April 10th 2023. Seattle, Washington. Climate Pledge Arena. Monday Night RAW. I decided not to partake in my nightly glass of that tasty fruit punch. This Chronicler of Dakota Kai's Tale feels.... different. So, the night's events for The Ladies started with Bayley negotiating a deal with official Adam Pearce to get Kai & IYO SKY a shot at the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. It was taking forever. Bayley emerged to reveal all Pearce could talk about was the upcoming WWE Draft. Bayley claimed she made sure he knew Damage CTRL had to remain together.

Bayley implied she got through to Pearce because he offered her a spot in a triple threat match where the winner could get a future RAW Women's Championship match. As champion, Bayley schemed she would have more leverage to keep them together. From her reaction, that didn't sit well with Kai. Nor did it with IYO who responded firmly in Japanese. In agreement, Dakota translated that Bayley had her chances at the title, so how about one of them get an opportunity. Bayley didn't think they'd feel that way about her getting an opportunity again instead of them finally getting one. But she'd talk to Pearce, begrudgingly by her huff off.

I'm glad Dakota and IYO stood up for themselves. Honestly, The Role Model's plans in the last few months haven't been in favor of Dakota and IYO. Bayley's plans have only served to goad her own ego. Damage CTRL was supposed to be about Bayley giving her girls opportunities. Bayley said so herself months ago. But lately, she didn't even ask them for consent when she got them involved in that title match against Becky Lynch & Lita while Dakota was still injured. Bayley even promised them she'd never jeopardize their tag team title reign yet they lost the titles.

To further goad her own ego, Bayley just assumed they wanted to be part of the 6 Woman Tag Team Match at WrestleMania 39. She's barely let them speak on television in the last couple months. We all know it's been a rough time for The Role Model. Being optimistic, I thought maybe she's just stressed out. But maybe she's just showing her true colors. Now that I'm thinking about it more clearly: Why did she create Damage CTRL in the first place? Was it to benefit others? Or for her own fame and glory? This has shades of her relationship with Sasha Banks in 2020.

Pearce agreed to replace Bayley with IYO. Her opponents were Piper Niven and Michin. Dakota was genuinely happy for her friend. Bayley was unenthusiastic. She wasn't doing a good job hiding such even as she tried. Normally, Bayley would make an effort to intervene on IYO's behalf. Her passion overcomes her like that. She didn't seem too passionate about doing that here. Of course, we know IYO can do it on her own. Dakota knows too, choosing not to intervene. After quite the battle, IYO won the match by pinfall. An ecstatic Dakota hugged IYO, being a true friend despite not being chosen by Pearce. Bayley celebrated the win with Kai and SKY but her body language reflected she wasn't happy.

The Ladies appeared on RAW Talk where Byron Saxton told IYO that because of her victory she could become champion. She's not stupid, Byron. IYO understandably took offense. She declared she's going to become the RAW Women's Champion. IYO and Bayley avoided eye contact. Dakota remained excited for IYO's opportunity. IYO and Dakota got Saxton to shoo off which Bayley was amused by. But otherwise she was still reluctant to be too happy for IYO. Until there was a group hug. Dakota affectionately embraced IYO who could see Bayley was still reluctant. So, IYO reached over to Bayley to welcome her into the embrace because she wanted both her friends to share in the love. Since Bayley fell into the hug, I think she might be coming around and finally in good spirits about all this.

There was a time when Our Captain might not have been so happy for IYO. But that time has past. In NXT, Kai fought the demons of her past that plagued her mind for months. Wendy Choo helped her rediscover the power of friendship. Her true self reemerged. Yet, life would soon hit her hard. Bayley was there for her when no one else was. Dakota has been loyal to someone who gave her, her livelihood back. And loyal to IYO. That all said, I'm optimistic that Dakota can cheer Bayley up if Bayley hasn't already herself. I won't yet loose hope for The Role Model.

Dakota and IYO stood up for themselves. They did the right thing for the team. The result: IYO SKY got herself and Damage CTRL a huge victory. Gold is on the horizon. If Dakota is happy for IYO, we should all be. I told you guys things were going to look up for The Ladies after WrestleMania 39. Becky and her two are in the past and clearly got issues of their own. Good times are coming for all of Damage CTRL, however tonight was firstmost IYO's night. Congratulations to The Genius of the SKY.