On Friday April 29th 2022, Cheree "Charlie" Crowley was released from her WWE contract with a 30-day non-compete clause. This is Part 1 of a 2 part article that will reflect back on her work as Dakota Kai since 2017 and think about what could be next. For this part I'm going to focus on some of her best matches and moments in WWE NXT.

A regret I have as a fan of the NXT Black & Gold Era is that I was never able to attend any of the famous Coconut Loop house shows since I don't live in Florida. At many of those shows Dakota Kai teamed up with Tegan Nox as Team Fly-Kicks. Although the name Evie rang a bell, my first notice of Cap's work was as Dakota Kai. To be specific her intro for the Mae Young Classic. I confess I had a crush. But moving on, there was an instant likable factor about her. She was the nice girl next door with a smile, however she would kick someone's head off. The footage of her whooping ass from the independents, including a kick that sounded like the nastiest WALTER chop, was the glue. It didn't take long for Dakota Kai to become one of my favorites. I'm proud to say Cap is one of my heroines along with Nixon Newell.

Her quick, striking style made her an exciting wrestler to watch and get behind. She was the plucky underdog who I'll say really wasn't an underdog. She was all smiles, hugs and hand slaps when she made her way to the ring. But once the bell rang, she showed no mercy to her opponents. Her kryptonite was NXT Women's Champion at the time Shayna Baszler, whose bully antics Kai struggled to overcome. Prior to suffering a legit injury at the end of 2018, Dakota had a run in NXT UK during its launch, having what I thought was one of the best in her series over the years against Rhea Ripley.

Had it not been for her injury, many feel Dakota Kai would have been the one to end Shayna Baszler's reign of terror in 2019. Just imagine the amazing TakeOver: New York card over WrestleMania Weekend also having Dakota finally overcoming Shayna to win the NXT Women's Title! When Dakota did return in September 2019 we got to see Team Fly-Kicks come together on television for the first time. Not only were Tegan and Dakota besties in kayfabe, they were very much besties in real life. From their humorous Christmas Adventures in onsies to the story about them learning to drive together Dakota promised to someday tell. They gave us all tons of entertainment outside the ring as well as in it.

Dakota Kai's heel turn proved she was just as capable of portraying a villainess as she was a heroine. There were times early on in her heel run where she made it easy to hate her as she showed a cruelty toward Tegan. As her heel run progressed, there reached a point where I felt she gained a grey area, an empathetic edge during her fallout and feud with Raquel. I thought she did a good job bringing the unhinged character to life. Such a role can be trying on the performer, but she did well and it led to her journey back to being a face for her final WWE months. Her face turn was wonderful and made me very happy. Whether it was as a heroine, a villainess or someone caught between I thought Cap always killed it.

Something she has always been able to do is make people feel for her during her matches. Often getting ragdolled around due to her petite size. Getting slammed on the apron. Knocked inside out by the top of the commentary table. Nearly smashed through a wall. Or beaten up by Rhea Ripley for close to ten minutes before even getting minor offense in. Even if at times some might feel her character deserved it during her heel days, it's easy to still feel for her seeing her bump and sell as she does. Dakota is very durable and physical, be it when taking a pounding or unleashing hell on her opponents with her offense. Though much of her offense is strikes and high impact, she's added some submission holds in over the years. Word is she learned from one of the best submission specialists. Some Queen of Spades.

There are five NXT matches in particular I'd check out if you've not followed her work or just to relive it. I consider these five of her best matches in WWE. The first is versus Io Shirai from TakeOver 30. The second is her TakeOver: Portland street fight against Tegan Nox. For her third the 2020 WarGames match. The fourth is the Ladder Match versus Kay Lee Ray from NXT 11/30/21. The fifth is Team Fly-Kicks versus Asuka & Kairi from NXT 10/30/19.

I'd also suggest checking out WarGames 2019 for her incredible heel turn. A fun match to catch too is Dakota versus Sarray from NXT 8/10/21. Not only is it a great match, there's also a fun chant battle between the Dakota Section and not-Dakota fans. Cap can't help but grin a bit that she's got her support even as a heel. The recent face turn had a lot of fun segments with Wendy Choo and all three 2022 Dusty Cup matches. Her NXT Women's Tag Team Title victory from Stand & Deliver 2022 is a fun one with a feel good ending. Lastly, from NXT 3/03/21 the Women's Tag Team Title Match is worth a watch to see Dakota work quasi-face or tweener alongside Raquel versus main roster invaders Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax. Seeing Dakota finally able to stand up to Shayna was nice progression in their ongoing rivalry that sadly won't get a finish now.

Dakota Kai is someone who always delivers her best and is selfless with her opponents, making sure they get a chance to get in their shine. Some great examples recently were her matches against Yulisa Leon and Cora Jade. She made sure the first match with Cora wasn't a squash, ensuring Cora got offense in. Dakota made sure Leon was able to showcase a lot of her offense, presenting a story where the less experienced Leon proved she could hang with a veteran. Dakota elevates her opponents as others once no doubt did for her.

Her selflessness working with tag team partners is important to note too. Raquel Gonzalez often points out in interviews that for her working with Dakota was an invaluable learning tree. Opponent or tag team partner. Booked to win the match or not. People always benefitted from working alongside her.

I often use the expression: She fights her heart out. What does that mean? Some might wonder since I've used it at times when she is getting pummeled. In regards to Dakota Kai it's that there is something about her work, the heart she puts into it whether it's delivering offense or bumping and selling for her opponents. Dakota was called the glue of the NXT Women's Division for a reason.

The girl next door who fell from grace. The unhinged to-me-tweener I related to because of my own struggles with my health. And finally, the girl next door heroine I missed returning to give Dakota Kai's story some closure. In her final months she got a slow burn face turn, a brief tag team title run, actual character development and the lovely friendship with Wendy Choo. Cap may have lost her final match as Dakota, however it took three persons and a V-Trigger smashing the belt into her face to put her down. I'd say she got the last laugh.