Dakota Kai spoke to the press prior to the May 16th 2018 episode of NXT. A reporter asked her if she knew what was going on with Nikki Cross who was laughing in the background the previous week after Dakota's backstage confrontation with NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler. Dakota wanted to know herself: She hadn't a clue but Nikki is crazy so who knows what her play was or still is. Fittingly enough, Nikki arrived on the scene madly raving. Kai was understandably a bit fearful but more in a freaked out sort of way. Nikki was insane.

Nikki asked Dakota when she was going to face Shayna for the championship. Dakota clearly wanted a title match but there was that fear Shayna put into her that made such not so attractive. Kai was still freaked out by Nikki's presence but listened as she offered some encouraging words: "With fear comes opportunity. Face your fear. And fight!" Nikki maniacally laughed taking off. Whatever fear Kai had of Nikki faded. Dakota wasn't fearful or freaked out by her anymore rather she pondered her words. Was Our Captain ready to overcome her fear of Shayna?

NXT General Manager William Regal made the match. It would be Dakota Kai challenging Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women's Championship. Ahead of that showdown, Kai was asked for her thoughts during the May 23rd 2018 episode of NXT. Dakota was excited to have a chance to compete for the title but still trepidatious because it was against Shayna whom she allowed to get in her head. Shayna stalked into the picture, taunting Kai about not standing a chance.

Dakota mustered up courage, fighting her fear to confidently tell Shayna with some fire in her voice: "We'll see about that." Dakota stared Shayna dead in the eyes not looking away even as Kai took her leave. This time it was Shayna Baszler who was the one left shaken. Dakota Kai the one playing the mind games.

The May 30th 2018 episode of NXT. Dakota Kai challenged Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women's Championship. Kai stood up to Baszler the week before but could she do it again when the lights were on brighter? At first, it seemed like Dakota was allowing her fear to get the better of her. Shayna pushed Kai around and feint swept her to the canvas in the corner a couple times. The referee came over to admonish Shayna. Dakota built up some aggression, spinning Shayna around. Her fight was quickly sunk when Shayna gave her a gut punch.

The Queen of Spades went to work on Dakota's left leg with a rampage of stomps. Kai crawled over to the ropes having to endure Shayna taunting her to hit her. Baszler continued to work over Kai's left leg with kicks and joint manipulation. Kai tried to push Shayna off with kicks only to get her leg stomped to the canvas shades of her arm and shoulder in January. Shayna taunted Kai, asking The Captain of Team Kick to kick her. Dakota's rage was building up. She slapped Baszler. But that slap only angered Shayna who belted Kai with a murderous knee strike.

Shayna unleashed some mounted punches on Dakota before applying an ankle lock. Kai was in immense pain but fought to reach the ropes to force the break. Just when it seemed Kai was going to grab a rope, Baszler pulled her to the center of the ring. Once again, Dakota mustered up every little ounce of fight she had left, this time successfully fighting her way to the rope for the break. Shayna punt kicked Kai's arm off the rope and dragged her to the center of the ring to reapply the ankle lock. Kai fought her way to her feet and struck Shayna with an enziguri.

The Queen of Spades was staggered. Dakota got her second wind, furiously unloading rights. The sting of the scorpion kick. The smash to the chin of the pump kick. Baszler had to use the ropes to get to her feet in the corner. But there was no respite for her. Kai charged around the ring slumping her to the canvas with the Kaio-Kick. An insane running face wash followed nearly scraping Baszler's face right off. Kai vaulted onto Shayna's shoulders for the Kairopractor. But Shayna desperately tossed her off, catching her in the entrapment of the Kirifuda Clutch.

Our Captain tried to fight it but had to tap to live to fight another day. It was not for nothing. She had finally stood up to Shayna Baszler. Dakota Kai proved she had a fighting chance toward the end. That grip of fear The Queen of Spades had her in was no more. Of course, Dakota's courage didn't sit well with Baszler who reapplied the clutch. Nikki Cross hit the ring, pulling Shayna off Kai. Nikki screamed wildly at Baszler who was stricken with a rare case of fear. Baszler teased aggression against Cross only to take her leave up the ramp with the title.

Nikki ran after her, grabbing the title and bringing it to the ring. Cross put the title on the canvas, inviting Shayna to come and get it if she dared. Cross signaled to Kai that she was to referee an impromptu "title match" between Baszler and Cross. Our Captain said what the hell she'll do it. Nikki laid out Shayna with The Purge and covered her. Kai registered the count of three. Nikki Cross celebrated as Dakota Kai presented her with the title. It wasn't an actual match or switch. But for Kai this was a well-deserved feel good moment to torment her tormenter Shayna a bit.

Additional Information | NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler defeated Dakota Kai (5:31) to retain the title on the May 30, 2018 episode of WWE NXT at Full Sail in Winter Park, Florida.