leon Ruff (c) vs. Damian Priest vs. Johnny Gargano - Strap Match:
Cameron Grimes vs. Dexter Lumis - Timothy Thatcher vs. Tommaso Ciampa