Dakota Kai and Io Shirai were destined to someday become the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions. But those titles didn't even exist when Kai and Shirai joined forces within the confines of NXT back in 2018. Along with Shirai's best friend Kairi Sane, Dakota and Io had combined forces to stand up to NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler and her henchwomen Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke. The friendship between Sane, Shirai and Kai reached as far back as Dakota's first tour of Japan during her days as Evie. On the December 5th 2018 NXT, Shirai had come to Dakota's rescue during a post-match beatdown courtesy of the Horsewomen.

Shirai and Kai made it clear during the December 12th 2018 episode of NXT that they were fed up with Duke and Shafir running interference for Baszler. Shirai gave Dakota a gentle squeeze while stating she wasn't going to let Duke and Shafir attack her friend. Kai and Shirai wanted Duke and Shafir in a tag match on the December 19th 2018 episode of NXT (taped in November). On her way to the ring for the match, Kai embraced a young fan who made a nifty sign for her.

Dakota started the match against Duke. Jessamyn overpowered Kai into the corner and came at her. Dakota floated over Duke, rolling her up for a one. Duke took Dakota down to the canvas but Kai fought back with a running PK and standing Coup-de-Kai. Duke and Shafir would snatch control of the match after a cheap shot from Shafir on the apron. The Horsewomen would take turns tagging in and working over Dakota. Our Captain finally had the chance to crawl over to her team's corner and tag Shirai in after stinging Duke with the scorpion kick.

Shirai exploded on Shafir with the tiger feint kick and springboard missile dropkick. Marina's face got smashed in the corner with charging double knees. Shirai slammed Shafir to the canvas and stepped on top of her en route to make her way up for her graceful yet brutal moonsault finish. Dakota put a stop to Duke's interference, striking her off the apron with the Kaio-Kick. Shirai crashed down on Shafir with the moonsault to score the pinfall victory for her team. After the match, the duo embraced and showed each other respect as the crowd cheered them on.

During Dakota's days as Evie, Shirai was an opponent she faced a few times in Stardom. There was a healthy respect for each other and love for Kairi that bonded them together in the past... a mutual love and respect that reunited them together in NXT. Kai and Shirai had already teamed up a few times at NXT House Shows including a win over Lacey Evans and Bianca Belair back in September. The win over Duke and Shafir would mark their first successful televised outing as a tag team. They had done some damage to the Horsewomen who clearly weren't as in control as they thought they were.

On the NXT Post-Show, the camera caught up with Dakota Kai who called the win pretty friggin great with a slight hesitation before saying friggin. I think we all know she wanted to say a less PG friendly word. Kai felt Shirai and her defeating Shafir and Duke sent a powerful message: The Horsewomen aren't invincible. Dakota closed things out saying she thinks the Horsewomen will see Kairi, Io and her as more of a threat going forward which is a nice feeling.

What could have been. What might have been. Who knows. Dakota's tale would reach a rough fork in the road during an NXT House Show on December 7th 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Kai tore her ACL during a match where Candice LeRae, Kairi Sane and Kai defeated Duke, Shafir and Baszler. It would be a nine month or so road to recovery for Our Captain. But it wasn't a road to be walked alone. Dakota's best friend Tegan Nox had injured her ACL during the 2018 Mae Young Classic. The inseparable friends would make this long, grueling journey together.

Additional Information | Io Shirai & Dakota Kai defeated Marina Shafir & Jessamyn Duke (4:26) on the December 19, 2018 episode of WWE NXT at Full Sail in Winter Park, Florida. This would be Dakota's last televised match due to a legitimate injury until September 25, 2019.