WWE NXT on January 10th 2018. Dakota Kai would make her formal NXT debut now set to be a regular on the black and gold brand. She wasn't the only debut set for the episode. Former MMA fighter Shayna Baszler was scheduled to debut as Kai's opponent. Baszler was part of the MMA Horsewomen. The first to make a successful transition to pro-wrestling. She had found much success on the independent scene in various promotions including SHIMMER and even toured Japan in early 2017 alongside Nixon Newell (Steffanie Newell), Viper (Piper Niven) and Kay Lee Ray.

Video games and playing with a puppy this was not. Shayna would spark Dakota's fury in the days leading up to Kai's formal NXT debut. The Queen of Spades as she was nicknamed offered to help train Jessi Elaban (Jessi Kamea) whom Steffanie Newell and Kai were working with at the WWE Performance Center. Newell and Kai watched on with Newell asked to film the session so Jessi could watch it back. Baszler applied a hold but did not let go, taking pleasure in torturing Jessi. Kai and Newell would force Shayna off.

Dakota's interview for WWE Digital on January 9th 2018 about her upcoming match with Shayna would be interrupted. Just as Kai expressed disgust with Shayna being a bully, the Queen of Spades hit a training ring to attack Reina Gonzalez (Raquel Gonzalez). Kai hurried over to the ring yelling at Shayna to stop attacking the woman who ironically enough would someday be her future ally and NXT Women's Tag Team Championship partner. Shayna backed down when NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon (Athena) entered the ring to handle business.

Kai versus Baszler took place during NXT's first television taping away from Full Sail. The venue was Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia. This was the historic venue best known for hosting World Championship Wrestling's Saturday night programming including WCW Saturday Night. Dakota walked the same halls as legends and top names of the 1990's such as Sting, Macho Man Randy Savage, Brian Pillman, Big Van Vader, Steve Austin, Diamond Dallas Page and Ravishing Rick Rude. Even The Game himself Triple H had some matches in that building.

The fans loved Dakota who was excited for her formal debut. Baszler trapped Kai in the corner in the early going. Shayna did some rough housing. Kai snapped back pushing Baszler and grabbing her in a waistlock. Unfortunately, that was the extent of Kai's offense. Shayna went to work on Kai's arm and tossed in a nasty knee strike to the face just because. The worse was yet to come. Shayna rubbed Kai's left arm with her foot before bringing it down to smash Our Captain's elbow, sending a world of pain through her arm up to her shoulder.

The referee stopped the match, awarding it to Baszler since it was clear Dakota's wounds would not allow her to continue. Shayna wasn't done, ensnaring Kai in her signature submission hold the Kirifuda Clutch. She only broke it when NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon came out.

During a post-show WWE Digital Exclusive, Kai wasn't sure of the extent of Baszler's attack but was certain it wasn't going to be good news. Her shoulder was wounded which would force her to miss some ring time to recover. But worse, Shayna had begun a psychological attack on Our Captain driving a fear of The Queen of Spades into her. It wasn't the best formal debut but the WWE future was unwritten for The Captain of Team Kick. Better would come.

Additional Information | Shayna Baszler defeated Dakota Kai (1:33) on the January 10, 2018 episode of WWE NXT at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.