Shayna Baszler defeated Ember Moon to win the NXT Women's Championship at TakeOver: New Orleans during WrestleMania Weekend. Days later, Baszler came to the WWE Performance Center to make it clear she now considered the NXT Women's Division her playground. Footage was shown on the April 18th 2018 episode of NXT. Dakota Kai, Steffanie Newell, Aliyah, Taynara Conti, Reina (Raquel) Gonzalez and Rhea Ripley were amongst the women at the meeting.

Baszler declared the women's locker room hers and tore down Ember Moon's name from what had been her space, insulted no one had done it yet. Shayna pointed out there was no one around to stop her. The women present were told to get in line or get out if they're "too scared". Dakota got up with her water bottle, suggesting she was going to fill it up. But the reality was she had a weak moment after her previous encounters with Baszler. Shayna took offense, ridiculing Kai for calling herself The Captain of Team Kick but being afraid of her.

Dakota left the meeting much to her own shame. It clearly wasn't her proudest moment. She had stood up to fierce competitors since her days as Evie. Her wars with Kellyanne and Kellie Skater in MCW proved she could bring it in hardcore style matches. But Shayna shook her in a way she had never been shaken before. That fear is something she would have to overcome. To do so would make her a stronger, more confident person and competitor. Her moment of weakness here would be the launching pad to her slowly but surely working to overcome her fear.

The incident was addressed on the April 25th 2018 episode of NXT when Kai was interviewed backstage. There was fear and trepidation in her voice and body language. She didn't even want to talk about the incident, preferring to act like it didn't happen. Shayna walked in carrying the title over her shoulder. She stared down Kai in intimidating fashion, asking her how it feels to leave her home to live out her dream only to face the reality a women's division with Shayna as champion is Kai's worst nightmare. Kai was left to ponder Shayna's threatening words.

On the May 2nd 2018 episode of NXT, Dakota was interviewed by the press outside Full Sail. She was happy that her former NXT colleagues Ember Moon, Peyton Royce and Billie Kay were making names for themselves on RAW and SmackDown. Those departures meant more opportunities for the women still in NXT. Dakota made it clear she wanted to make her mark on NXT. One of the reporters asked Kai to comment on Shayna who she was intimated by. Dakota made it clear she didn't want to talk about her issues with Shayna.

NXT up-and-comer Vanessa Borne looked to make a mark of her own, strutting over to accuse Dakota's handling of the Shayna situation as pathetic. Borne insisted if it were her, she would have slapped the hell out of Baszler because she isn't scared of anyone. Our Captain responded confidently that she may have issues dealing with Shayna but she isn't afraid of Borne. Vanessa left having accomplished what she intended: Goading Dakota into a match. Kai told the press that she was ready to take Borne on.

Borne hoped to make a name for herself off Dakota but that isn't how things went down when the had a match during the May 9th 2018 episode of NXT. Dakota would come out with the win after hitting her new finisher, a code red into a backbreaker she called The Kairopractor. It was a victory for Dakota but she couldn't celebrate for long. Shayna Baszler stalked out to the ring like a tiger hunting its prey. Dakota froze with fear, trembling as Shayna forced her against the turnbuckles staring her dead in the eyes.

But Dakota wasn't the only reason Shayna was there. The Queen of Spades turned her attention to Borne, locking her in the Kirifuda Clutch. So much for Borne slapping the hell out of Shayna. Honestly, Borne got what she deserved for what clearly was false bravado and not even a hint of courage. Kai finally came out of the freeze and exited the ring. Shayna kept the clutch on Borne, staring Kai dead in the eyes as she backed up the ramp. Moments later, Dakota was asked backstage to comment on the incident. Kai was in a panic, staring in every direction.

Dakota wasn't sure why she froze for a bit and couldn't flee the moment Shayna turned her focus to Borne. Baszler came through the curtain, taunting Kai to do something. She asked for The Captain of Team Kick to kick her. Dakota froze, staring feebly at Shayna unable to be an aggressor. Shayna left to relish that her bully mind games were still a success. Dakota held her head down in shame. But that shame turned to confusion and fear of another kind when the insane Nikki Cross started laughing in the background. What was that all about?

Additional Information | Dakota Kai defeated Vanessa Bourne (2:35) on the May 9, 2018 episode of WWE NXT at Full Sail in Winter Park, Florida.